Wins for Whiteley at Hunter Business Awards

Whiteley Corporation has taken out two Hunter Business Awards at this year’s event, held on 20 November 2020. Winning the Excellence in Business and Excellence in Import or Export categories, the awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication Whiteley has provided to its customers and suppliers during the pandemic. The accolades mark Whiteley’s most successful year at the Hunter Business Awards to date.

Dr Greg Whiteley accepted both awards on behalf of Whiteley Corporation, congratulated the entire Whiteley team and thanked the sponsors. The Excellence in Business award was sponsored by the NSW Minerals Council and the Excellence in Export award was sponsored by the Port of Newcastle.

“This is truly a company-wide award for all of the team at Whiteley,” he said.

“2020 has been a very challenging year, and our team has risen to the enormous and unexpected challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well done for a truly outstanding result.”

The COVID-19 pandemic saw Whiteley adapt its business operations rapidly in order to maintain supply for the Australian and regional healthcare market. Whiteley more than doubled its production capacity by expanding its workforce, adding a second shift and working additional days to meet demand. Manufacturing capacity was improved by the recruitment of specialists and procurement roles, wider training for current staff and purchasing additional capital equipment for production, packaging and dispatch.

Whiteley optimised its supply chain and brought forward the capital equipment investment program to include the purchase of new filling machines with enhanced capacity. Investments were also made in staff training and capital equipment for research projects.

“Our export business has grown dramatically over the pandemic, with a large increase in demand from existing customers and many new countries coming online,” Whiteley Managing Director Darran Leyden said.

“It is humbling to be recognised amongst so many great Hunter organisations and we empathise with those companies that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” Leyden added.

Image caption: Dr Greg Whiteley accepting the Excellence in Business award with Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes.