Media Release
24 November, 2009
Breakthrough in Super Sopper sales to India
Trade Minister Simon Crean has congratulated the small exporter Kuranda Manufacturing on its breakthrough in selling the Australian-made Super Sopper to Indian cricket authorities.
Kuranda Manufacturing’s Proprietor Len Withnall said the Super Soppers were proudly Australian and assembled on the family property near Taree in northern New South Wales.
The Australian invention for removing water from sports grounds is in strong demand on the sub-continent, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India ordering seven machines this month in preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to be held in South Asia.
This is the biggest single order for Super Soppers by the Indian Board and brings the total number sold to India in the last three years to 42.
"The Super Sopper is a great example of Australian ingenuity and I congratulate the company on its success in cracking the Indian market," Mr Crean said.
"Already a familiar sight to cricket fans at Australian cricket grounds such as the Gabba where Australia this week hosts the First Test against the West Indies, the Super Sopper is also well known internationally on grounds such as The Oval in London and will now become a regular feature at cricket venues around India."
"India is Australia’s fastest growing major two-way trading partner and this small family business is setting a great example for other Australian companies in the race to share in the Indian success story," Mr Crean said.
In the last calendar year alone, Kuranda Manufacturing supplied Super Soppers valued at $1.2 million to state cricket associations across India and is working on additional orders placed in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
India was Australia's fastest growing major two-way trading partner in 2008-09. In 2008-09, total trade between the two nations jumped 55 per cent to $21.7 billion."
Media Inquiries:
Mr Crean’s Office: 02 6277 7420
Austrade: Purnima Ganapathy 02 9390 2319
Departmental : 02 6261 1555