In a celebration of the contribution business makes to Queensland's social and economic development, six Queensland business greats were last night inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships) Professor Peter Little said the inductees were representative of a wide cross-section of Queensland's business history, many having their roots planted in the colonial era.
Professor Little said, for example, Brisbane-based global giant the Campbell Brothers Limited, began as soap manufacturers at Kangaroo Point in 1863.
"Now headquartered at Milton, the company's strategy over time to focus on the chemistry aspects of its business was a wise one as the company now employs 11,000 people in 300 sites around the world and has a turnover of $1.4 billion," he said.
"Campbell Brothers is the largest provider of environmental analytical chemistry services in the world and has been called on the solve some of the world's most baffling chemical mysteries.
"The excellence of its work is recognised internationally. For example, it was employed by the US military to monitor the air quality in the cockpits of the raptor jets to determine why pilots were passing out and then helped rectify the problem. Recently, the company identified the source of the melamine milk contamination in China and is still working to ensure these products don't return to the market."
Professor Little said Campbell Brothers' strong focus on operational excellence and new technology had put them in good stead to withstand the global financial crisis.
He said the adoption of innovative business products and practices was the hallmark of all six inductees into the Hall of Fame.
The Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame now includes the stories of 34 business people and corporations who have helped shape Queensland's social and economic prosperity.
The distinguished Queenslanders inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame last night at a gala dinner at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre were:
•Campbell Brothers Limited, nearly 150 years old, for global business leadership in its field
•William Knox D'Arcy for his successful development of the Mt Morgan gold mine and role in the discovery of oil in Persia
•Cyril Golding for contributions to civil infrastructure and mining services in Queensland
•The McDonald Family for leadership in beef production over more than 150 years
•The RNA for its outstanding contribution to Queensland industry and society for 136 years
•Salvation Army General, General (Rtd) Eva Burrows AC for exceptional global and national leadership.
The Hall of Fame space resides within the State Library and includes a digital story booth and provides access to business memorabilia.
Visit www.halloffame.slq.qld.gov.au to view stories or to find out more about the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame inductees.
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901 rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au
