PACCAR Australia - manufacturer of Australia's number one heavy-duty truck brand, Kenworth and distributor of European market leading DAF trucks - has been awarded both the Business of the Year and Large Enterprise Award at the Melbourne South East Business Awards.

More than 350 people, representing leading small and large businesses, and representatives from 10 Eastern and South Eastern Local Governments, attended the gala awards ceremony. The Business of the Year was the premier award, with 10 finalists competing to achieve this overall accolade for business excellence within the South East Region of Melbourne.

Melbourne's South East represents 29% of Victoria's population and provides 26% of the State's jobs, encompassing 10 Council Municipalities from Whitehorse City Council through to Mornington Peninsula Shire. The South East Region has an economic and urban structure that encapsulates almost 1.5 million people, supporting over 530,000 jobs.

PACCAR Australia was again recognised for its outstanding success as a manufacturer and business performance as industry leader in the heavy duty truck market within Australia. It acknowledged the Company's ongoing commitment to skills and career development in meeting business needs and providing growth opportunities for employees.

Both awards were presented to PACCAR Australia's Managing Director, Mike Dozier, congratulating the company on its innovative approach to business improvement achieved through its employees.

Mr Dozier said he was honoured to have received these awards on behalf of PACCAR Australia. "A lot of media attention has been directed recently at manufacturing in Australia. I am proud to say that PACCAR Australia has been successfully manufacturing Australian designed Kenworth trucks in Bayswater since 1971. Our success comes in part from the powerful partnerships we have built over this period in Australia. First and most importantly with our customers, but also our dealer network, our suppliers, many of which operate in the South Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne, and the local community. I also want to make a special note of thanks to our 900+ employees - who are a committed, passionate and highly skilled workforce" Mike observed.

"Congratulations also to Assemco, a supplier to PACCAR Australia, who received the Medium Enterprise Award" concluded Mike.

The Melbourne South East Business Awards build on the recognition PACCAR Australia has received in recent years, including being crowned Victorian Employer of the Year for 2012 and 2007, as well as being inducted into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world's toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

For further information:

Neil Willox
Marketing Manager
PACCAR Australia
Tel: (03) 9721 1500