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EDITORIAL
Head of Editorial: Jack Salter jack.salter@outpb.com
Deputy Head of Editorial: Lucy Pilgrim lucy.pilgrim@outpb.com
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ALUMINIUM SHINES BRIGHT
Welcome to our 70th edition of APAC Outlook magazine.
In the realm of construction, aluminium has numerous unique benefits, including its light weight, strength, and recyclability.
Alspec, Australia’s leading distributor of forward-thinking aluminium systems, sits at the heart of the nation’s ever-expanding construction sector.
It is an exciting time for this issue’s cover star, with extensive developments underway in the fields of smart building technologies and sustainable construction practices.
Leveraging these trends, we discover how Alspec is well positioned to meet the demands of modern construction and adhere to stringent environmental standards through its wide range of aluminium systems and products.
Whilst Alspec is capitalising on the unique attributes of aluminium in Australia, neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces the critical task of tapping into its natural resources to ensure energy access and security.
This is where Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) steps in as the national petroleum and energy company of PNG, whose extensive initiatives are focused on enhancing quality of life in the country whilst ensuring the development of sustainable energy sources.
“KPHL is confident that LNG will play a crucial role as a transition fuel in global decarbonisation efforts,” informs Managing Director, Wapu Sonk.
“Even though PNG is blessed with extensive sustainable energy resources, such as solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal, it will take some time to develop these fully.”
The same cannot be said of trailers, which have been a mainstay of the Australian manufacturing and transport industries for decades, offering dynamic opportunities for many businesses across the nation.
When it comes to the productivity and design of trailers, the boundaries of the transport sector Down Under have always been pushed.
We speak to the leadership team at Krueger Transport Equipment about the company’s pioneering designs and commitment to the highest standards of trailer manufacturing.
“Our commitment to excellence, reliability, and customer satisfaction has solidified our position as a powerhouse in the Australian transportation market,” prides CEO, Kevin Dennis.
Elsewhere in this issue, read on for corporate stories from the likes of Ausdrill, PBE Group, Cosmic Group, Brefni, Mayur Resources, and more.
We hope that you enjoy your read.
Jack Salter Head of Editorial, Outlook Publishing
Cultivating
66 Central Petroleum
Supplying and Securing Australia’s Energy Future
Unlocking Central Australia’s energy potential
MANUFACTURING
76 Krueger Transport Equipment
Time-Tested Quality and Excellence
Committed to the highest standards of trailer manufacturing
92 HighCom Group
Protecting the Frontline Defenders
Technological defence manufacturing capability products and tailored solutions
Mayur Resources
Nation Building in Papua New Guinea
Reducing the carbon footprint of the building materials market
& UTILITIES
Cosmic Group Cosmic Capabilities
CONSTRUCTION
38 Brefni
The Smarter, Sharper Solution
Delivering sustainable civil infrastructure
OIL & GAS 48 Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited
Powering
Creating
Ausdrill
We
116 PBE Group
Vanguards of
Established
World-class expertise in wind turbines HEALTHCARE 146 International SOS
Global Reach with a Human Touch
A leader in international health and security risk management
Nutrition Warehouse Stronger Every
shop for healthy living
SUSPECTED PVH CORP. CHINESE BOYCOTT
THE COMMERCE MINISTRY in Beijing, China, is investigating US fashion retailer PVH Corp, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, for its refusal to source cotton from the Xinjiang region. The US banned imports from the area in 2021 due to concerns that goods were being produced using forced labour from the Uyghur ethnic group.
The move could lead to sanctions on the company, which has significant business interests in China. PVH Corp’s unwillingness to source cotton from manufacturers in the Xinjiang region means that it is suspected of violating market transaction principles, placing it on an unreliable entities list.
TECHNOLOGY
CLOUDS ARE GATHERING OVER THAILAND
EXPANDING ITS PRESENCE in Asia, Google plans to invest USD$1 billion to build its first data centre in Thailand, enhancing its cloud infrastructure. The country’s digital economy is the second largest in Southeast Asia, projected to reach USD$50 billion by 2025.
Google will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) to stay competitive against rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI. While the company currently dominates the search engine market, it faces challenges from the rise of generative AI. Nevertheless, such technology has helped the industry titan to pioneer early research on transformer models, which are the foundation of AI products such as ChatGPT.
REAL ESTATE COSTS DEMOLISHED
SINGAPORE’S PRIVATE HOUSING prices have declined for the first time in over a year due to sluggish sales. Transaction volumes dropped by about 11 percent in Q3 compared to the previous three months.
Some buyers have postponed their home purchases in anticipation of the
US Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut in September, but mortgage interest rates in Singapore are expected to remain high compared to the low levels enjoyed over the past decade.
However, the resale prices of Housing and Development Board flats increased by 2.5 percent in Q3 compared to Q2. Over 80 percent of Singaporeans live in public housing flats, which are built, sold, and subsidised by the government.
HEALTHCARE
INDIA WARNS OF NEW MPOX STRAIN
SINCE THE WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency in August this year, a more dangerous variant has begun to spread globally.
India has reported its second case of the highly transmissible clade 1b strain, which has been linked to the ongoing outbreak in Africa, involving a 26-year-old man in Kerala who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
TRANSPORT
ON TRACK FOR SPEEDY DELIVERY
60 YEARS AGO, Japan entered its bullet train era, cultivating a growing Shinkansen rail network over the years. Today, the country remains a world leader in track transport technology as it launches the next generation of revolutionary rail travel.
The ALFA-X is currently being tested at speeds of almost 250 miles
This closely follows another case of a 38-year-old man from the same region who had been to Dubai. The contagious virus has triggered action from the Union Health Ministry in India, who aims to contain the situation.
AVIATION
FIGHT FOR FAIR FLIGHTS
THE AUSTRALIAN
FEDERATION of Air Pilots (AFAP) has rejected a wage proposal from Qantas Airways (Qantas) for its shorthaul flights. This comes days after the airline’s engineers recently went on strike to demand a better pay deal.
Quantas’ proposal included a twoyear wage freeze, higher minimum guaranteed hours, increased standby pay, and payments for flying hours that may be lost due to unplanned disruptions or schedule changes during a roster period.
per hour (mph). The defining feature of recent Shinkansen trains is their extremely long noses, designed not to improve their aerodynamics but eliminate sonic booms – an issue in densely populated urban areas. However, the vanguards of rail transportation are about to be eclipsed by China, which has harvested technology from Japan to develop magnetically levitating trains, capable of running at almost 400 mph.
Out of the 786 short-haul Qantas pilots who voted, 63.4 percent were against the deal. AFAP warned of an escalation if the airline ignored the results.
AEROSPACE
SPACE SUITED AND MOON BOOTED
CHINA HAS TAKEN a giant leap in its ambitious plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, unveiling a spacesuit specially designed for the mission. The red and white attire, revealed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), has been created to withstand extreme temperatures on the lunar surface, as well as radiation and dust, while allowing greater physical flexibility.
The spacecraft for the mission has been named Mengzhou, which translates to ‘dream vessel’, reflecting the nation’s aspirations about its journey into space exploration. As part of its broader goal to become a major player in space travel, China aims to establish an international lunar research station at the moon’s south pole by 2040.
Sustainable Transport in Asia
Sustainable transport in Asia is not just an aspiration; it is a necessity for achieving a liveable and prosperous future. Jeremy Farrington, Head of Asia Pacific at Building Design Partnership, discusses the ongoing journey to a cleaner transport industry across the continent
Written by: Jeremy Farrington, Head of Asia Pacific, Building Design Partnership
It’s no hidden secret that the rapid and continued urbanisation that we see throughout the Asia Pacific region is creating a diversity of issues.
The most pressing issue that concerns regional governments, policy makers, planners, developers, and investors, is twofold. Firstly, without a holistic approach to growth that incorporates sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions, they struggle to promote economic growth and employment while ensuring protection of the environment and climate change. Secondly, the challenge to develop urban infrastructure, transport, and services that enhance urban living and sustainability, while preserving the values that are typical to their region, is profound.
TACKLING THE PROBLEM
For placemakers, designers, and engineers, there is a considerable
amount to unpack in beginning to address the problems, but it’s important to not hide from the hard facts. With more than 60 percent of the world’s population residing in Asia, the need for sustainable transport solutions has never been more critical.
The transportation sector in Asia is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and traffic congestion. Continued city development and increasing vehicle ownership has led to a surge in transport-related challenges in places like Manila, Dhaka, and Jakarta. Many cities like Beijing, Delhi, and Shanghai, frequently grapple with severe air quality issues, resulting in public health crises and diminished quality of life, and across the region, a legacy of outdated, poor quality, and inefficient transport systems and infrastructure is hindering economic growth.
TARGETING SUSTAINABILITY
Transport development in Asia is complex. It necessitates the need for collaborative strategies that involve multiple stakeholders, such as national and local governments who play a critical role in fostering sustainable transport and communities who ensure that transport solutions meet local needs and ensure public buy-in. We also know that wider regional cooperation is crucial and initiatives such as the ASEAN Smart Cities Network promote the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions across member states, enhancing collective efforts towards sustainable transport.
So, the one-line objective is to develop sustainable transport systems that can actively and substantially reduce emissions, improve air quality, move people efficiently, be affordable and quick to develop, operate, and use, and be fit for the future. Sounds simple.
Of course, anyone who’s spent any time in Asia would know, whatever clear vision may exist, achieving that vision is never direct and easy, but the clues to the solutions are there already if you take the time to look
and unsurprisingly, innovation is leading the way.
For example, Singapore MRT and Hong Kong MTR are both exemplars of efficient public transport systems. Combined with an extensive (and increasingly green) bus system, the respective governments promote a culture of affordable public transportation use.
Furthermore, utilising Mobility as a Service (MaaS) technology and data driven analysis and design, further enhancements of user experience and improved transport network management can be realised. For example, ID&E and Building Design Partnership (BDP) are collaborating to use a new software called GauDT to influence transport solutions in Jakarta.
GauDT converts a breadth of different data sources such as personal, proprietary, governmental, public, and crowdsourced to deliver economic, infrastructure and people analytical insights. This valuable information will help the city reach transport and sustainability goals, such as reducing traffic congestion, understanding movement patterns and user behaviour, improving air quality, and creating multimodal, integrated transportation systems.
The lessons being learned here are being applied across the Asia Pacific region in new metro networks currently under development. Dhaka, for example, the rapidly developing capital city of Bangladesh, is undergoing a significant
transformation with the introduction of a series of metro lines and new road infrastructure. In collaboration with Nippon Koei, a multidisciplinary BDP team has been building on international, local, and regional expertise to develop sustainable, low carbon stations and transit-oriented designs that ensure a cultural and climatic fit for a city as vast and intricate as Dhaka.
PROGRESS FOR THE INDUSTRY
Elsewhere in Asia, smart mobility and technology is transforming transport. China, South Korea, and Japan lead the way with progressive policy changes to further encourage and implement electric vehicle (EV) adoption, autonomous vehicles, smart traffic management solutions, and walkable city masterplans.
Whilst there is still some way to go, pilot projects in Shenzhen, Bangkok, and Seoul are an iterative step in the right direction. Indeed, our work at Ogishima in Tokyo is another example of promoting sustainable transport models. Working with the landowner, JFE, the aim is to convert its Steel’s East Works located in Kawasaki into new industrial sites to create fields of innovation and enterprise that will address the complex challenges involved in the pursuit of carbon neutrality, next generation urban transport, and disaster response.
So, while there are indicators of a promising direction for sustainable transport strategies in Asia, there are still challenges to navigate and the success will hinge on a few key areas.
Increased investment in sustainable transport infrastructure, such as dedicated bus lanes, pedestrian pathways, and EV charging stations is crucial for encouraging adoption. Continued innovation in clean technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology will be essential, and comprehensive policies that promote sustainability, equity, and resilience must be established.
Perhaps even more crucially, we know that educating the public about the benefits of sustainable transport can drive behavioural changes. For cities, all future transit-related campaigns should highlight the health, environmental, and economic advantages of embracing sustainable modes of transport.
By embracing innovative practices, adopting collaboration among stakeholders, and overcoming existing challenges, Asia can chart a course towards a sustainable transportation landscape. With proactive leadership and a commitment to sustainability, the region has the potential to set a global standard in sustainable transport, paving the way for a greener and more connected future.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
With more than 20 years of experience, Jeremy Farrington is BDP’s Head of Asia Pacific region and leads the company’s Singapore and New Delhi studios.
Farrington has developed BDP’s international presence, with a particular focus on Asia. Based in China between 2010 and 2015, he was BDP Shanghai’s Studio Leader and Architect Director. Since then, his focus has turned to the wider Asia Pacific region with the establishment of BDP’s Singapore studio presence, and also to South Asia with the leadership of BDP’s India team. He has extensive experience in a broad range of projects and sectors encompassing mixed use, retail, leisure, culture, commercial, residential, urbanism, and transport across Asia and Europe.
Dhaka Metro Line
THE KEY INGREDIENT FOR AUSTRALIA’S GREEN IRON TRANSITION
Tim Dobson, Managing Director, discusses how Magnetite Mines’ Razorback Iron Ore Project will help to enable low-emission green iron and steel production in Australia as the industry commits to decarbonisation
Writer: Jack Salter
Magnetite Mines is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed iron ore company focused on the development of magnetite iron ore resources in the highly prospective Braemar
INGREDIENT GREEN
“The Braemar Iron Formation is a large geological formation that up until now has been undeveloped,” says Tim Dobson, Managing Director of Magnetite Mines.
“It’s not a new discovery; it’s been well-mapped, well-drilled, and is extremely well-delineated in terms of its mineralisation, so we know there’s a massive amount of magnetite available in this iron formation.”
The Razorback Project is somewhat different to other iron ore projects that have been developed globally over the years as it is able to produce extremely pure concentrate products required for green iron and steelmaking.
DECARBONISING STEEL
“The decarbonisation of the steel industry has made projects such as Razorback economically viable because of the premiums being commanded for high-grade concentrates,” Dobson insights.
Australia does not currently produce any iron ore or magnetite concentrate products that meet the very high-quality specifications required for the production of green iron, which is the key ingredient in green steel.
