USC has presented a game-changing materials handling company with the $10,000 USC Innovation of the Year Prize at Moreton Bay Regional Council’s second annual Moreton Bay Innovation Awards.

Narangba's Attollo Australia received the honour for developing a cutting-edge universal forklift accessory that allows more items to be placed in shipping containers without the use of pallets.

Now being used interstate and internationally, the innovation – known as the rotating dual push-pull clamp – has already saved one of its clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in storage space.

USC’s Chief Operating Officer Scott Snyder presented senior staff from Attollo Australia with the prize at the recent Awards’ Gala event at Kallangur, a short distance from the proposed USC Moreton Bay campus at Petrie, which is planned to open in 2020.

This is the first year that USC has sponsored the awards, run by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said he had been impressed by the ingenuity shown by Attollo in producing the new forklift accessory.

“At USC, we know innovation is key to the future of our region,” he said. “As we progress towards the opening of our Moreton Bay campus, we’re committed to working with government, industry and local residents to develop innovative education and research that will have a real impact in the community.

“The award nominees showcase just some of the many local business and organisations that are working to drive innovation and sustainability in Moreton Bay.

“We’re looking forward to partnering in those efforts for many years to come.”

Attollo managing director Stefan Marschner, who accepted the award, said he was extremely proud that the company’s efforts to ‘think outside the box’ had been recognised.

“We’re looking forward to seeing USC engage with the local community in Moreton Bay,” he said. “We think there are tremendous opportunities that can be tapped into and grown in this region.”

For more information about the 2017 Moreton Bay Innovation Awards visit: www.moretonbayinnovationawards.com.au/2017-Finalists/

— Gen Kennedy