The Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA Australia) recently announced the winners of their inaugural ‘2010 Awards for Excellence’ at a gala event in Sydney. The awards took place on 25th November at Sydney’s iconic Doltone House and was hosted by Paul McDermott of Good News Week

A big winner on the night was the Dyson Airblade hand dryer, which took out two of the industry’s ten coveted awards with the FMA Australia & ISS ‘Product Excellence Award’ and FMA Australia & Rider Levett Bucknall ‘Industry Innovation Excellence Award’.

The FMA Australia ‘Awards for Excellence’ marks the first time an industry awards program was held to nationally recognise the individuals and organisations that have achieved significant outcomes for the FM sector.

A panel of leaders from the following industry and research bodies were on the judging panel for the awards:

  • Queensland University
  • South Australia University
  • Sustainability Victoria
  • National Research Centre
  • Green Building Council of Australia
  • Virgin; and Bovis Lend Lease
“For a relative newcomer to the facility management sector to win these two awards is a testament to the Australian industry’s enthusiasm for new technology solutions,” states Ross Cameron, Managing Director of Dyson South East Asia.

“Our 700 plus research and development team are focused on engineering products that work significantly better. In the case of the Airblade hand dryer, it was about delivering to the industry a hand dryer that will work properly; drying hands quickly, hygienically and with minimal impact to the environment. So it was exciting to see Australia’s response to this commitment reflected so strongly on the night.” Mr Cameron concludes.

Earlier this year, the Dyson Airblade hand dryer was also recognised nationally for its environmental impact. Only the second product in Australia, the first commercial appliance, to be awarded the Planet Ark Australia and Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction Label for its ability to help in minimising the nation’s carbon footprint.

More information on Dyson Airblade hand dryers is available from Dyson Appliances .