The Razorback Project can meet these specifications and is designed to deliver a long-term supply of magnetite concentrates to enable a new green iron production and export industry in the country.
MAGNETITE MINES’ KEY PRIORITIES
• Strategic partnering
• Securing land access
• Approvals, including a mining lease application to the state government
• Technical work to complete the DFS
“Even over the last 15 years, none of the magnetite projects developed in Australia are producing the highgrade products that are necessary for green iron production – this is what makes the Razorback Project stand out,” states Dobson.
As the global steel industry has committed to decarbonisation, the timing of Razorback’s development is in line with the forecasted increase in demand for the premium-quality iron ore products required to produce green iron.
Magnetite Mines has witnessed steelmakers increasingly shift towards decarbonising their operations, such as the move towards Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)-based steelmaking, but this transformation of the global steel industry will take time to play out.
PURE PRODUCT
EAF-based steelmaking requires a very high grade of iron ore concentrate feeds. For this reason, the direct reduced iron (DRI) process, which removes oxygen from iron ore in solid form, i.e. without melting, cannot reject any impurities like blast furnaces can.
“What goes in comes out in the steel at the other end, so it has to be a very pure product,” Dobson emphasises.
Total global iron ore production that meets these specifications currently sits at about five percent, which aligns with annual DRI production levels.
“If you look at global steel production of almost two billion tonnes per annum, 70 percent comes out of blast furnaces and 25 percent
Tim Dobson (right) at the Port Pirie MoU signing
comes from scrap being melted in EAFs or similar.
“That last five percent comes from DRI production, so it’s a technology that’s well known and was developed in places where there was no coal but lots of natural gas,” informs Dobson.
Traditionally, the concept of making green iron takes DRI technology and replaces natural gas with pure, green hydrogen molecules only produced from renewable energy.
Magnetite Mines’ Razorback Project aims to produce five million tonnes per annum of high-quality DRI feed grade concentrates, now considered a premium product, into a market that’s expected to grow as steelmakers implement EAFs and seek the supply chain to feed them.
The Razorback Project has the capacity to naturally expand to 10 million tonnes per annum, doubling the size of the operation.
“We’ll be able to expand our operations and production to match the increasing demand, so that’s a feature of our project configuration.”
ALIGNMENT WITH GOVERNMENT
The Razorback Project is fully aligned with both the state and federal governments’ focus on creating a green iron industry, and South Australia is rapidly emerging as a strong candidate for future production.
“There are not many places in the world where renewable energy at scale and magnetite concentrates coexist, but South Australia is one of them,” Dobson tells us.
This year, the Government of South Australia commenced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, seeking partners to jointly investigate the development of a green iron industry in the state by 2030.
“The government’s promise is that it will then align its policies and funding mechanisms to support that opportunity for the betterment of the state’s economic growth,” he adds.
The federal government has also recognised the opportunity and in May began consulting on opportunities to support the future growth of Australia’s green metals industry, a process that is aligned with the government’s flagship Future Made In Australia policy and associated fund.
The consultation aims to understand what the barriers are to decarbonising the production of green metals and what would encourage new investment, with the responses helping to guide policy development to support an Australian green metals industry.
“THE DECARBONISATION OF THE STEEL INDUSTRY HAS MADE PROJECTS SUCH AS RAZORBACK ECONOMICALLY VIABLE BECAUSE OF THE PREMIUMS BEING COMMANDED FOR HIGH-GRADE CONCENTRATES”
– TIM DOBSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MAGNETITE MINES
Magnetite Mines has submitted its recommendations to the consultation for how the government should position its policies and support projects such as its Razorback Project.
In July, the company also signed a Heads of Agreement with JFE Shoji Australia Pty. Ltd. (JFE).
This landmark agreement with Japan’s second largest steelmaking
group sets the framework for funding towards the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), the completion of which is central to progressing the Razorback Project to Final Investment Decision (FID).
Magnetite Mines believes that Razorback will be best developed via a joint venture (JV) with motivated investors and offtake partners,
“Razorback is the one and only project that JFE has decided to sign a Heads of Agreement with to support and fund its development and potentially become our first JV partner,” shares Dobson.
“We couldn’t be more excited with the alignment of all these elements of industry, international investment, and government.”
Magnetite Razorback footage February 2024
SUSTAINABILITY PIECE
Whilst Magnetite Mines is solely focused on Razorback, the company also takes its sustainability responsibilities and obligations extremely seriously.
Dobson himself is motivated to be a role model in terms of sustainability, particularly when it comes to stakeholder relations.
“We’ve spent two years building trusted, respectful relationships with the Traditional Owners, the Ngadjuri people, who have recognised native title over the land where our project is located, and formalised that relationship into a voluntary partnering agreement. That’s one example of how we’re taking our sustainability approach seriously,” he affirms.
The company has also signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local governments to work hand in hand with them on the socioeconomic impacts in their regions.
“We’ve done that on purpose so that we are collaborating from the get-go rather than coming in later and, as sometimes happens, causing confusion or conflict when mining companies leave things unchecked until it’s too late.”
Magnetite Mines takes its sustainability obligations so seriously that it has launched ‘foresight’, a bespoke platform for the company’s approach to socially and environmentally responsible project delivery.
The launch of foresight embodies the company’s commitment to measuring and reporting its sustainability progress against objective global metrics to shareholders and stakeholders.
“All our sustainability works are done under the foresight banner, and that will be our brand as we go forward,” Dobson concludes.
Community engagement
Pictured from left to right: Pat Waria-Read, Ngadjuri Nation Director; Tim Dobson, Magnetite Mines Managing Director and Lynette Newchurch, Ngadjuri Nation Deputy Chair, signing historic Partnering Agreement
UNVEILING THE FUTURE OF CORAL RESEARCH
Climate Change Cluster and UTS
Rapido are proud to showcase a remarkable breakthrough in coral research capabilities with a state-ofthe-art modular coral bath system designed to significantly impact Australian conservation efforts. We speak to University of Technology Sydney’s team members to learn more about this groundbreaking new development
Writer: Lauren Kania
Coral reefs are vital not only for marine biodiversity but also for human life. Approximately one billion people benefit directly or indirectly from the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs, such as food and tourism. Yet, the future of coral reefs is under severe threat due to rising ocean temperatures.”
As highlighted by Dr Emma Camp, Team Leader of the Future Reefs Team at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), coral reefs are crucial to the infrastructure of the planet and its residents.
However, as indicated in the 2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, it is predicted
that a global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius could lead to the loss of between 70 to 90 percent of reefbuilding corals.
This situation is compounded by increasingly frequent coral bleaching events, where corals expel the symbiotic algae that nourish and colour them, leading to their starvation and death.
“While addressing climate change is the only way to secure a future for coral reefs, strategic intervention and restoration efforts aim to buy time for reefs as they contend to survive increasingly adverse environmental conditions,” continues Dr Camp.
RESEARCH
This is exactly where Climate Change Cluster (C3) provides its expertise.
A research institute within the Faculty of Science at UTS, C3 brings together a range of research teams, including the Future Reefs Team, all of whom focus on different aspects of marine and aquatic ecosystems and share a common objective of advancing the understanding of aquatic plant and microbe ecosystems, which are vital to global well-being.
“C3’s work focuses on generating insights into the relationship between human activity, climate change, and marine ecosystems,” details Dr Camp.
Faculty of Science building UTS
“UTS IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH, WITH A FOCUS ON FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE WORLD’S WICKEDEST PROBLEMS. WE’RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW MTP DEVICE. IT WILL NOT ONLY DELIVER A HIGHER THROUGHPUT OF CORAL EXPERIMENTATION BUT WILL ALSO GREATLY HELP CORAL SELECTION IN RESTORATION EFFORTS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL REEFS IN A HOTTER WORLD”
– CHRISTIAN TURNEY, PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR OF RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY
“This research informs policies and innovations that have realworld impacts on communities, governments, and industries. Our core areas of research include algae biotechnology, coral reef restoration, ocean microbiology, and coastal ecosystem productivity.”
The Future Reefs Team, specifically through initiatives like the Coral Nurture Program (CNP), showcases how collaboration between scientists, stakeholders, and communities can support the restoration of high-value reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef.
This collective action is critical for protecting such ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. The effort to maintain, rehabilitate, and restore the health of the world’s reefs is enormous, requiring coordination between governments, industries, and
communities alike.
“At UTS, we are demonstrating how R&D innovation, engineering, and IT can be harnessed to advance reef conservation. By integrating novel technology into restoration practices, we can support the many stakeholders who rely on these vital ecosystems and create more effective, scalable solutions for the future,” insights Hervé Harvard, Executive Director, UTS Rapido.
IMPROVING CORAL RESILIENCE
Dr Camp is not only passionate about her work with the future of corals but is a National Geographic Explorer
and Australian Academy of Sciences’ STEM Women Changemaker, ultimately aiming to communicate research to engage society in becoming part of the solution for a sustainable Earth.
Harvard founded UTS Rapido in 2016, intending to bridge the gap between academia and industry through innovative R&D, collaborating across sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainability.
“My passion lies in using technology to drive impactful solutions and empowering organisations to advance innovation,” expands Harvard.
“This vision drives ongoing collaborations, such as supporting research on marine ecosystems with Dr Camp, partnering with the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures on sustainability issues, and supporting many social impact organisations.”
For the coral restoration project with the Future Reefs Team, Harvard and his R&D team at UTS Rapido worked closely with Hadley England, PhD student and Project Lead, to realise his vision and develop the Modular Multi-Taxa Phenoplate (MTP) prototype.
The MTP project was conceived after it became apparent that new
Hadley England
Dr Emma Camp
tools were required to support choice selection in reef restoration, particularly in regards to thermal tolerance.
Working with Dr Andrei Herdean, an expert in photosynthesis and temperature regulation, the team spearheaded the creation of the MTP by integrating technologies with a long history in agricultural phenotyping that have not been transferred to marine sciences.
This innovative system allows for precise temperature control and rapid assessment of coral populations’ resilience to future ocean conditions, ensuring the team can identify and focus on those best suited to survive.
“With global commitments to restore high-value reef sites, we plan to use this advanced technology as one of our tools to guide our restoration efforts,” details England.
This next-generation equipment marks a significant advancement in coral reef technology as it integrates features like fluorometry and oxygen measurement, allowing for precise
MTP KEY FEATURES
testing of coral thermal resilience.
“The MTP allows us to control environmental conditions like temperature and nutrients, which are crucial for understanding how coral species respond to stress. Having a technology that allows us to do this rapidly and in the field is incredibly exciting,” enthuses Dr Camp.
The system is designed with custom well-plates of different sizes and materials to ensure uniform temperature distribution, resulting
Compact, modular design: The system can accommodate up to 16 wells of multiple sizes, enhancing its versatility for different experimental setups.
Precise temperature controls: Temperatures can be regulated from 10-40 degrees Celsius with an accuracy of 0.2 degrees, crucial for simulating varying environmental conditions.
Integrated measurement tools: Includes capabilities for dissolved oxygen measurement and fluorometry, which are essential for assessing coral health and stress responses.
User-friendly interfaces: Features local and serial interfaces for easily setting and monitoring temperature and time cycle programming.
Water resistance: Designed for durability in typical indoor laboratory conditions.
Metal-free pod design: To eliminate the chance of metal trace contamination.
in 16 individual watertight wells that allow high-throughput testing and precise manipulation experiments.
The MTP is designed to be costeffective and scalable for global use, and unlike traditional tools developed for terrestrial organisms, the device is tailored specifically for marine environments.
“By identifying the corals most likely to withstand future conditions, we can ensure that our time, effort, and resources are directed towards the most promising candidates for restoration, ultimately increasing the chances of success in preserving these vital ecosystems,” asserts England.
SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
UTS serves as the ideal place to conduct such a project, as it is renowned for its sustainability research and strong focus on developing solutions in environmental science, climate change, and public policy.
Dr Andrei Herdean
“With our diverse expertise in engineering, science, and technology, UTS fosters a collaborative environment where projects like this can thrive,” details Harvard.
The collaboration between UTS Rapido and C3 leverages the strength of both entities, combining innovative engineering with advanced marine science. Specifically, the insights gained from the Future Reef Team’s research are critical to aid effective coral reef restoration programmes that further enhance reef resilience.
The team utilised principles of highthroughput phenomics screening, widely used in sustainable agricultural practices.
These techniques offer valuable insights for coral restoration, as phenotyping in agriculture is used to identify crops best suited to withstand environmental stressors like drought or heat. While the marine environment poses its own unique challenges, the fundamental concept remains the same.
“Just as sustainable agriculture informs planting and crop decisions, our system helps guide coral restoration efforts in the face of climate change. We aim to use this, alongside other tools and expertise, to contribute to the overall sustainability
of coral reef ecosystems,” explains Dr Camp.
As one of the key challenges in large-scale aquarium research is controlling nutrients like trace metals – which are widespread in the environment and significantly affect research outcomes – accurately replicating environmental conditions for coral studies is of critical importance.
To address this, Dr Michael Behrens, Principal Delivery Manager of Mechatronics for UTS Rapido, worked to ensure the new equipment featured a closed, bespoke, non-metal system to limit metal contamination.
“It provides precise control over
nutrient and temperature conditions in each pod, ensuring coral resilience and responses to environmental changes can be studied with high accuracy under controlled conditions,” he informs.
Such a high level of management is imperative for reliable testing and experimentation.
ADVANCING CORAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES
Ongoing climate change makes it difficult to remove environmental stressors entirely, so researchers and local communities alike must focus on boosting reef resilience.
The marine science and
GROUNDBREAKING CORAL RESEARCH EQUIPMENT AT A GLANCE
Need: A compact, high-throughput coral bath device is required to effectively assess coral resilience under thermal stress.
Innovation: The development of a state-of-the-art, modular 16-well coral bath system integrated with fluorometry and oxygen measurement capabilities represents advancements in phenotyping technology, allowing precise characterisation of coral thermal resilience in a high-throughput capacity.
Outcome: The new system significantly enhances UTS and the Future Reef Team’s ability to conduct detailed coral experimentation. It provides refined control over critical abiotic factors, such as temperature and nutrients, essential for accurate research outcomes.
