Gisborne’s Pultron Composites wins A$1m prize in City of Moreton Bay

Gisborne firm Pultron Composites has won a A$1 million global competition that will see it set up a base in the City of Moreton Bay in Queensland. From left are Pultron head of growth opportunities Anna Holdsworth, chief executive Jasper Holdsworth, University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor Helen Bartlett, and City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery.

Gisborne-based Pultron Composites has won a A$1 million prize across the Tasman as it consolidates itself in Australia’s corrosion-free reinforcement infrastructure market.

After a competitive pitch, the composites manufacturer was named the winner of the City of Moreton Bay’s Ultimate HQ package, a global business attraction initiative led by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and the City of Moreton Bay in Queensland.

The prize includes five years of free rent at a headquarters space in the city, in the north of greater Brisbane, a A$250,000 fit-out contribution and professional support from partner companies.

The competition attracted entries from six countries, reached more than six million people and represented a field of applicants worth more than A$500m in potential capital investment and 1000 prospective jobs, a City of Moreton press release said.

From an initial list of 200 local and international entries, Pultron was selected after a multi-stage evaluation process that included technical presentations and a final pitch to a nine-member judging panel.

The finalists spent five days in City of Moreton Bay, meeting business and industry stakeholders, University of the Sunshine Coast researchers and civic leaders, including a “beach boardroom” experience on Bribie Island.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the result showcased the city’s commitment to attracting high‑value industries and supporting globally ambitious companies.

“This competition pairs our great lifestyle and location with serious economic ambition, a strong education partner and a business community that collaborates to create high‑value local jobs.”

Founded nearly 40 years ago in Gisborne, Pultron Composites specialises in the manufacture of high-performance corrosion-resistant composite technologies.

“The City of Moreton Bay is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions and a significant investor in long-life infrastructure,” Pultron said in a statement.

“For coastal and marine environments, where salt exposure accelerates steel corrosion, asset owners are increasingly seeking whole-of-life performance solutions.”

Chief executive Jasper Holdsworth added, “Australia spends more than $8 billion every year repairing corrosion damage. That is steel rusting inside concrete.

“Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has evaluated our technology, approved it and now specifies it in major infrastructure projects.”

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett said the university was excited to work with Pultron to accelerate research and workforce outcomes.

“Their headquarters at Moreton Bay Central will provide direct access to UniSC researchers, facilities and students across engineering, technology and business, opening opportunities for experimentation, collaboration and real‑world impact.”