Cochlear Wins Prestigious Export Award

For Release: November 13, 2003

Media Release

The Australian-based biotechnology success story, Cochlear, has won a prestigious export award.

Cochlear, which has its global headquarters in Sydney and one of its research centres in Melbourne, was last night acclaimed for its efforts as an Australian-made large manufacturer.

Trade Minister Mark Vaile announced the win in Sydney yesterday, which was a part of the 40th Australian Export Awards.

Cochlear won the Australia-made Large Manufacturer category.

The company is the international market leader in cochlear implant technology and since 1982, it has helped more than 50,000 people in 120 countries to hear.

A cochlear implant is a device that is designed to restore a degree of hearing (or auditory sensation) to adults and children with severe to profound deafness.

Cochlear employs more than 800 people and exports 95% of what it produces to almost 80 countries.

Each year approximately 15% of its revenue is directed into the research and development of new technology.

Cochlear has more than 70% of the global cochlear implant market.

The company’s CEO/President Jack O’Mahony said the award acknowledged Cochlear’s leading-edge technology and its lifetime commitment to recipients.

“At Cochlear, nothing is as important as good science, and we are committed to ensuring our recipients receive the best that technology can deliver,” he said.

Mr O’Mahony said the award was a tribute to the work of Cochlear’s staff both in Sydney and around the world.

“We presently employ people encompassing more than 70 nationalities at Cochlear and we scour the world to find the best people to work within the company,” he said.

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