Impact: The equipment is pivotal in supporting informed coral selection on restoration projects, aiming to achieve the best possible outcome for Australian reefs as they anticipate future stresses.
Dr Michael Behrens
“THIS EQUIPMENT NOT ONLY ENHANCES RESEARCH CAPABILITIES WITHIN UTS BUT ALSO SERVES AS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE WIDER SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS, BROADENING OUR IMPACT”
– HERVÉ HARVARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UTS RAPIDO
sustainability communities are working together to develop new approaches that go beyond traditional conservation efforts, with resilience-based management being of high importance.
This approach uses research to make informed decisions about where, when, and how to intervene, incorporating factors such as environmental history and site accessibility.
“By integrating technology and expertise from across disciplines, we hope to improve the effectiveness of reef restoration projects worldwide,” voices Dr Camp.
As the Future Reef Team and UTS Rapido continue to look towards the future of marine sustainability, they are excited about the potential impact of the MTP system on coral conservation in Australia.
“With further funding, we plan to refine and replicate this prototype for use in other research locations. The high-throughput nature of the device makes it a versatile tool, not only for coral research but also for studying other marine species, such as oysters,” enthuses England.
This broad application is crucial as it allows researchers to enhance the understanding of how various aquatic species respond to climate change, supporting a more comprehensive approach to marine conservation and climate resilience.
The future applications of this new system are especially promising within the Future Reef Teams’ CNP, which actively engages in reef restoration through collaboration with Traditional Owners and tourism operators.
“Looking ahead, we are focused on future-proofing community
restoration practices, assessing long-term ecological impacts, and supporting grassroots initiatives across the Indo-Pacific,” asserts Dr Camp.
The Future Reefs Team is dedicated to understanding how environmental changes impact the coral holobiont – the coral and its associated microbial communities. Its research spans from molecular-level interactions to broader ecological dynamics, focusing on developing technical solutions that inform reef management and restoration.
PLANT-BASED PIONEERS
We discover how Oatly expanded into the Chinese dairy alternatives market using a purpose-driven strategy to disrupt the dominance of cow’s milk and appeal to the country’s eco-conscious consumers
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim
Currently, the food and beverage industry accounts for one-third of the world’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with animalbased products equating to more than half.
It is for this reason that brands offering dairy alternatives are increasingly becoming peoples’ go-to in a progressively environmentallyconscious world.
First established in the early 1990s in Sweden, Oatly, the globally recognised milk brand, was born from innovation and problem-solving, as its founders accidently created a plantbased milk product when conducting research into the functions of glucose in milk.
Today, the company has grown to become a well-established brand across Europe’s supermarket shelves, as it strives to spread the benefits of plant-based products far and wide.
Oatly’s latest evolution involved an expansion into the Chinese market, establishing the brand as a key endorser of sustainability in the fashion and health industries.
Oatly’s mission when entering this new frontier was centred around a message of sustainable food production to strengthen China’s plant-based offerings.
With this in mind, the company entered the market in 2018 armed with its Three Ones strategy. Broken down, this resulted in Oatly targeting one city, Shanghai, in one market, plant-based milk, with a single product, its Oatly Oat Drink Barista Edition (Oat Drink), the latter being a relatively unknown concept at the time.
ONE CITY
Oatly’s Three Ones strategy was the product of extensive industry research and application, which was necessary given the limited range of plant-based products currently available in China.
Consequently, the product faced significant challenges upon initial entry, as oat milk was unfamiliar to a vast population of consumers.
Despite the fact that, over the years, China had achieved a large market for plant-based products, there was no distinct category for oat-based goods across the retail landscape.
DOING GOOD BUSINESS
Oatly has a proven track record for highly ethical business practices, reflected in some of its most recent and well-known campaigns.
Namely, the Oatly Silent Barista Project was a landmark initiative introduced to young baristas with hearing impairments, materialising in vocational training and career guidance, before eventually being offered as a professional certification.
Over time, the initiative expanded from offering funding to providing systematic support for those with hearing impairments. Ultimately, the goal of the Silent Barista Project was to cultivate a healthy, self-assured, and self-efficient environment for this demographic to thrive.
Four years after the inception of the initiative, Oatly continues to foster a company culture where those with hearing impairments can seize opportunities for self-fulfilment and gain independence at work, all whilst promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
The brand decided to overcome this challenge by strategically launching its Oat Drink product in 10 boutique cafes across Shanghai in order to target select consumers.
Towards the end of the 2010s, the city was home to the largest number of independent, speciality cafes across China, which welcomed the opportunity to provide plant-based milk to its eco-conscious customers. As such, Oatly introduced its products to those with a passion for coffee and seeking a dairy alternative.
ONE MARKET
Drawing on the initial consumer reception of Oatly’s Oat Drink, the company set in motion the One Market element of its Three Ones strategy, launching the beverage across China’s speciality café market and, therefore, differentiating the company from typical offerings at the time.
The One Market approach carved out a particular consumer base through purposeful promotion, in which Oatly built an image of the Nordic lifestyle. As a result, this offered a unique customer experience for oat latte lovers across China.
The promotion was launched with careful consideration and research
into the cultural differences, values, and meanings of China’s consumer goods industry. Indeed, the company found that Nordic concepts such as ‘less is more’, ‘sustainable development’ and ‘lagom’ translated to ‘just right’, were compatible with China and its cultural practices.
As such, Oatly launched its Oat Drink product in China in a way that appealed to a lifestyle that aligned with the Nordic mindset of sustainability and environmental protection.
The brand further appealed to the Chinese market through a distinct design and creativity that highlighted the unique strengths and qualities of the plant-based alternative and introduced more consumers to the delicious charm of oat milk.
As such, Oatly has been a pioneer in the establishment of a plant-based food category across China and is committed to its growth and evolution for the sake of the planet. The brand has seen unprecedented success in the retail sector, demonstrated by the fact that the volume of Oatly products sold in the Chinese market between 2018 and 2023 equates to an incredible one billion cups of oat latte.
Going forward, the brand wants to continue to ensure that plant-based
products in China transform from a product exclusive to a niche market to an everyday food item. This is achieved by keeping its finger on the pulse of consumers and continuing to meet their diverse needs.
Therefore, compounded with a customer base that is increasingly brand and eco-conscious, alongside growing opportunities for the business to ‘do good’ across the food and beverage industry landscape, Oatly is on track for unstoppable success.
CULTIVATING A LEGACY
Alspec shines as a leading light and market trendsetter in the design and distribution of innovative aluminium systems. We delve deeper into the company’s epic journey from modest inception and innovating with purpose, to becoming a titan of the industry across five decades
Writer: Ed Budds Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan
From humble beginnings in 1974, selling swimming pool handles from the back of a Volkswagen Beetle, Alspec has grown impressively over the course of 50 years to be Australia’s most prominent and largest aluminium distributor.
More broadly, the company’s designated realm of expertise sits at the heart of the nation’s ever-expanding construction industry, which is currently experiencing a dynamic new phase driven by technological advancements and a heightened focus on sustainability.
Alspec stands out in the titanic, competitive world of aluminium systems as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
Today, the business is regarded as an industry leader in the design and distribution of forward-thinking aluminium systems to the architectural, residential, commercial, industrial, and home-improvement markets.
It is an exciting time for the company, with significant developments underway in the fields of smart building technologies and sustainable construction practices.
As such, Alspec is well positioned to leverage these trends, offering products that meet the demands of modern construction while adhering to stringent environmental standards.
Furthermore, as an Australianowned company, it has carved out a significant niche in the aluminium industry, equipping professionals with a wide range of aluminium systems and products designed for commercial, residential, home improvement, solar energy and industrial applications.
The company diligently serves its loyal customer base, providing comprehensive solutions for architects, fabricators, builders, developers, and renovators.
Drawing on over five decades of
experience, Alspec has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the market, driven by a firm commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
With locations across Australia and a network of over 800 employees, the company has become well-respected and known for its innovative approach and high standards of service. As such, the company’s in-house design, development, and testing facilities ensure it stays at the forefront of construction standards, technological advancements, and new market trends.
ALUMINIUM IN A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
As a leading extruder and distributor in the downstream Australian aluminium value chain, Alspec is resolutely committed to making a meaningful impact on efforts towards combatting climate change and contributing to a more sustainably
built environment across the nation.
Thus, sustainability is not just a buzzword at Alspec; it is a core principle that guides the company’s operations and future planning.
The recent launch of its inaugural sustainability report marks a pivotal moment in the business’ journey towards environmental stewardship.
Notably, during a recent event at Alspec’s Eastern Creek National Headquarters, attended by Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the company showcased its firm commitment to driving sustainable outcomes across the nation’s built environment.
Within a sustainable construction landscape, such as the burgeoning Australian space, aluminium has its specific roles to play in maintaining an environmentally-friendly economy.
In this way, aluminium stands out across a multitude of sectors but shines particularly in the realms of
building and construction for its light weight, strength, and recyclability.
Alspec capitalises on these positive attributes by offering bespoke aluminium solutions that advance sustainability across Australian construction projects.
Additionally, the metal can be recycled infinitely without any degradation in quality. This is a unique attribute that sets it apart from many other materials, which often suffer from a loss of structural integrity or quality during the recycling process.
Alongside this, aluminium’s lightweight nature and high strengthto-weight ratio contribute to energy savings, especially in transport applications. Furthermore, the company’s ongoing initiatives in energy conservation align with the metal’s intrinsic energy-efficient properties, further reducing the overall environmental impact across its numerous projects.
ALSPEC VALUES OF R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
RESILIENCE
• Instead of finding reasons to fail, Alspec finds reasons to succeed.
• The company seeks support from others as it cannot succeed alone.
• A resilient mindset allows Alspec to approach problems with optimism.
• The business takes criticism constructively.
EXCELLENCE
• Alspec is passionate about its people, process, product, and service excellence.
• Excellence is not just a value but a discipline and way of life.
• The company relentlessly seeks ways to improve and perfect all that it does whilst accepting challenges without fear.
SAFETY
• Keeping its people and others safe is the Alspec way of life.
• The company empowers its employees to always place their and others’ safety before profits.
• The safe execution of operations comes above all else.
PEOPLE
• Alspec encourages its staff to communicate effectively, openly, and honestly, promising to listen to each other, collaborate, and have fun.
• The company shares responsibilities, successes, support, and a strong sense of family and community, as well as providing career opportunities through continuous training and development programmes.
ENVIRONMENT
• Alspec acts as a role model for others, both internally and externally, and in its stewardship of the environment.
• The company always ensures open and transparent dialogue.
• Alspec looks to lead industry competence in the reduction of its carbon footprint by embracing continuous environmental improvement initiatives for businesses.
• The company aims to eliminate non-biodegradable waste through recycling initiatives.
CUSTOMER
• Alspec always aims to exceed its customers’ expectations.
• Customer loyalty must always be earned and never expected.
• The company commits to and delivers on its promises.
TRUST
• Alspec acts with absolute uncompromised honesty and integrity.
• The company abides by or exceeds relevant industry legislation and product standards.
• Alspec always adheres to the rule of law.
• The company accepts responsibility for its actions.
ACCREDITATION
Dulux is proud to have all five Alspec sites fully Dulux Accredited.
By being Dulux Accredited, Alspec is able to provide an assurance of quality as they demonstrate the standards through:
• Product testing
• Factory audit
• Following specifications - including vital pretreatment and minimum coating levels
• Maintaining samples, testing results and records
Most importantly, Dulux Accreditation means Altus is able to provide Dulux Alumi Shield™ Warranties for projects.
Dulux - Proudly supporting Alspec
At Dulux Powder Coatings, we are proud to have been a key partner of Alspec during their 50 years, delivering proven high-quality coatings and leading colours and finishes for their innovative aluminium systems.
But it hasn’t just been our coatings that have enabled us to be a market leader and key partner of Alspec. We partner with architects, interior designers, builders and fabricators to deliver first-class construction outcomes.
PRODUCT EXCELLENCE
Dulux’s innovation pipeline is developed with Alspec in mind and tailored for Australian and New Zealand conditions by its ANZ Innovation Centre. This has resulted in all Dulux finishes being backed by Dulux Alumi Shield™ Warranties, providing leading durability and colour protection. This combination of leading warrantable protection, a focus on delivering products for the design community and a relationship where Dulux is a key partner of Alspec has resulted in Dulux featuring on many projects completed by Alspec, such as the stunning Cannes Waterfront project on the riverfront enclave right in the middle of Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
This exquisite project, designed by DBI and built by Condev Constructions, draws inspiration from the French Riviera and features Dulux Charisma Black.
Briana Keenahan, Dulux Powder Coatings National Sales Manager
Our technical expertise and colour tools allow us to provide end-to-end support to the design and construction sectors, from the architect through to the builder, to influence the specification of our coatings.
For key customers such as Altus, as a Dulux Accredited Powder Coater, they can confidently meet these specification requirements and issue Dulux warranties for the coatings to win projects.
COLOUR LEADERSHIP
As a colour leader, Dulux supports the market with leading specification tools so that projects are always specified with Dulux and ensures that Altus, as a Dulux Accredited Powder Coater, is chosen for commercial projects.
Dulux is always developing and innovating in this area and tools currently available include:
• Powder Coated Swatches
• Colour Walls - As a key partner, Alspec AluSpace showrooms all feature Dulux Premium Colour walls and the factory lines have new “On-line”
Colour walls
• Swatch Boxes – Our full offer of architectural swatches are available in swatch boxes for major architects and commercial specification teams
• Custom Colour Service – Dulux custom colour service is targeted to assist Alspec in winning bespoke colour projects
ADVICE & EXPERTISE
Dulux empowers Alspec and their customers to succeed through advice when they need it. With a key focus on the specification market and ensuring our products work at all Alspec sites, this support includes:
• Online Tools - Provide specifiers and applicators access to specifications to colour, products and technical advice including BIM assets to help generate designs with Dulux colour more easily and accurately
• Advice and Specification Consultants - With Dulux’s support it has never been easier to have powder coating enquiries answered, including product selection advice, specification requests and sample colour swatch ordering support
• Dedicated Powder Coating Commercial Business Development Managers - based in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, this team are ready to assist Below is another great example of a project specified and delivered by Alspec and Dulux.
