Susan Heaney is inaugural Female Manufacturer

Industry identity and president of Printing Industries, Susan Heaney was named as Female Manufacturer of the Year 2012 for her work in managing her family-owned Gold Coast printing company.

Entrants for the award were chosen to illustrate how women of any age, at any level in manufacturing, have affected positive change in manufacturing processes, management, and training or skills development in Australia.

Heaney said she was slightly embarrassed to compete against such a high quality assortment of competitors for the title. “It is great that Australia is recognising that women in the workplace have the drive and talent to run a quality business. After 23 years in this one I still learn everyday, and that in some part is the key to my success.

“I am truly honoured to be the inaugural recipient of this Award, which I see is as much of an acknowledgement of my team here at Heaney’s, as it is about me. As always, people are my key asset, and I am fortunate to work with the best in the business,” said Heaney (pictured). “In my business, as with most, it is very much a case of innovate or wilt on the vine.”

Heaney’s daughter, Rebecca Dannock, accepted the award on her behalf at the ceremony in Pyrmont in Sydney. Susan was attending drupa delivering her international speaking debut at the Heidelberg Women in Print conference, where she was one of five international speakers sharing her business experience with over 100 participants from around the globe.