It was a night to remember as PACE Zenith Awards 2012 saw eight innovative projects and two outstanding individuals take out top honours.
MC Shane Jacobson kept proceedings crisp and thoroughly enjoyable with the dinner guests thoroughly enthralled with his light-hearted humourous view of the world where nothing was off limits.
The overall Project of the Year Award was won by Aurecon Hatch for NCIG Coal Export Terminal Control System.
Pictured alongside is Aurecon Hatch's Andrew Hepburn, flanked by PACE Editor Kevin Gomez (L) and PACE Associate Publisher Martin Sinclair (R).
Here's what the judges said: "Congratulations on a well presented submission detailing a finely-executed and important project for the minerals export sector."
Category winners are:
Food & Beverage (sponsored by Siemens)
Winner: Process Partners for five:am
Judge's comments: "This is a well designed and executed project given the tight time frames involved to get a new production plant up and running. The solution helped deliver sustainable manufacturing processes by reducing wastage and enabling significant time savings.”
Power & Energy Management (sponsored by Schneider Electric)
Winner: PTronik for PTronik pMC Master Controller
Judge's comments: “This is a good example of continuous development to ensure optimisation for filter efficiency. The project was able to cut plant maintenance costs, reduce emissions and increase up time.”
Machine Builder (sponsored by B&R)
Winner: CKAS Mechatronics for CKAS "Cranky" Full Motion Wharf Crane Simulator
Judge's comments: “This project represents a good application in simulation for operator training in the workplace as well as contributing to safety management. A small innovative engineering company was able to master very large set of multidisciplinary engineering skills to deliver this project.”
Automotive & Manufacturing (sponsored by ifm efector)
Winner: Robotic Automation & Amcor Cartons for Robotic End-of-Line Solution
Judge's comments: “This well-designed and excellently engineered project resulted in tangible gains for the stake holders. The project was delivered on time and within budget and delivered enormous productivity gains and helped lower costs.”
Water & Wastewater (sponsored by Endress+Hauser Australia)
Winner: SAGE Automation for State Water iSMART (integrated Surveillance, Monitoring, Automation & Remote Telemetry) SCADA Upgrade Project
Judge's comments: “This project employed concurrent teams so that design, construct and commission stages could progress simultaneously. The client was successfully transitioned to industry standard protocols and devices giving them vendor independence in the future.”
Young Achiever (sponsored by SICK)
Winner: Lucya Yunus from Xstrata Copper North Queensland
Judge's comments: “Lucya has demonstrated initiative in researching and developing a tool that has helped her company significantly reduce costs. She has been commended for her problem-solving skills and is considered an excellent role model for her peers and juniors.”
Transport, Power & Infrastructure (sponsored by Honeywell Process Solutions)
Winner: Aurecon Hatch for NCIG Coal Export Terminal Control System
Judge's comments: “This complex project was impressive as it required a diverse range of control equipment and a fast track schedule. The team demonstrated a range of engineering skills to deliver the project on time and within budget.”
Oil & Gas (sponsored by AMS Instrumentation & Calibration)
Winner: Qenos for Qenos Altona Olefins Advanced Process Control and Plantwide Feed Maximiser
Judge's comments: “This project is a good example of overcoming the difficulties of using Advanced and Multivariable Controls to improve plant operations. A small team was able to deliver a world class solution which generates a return on investment in a difficult local manufacturing environment.”
Mining, Minerals & Exploration (sponsored by Schneider Electric)
Winner: iOmniscient for BP (British Petroleum)
Judge's comments: “This locally developed advanced video analytic system was proven in some of the most harsh conditions. The project's success could see this sophisticated intrusion detection system employed in pipelines around the world.”
Lifetime Achievement (sponsored by LogiCamms)
Winner: Ken Brown from K E Brown Electrical Switchboards
Judge's comments: “Ken Brown has built a remarkable company by training staff well and giving them the best tools to do the job. Aside from setting up a successful company where 90-year old Ken still turns up for work regularly, he has also given back to the community and was a founding member of the National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturers Association.”