The Upper House Apartments in South Brisbane delivered a breathtaking design that balanced the extreme wind pressure the building is subjected to with the need to maximise window openings to increase natural light.
Upper House Apartments, South Brisbane
Coater: Alspec
Builder: Minicon Constructions
Fabricators: Queensland Façades Systems
Architect: Koichi Takada Architects
Photographer: Troy Sanders
AESTHETICALLY PLEASING AND SAFE DESIGNS
A key strength of Alspec’s building prowess is its ability to adapt designs to perfectly suit and complement its customers’ construction designs.
Across Australia, new learning and educational environments are being created by the company with a variety of spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and offer opportunities for important social interaction. Alspec understands that a healthy
learning space plays a crucial part in how individuals learn and develop.
Students spend much of their time looking at screens and boards and therefore often shift their focus to a window and look outside to regain focus, recharge, and hopefully feel inspired.
On top of this, the company has invested in its ability to create safe, comfortable, and welcoming living spaces in aged care facilities that require careful consideration of design
and materials for vulnerable residents.
The company’s speciality aluminium windows and doors perfectly suit these settings, offering a blend of durability, aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency, and functional benefits.
Elsewhere, Alspec’s liveable design initiative encompasses the company’s focus on the inclusion of key easy living features that aim to make spaces more accessible and safer to use for residents.
Silky Oaks Lodge
Kam Kiu Aluminium Group (KAP) is a professional Hong Kong-funded aluminium extrusion company headquartered in Hong Kong with its production base located in Taishan, Guangdong. The main products are 3C electronics, lightweight transportation, construction engineering, life optimisation, industrial production and other aluminium profiles.
Having accumulated 40+ years of experience and as it continues to forge ahead, KAP has developed into a technology-based enterprise, integrating aluminium alloy design and manufacture, mold design and manufacture, aluminium casting, aluminium extrusion, surface treatment and precision machining, which provides customers with a one-stop solution.
KAP takes technology and innovation as the driving force for development, and is committed to designing independent aluminium product solutions to meet the needs of customers.
Website: www.kamkiu.com
Email: info@kamkiu.com
Contact number: 852 2302 0808
ALSPEC’S KEY PROJECTS
The company’s portfolio is a testament to its capability and versatility in delivering unparalleled aluminium solutions. Some of its highlights include:
KALINDA DRIVE RESIDENCE: The modernisation of this 1960s home in City Beach, Western Australia, showcases Alspec’s ability to blend classic architecture with modern design. Expansive windows and doors from the company’s portfolio provide stunning ocean views and enhance the open-plan living spaces.
BROOKVALE OVAL REDEVELOPMENT CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Led by architects Hassell Ltd and completed by ADCO Constructions, this project stands as a testament to architectural innovation. The facility includes advanced training and meeting spaces, with Alspec products ensuring its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
THE LOCKER ROOM: This construction represents an iconic four-level venue in the Sydney Olympic Park district, designed with a keen focus on sustainability. Alspec’s products were pivotal in achieving a 5-star Green Star Performance rating.
GIPPSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE: A state-of-the-art facility that required precise window and door solutions to ensure acoustic performance and energy efficiency.
SILKY OAKS LODGE: Nestled in the Daintree Rainforest, this luxury resort uses Alspec’s framing solutions to seamlessly integrate the built space into the natural environment.
ROCKHAMPTON MUSEUM OF ART: Featuring expansive glazing that showcases heritage architecture, this project highlights Alspec’s ability to provide both aesthetic and functional solutions.
This allows for less trip hazards and an improved level of moveability for people with a disability, senior residents, individuals with temporary injuries, and families with young children. As part of this range, Alspec now boasts a selection of products suitable for a flush sill or ramped access for residential and commercial applications.
LOOKING AHEAD
As Alspec looks optimistically towards another 50 years of success, the company’s priorities include expanding its product range, enhancing its sustainability initiatives, and continuing to lead the way in terms of innovation, determination, and longevity.
Alspec aims to achieve specific targets related to carbon reduction,
Since partnering in 2010, Alspec has been Phifer’s National Distributor of fibreglass, aluminium and specialty insect screening. Congratulations on their 50 years of innovation and service!
High performance sealing solutions
With over a century of experience, Schlegel stands for high quality gaskets.
From innovative custom solutions to continuous improvement of existing processes, materials and products, Schlegel offers the very highest standards for every type of aluminium, pvc, timber windows and doors.
• Brush Seals
• Polyurethane Foam Seals
• Extruded Seals
ALSPEC KEY SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
GREENCORE LOW-CARBON ALUMINIUM: Alspec’s GreenCore range represents a groundbreaking shift towards low-carbon aluminium products. With a carbon intensity significantly lower than the industry average, GreenCore products demonstrate Alspec’s commitment to reducing the company’s environmental impact.
RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVES: Alspec Solar is a strategic initiative to install advanced solar panel technology across all its facilities, offering a sustainable, commercial, and environmental solution to its network of fabricators.
COMMITMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS’ SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (UN SDGS): Alspec has committed to six of these goals, ensuring its practices align with global sustainability standards.
ETHICAL SOURCING AND RECYCLING: The company emphasises ethical sourcing of low-carbon aluminium and has implemented comprehensive recycling programmes to minimise waste.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Alspec invests in community initiatives aimed at promoting health, safety, and well-being among employees and partners with various charitable causes.
product development, and market expansion, while its focus remains on providing high-quality, sustainable solutions that meet the evolving needs of its range of clients.
Designing and distributing aluminium systems across a number of markets and regions demands a diverse range of skills and talents in customer service, purchasing, warehouse operation, truck driving, area management, and sales and marketing.
Meanwhile, the company continues to invest heavily in R&D to ensure the latest technologies and design principles are applied to its ever-increasing range of advanced systems. This provides Alspec’s customers with fully tested systems that meet or exceed current Australian standards and deliver on fresh trends and aesthetics.
From fabricators to specifiers, working with Alspec ensures easy
access to a team of experienced and technically competent people who are aluminium systems specialists with real expertise in all facets of the industry.
The company is more than just a provider of aluminium systems, it is defined by its innovators, sustainability advocates, and trusted partners in the construction industry.
In this way, Alspec’s epic journey continues as it strives to build a more sustainable and efficient future for the built environment in Australia and beyond.
Extrusion process
Building
Dedicated to looking beyond the scope, Brefni delivers sustainable civil infrastructure across multiple sectors in the Australian construction industry. Tom Brady, Executive Chairman, provides a deep dive into the company’s 30-year history and plans for an innovative future
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
THE SMARTER SHARPER SOLUTION
,“We provide comprehensive project management services from planning to execution and are renowned for delivering smarter, sharper, and sustainable solutions tailored to client’s needs,” introduces Tom Brady, Executive Chairman.
Operating along the East Coast of Australia, Regional NSW, and Queensland, safety, systems, and innovation are at the core of the company’s philosophy.
With key customers including government agencies, the private sector, utility companies, and the community in which its employees live and work, Brefni provides a wide range of services to infrastructure sectors and an extensive fleet of specialised equipment for hire to support various civil construction projects.
With the civil engineering industry in New South Wales (NSW) experiencing a dynamic and transformative period, significant investments in infrastructure and a strong focus on sustainability are becoming more prevalent as the sector is actively poised for substantial growth.
Leading the way in this exciting new chapter is Brefni, an Australiabased specialist infrastructure civil engineering company with nearly three decades of experience in the rail, civil, power, industrial, renewables, and remediation sectors.
Diverse project opportunities, cutting-edge technology, career growth prospects, a collaborative work environment, and competitive salaries combine to present NSW as a thrilling and ever-changing place for civil engineers.
“We are currently undergoing an infrastructure boom, driven by both public and private sector investments,” insights Brady.
“While major projects such as the Sydney Metro, WestConnex, and other various regional transport upgrades are ongoing, there is an additional pipeline of projects in the renewables and transmission space.
APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT DIFFERENTIATES BREFNI FROM THE COMPETITION?
Tom Brady, Executive Chairman:
“At our core, we insist on learning from past experiences, looking to continually improve our project management processes to ensure clients and contractors work as a unified team, and understanding fully the background and key deliverables of each project.
“We have almost 30 years’ experience in the industry with more than 750 completed projects, including our contribution towards some of Australia’s most prominent and memorable infrastructure, including Sydney’s Central Station, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the NSW government’s bushfire and flood remediation programmes. We have a dedicated and diverse workforce of over 100 professionals who deliver the best for people by inspiring the best in people.
“Our self-delivery model ensures efficient and cost-effective project delivery with a key focus on health, safety, quality, and environment.
“Finally, we have an innovative approach by focusing on dissecting client needs to deliver customised solutions.”
These not only enhance connectivity and accessibility but also create numerous job opportunities.”
On top of this, the construction industry is at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge technology. The use of building information modelling (BIM), drones, and advanced simulation software is becoming increasingly common. Such technologies enhance project efficiency, accuracy, and safety, making the work environment more dynamic and innovative.
“As the industry continues to evolve, Brefni and our people will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the state’s infrastructure and contribute to its sustainable development,” states Brady.
LOOKING BEYOND THE SCOPE
Having begun his career in the late 1980s in a UK-based property development company, Brady was inspired by his friends in engineering to take the plunge and move to Australia, where he quickly discovered his enduring passion for the industry.
Brefni was established shortly thereafter, and in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympic Games, there was a surge in infrastructure projects across Sydney, leading to the company quickly expanding from 10-15 employees to approximately 80.
“Through my experiences, I have learned there is no one-size-fits-all system for success in construction. Individuals with diverse industry backgrounds bring valuable expertise and innovative ideas
that can be applied across various projects,” details Brady.
Today, after years of hard work and continuous dedication, Brefni boasts a well-established client base in both the private and public sectors. The team proudly delivers complex civil construction infrastructure projects, bringing both people and ideas to each endeavour.
As such, the company has come to develop a reputation for dissecting client needs to deliver smarter, sharper solutions, alongside making a promise to look beyond the scope.
“THE CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY IN NSW IS THRIVING, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INNOVATION”
– TOM BRADY, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, BREFNI
25-year video
“By looking beyond the scope, we cultivate lasting relationships with our clients, collaborating to find innovative solutions and deliver projects through thought leadership. We believe their success is our success,” expands Brady.
Early contractor involvement is also a key factor for Brefni, as the company views itself as a whole-ofbusiness partner, not just a contractor of choice.
Brady explains that ‘smarter’ means employees and partners set the company apart. It invests in people, skills, and knowledge to develop a passionate workforce drawn from all parts of society. The company is at its best when it shares ideas, builds connections, and works as a team.
By being ‘sharper’, Brefni creates value for its customers and drives continuous improvement.
“We’re innovative, thoughtful, and agile, continuously challenging our ways of working to improve health
and safety and productivity. We challenge ourselves to always have a positive impact, find solutions, and stand up and be counted when it matters,” asserts Brady.
INDUSTRY-DEFINING PROJECTS
Currently, Brefni is undertaking a variety of projects throughout Australia to further its already diverse portfolio.
These include the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Gunsynd Solar Farm, St. James Station maintenance shaft, Stockton Beach seawall, and Sydney Metro stations, including Central, Artarmon, and Sydenham.
Specifically, the company is working alongside Syndey Trains and its valued supply partners to extend the longevity of the 92-year-old Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“We are proud to be part of a great team that is upgrading the superstructure by replacing the transom top bridge with a new ultra
high-performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck to help ensure its longevity for future decades,” explains Brady.
This major project has seen considerable innovation throughout, with UHPFRC being used for the first time in Australia alongside the introduction of a training facility at a Sydney Trains yard in Chullora for practice and testing.
Additionally, Brefni was tasked with constructing a new access shaft adjacent to the existing one at St. James Station in Sydney in order to permit safe access to the sewer system, which was failing and resulting in non-operation amenities at the station.
“This was a complex heritage infrastructure project in one of Sydney’s busiest locations in Hyde Park. We were thrilled to win a Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) NSW 2024 Earth Award for this project,” details Brady.
The Power of Partnership: Building Your Future
DKG is a leading provider of strategic risk management and insurance solutions, with over 50 years of experience in the industry.
TRANSFORMING RISK INTO STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES
For over five decades, DKG Insurance Brokers has been a leader in strategic risk management and comprehensive insurance solutions. Specialising in the industrial, resources, manufacturing, construction and business sectors, DKG not only protects companies but also empowers them to succeed in an evolving risk landscape. Headquartered in Sydney, DKG offers its customers innovative Australian-based insurance products and risk services. Through strategic partnerships, DKG also provides global insurance capacity, ensuring that even the most complex risks are addressed with the strongest coverage available.
ROBUST BUSINESS PROTECTION
DKG goes beyond standard insurance solutions by crafting tailored risk management strategies that meet each customer’s unique operational needs. “At DKG, we believe in transforming risk into strategic opportunities,” says Robert Kelly Jnr. “Our goal is to support our customers to achieve their full potential and thrive in their industries.” Whether in construction, resources or other sectors, DKG ensures businesses are confidently positioned for growth with robust protection. In industries where risk appetites may be limited, DKG conducts thorough risk assessments and employs comprehensive
industry-specific analysis. This proactive approach enables DKG to encourage competition between insurers, creating leverage to secure optimal coverage for its customers. By transforming risk into a strategic asset, the company ensures that customers benefit from reduced premiums, enhanced coverage and improved long-term outcomes.
DKG’s tailored solutions include not only risk transfer but also proactive risk mitigation. Its commitment to constant innovation ensures that customers benefit from the latest advancements in risk management, from AIdriven analytics to digital claims management platforms that streamline the entire process.
