Press release from News Limited – Perth Now July 21, 2010

KAPP Engineering is crowned Telstra WA Business of the Year 

The Balcatta business, which provides world-class engineering services and products in the field of industrial automation and process control, also won the Businessowner Micro Business Award.

Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Ambassador for the Telstra Business Award, Deena Shiff, said all five category winners were chosen from hotly contested fields and had sound business strategies to continue their current growth.

“KAPP should feel a great sense of pride because the calibre of the 20 finalists in this year’s Telstra Awards was very impressive, reflecting the strength of Australia’s small and medium business sector,” Ms Shiff said.

The KAPP Engineering team, comprising equal partners Kieran Sadlier, Amir Tanady, Praveen Paul and Peter Parlongo, initially chose to concentrate on Perth’s metropolitan market while competitors were focussing on bigger resource projects. From humble but visionary beginnings, KAPP Engineering today provides a range of services designing and commissioning engineering solutions, reselling hundreds of different automation products, project management and training services for clients, such as the Water Corporation of WA.

The company’s digital-based control system used by Taiwan’s high-speed rail project synchronises the lifting of a 12-car train to allow under-carriage work to be done.

Giving insight into characteristics that had distinguished KAPP Engineering in the judging process, Ms Shiff said: “Judges said KAPP Engineering provides clever and world class electrical engineering services, focusing on proactive innovation and winning national and international tenders with a strong customer focus, impressive service standards and industry-leading turnaround times.

“The four directors of the business were described as a close-knit group whose skills complement each other to drive the business further. The judges added that the business showcases true entrepreneurial spirit and intellectual pursuit combined with the foresight to undertake training for the future.”

KAPP Engineering Managing Director Peter Parlongo said winning a Telstra Business Award gave recognition to the company’s passion for providing excellent customer service and rewarded the whole team for their hard work, dedication and professionalism.

“We are living proof that four-way business partnerships can be successful and we hope to provide inspiration to young entrepreneurs who may be a bit hesitant to take the plunge and start a business by themselves,” he said.

Presenting the Telstra WA Business of the Year Award, Ms Shiff said Telstra was proud to be a key partner of small and medium businesses by providing voice and data communications services and solutions that contribute to their success.

“Through our long commitment to the Telstra Business Awards, we wish to encourage a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit and business achievements of Australia’s finest small and medium enterprises,” she said.