Makmax Wins Ifai 2010 International Achievement Award

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release 3 November 2010

MakMax wins IFAI 2010 International Achievement Award
Fabric architecture company MakMax Australia has recently received the Outstanding Achievement
Award at the 2010 International Achievement Award (IAA) held by the Industrial Fabrics Association
International (IFAI), for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications.
The innovative shade structure specialists received the highly respected award in the Commercial
Canopies category for its John Power Stand project.
MakMax Managing Director Bernie Neylan said the company was proud to win such a prestigious award
for a project that was not only so close to home, but one that also demonstrated the dynamic applications
of tensile membrane designs.
"Our company was able to create a unique fabric ceiling that refreshed the overall image of the John
Power Stand," Mr Neylan said.
"Originally built in the 1950s, we used the perimeter of the historic building as well as the structural
columns to support the fabric which in turn created an aesthetically pleasing and unique structure.
"As the main seating arena at the iconic Eagle Farm Racecourse, the John Power Stand project is literally
just down the road from our Brisbane office," Mr Neylan said.
The IFAI award ceremony took place at IFAI Expo Americas 2010 at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando, Florida, where the annual trade event ran from October 27-29. IFAI Expo is the largest
specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas.
Mr Neylan said that as the IFAI International Achievement Awards (IAA) has recognised excellence in
design and innovation for more than six decades, winning the Commercial Canopies category for this
project was even more special.
"Having been operating in Australia since the 1980s, at MakMax we pride ourselves on creating the
highest designs for each project need and all with the budget in mind," Mr Neylan said.
"The John Power Stand project is a perfect example of this, being a creative and effective combination of
high tensile fabric working together with a traditional solid structure."
In all, IFAI received 383 entries from 13 countries. Entries were judged by industry experts, editors,
architects, educators and design professionals who were selected for their knowledge in a particular field
of study or product area. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness
and function.
The goal of the International Achievement Awards is to promote awareness of the specialty fabrics used
in thousands of products and applications.
Since World Expo 88, MakMax has been winning awards in recognition for their innovative design and
advanced fabric technology.
For further information, photos and detailed project descriptions of the award winners visit the IFAI official
website at www.ifaipublications.com/iaa/.

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For further information, please contact:
Tristan Hughes/Emily Leiner
Phillips Group
Phone: 07 3230 5000
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]