Winning a Canstar Blue Innovation Excellence Award was a proud moment for German manufacturer Bora as it progresses on its journey to be the number one downdraft ventilation system in Australia.

The Bora Basic was honoured earlier this week in the inaugural announcement of the awards, which recognise and praise companies for investing in and developing new technologies to improve the lives of users. The Bora Basic was singled out, the organisers said, because:

“It is a cooktop and vapour extractor combined. It includes a glass ceramic induction cooktop, touch control operation with four cooking zones, and a centrally integrated cooktop extractor fan. This eliminates the need for an overhead extractor.”

Markus Ostermaier, managing director of Bora in Australia, said this was a very pleasing result.

“We are very proud; receiving the award is confirmation that we are being recognised by industry and consumer experts for a product that required enormous commitment to develop such a unique design,” he said.

Ostermaier said that since Bora first came to Australia in early 2013, there has been a very encouraging response from local consumers. The pro forma brand is mostly sold in high-end showroom-style appliance retailers, which have reported enormous interest in seeing how downdraft extraction works first hand.

“Bora has had a very positive reaction from consumers who see the huge benefits it offers, including kitchen design, ease of cleaning, minimal use of cabinet space, quietness of operation and quality of materials.

“People and architects realise that it is a solution not only for design issues of high ceiling or windows positions but used in every single kitchen.”

Ostermaier clearly isn’t one for conservatism, saying the company’s goal is total domination of the category:

“As a business, we are committed to the Australian market and we will establish Bora in Australia as number one for downdraft systems, as it currently known for in Europe. This is just the beginning of a long term vision of BORA in the Australian market.”

Also winning Canstar Blue Innovation Excellence Awards in 2014 were Sony, LG, Breville, Philips, Dimplex and Zip.