PEOPLE-POWERED TECHNOLOGY
One of DKG’s greatest assets is its advanced claims management platform. By integrating cutting-edge technology with human expertise, DKG ensures swift, accurate and transparent claims processing, an essential element in protecting business continuity. DKG’s investment in technology is embedded in the belief that while technology enhances efficiency, it’s the skilled professionals behind it who deliver exceptional service. Every claim is managed by experienced experts who provide clear communication and tailored support to ensure fair outcomes. As a result, customers not only receive fast and efficient claims service but can also count on advice and support that meets their specific needs.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION
DKG demonstrates agility and innovation by harnessing data-driven insights, expert advisory services and ESG-focused solutions tailored to companies with plant, machinery and mixed vehicle fleets.
DKG’s use of real-time data and advanced analytics, including metrics like Climate Impact and Crash Probability Scores, helps customers identify high-risk activities and operational patterns to improve safety protocols and reduce CO2 emissions. This proactive approach reduces premiums, enhances fleet performance and promotes a culture of safety, sustainability and efficiency across operations.
NAVIGATING COMPLEX REGULATORY AND MARKET ENVIRONMENTS
As the regulatory landscape becomes increasingly complex, DKG has prioritised staying ahead of changes that could impact its customers across all sectors. Whether ensuring compliance with new laws or addressing sustainability risks, DKG offers tailored advisory services to help businesses navigate these challenges while unlocking new opportunities for growth.
PARTNERING FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS
What sets DKG apart is its firm commitment to nurturing long-term partnerships. Rather than viewing insurance as a transactional relationship, the company invests in understanding each customer’s unique business needs to create dynamic strategies that adapt to changing conditions and emerging risks.
THE DKG PROMISE
“At DKG, we go beyond the traditional role of a broker to become a strategic partner with our customers. By combining scalable solutions with personalised attention, we invest time in understanding each customer’s business and crafting tailored strategies that deliver lasting success.
“Our comprehensive risk management services include customised insurance solutions and expert claims handling. With a commitment to exceptional service, we empower our customers to navigate risks confidently.
“With a focus on innovation and adaptability, we forge partnerships that grow with our customers because their success is our top priority,” concludes Robert Kelly Jnr.
Robert Kelly Jnr, Director, DKG Insurance Brokers
Alongside these industry-defining projects, the company is outlining its 10-year goal to become a premium medium-sized civil contractor in NSW – a strategic vision that underscores its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth within the civil business sector.
The key objectives of this plan also include cutting-edge technology, community engagement, employee development, and strategic partnerships.
“Brefni’s 10-year goal is not just about growth; it’s about building a sustainable business. With a clear vision and a dedicated team, we are poised to become a name synonymous with quality, reliability, and innovation in the civil construction sector,” says Brady.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
As Brefni looks towards the future, it is highlighting many key aspects that will be crucial to its ongoing success. One such aspect is sustainability and an increased focus on the civil engineering sector.
With a growing emphasis on developing green infrastructure and incorporating sustainable practices into project planning and execution, the use of renewable energy sources, sustainable materials, and innovative construction technologies is prevalent.
“The push towards sustainability is not only beneficial for the environment but also positions NSW as a leader in green engineering solutions,” insights Brady.
Equally as important to the company is maintaining its strong supply chain operations and relationships.
“In today’s competitive business environment, the success of our operations hinges significantly on the strength of our relationships with suppliers and partners. These are crucial for ensuring efficiency, reducing costs, and fostering innovation.”
BREFNI CORE VALUES
PROACTIVE: Brefni is tenacious in the pursuit of extra value for its clients and is dedicated to looking beyond the scope.
ACCOUNTABLE: The company culture is defined by its strength of character –unwavering honesty, innate integrity, and commitment to its word.
INNOVATIVE: Innovation is in Brefni’s DNA and is key to every sector of its business. The company introduces new ideas through original and creative thinking.
COLLABORATIVE: Brefni is dedicated to forging strong connections with its stakeholders and staff. Its focus on fostering long-term relationships propels its can-do philosophy and desire to add value.
EXCELLENCE: The company’s relentless approach to the successful completion of complex, challenging projects has been instrumental in its reputation as a trusted infrastructure specialist.
“One of the most important things we constantly ask ourselves is, what can we do to make it safer? We recruit people with these core values, as we want to provide a cohesive vision and define who we are as a business, collaborating with our employees, clients, and suppliers to achieve shared, successful outcomes,” states Brady.
“BREFNI HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON A WIDE RANGE OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE A TANGIBLE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES. THIS DIVERSITY NOT ONLY KEEPS THE WORK INTERESTING BUT ALSO ALLOWS US TO DEVELOP A BROAD SKILL SET WITH OUR PEOPLE AND SUPPLY CHAIN”
– TOM BRADY, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, BREFNI
Brefni is further building and securing these partnerships through enhanced efficiency and reliability, cost reduction and value creation, risk mitigation, innovative and competitive advantages, and building trust and collaboration.
Ultimately, these relationships pose a multitude of benefits. By investing in strong, collaborative partnerships, the company builds a resilient and competitive supply chain that supports long-term business success.
Another aspect that is highly important to the civil engineering industry is the current challenge of onerous contracts, where the costs of fulfilling a contract exceed the benefits received.
The company, along with others in the sector, is undertaking certain strategies to address this issue, including clear contractual terms, risk assessment and management, negotiation and collaboration, standardised contracts, training and
education, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Through industry collaboration, open communication, and a clear goal for a more balanced industry, Brefni is paving the way for a future filled with success, innovation, and further growth across Australia.
Wapu Sonk, Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, provides insight into the company’s extensive initiatives focused on enhancing quality of life in Papua New Guinea, whilst ensuring the development of sustainable energy sources
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Ryan Gray
As an island nation in the southwestern Pacific, Papua New Guinea (PNG) boasts awe-inspiring scenery that reflects its geology, which is rich in a wide array of natural resources.
With a flat coastal terrain and a predominantly mountainous interior, PNG has a canopy of tropical rainforests, savannah woodlands, swamps, and mangroves covering the landscape. Alongside abundant marine life and plentiful agricultural potential, it has significant oil, natural gas, gold, copper, and other mineral deposits.
With a population of at least 11 million, PNG faces the critical task of tapping into its natural resources to ensure its people have access to vital energy resources.
This is where Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) steps in as the national petroleum and energy company, which holds equity in all operating petroleum licenses and some exploration projects, thereby ensuring the country’s energy security.
Established in 2009, KPHL was renamed from National Petroleum Company of Papua New Guinea Kroton Limited in 2014 when specific legislation was enacted.
The company was established with the specific purpose of acquiring a share in the PNG LNG Project after ExxonMobil and its joint venture (JV) partners achieved a final investment decision (FID).
In 2013 the current Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, became part of KPHL, which is headquartered in the capital city of Port Moresby and currently has a total of 105 employees.
The company’s journey began with a passive shareholder role, but it has evolved to also become a part owner of a gas-fired power station. KPHL also operates a petroleum industry training academy, holds four exploration licenses, and actively supports the construction of crucial health infrastructure to treat heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses.
In addition to championing a wide range of sporting disciplines, KPHL is also dedicated to driving
the development of communitybased projects aimed at enhancing education and quality of life nationally, alongside promoting access to clean and versatile fuel.
“KPHL is now marketing its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) in excess of long-term contracts and importing fuel into the country to address supply shortfalls,” opens Sonk.
AN INSIGHT INTO THE INDUSTRY
Since 1992, PNG has been exporting crude oil, which has become one of
the country’s major exports.
In 2014, PNG commenced the commercial export of LNG by the PNG LNG Project, which significantly boosted the country’s economy and became its top revenue-generating export.
The Papuan Basin in the southeastern region is the most extensively explored and developed petroliferous area of the region, with a particular focus on the Papuan Fold Belt and Papuan Foreland areas.
“Presently, the petroleum industry operates very efficiently despite a
decline in oil production since 1992.
“The Caution Bay plant, located outside of Port Moresby, has consistently operated above its nameplate capacity since the start of LNG exports.
“Indeed, the capacity exceeds eight million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) compared to the nameplate 6.9 Mtpa, allowing the PNG LNG Project JV partners to sell LNG volumes above the long-term contracted amounts independently,” Sonk enlightens us.
PNG is relatively unexplored and there are discovered gas fields
that are currently inaccessible. The upcoming Papua LNG project, to be operated by TotalEnergies, will guarantee a stable supply of LNG for both domestic and export use for the next 30 to 40 years, at the very least.
“Even though PNG is blessed with extensive sustainable energy resources, such as solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal, it will take some time to develop these fully. In the meantime, KPHL is confident that LNG will play a crucial role as a transition fuel in global decarbonisation efforts,” he informs.
NiuPower project site
The island nation is in a prime location to provide LNG to Asia, a region experiencing a sharp increase in electricity demand, with 85 percent of its current energy generated from coal.
KPHL originally held a 16.57 percent stake in the PNG LNG Project in collaboration with partners ExxonMobil, Santos, MRDC, and JX Nippon, but recently boosted its ownership to 19.17 percent by acquiring an extra 2.6% share from Santos.
Elsewhere, a power generation company co-owned with Santos is another key asset for KPHL.
“We are also a 50 percent shareholder in NiuPower, which operates a 59 megawatt (MW) gasfired power station that supplies electricity to the Port Moresby grid, and had a value of PGK222 million in 2023,” Sonk sets out.
APAC OUTLOOK: HOW IMPORTANT ARE SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS TO KPHL?
Wapu Sonk, Managing Director:
“To propel the company forward, KPHL considers our supply chain to be of utmost importance. The training and fabrication facility, currently under construction, aims to establish domestic production capacity for steel components that are currently being imported.
“We are extremely cognisant of the government’s desire to increase the national content in major resource development projects, especially during their construction phases.”
PETROLEUM PROJECTS
There are several projects that KPHL is currently involved in. For example, the company is conducting a seismic campaign in late 2024 in two of its four petroleum retention licenses (PRLs).
As owner and operator of PRLs 47, 48, 49, and 50, which encompass the Pandora, Kimu, Barikewa, and Uramu petroleum fields, KPHL is dedicated to ensuring that the significant petroleum reserves discovered in these areas are promptly and effectively developed, preventing them from remaining unutilised for extended periods.
Where possible, these gas field discoveries will progress towards commercialisation and subsequently provide benefits for landowners and other stakeholders.
KPHL’s exploration work will enhance the definition of the already discovered Kimu and Barikewa gas
fields and further delineate any potential for additional resources.
“This relates to the investigation of the commercial viability of aggregating KPHL’s isolated gas fields to join existing and planned Papua LNG pipelines to supply a separate KPHL e-train processing facility at the LNG plant site,” reveals Sonk.
The concept has already received approval from the other JV partners, with KPHL also currently in the advanced planning stages for the construction of jet fuel import and storage infrastructure at Motukea International Wharf in Port Moresby.
“This is being done to address supply chain disruption caused by Puma Energy ceasing its operations in PNG.”
The new wharf facility in the National Capital District will have the capacity to store four to six weeks’ worth of fuel supplies. Similar import facilities will eventually be
constructed in the city of Lae and other centres.
The focus is to find a short-term solution, which KPHL has stepped up to do in the wake of the jet fuel catastrophe resulting from Puma Energy being the sole Jet A1 fuel importer in PNG.
According to Sonk, the market restructuring will prevent future fuel problems in the country.
KPHL has identified the need for a modern, all-encompassing training and fabrication facility to support petroleum and other industrial development, located close to the LNG plant site.
This facility will feature state-of-theart training resources and innovative fabrication technologies, ensuring the highest levels of skill development and production efficiency.
“This facility will be able to produce up to 20,000 tonnes per annum of steel components for use in major resource projects. It will also train tradespeople in the skills associated with these products and will have the capacity to provide employment to 2,000 to 3,000 people once completed,” Sonk emphasises.
IMPROVING LIVES WITH INVESTMENTS
KPHL has provided electricity to the Port Moresby grid from the NiuPower facility as part of an equal JV with Santos since 2019.
In recent years, KPHL has also invested over PGK200 million in building more than 200 kilometres (km) of low-voltage transmission lines in the densely populated Highlands provinces.
This initiative aims to connect communities, as well health and education facilities, to PNG Power’s high-voltage Ramu grid.
“During 2023, we invested PGK64.5 million in 34 separate electrification projects across seven provinces. We recognise that access to electricity is a crucial prerequisite for effective rural development,” notes Sonk. Rural electrification brings a multitude of advantages to local communities, including enhanced productivity of home-based businesses, increased agricultural output, better health outcomes, and improved indoor air quality through changes in lighting sources, which ultimately reduces mortality.
Regarding health, KPHL has provided unparalleled medical infrastructure support, with donations of PGK50 million to the National Heart Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) and PGK15 million to cancer services at ANGAU Memorial Hospital in Lae.
Additional amounts of PGK10 million each has been provided for a cancer ward and a surgical ward at PMGH.
“The company also contributed to a dialysis unit at Mendi Hospital and has made significant equipment donations to other medical centres, all of which are effectively investments in critical state infrastructure that will benefit a large number of people,” Sonk says optimistically.
The Kidney Dialysis Centre at Mendi Hospital is now equipped with six state-of-the-art dialysis machines, each costing PGK85,000.
This upgrade will enable the centre
to provide essential treatment to patients across the Highlands region.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the fragility of PNG’s healthcare system in recent years. Therefore, KPHL generously contributed over PGK5 million to aid national response efforts and other health-related projects.
The ANGAU Memorial hospital in Lae is the second-largest medical facility in PNG and fulfils the role of
a district hospital, catering to the city’s healthcare needs of 149,000 individuals.
Moreover, it serves as a provincial hospital for the 675,000 residents of Morobe Province and functions as a referral facility for the 1.9 million people residing in the broader Momase region.
In September 2024, KPHL proudly confirmed its support for the country’s healthcare system when
“DURING 2023, WE INVESTED
PGK64.5
MILLION IN 34 SEPARATE ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS ACROSS SEVEN PROVINCES. WE RECOGNISE THAT ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY IS A CRUCIAL PREREQUISITE FOR EFFECTIVE RURAL DEVELOPMENT”
James Marape, Prime Minister of PNG, led the official commissioning of the state-of-the-art Catheterisation Laboratory at the National Heart Centre, located within Port Moresby General Hospital.
Up to this point, the centre has successfully conducted 839 coronary angiograms and performed 422 stenting procedures. Additionally, it is now available to assist individuals with heart disease by offering a range of services, including angiograms, angioplasty, pacemaker implantations, and other specialised procedures.
