FROM a Guinness world record-breaking roller-coaster ride in the UK to goldmines in Papua New Guinea, one Queensland family business is riding a wave of success despite the economic downturn.

Sun Engineering, of Carole Park in Brisbane's southwest, reported annual revenue of $65 million last financial year and has recently won a $23 million contract to develop the Abbott Point coal terminal near Mackay.

Patrick and Patricia McMonagle established the business in 1975.

They continue to be involved - along with all seven of their children and some of their grandchildren.

Son Sean, the company's managing director, recently won an Ernst & Young northern region entrepreneur of the year award.

He says having offices in Papua New Guinea, China and the Middle East has helped the company maintain profitability during the world economic downturn.

"Our commercial and financial management has been such that we can make sure that we are robust enough to deal with these sorts of things," Mr McMonagle says.

"Being so widespread across the globe allows us to be involved in markets all around the world. We have been working on projects that are committed and long term, so that is how we have maintained our levels."

Most of its international work is from mining and infrastructure, but the company has also assisted in developing Queensland icons including the roof of Suncorp Stadium and the Tower of Terror at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.

Mr McMonagle says although the company has experienced a decline in the number of projects, the demand for infrastructure from countries such as China is still strong.

"In China, people have money to spend and want to spend it on entertainment.

"All around the country gymnasiums and theme parks are popping up as at certain levels people still have expendable incomes.

"We have maintained our levels of sales and profitability on the back on what we are doing internationally."

Global business development manager Michael Rodwell says most of international business is driven by marketing.

"The key is identifying how these countries do business and finding out what is the right approach to bring that business through the door," Mr Rodwell says.

"Your enthusiasm and product will shine through and that is the key to approaching communication barriers."

Mr Rodwell says the expansion into the Middle East will open the door to new opportunities once international economies stabilise and demand for resources returns.

"We see Dubai as a good entry point into West Africa which we believe is the next evolving market," he says. "We currently have a lot of major projects in the resource sector, and are looking at where those markets can take us."

The Guinness Book of Records has recently added the Sun Engineering-built Mumbo Jumbo ride at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire to its "steepest roller-coaster made from steel" category.

 

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