Geelong’s Care Essentials win 2023 Regional Exporter category, overall Australian Exporter of the Year at annual awards

A North Geelong company has taken out a huge prize at the annual Australian Export Awards.

Geelong's Care Essentials is the 2023 Australian Exporter of the Year. Pictured are Abhay Sinha (Founder Care Essentials) with the N95/P2 mask and Ishan Sinha (Director at Care Essentials) with Surgical Mask. Picture: Supplied/Glenn Ferguson

A North Geelong company providing innovative medical products to hospital patients has taken out a top prize at the Australian Export Awards.

Care Essentials, which exports products including N95 masks, sterilisation wraps, warming blankets and warming machines for hospitals, has been named the 2023 Australian Exporter of the Year and winner of the Regional Exporter category during the November 30 ceremony.

Established in 1996, the family-owned business has grown to become a world leading exporter.

It now exports its medical products to the United States, England, Taiwan, New Zealand, Japan, India and countries across Europe.

The Australian Export Awards, in its 61st year, is one of the country’s longest running business award programs.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said the businesses were recognised not only for their “incredible effort and innovation”, but also their contribution to the economy and the jobs they’d helped to create.

“In fact, this year’s finalists employ more than 22,500 people and generated close to $12 billion in export earnings last financial year,” he said.

“Half of tonight’s national finalists are small businesses, with an annual turnover of less than $10 million.

“Nearly 40 per cent are led, or co-led, by women.”

Mr Farrell said trade was a key “lever” of the Australian economy.

Care Essentials was one of two Victorian companies honoured at the awards, with SDI Limited taking out the win in the International Health category.

For more information about the awards, visit www.exportawards.gov.au

Originally published as Geelong’s Care Essentials win 2023 Regional Exporter category, overall Australian Exporter of the Year at annual awards