The latest equipment and trained staff enable these procedures to be carried out in PNG, whereas in the past, this treatment was only available overseas and at a considerable cost. Ultimately, the latest measures will save more lives as they allow for the more efficient treatment of a larger number of cardiac patients, including procedures for reversing strokes.
SECURING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
Enticing and retaining top talent from PNG for crucial positions within KPHL ensures the ongoing and future success of the company in a highly competitive industry.
After implementing a robust performance management system that emphasises individual performance, talent development, and succession planning, KPHL aims to generate value and opportunities for PNG and its citizens by prioritising the training and development of its employees.
Providing competitive salaries and benefits, meanwhile, is of equal importance to the company in order to attract and retain staff.
Furthermore, most of KPHL’s workforce are Papua New Guineans, whom Sonk regularly meets in town hall meetings.
“There is a graduate development programme and a number of national professional staff who have worked
overseas with Chevron and other companies for some time. They have been employed to fill senior positions and mentor new company graduates,” he reports.
Student sponsorship is part of KPHL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to developing highquality human capital.
In collaboration with the government, KPHL has an initiative to sponsor STEM tertiary studies at overseas universities for 20 top graduates from schools of excellence in PNG annually, starting in 2025.
The company is dedicated to supporting Papua New Guinean students in successfully completing their higher education and playing a pivotal role in transforming their nation.
KPHL is also committed to providing financial support to exceptional students, enabling them to complete their studies and emerge as invaluable contributors to society.
At Santos, our purpose is to provide reliable and affordable energy to help create a better world for everyone.
On the path to our Vision2040, we will create a positive legacy, for our communities, our customers, our people and our shareholders. That legacy is one of shared prosperity and strengthening communities for the long term.
Santos is a global energy company with operations across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the United States.
At Santos, our goal is to be a global leader in the energy evolution to low carbon fuels that help the world decarbonise and continue to provide the reliable, affordable energy the world needs for modern life and human progress. Santos is also committed to partnering with communities to build respectful and mutually beneficial relationships and delivering positive outcomes in the areas where we operate.
Learn more here:
CREATING A BETTER WORLD
“For KPHL, investing in people contributes to the development and prosperity of the nation just as much as investment in infrastructure and services,” Sonk prides.
In addition to financial aid, the programme aims to cultivate practical skills, nurture academic talent, and foster traits such as creativity, resilience, and diligence amongst the students.
The sponsorship programme not only provides valuable support for students’ future careers but also empowers them to excel academically at the university level.
By demonstrating exemplary conduct, students will have the opportunity to receive priority consideration for participation in the company’s Graduate Development Programme, which aims to cultivate young, enthusiastic Papua New Guinean students to a world-class standard.
KPHL’S VISION AND STRATEGIES
Nation-building through developing energy sources is the company’s key vision. This is outlined in KPHL’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027, which includes a framework of six themes and 27 associated objectives.
These will enable the company to participate in developing both non-renewable and renewable energy resources in PNG for decades to come, while also ensuring sufficient financial standing and professional staff.
Invest in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas reserves – Exercise and optimise back-in rights, be a successful and profitable operator of strategic assets, and develop effective JVs and alliances with international oil companies and other industry partners.
Enter into midstream petroleum infrastructure projects
– Facilitate the development of viable midstream projects and the transportation of gas and LNG throughout PNG and other regions, and influence major operators to optimise their development options and maximise value.
Diversify and invest across petroleum and energy sectors
– Actively pursue domestic and international marketing and trading opportunities in LNG and petroleum, supply gas to
power projects and other gas-related domestic industries, and invest in and operate gas-fired power stations and petrochemicals using domestic feedstock and alternative energy sources where appropriate and profitable.
Lead and influence nation-building projects – Provide a reasonable and sustainable return on investments to shareholders, develop a national oil and gas database, support the establishment of a petroleum regulatory body, and improve financial performance year-on-year.
Harness technology and develop people, processes, and culture – Sustain the highest levels of governance and health, safety, and environment (HSE) compliance, establish, develop, and maintain a highly skilled workforce, and use technology, information management, and processes to enable efficient operations.
Achieve KPHL’s social inclusion CSR policy – Contribute to PNG’s social development through targeted investments, continuously build a positive corporate image, be an expert industry advisor to the state and its instrumentalities, ensure effective engagement with stakeholders, advocate national and local content in policy development and implementation, and promote programmes to develop accredited skills and knowledge in the country.
info@oilmin.com
YOUR VISION, OILMIN EXPERTISE
With 32 years of unparalleled expertise, Oilmin stands at the forefront of the seismic industry in Papua New Guinea.
From our origins as a trusted subcontractor for international seismic contractors, we’ve built a legacy of excellence through over 100 successful seismic operations in some of the world’s most remote and challenging terrains.
Today, Oilmin is proud to be the leading PNG-owned seismic contractor, renowned for our ability to compete and secure contracts against international players.
We are the first in Papua New Guinea to offer comprehensive, one-stop-shop seismic solutions, delivering unmatched service to the country’s top oil and gas companies.
Our key capabilities include:
• Camp and Catering Management
• Construction
• Labour Hire
• Seismic Services
• Logistics and Procurement
Choose Oilmin—where local expertise meets global standards. Experience the difference of working with PNG’s seismic leader.
Oilmin: Championing National Content
As a proudly PNG-owned company, Oilmin is dedicated to prioritising national content and building capacity for the future.
This has seen the Oilmin brand expand to include catering services to the Port Moresby Nature Park, a leading tourist attraction. Through these efforts, Oilmin continues to drive local development, reinforcing our role as a leader in PNG’s resource sector.
We are committed to long-term growth and building capacity within the local communities that surround our project areas, delivering sustainable benefits.
In our latest initiative, Oilmin has partnered with the landowners of PRL15 to establish Jerilai Pujari Field Services Ltd (JPFSL), a joint venture focused on providing camp and catering Services for the Papua LNG project.
OILMIN FIELD SERVICES
TRAINING TECHNICIANS FOR TRADES
The oil and gas industry requires specialised trade skills that are not commonly necessary in other industries in PNG. KPHL has acknowledged this need by establishing the KPA to address the skills gap in PNG’s manufacturing, construction, and engineering sectors. The KPA was founded in Idubada in 2015 within the grounds of the Port Moresby Technical College.
The KPA stands as a world-class training facility that nurtures and evaluates emerging junior technicians specialising in electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, and production disciplines. In 2018, an advanced Safe Live Processing Plant, with a price tag of PGK12.5 million, was introduced to bolster the facility’s capacity to educate and prepare process technicians.
The acquired skills will be applied to existing and upcoming petroleum projects. Since the commencement of operations at the KPA in 2016, 169 trainees have been officially certified by City & Guilds, the global leader in skills development and apprenticeship schemes.
Moreover, upon completing their studies, almost all students who were beneficiaries of the ExxonMobil and KPHL scholarship programmes successfully obtained employment. Both companies extended their sponsorship to male and female academy students.
This involves gaining an understanding of the company’s business operations and background, as well as the practices within the oil and gas industry and the specific roles within KPHL.
Employees will also have the opportunity to develop their potential while building practical and technical knowledge and skills that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
Graduates will additionally be guided and supported to develop the essential skills and behaviours needed to enhance productivity and performance in their roles. Further to this, they will receive professional mentoring to foster personal development and help mould them into responsible and esteemed members of the organisation and their communities.
The Kumul Petroleum Academy (KPA) is an institution that provides training for technical personnel in the petroleum industry, including control room technicians.
It was established as the only organisation to offer this type of training in PNG. Trainees are
sponsored by operating companies such as ExxonMobil and Santos, whilst TotalEnergies will also support the programme in future.
In August this year, the KPA proudly celebrated the graduation of 17 trainees from ExxonMobil. Among them, 11 operators achieved certificates in plant process operation, while six were awarded certificates in instrument maintenance.
Notably, four of the trainees were female in a field that is traditionally male-dominated.
The KPA has established significant three-year contracts with both ExxonMobil and Santos to provide comprehensive training for technical personnel.
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE SOURCES
PNG faces significant threats from rising sea levels, primarily due to the melting of ice sheets and the expansion of seawater caused by global warming with the impact of environmental changes, which poses a severe risk to coastal areas, infrastructure, and communities.
KPHL AIDS RURAL HEALTH
As part of its support to health infrastructure, KPHL collaborated with the provincial government to establish a health centre for eight villages near remote Teapopo in Western Province. This newly inaugurated facility is making a profound impact on the lives of the community members residing along the north bank of Fly River, which notably holds the distinction of being the largest river in the world without a single dam in its catchment.
The health centre is fully equipped with six in-patient wards, an antenatal clinic, and a supply of medication. Due to its isolated location, it is self-sufficient with solar power, rainwater collection, and storage capabilities, and includes septic sewerage. All of this significantly reduces the need for long boat journeys to the nearest towns of Daru or Balimo for medical treatment. This project is the result of a collaboration between KPHL, South Fly MP Sekie Agisa, the Fly River Provincial Government, and the Western Province Health Authority.
It is supported by Provincial Improvement Programme funds from the Department of National Planning and Monitoring. Dokana Papua Construction Limited carried out the building work using materials supplied by Rhodes.
KPHL is always ready to support the healthcare system in PNG. The facility aligns with the company’s broader commitment to health infrastructure in Port Moresby and other regions of the country.
“KPHL IS NOW MARKETING ITS OWN LNG IN EXCESS OF LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND IMPORTING FUEL INTO THE COUNTRY TO ADDRESS SUPPLY SHORTFALLS”
Occupying the eastern half of New Guinea and many outlying islands, PNG possesses remarkably diverse species and ecosystems. Rainforests cover 28.2 million hectares of the country, serving as a crucial regulator of the Earth’s climate as a ‘carbon sink’.
KPHL acknowledges the importance of preserving this pristine island paradise, as the country’s ecology is fundamental to the livelihoods and cultural practices of its communities, which rely on the rich forests, flowing rivers, and bountiful oceans for sustenance, medicinal resources, and various other livelihood necessities.
As the national petroleum and energy company, KPHL is committed to achieving net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, which aligns with the PNG government’s goals.
The company is therefore
dedicated to upholding high environmental standards in all its domestic and international operations and enhancing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint.
“KPHL is exploring the potential to independently undertake carbonrelated projects, separate from its partners in the PNG LNG and Papua LNG projects,” Sonk expresses.
The country is ideally situated to take the lead in driving the transition towards renewable energy thanks to its vast wind, water, geothermal, and solar resources. There is a growing demand for solar power in PNG.
“When it comes to solar energy, PNG has an abundance of sunshine. Certain agencies have already set up large solar arrays in the towns of Daru and Vanimo, whilst we have collaborated with the provincial government of New Ireland on a
5MW solar power installation in the capital of Kavieng and surrounding communities,” he divulges.
Over the past few years, KPHL has invested in constructing more than 200km of low-voltage transmission lines in the Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.
As a result, PNG Power has been able to extend its reach and connect a significant number of communities to the main high-voltage Ramu grid.
The company endorses the government’s aim of providing 70 percent of the population with access to electricity by 2030. As an interim solution, it also advocates for using gas as a fuel until PNG’s vast renewable energy resources can be harnessed to generate electricity.
A COMMUNITY-CENTRIC COMPANY
With significant budget allocated to community development, KPHL put PGK27.5 million towards
“WE HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NEW IRELAND ON A 5MW SOLAR POWER INSTALLATION IN THE CAPITAL OF KAVIENG AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES”
various projects last year, including agriculture, water supply, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and small infrastructure initiatives for churches, communities, and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).
However, supporting various sports is also important as it allows many community members to compete locally and internationally.
“In 2023, KPHL spent PGK17.5 million supporting codes, clubs, and events for boxing, cricket, squash, tennis, soccer, rugby union, and rugby league,
with particular emphasis on junior player development,” outlines Sonk.
KPHL has been a franchised sponsor of the Kroton Hela Wigmen, a semi-professional rugby league team from Hela Province that currently competes in the PNG National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
In addition, the company is a platinum sponsor of the national rugby league team, the Kumuls, and contributes to activities related to the bid to get a PNG team into the Australian NRL competition.
10 Anson Road
International Plaza #33-03
Singapore 079903
Tel : +65 6223 2818
Supporting the PNG Hunters, the sole PNG team to compete in the Queensland Cup, a second-tier competition in Australia, KPHL also provides support to smaller rugby league clubs.
This included the participation of the Port Moresby Vipers in a tournament in Brisbane, PRK Mendi Muruks, the Southern Highlands Provincial 9s tournament, rugby games in Wapenamanda District, and contributions to the Ipatas Cup Highlands Challenge.
Furthermore, the company has consistently participated in and sponsored annual charity fundraising golf events at courses in Lae and Port Moresby.
As a result, Kumul Petroleum Charity Golf Challenge events have successfully raised funds for causes such as Life Care PNG and the PNG Olympic Committee.
Cricket PNG received PGK1.2 million in funding in 2021 to support the national side’s preparation for the T20
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS, A FUTURE OF GROWTH
World Cup.
Over time, KPHL has also strongly supported cultural festivals, including the Tufi Tapa and Tattoo Festival, and generously provided books to primary schools and higher educational institutions through the Buk Bilong Pikinini organisation.
It has gone the extra mile by donating computers and other essential equipment to Passam High School and the PNG University of Technology in Lae.
Additional community assistance has come in the form of monetary contributions or donations, including the provision of solar lighting kits to support the staff and children of PNG Life Care in Port Moresby.
In the coming 12 months, KPHL aims to advance the construction of the fabrication facility and fuel storage, whilst overseeing its noteworthy seismic campaign for two PRLs.
Regardless, the company’s support for sport, and particularly rugby
league, will continue unabated.
“Despite numerous projects and advancements for KPHL, we will continue to offer unwavering support to propel a PNG team into the Australian NRL in 2028, something the whole country is looking forward to,” Sonk concludes.
