Industry fund Auscoal has been named the most successful private business in regional Australia at the 2009 ANZ BRW Private Business Awards.

Auscoal, which is based in Warners Bay in New South Wales, beat Casella Wines and independent grain manager Emerald Group Australia to clinch the title, which was announced at a gala dinner last week.

Auscoal was the only superannuation fund to feature in the nominee list.

"It shows that right here in the Hunter we have businesses that are mixing it with the best and coming out on top," Auscoal chief executive Bruce Watson said.

"Our success can be attributed to an outstanding workforce with a thorough knowledge of the challenges and issues faced by its members. We have a number of employees who worked in the mines themselves or have strong personal links to miners.

"Our employees are the pick of the crop and being named most successful private business in regional Australia is testament to their skill and commitment."

There were nine award categories this year, including excellence in customer service, for which Auscoal was also nominated this year and won last year, and excellence in environmental practices.

The fund plans to maintain its regional focus and will soon open an office in Singleton, NSW.

It currently has offices in Mackay and Rockhampton in Queensland, Sydney and Wollongong.

The not-for-profit superannuation fund has 65,000 members and had $4.6 billion in funds under management at 30 June.