A NORTHERN Beaches-based niche gaming manufacturer is back on target after the  
global financial crisis put a dent in business.

The export sales of Battlefield Sports, which makes laser gaming equipment, are back to pre-GFC levels with a 45.2 per cent increase to $2 million in the last financial year.

The company will be showcased as an export success at an Export Week seminar in Cairns on Monday next week.

The business has its 1999 foundations at Clifton Beach where it still manufactures and ships out the laser skirmish gaming "guns". It also has a presence in southeast Queensland where there are offices in Brisbane and four battlefield venues, including on the Gold Coast, where they demonstrate the games.

Laser tag equipment is used by SWAT, law enforcement, military personnel and gamers in more than 35 countries. Laser tag guns work either indoors or outdoors.

The company also has
expanded into inflatable three-dimensional "forts", "bunkers" and simulated buildings to use as portable venues.

Marketing vice-president Nicole Lander said the UK was the biggest market.

"We’ve had a lot of sales in Canada," Mrs Lander said.

Recently the company joined forces with Microsoft to run a series of live games across Canada.

Mrs Lander said export sales were back to pre-GFC levels.

Five people are based in Cairns with other staff in Brisbane. It’s a family business with Mrs Lander and husband Peter looking after the Brisbane operations while Ivy and Zlatko Grcic running the small factory at Clifton Beach.

Parliamentary secretary assisting the Premier for Economic Development in Far North Queensland Steve Wettenhall said the region was home to a number of home-grown export success stories.

"Just one of Cairns’ thriving home-grown exporters is Battlefield Sports, which has enjoyed strong success since it was founded in 1999," he said.

Battlefield Sports is a world leading manufacturer of commercial grade infrared guns for fun combat games without the bruises.

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