Tel: (+675) 320 2253
WSonk@kumulpetroleum.com www.kumulpetroleum.com
Providing energy security and reliable gas supply to power stations, mine sites, energy wholesalers, and retailers across Australia, Central Petroleum is wellpositioned to increasingly play a role in the country’s energy future. Leon Devaney, CEO and Managing Director, tells us more
Writer: Lauren Kania
Project Manager: Ryan Gray
Despite the discourse surrounding the need for immediate clean energy, oil and gas are still fundamental to modern society and can be utilised responsibly and safely to assist the global search for a balance between sustainability and accessibility.
Central Petroleum, operator of the largest onshore gas fields in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT), does just that, providing reliable gas to serve public needs and act as a transition fuel as the future of clean energy is evaluated.
In the move from traditional coal-fired electricity generation to renewables, natural gas is an ideal transition fuel as it is cleaner than coal, a reliable complement to renewable resources, and can respond quickly to fluctuating network supply and demand.
Currently supplying approximately half of the NT’s gas demand from its three gas fields, Central Petroleum is a well-established Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)-listed oil and gas producer boasting a diverse portfolio of producing and prospective gas tenements across the region.
“In the NT, we are the only onshore gas supplier with proven gas reserves and fields with a long history of dependable production,” introduces Leon Devaney, CEO and Managing Director.
“With production facilities already in operation, we have an advantage over yet-to-be-developed fields which are commercially unproven and require regulatory, environmental, and cultural heritage approvals.”
Importantly, the company can incrementally add production
capacity by tying new wells into existing infrastructure and leveraging its capabilities to bring discoveries to market efficiently. Case in point, it will drill two new production wells at its Mereenie field in the next six months, with gas to flow to customers almost immediately.
With a workforce of 80 personnel spread between its Brisbane head office and gas fields, Central Petroleum has interests in over 173,000 square kilometres (sqkm) of exploration permits in Central Australia, which include large resources of natural gas, oil, helium, and hydrogen.
Additionally, the company is committed to maintaining the highest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards across its operations as embodied in its core operations.
“We put safety first,
respect the environment and the communities we work with, and value our people and stakeholders,” prides Devaney.
PROVEN RELIABILITY
Having started in the oil and gas industry in 2005 at Queensland Gas Company (QGC), Devaney began his career focusing on coal bed methane (CBM) – a then-unproven Australian gas resource contained within coal –where he was responsible for raising debt capital.
“Ultimately, we successfully proved that CBM could be commercialised, which led to a takeover of QGC with the company valued at nearly AUD$6 billion, one of the great success stories in the Australian oil and gas sector,” he expands.
Today, Devaney still finds much excitement and innovation in this ever-evolving industry,
specifically enjoying the challenges and opportunities associated with oil and gas exploration, where companies are only one discovery away from business-changing events.
“As my experience with QGC shows, the sector has incredible hurdles but also endless opportunities for great rewards and the ability to make a real difference to people and businesses in Australia.”
By early 2025, Central Petroleum will have drilled and commissioned two new wells at its Mereenie oil and gas field to further increase production capacity in response to market demand. The company and its partners at Mereenie will invest approximately AUD$30 million in the new wells, and with the offtake already contracted, it is expected to recover the costs rapidly.
It has also agreed to supply gas to Arafura Rare Earths’ proposed
CENTRAL PETROLEUM’S CORE VALUES
• CHARACTER – The company respects the environment and communities it works with and values its people and stakeholders.
• TOGETHER – Central Petroleum works hard, efficiently, and effectively as a team. It listens to and works in partnership with stakeholders alongside engaging collaboratively and acting with integrity.
• PERFORMANCE – Committed to increasing shareholder value, the business is dynamic, agile, professional, resourceful, and proficient.
Nolans Rare Earths Project from 2028, supporting new and critical industries that require gas to compete on the global stage.
Equally as important is the company’s dedication to ensuring positive outcomes in its local communities. In order to contribute to sustainable and beneficial growth, it closely engages and participates with stakeholders alongside working with Traditional Owners, leaseholders, and landowners to ensure the protection of the environment and cultural heritage.
“Our people are committed to respecting the environment and local communities – 20 percent of our workers in the NT are Indigenous, and we’ve had a clean safety record for almost two years,” details Devaney.
COMMERCIALISING ENERGY POTENTIAL
At the beginning of 2024, Central Petroleum revamped its commercial strategy to build value for stakeholders by capitalising on the changing dynamics of Australia’s energy markets.
The strategy consisted of two prongs – maximising cash flow from existing production assets in a robust gas market to commence sustainable distribution to shareholders, and advancing exploration in its promising exploration permits, funded primarily by third-party farmouts.
The company has made immediate progress on its strategy, recently signing agreements to supply all of its firm gas production to the NT Government (NTG) and Arafura Rare Earths from 2025 until 2030.
“These NTG gas service agreements (GSAs) represent a major milestone for us and are some of the most important transactions Central Petroleum has ever executed,” enthuses Devaney.
The Central Petroleum team had identified that the NT gas market was
increasingly at risk of a gas supply shortage and moved to lock in gas prices within this market dynamic on a firm basis. The new contracts will bolster the company’s cash flow –something that will become visible once supply from the NTG GSAs commences in 2025.
Devaney also focused on reducing Central Petroleum’s exposure to pipeline interruptions that plagued the NT for the last 12 months,
threatening future growth and revenues. The NTG GSAs were specifically structured to allow Central Petroleum to meet its obligations to existing East Coast customers when the Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP) is operational, alongside providing a backstop provision where the company sells gas on a firm basis to the NTG when the NGP is not functional.
“These agreements also recognise
“WE RECENTLY SIGNED A MAJOR GAS SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH THE NTG TO SUPPLY GAS INTO THE REGION FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS, PROVIDING GAS
POWER
SECURITY FOR
GENERATORS, MINE SITE OPERATORS, INDUSTRIAL
GAS USERS, AND HOUSEHOLDS AT A TIME WHEN OTHER SUPPLIERS ARE DECLINING AND BECOMING LESS RELIABLE”
–
LEON DEVANEY, CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, CENTRAL PETROLEUM
our production as a base gas supply through strong take-orpay provisions, which means the customer must pay for gas whether they take it or not,” details Devaney.
“This provision ensures that we generate cash flow from existing firm production, dramatically reducing financial risk.”
The certainty arising from the NTG GSAs has given the company confidence to invest in the new
Mereenie production wells and will support debt restructuring initiatives.
There are also several attractive opportunities to find additional resources within its existing production areas, including previously ignored formations containing gas and identifying other pockets of hydrocarbons not currently accessed by its production wells. Given the emerging gas market dynamics, these growth
opportunities are a high priority for the company.
Additionally, Central Petroleum’s exploration permits represent another untapped source of value, as the company has a significant footprint in the proven Amadeus Basin, which contains some of Australia’s largest prospective onshore resources of conventional gas and helium.
“The basin has provided reliable, high-quality oil and gas since the 1980s, yet is underexplored and believed to hold significant additional gas resources, including helium and naturally occurring hydrogen, with good prospectivity for oil on the western flank,” informs Devaney.
A FUTURE IN HELIUM
Helium provides an enticing opportunity to unlock a valuable new revenue stream within the country.
Australia’s only domestic helium production ceased earlier this year when the Darwin liquefied
Cooper expands capabilities in Australia with new workshop
Cooper Machinery Services (Cooper) has taken a significant step forward in its operations with the opening of a new workshop located at 803 Greenwattle Street, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia. This new facility is strategically positioned to meet the growing demand for engine and compressor overhauls, as well as the refurbishment of parts. With this expansion, Cooper is better equipped to serve customers across various industries, ensuring that they receive the high-quality service and support that Cooper is known for.
The new workshop is not just about increasing capacity; it represents a commitment to enhancing the overall customer experience. By working closely with customers in Australia, we aim to optimize overall inventory, reducing lead times and improving the efficiency of operations.
The new Toowoomba workshop offers the following machine shop capabilities:
• Cylinder head overhaul
• Water pump overhaul
• Turbocharger overhaul
• Engine overhaul
• Reciprocating & screw compressor overhaul
• Compressor piston rod inspection & repair
• Compressor piston to rod assembly
• AJAX reed plate overhaul
• AJAX VVCP overhaul
• AJAX power cylinder inspection & refurbishment
• Starter motor overhaul
• Teg pump overhaul
APAC OUTLOOK: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT CENTRAL PETROLEUM’S SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS AND THE ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE NGP?
Leon Devaney, CEO and Managing Director: “Our operations occur in some of Australia’s most remote areas, so we rely heavily on an efficient and reliable supply chain. Being thousands of kilometres away from major supply hubs, we work with well-known oil and gas equipment suppliers, logistics providers, and drilling and maintenance contractors to ensure operations are not interrupted.
“Ironically, the availability of our gas transportation service has been a major issue over the past two years. The NGP is an AUD$1 billion gas transportation pipeline that allows producers in the NT to deliver gas to East Coast customers.
“That pipeline has experienced extended outages recently and has not been operating almost all year, which has had a major impact on sales and revenue alongside the operations of East Coast customers who rely upon the gas.
“Unfortunately, we have little confidence this pipeline will resume normal operations soon, which is why our recent NTG GSAs were so crucial. The agreements begin in 2025 and allow us to sell our firm production into the NT without relying on the NGP.”
natural gas (LNG) plant closed, and Central Petroleum is working with a major global supplier to progress a recovery and liquefaction unit at Mereenie to extract helium from the existing gas stream, which typically contains circa 0.2 percent helium.
If the project proceeds, the Mereenie field would be Australia’s sole domestic source of helium. Given its high market pricing, this would be an attractive additional revenue source, but the deeper subsalt exploration plays hold enormous potential.
“In terms of pure exploration, our Mount Kitty prospect is likely to be
the first target drilled under any new farmout given the first Mount Kitty well discovered gas containing nine percent helium, which is a very high concentration by global standards,” expands Devaney.
The company is working hard to find a good farmout partner for the permit, with drilling able to commence within six to nine months of reaching an agreement, given permitting and approvals for Mount Kitty are already advanced and the long lead items held in inventory by the operator.
In parallel to its Mount Kitty endeavours, Central Petroleum has
other large sub-salt targets with potential for enormous natural gas, helium, and hydrogen resources. It plans to pursue these opportunities in due course, intending to attract capital from new partners to fund the exploration. With helium only being produced at a handful of locations worldwide, success at Mount Kitty would generate global interest in the region.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK
As Central Petroleum looks towards the future, its focus continues to be on optimising its production assets, given the strong gas market in the
NT. In addition to the Mereenie wells, new wells are being planned for Palm Valley as stronger gas prices could see successful wells pay back their costs within two years.
“We have done the hard work and are now turning the corner on what has been a challenging period in the company’s history –the next 12 months will be a pivotal time. Increasing cash flows from new contracts and wells could see shareholders receive their first returns, and successful exploration drilling could unlock enormous value,” concludes Devaney.
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To participate as a featured company and join us in this exciting endeavour, contact one of our Project Managers today.
QUALITY AND TIME-TESTED EXCELLENCE
Trailers have been a mainstay of the Australian manufacturing and transport industries for decades, offering dynamic opportunities for an abundance of businesses across the nation.
“The boundaries of the country’s transport sector have always been pushed and stretched when it comes to the productivity and design of trailers. For this reason, it is the most talked about, respected, admired, productive, and efficient
We speak to Krueger Transport Equipment’s leadership team about the company’s pioneering designs, commitment to the highest standards of trailer manufacturing, and dedication to achieving customer satisfaction
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Nicholas Kernan
transportation landscape in the world,” opens Kevin Dennis, CEO of Krueger Transport Equipment (Krueger).
Indeed, no other country moves as many tonnes (t) per kilometre than transport operators in Australia. Moreover, with the increasing adoption of performance-based standards and the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen technology, the nation continues to be a frontrunner in the international
trailer industry.
Positioned at the forefront of this global landscape, Krueger has maintained its reputation of operating as a premium brand since its founding over 45 years ago.
The company’s capabilities as a leader in innovation and quality are evidenced by the fact it has built over 20,000 trailers in the last four decades, with 14,000 still registered and active today.
“Our commitment to excellence,
reliability, and customer satisfaction has solidified our position as a powerhouse in the Australian transportation market,” Dennis prides.
A POWERFUL BRAND
Krueger’s trailers have become the product of choice for leading logistics organisations across the country as the brand has continuously grown to encompass numerous subdivisions, including but not limited to Krueger National Spare Parts and Advantage Trailer Rental (ATR).
“Our brand voice in the market has never been stronger as we integrate into all the newest marketing channels to create a larger, wider, and more diverse audience who will follow our story and see our quality on a national and global scale, even if they are not in the transport industry,” Dennis expands.
Regarding National Spare Parts, the division stands apart from typical comparable branches. With over 14,000 items in its inventory, the business can support trailers outside of the usual portfolio by offering high-quality products from some of the industry’s top brands, alongside trusted aftermarket services.
“This extensive offering enables our service teams to work on virtually any type of semi-trailer, regardless of the brand. This internal collaboration strengthens the Krueger brand beyond manufacturing, providing value to a diverse array of customers,” opens Ben Raudino, National Spare Parts Manager and Branch Manager for Victoria.
As part of his role in overseeing the Krueger branches in New South Wales and Brisbane also, Raudino works closely with suppliers to secure
competitive pricing and ensure that the division remains a strong player in the market.
ATR, meanwhile, contributes to Krueger’s brand success in multiple ways. First and foremost, the division provides a comprehensive rental service, offering a wide range of semi-trailers including skeletal trailers, fridge units, and curtain siders, available in both A and B combinations. This flexibility allows the division to cater to its customers’ diverse requirements.
The division presents tailored options that not only meet its customers’ current needs, but also provide the flexibility to support their future growth and opportunities.
On top of this, ATR supports customers when their trailers are in for service or repairs, ensuring that they stay on the road without disruption.
“Our strong after-sales service is something customers frequently praise, as we understand the critical importance of keeping their assets fully operational. We know the pressure they face to avoid downtime, since freight never stops,” David Raffaele, ATR’s Rental Manager, comments.
Furthermore, with the constant turnover of trailers, ATR also assists customers looking for second-hand purchases and ensures they find the right solutions for their needs.
