'Small idea' goes from garage to world leader - and Premier's award

AN ‘idea’ which started in a garage in Moreton Bay, has landed a top prize at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards.

Caboolture-based NLT Digital Solutions won the Minerals, Energy and Related Services category for its underground network and communication technologies - and was a finalist in the Regional Exporter Award.

It is a world leader in cap lamps, tracking and communications and was the first company to introduce Wi-Fi networks to underground coal mines.

“NLT Digital solutions was thrilled to have been selected as the winner in our category at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards,” CEO Tony Napier said.

“It was an exceptional recognition of the many years of hard work our team has done to achieve the record levels of exports in the past year to multiple countries from England to Ecuador and Mexico to South Africa.

“Being selected as the winner has highlighted what can be achieved from a small idea in a Moreton Bay garage that is nurtured and grown through hard work and commitment.”

NLT specialises in Networks for Harsh Environments with its core markets being underground hard rock mines, coal mines and tunnel construction sites.

It is both a research and development company, developing many of its core products and Digital Mine software suite, as well as a manufacturer of those products.

NLT exports products and services to overseas markets in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and the UK.

Earlier this year, NLT opened a subsidiary branch office in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Brendale-based Solar Bollard Lighting was also a finalist in the Small Business Award and Sustainability Award categories.

Main picture: From left, Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaczuzcuk, NLT Software Engineer Will Ellis, NLT Sale Network Engineer Roger Taylor, a Sales Network Engineer and Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni at the awards night presentation.

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