Four Hunter manufacturing award winners have progressed to the 2026 Australian Manufacturing Awards as national finalists, following recognition at the 2025 Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA).
HMA said the finalists have been recognised for their work across areas including innovation, digital transformation, electric vehicle integration and manufacturing skills. The four finalists are Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists (AEVS), Design Anthology, Jaegersoft and Nicole Clifton.
AEVS, the 2025 HMA Outstanding Start-Up Award winner, has been named a finalist for the Best Start-Up Award. Design Anthology, which received HMA’s Excellence in Innovation Award, is competing in the Innovation category, while Jaegersoft, winner of the HMA Digital Transformation Award, is a finalist for Digital Transformation.
Nicole Clifton, the 2025 HMA Apprentice of the Year, has progressed to the national Apprentice of the Year category. Clifton completed her apprenticeship with Regal Rexnord with support from HunterNet Career Connections.
Hunter Manufacturing Chair Chris Kelleher said the finalists reflected the range of capabilities within the region’s manufacturing sector.
“The diversity of this year’s national finalists reflects the depth of talent, innovation and manufacturing capability that exists across our region,” Kelleher said.
“Manufacturing today is driven by ingenuity, smart technology, creativity and skilled people.”
The pathway was established in 2025 through a partnership between the Hunter Manufacturing Awards, Industry Update and the Australian Manufacturing Awards, allowing selected HMA category winners to progress directly as national finalists.
HMA said the pathway previously resulted in Newcastle-based Allegro Energy progressing from HMA recognition to winning the national Best Start-Up Award at the inaugural Australian Manufacturing Awards.
The 2026 Australian Manufacturing Awards will be held in Melbourne on 8 October. HMA said the four Hunter finalists will be seeking to follow Allegro Energy’s progression to national recognition.
“The finalists from our region are outstanding ambassadors for our industry and community, and we wish them every success at the national awards,” Kelleher said.
Entries for the 2026 Hunter Manufacturing Awards have closed, with finalists due to be announced on 1 October ahead of the HMA Gala Award Night at NEX Newcastle on 30 October.
