Quik Corp achieves long-term success on the Coast

From a small family start-up selling equipment at field days, Warana-based business Quik Corp has been recognised for its innovation and premium services by winning the Telstra Queensland Business of the Year Award for 2016.

Sales & Business Development Manager Chris Coren said being based on the Sunshine Coast was a key to the company’s success.

“Clearly the Sunshine Coast is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and the close proximity to Brisbane and skilled workforce has been a great help in propelling the company forward,” Mr Coren said.

“The Sunshine Coast is home to a very vibrant business community and more and more prospective employees are fulfilling their dream of a great work and lifestyle balance here.

“The products we manufacture, whilst diverse in nature, are all suited to harsh rural environments. We manufacture an iconic Agricultural product called Quik Spray which is a herbicide application system we produce for farmers and councils all over the country. In fact Sunshine Coast Council has several units in their fleet. We actually export this product to the USA and Canada as well.

“In the last couple of years we have launched a range of equipment called GreenPro which are ATV towable farm implements suited to the burgeoning lifestyle and hobby farm market and designed to ensure that small farmers can work their land without having to buy a tractor and several oversized implements.

“The area that has seen the most growth and expansion is our fire engineering division. We are custom body builders and manufacture fire appliances for numerous fire agencies including the Qld rural fire service and State Forestry departments around Australia.”

Mr Coren said the company’s strong focus on innovation was ideally suited to Sunshine Coast.

“Innovation is the cornerstone of our organisation. We have a fully equipped research and development department that works closely with our customer base to understand the best solutions for the biggest problems and as a result we produce numerous prototypes per year,” he said.

“Before we launched our GreenPro range nationally we field tested the equipment and then test cased it live with customers in a 200km radius to ensure we could iron out any kinks and provide very close support should it be needed. The end result is very happy customers and an innovative product range that we know works really well.

“Australian manufacturing is extremely tough and there are numerous cases of companies failing due to overseas competition or indeed having to move overseas to remain viable I.e. Ford and Holden. We are expanding and our

Factory in Victoria has recruited the majority of its production team who were made redundant from the automotive industry.

“In recent times we have also worked with Sunshine Coast Council on a prototype steam unit for weed treatment and it’s refreshing to see the level of commitment from organisations like Council for new technology.

“Rising business confidence and the Sunshine Coast’s big game changer projects like the University Hospital, the Maroochydore City Centre and the Airport Expansion are real potential positives for our business. We have a diverse range of core products and are always looking at new opportunities and quality products to release. The increased investment in infrastructure and new projects in the region will be a positive for all business here.”

Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Stephen Robinson said Quik Corp’s success was yet another example of the outstanding business environment and opportunities that exist here on the Coast.

“The Sunshine Coast is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s leading city regions, providing an outstanding location for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism,” Cr Robinson said.

“It’s terrific to see locally based companies like Quik Corp, Typefi, Enopte and Springfree Trampolines, just to name a few, who are all innovators in their respective industries and are achieving great business outcomes as a result.

“They’re certainly not alone, other major companies like Youii and Auto & General have recognised the fantastic opportunities that exist in our region by expanding their local operations, while other locally-based businesses like Helimods, Country Chef and Co-Yo continue to go from strength to strength nationally and overseas.

“Exporting is one of the keys to future economic prosperity on the Sunshine Coast and our Regional Economic Development Strategy aims for 20% of locally produced goods and services to be available for export by 2033.

“To help drive this into action, council provides export programs, networking events and a LinkedIn group that provide local businesses with coaching, hands-on experience and connections to people who can help them enter the export market with confidence.

“As Chris has highlighted and so many others recognised, the Sunshine Coast is evolving through game-changer projects like the Maroochydore Smart City Centre currently being developed at Maroochydore, the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the $347 million Airport Expansion project.

“This fantastic economic blueprint, underpinned by the Regional Economic Development Strategy, will continue to drive performance of our economy and encourage more businesses to thrive and invest in our region.”