This same ethos is replicated by Krueger’s National Services and Warranties division, which guarantees customer satisfaction in the maintenance and repair of all heavy trailer models, not limited to Krueger vehicles.
“Tailoring to the individual needs of customers, the business provides prompt service and support for warranty claims and repairs. This reliability fosters customer loyalty
and long-term relationships,” Service Manager for Victoria and Warranty Coordinator, Brett Tweedly, tells us.
Tweedly’s role at Krueger is to ensure that all workshop operations run smoothly and efficiently by managing maintenance, repairs, and customer requirements.
“My duties include maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring timely and effective service delivery, managing costs, and upholding the company’s reputation through after-sales support,” he adds.
PIONEERING DESIGN
Krueger was established from Founder John Krueger’s personal need for greater trailer capacity whilst building his first trailer in his driveway at home in Melbourne’s West. Unexpectedly, John’s endeavours resulted in a design with unmatched efficiency and convenience.
“As far as I knew, there were no truck and trailer combinations in
Australia at the time that matched my rig’s capacity. The longest trailers available were 36 feet (ft), capable of carrying only one 20ft container or 36 general pallets.
“Therefore, the fact that my rig was able to carry two 20ft containers sparked a change in the industry,” John recalls.
The construction process for his specialised trailer-truck combination took six to nine months and involved rigorous testing, undergoing several design changes to ensure that it was easy to tow and could be effortlessly reversed onto docks for loading and unloading shipping containers.
Once the crucial aspect of trailer manoeuvrability had been achieved, thanks to the modification of a 20ft chassis to form a 10ft axle spread, John began to work on a more seamless method of decoupling the trailer from the truck.
Meeting this objective meant that he could reverse the trailer into the
Australian-Made Trailer Gates for all Trailer makes and models
Family owned and operated, Trailer Gates Australia (TGA) is committed to the design and manufacture of high quality, made-tomeasure truck and trailer gates – produced right here in Australia, from locally sourced steel and aluminium.
When current owner of TGA, Duncan Stewart, took over the business in January 2023, his plan was to really shake things up. And he’s done just that, placing a greater focus on the quality of materials used and on providing exceptional customer service.
In TGA’s biggest change to date, the company has moved away from cheaper imported Chinese steel and now exclusively uses quality Australian Bluescope Steel and Capral Aluminium for all its products.
“At TGA, we’re not focused on cost-cutting, instead we’re focused on onshoring –bringing jobs back to Australia. By building with Australian steel and aluminium, it keeps more locals in jobs and keeps the money here in Australia too,” explained Stewart.
“Some of our main competitors offer inferior products imported from overseas; and although these trailer gates might be a little cheaper at the outset, they don’t have the same level of quality and durability that you’ll find in every gate that leaves TGA’s warehouse.”
TGA’s truck and trailer gates are typically made to order, however TGA also offers a range of off-the-shelf gate sizes too, with no wait time.
“We provide a range of services and can custom make any sort of gate for trucks and trailers from heavy duty load racks to lightweight alloy gates, or flat tray tautliners. We build gates for everyone,” Stewart added.
With customers located across the country, TGA ships out hundreds of truck and trailer gates Australia wide, every week.
TGA boasts an impressive list of clientele including major trailer manufacturers.
Some of its major customers include Krueger, MaxiTrans, MaxiParts, Hunter Express, Drake Group, Freighter, Alltruck Bodies, Shepparton Body Builders, Beavertail Trailers, Border Express, Mainfreight, West-Trans, TR Group, NE Engineering, Combined Truck Bodies and Alma.
TGA currently employs seven people, including highly qualified master welders, who specialise in galvanised steel and alloy. Their expertise helps ensure quality is maintained through every stage of the production process.
Based in the Melbourne suburb of Thomastown, strategically located just off the M80 Ring Road, the facility has plenty of room onsite, offering easy truck access, even for B-doubles.
In just over a year at the helm of his new business, Stewart’s leadership has already had a major impact on quality and service –and the future is looking very bright.
“It’s exciting times ahead for us here at TGA,” said Stewart, as he revealed his next big move for the business. “Within the next 18 months or so, we’re also planning on moving towards robotics, which will lead to greater precision, and a greater capacity to deal with larger clients. We believe that by investing in this high tech machinery, we’ll be able to double our current output.”
TGA is ready and capable to take on new clients, including major trailer and truck body builders. Wholesalers are also welcome to contact the team.
For more information, please call 03 9465 3225 or visit trailergatesaustralia.com.au.
www.trailergatesaustralia.com.au
KRUEGER’S DEDICATED TEAM
From the company’s ownership and senior management team through to every employee on the factory floor, there is a shared commitment to delivering excellence in goods and services. This dedication is the driving force behind Krueger’s meticulous attention to detail and constant pursuit of quality and innovation.
“My general day-to-day involvement is less than it has been in the past, hence why I have a comprehensive senior management team.
“However, I still involve myself with the engineering team and enjoy the journey of continuous improvement, including upgrading our designs, reviewing raw materials, and working in the background with the sales team and senior management to ensure we meet our customers’ expectations,” John tells us.
“KRUEGER HAS ALWAYS PUT ENGINEERING FIRST, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE”
– JOHN KRUEGER, FOUNDER, KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
next bay, allowing it to be loaded simultaneously with the truck. This doubled the productivity of the trailer, which typically would only be able to transport one container per trip.
Therefore, John’s innovative, firstof-its-kind design marked a turning point in the trailer manufacturing sector.
However, he faced difficulties when the manufacturing company he was working with to create the trailer faced pressure from other drivers over how much he was earning from his innovative modifications, ultimately resulting in the trailer no longer being permitted for use.
“Despite facing setbacks and ultimately parting ways with the organisation that restricted my trailer’s use, I found new opportunities
through subcontracting and witnessed the fruits of my labour seeing local businesses flourish,” John reflects.
Subsequently, after finding that there was not enough work in subcontracting alone, he sold the trailer-truck combination and placed his focus on growing Krueger as a business.
“Though my time as a trailer builder and owner-driver may have come to an end, the lessons learned and the legacy I created live on in the evolution of Krueger.”
ADDRESSING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
John’s pioneering design and subsequent creation of Krueger was inspired by the constant issues he
faced as an owner-driver, witnessing first-hand the numerous safety challenges and operational difficulties associated with towing various brands of skeleton and open flat top trailers.
Indeed, the former proved to be one of the most perilous to drive for John due to issues with excessive rear sloping, leading to cargo instability during loading and unloading and the trailer nosediving to the ground when connected to forklifts.
Additionally, he found that the chassis design of skeleton trailers led to uneven weight distribution between axles, increasing the risk of roll-overs, particularly when navigating corners.
Meanwhile, open flat top trailers, whether in tandem or a tri-axle format, also presented challenges with braking abilities and caused damage to cargo and pallets when utilising twist locks during transportation and unloading.
John’s decades of learning and experience meant that Krueger as a business could address these safety and handling concerns efficiently.
This resulted in the implementation of many adaptations such as reducing rear sloping, optimising chassis lengths
to prevent cargo falling out when the container doors are opened, altering landing leg designs and placements to stop trailers nosediving when being unloaded, and improving suspension setups to share the load across both the axles and landing legs.
Similar efforts were undertaken with open flat top trailers, where the company re-engineered the main beams of the structure to prevent the axle hopping when braking under pressure or on wet or unstable roads. Furthermore, Krueger lowered the trailer’s twist locks, resulting in fewer part replacements.
“This was critical considering the
damage I had seen to twist locks and the importance of the mechanism for holding containers that can weigh up to 30t,” John highlights.
Krueger’s improvements to both skeleton trailers and open flat top trailers subsequently became the industry standard in freight and heavy haulage, culminating in patented designs that minimised cargo damage and enhanced the overall driving experience and public safety.
From here, Krueger launched other transformations such as the Kurtainer and adopted an innovative approach to design, pushing the boundaries of well-known trailer concepts.
Lucidity and Krueger: A Partnership Forged in Excellence
Lucidity Australia designs, engineers, and manufactures premium wiring, lighting, DC-DC charging and electrical systems for the Australian transport industry. Maybe a better way to summarise what Lucidity Australia does is act as a ‘Full Service Supplier’ to the transport industry for electrical solutions.
Our relationship with Krueger goes back to 2004. During these early years Lucidity was a supplier of parts, such as lights, wire harness, buzzers and other electrical components. Over time, as this relationship grew alongside the growth of both organisations, this partnership became stronger and more interconnected. Fast forward to today, Krueger and Lucidity’s relationship is as strong as ever, and our proximity to each other helps foster this relationship. Lucidity can be on site straight away for technical support, urgent parts supply and design meetings for next generation semi-trailer applications. Today, instead of parts, Lucidity manages the full trailer electrical supply in kit format which ensures all items for the trailer are included. This leads to: simplifying trailer fit-out as everything is included in one package, reduced purchasing demands as one part number deliveries a complete trailer solution, and guaranteeing everything works ‘out of the box’ via Lucidity’s unique modular harness and lighting design framework.
Further enhancements include the Lucidity Link tail lighting range where no harness is needed as the lighting simply plugs together, making installation simple, robust and quick. In summary, all aspects of Lucidity lighting, wiring, and DC-DC charging solutions are designed and tested to work in conjunction with each other which greatly simplifies trailer electrical installation. Lucidity’s lighting and wiring simplifies installations with 100 percent repeatable designs that are modular, versatile, and adaptable.
Lucidity Australia is a part of a global organisation with design and manufacturing locations in the US, Europe, Australia, and Taiwan. In 2023 Lucidity expanded its Taiwan head office manufacturing location with the opening of the third manufacturing centre of excellence, increasing capacity and capabilities.
Lucidity’s OMP product range provides robust ‘plug and play’ wire harnessing which covers the complete semi-trailer requirements, including road trains, dangerous goods, and standard trailer applications. The wire harness system integrates with Lucidity lighting and electrical systems which provide a complete electrical solution.
Lucidity Australia engages in exporting trailer electrical kits, lighting and our charging range to Europe, China and the US. This provides peace of mind to offshore equipment manufacturers, guaranteeing compliance to the necessary ADRs of the incoming transport equipment into Australia with the added benefit of relying on years of experience working in the Australian transport sector.
Lucidity Australia has seen continual year-on-year business growth, leading to significant investment in equipment to keep up with demand and the addition of new capabilities to the business. New equipment has been added across the manufacturing range, including state-of-the-art automated wire process equipment, additional moulding capabilities, a new ultrasonic welder and testing equipment, with further equipment planned for 2024 and 2025.
Lucidity Australia is a proud Australian manufacturer, supporting the Australian transport industry with passion, expertise, solutions, and really is Australia’s only true ‘Full Service Supplier’ in this sector.
Phone: +61 03 9219 4074
Email: sales@lucidity-au.com
Website: lucidityaustralia.com.au
KRUEGER CUSTOMER BENEFITS
• Real-time programmes –Ensures customers’ supply chains are fully compliant with the company’s comprehensive practices and programmes.
• Complete solutions – Provides everything needed, including servicing, repairs, and spare parts.
• Innovation – Conducts ongoing R&D and improvements.
• Options – Offers a range of semi-trailer features both for sale and hire.
• Load restraint – Guaranteed compliance with official regulations whilst increasing productivity.
• Exceptional service – Provides professional, hands-on, and personalised customer service.
“Our commitment to a forwardthinking philosophy is underscored by our successful patenting of products such as Slide-a-Gate, addressing local restraint issues and earning accolades for occupational health and safety.”
CONSTANT PURSUIT OF QUALITY
The ability to produce high-quality engineering and designs is the backbone of Krueger. Since its inception, the company has prioritised R&D, laying the groundwork for its stringent policies and procedures.
Moreover, the business conducts thorough testing of raw materials and components to identify any potential weaknesses before they impact its products in real-world scenarios, thus avoiding unwanted risks for its customers and the general public.
“Krueger has always put engineering first, closely followed by manufacturing excellence,” John asserts.
“Ever since I started employing fulltime engineers, I’ve ensured that we always stay up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and processes whilst guaranteeing we build safe, high-quality trailers that are made to last, offering exceptional resale value to our customers.”
Indeed, John has created a culture of excellence and quality throughout the company, as he ensures that each Krueger trailer is designed and engineered to not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
“Before my time at Krueger, John was extremely hands-on in creating the strategy and procedures for the engineering department, and these are the core values that my team and I work by today,” echoes Adis Selmic, Manager of Projects and Production Engineering.
Therefore, regardless of design complexity, the company’s engineering team tirelessly works on new ideas and components, ensuring that each trailer
A Decade of Growing Together: Velocity Tyres and Krueger Transport Equipment’s Unmatched Partnership
In an industry driven by innovation and constant evolution, the partnership between Velocity Tyres, Krueger Transport Equipment, and O’Green has emerged as a model of enduring success and collaboration.
Since their alliance began in 2015, these companies have exemplified how mutual respect, and shared values can foster remarkable growth and achievement.
“Our business philosophy centres on growing alongside our customers. We understand that if our customers do not have the support they need to evolve and advance, we too cannot achieve growth.
AG735
Available in sizes: 11R22.5, 275/70R22.5 and 255/70R22.5
Over a decade of partnership with Krueger has presented numerous challenges, but our commitment to this collaborative approach remains unchanged. We view ourselves not just as a supplier, but as an essential contributor to Krueger’s ongoing success.”
With shared business fundamentals, Velocity Tyres and Krueger Transport Equipment remain focused on future innovations, leveraging O’Green’s high-performance products to enhance their offerings. O’Green specialises in sustainable, eco-friendly solutions that meet the rigorous demands of the transport industry. Their products not only align with current environmental standards but also provide exceptionally durability and efficiency, setting new benchmarks for performance.
“We recognize the pressures faced by manufacturers like Krueger to innovate and continuously evolve their products. We believe that addressing these challenges is a shared responsibility. Consequently, we collaborate closely with our manufacturing partners to regularly update our offerings, ensuring that our customers can deliver tailored solutions to their markets.”
As they celebrate a decade of successful partnership, Velocity Tyres, Krueger Transport Equipment and O’Green continue to view each other as integral partners rather than mere suppliers. Their commitment to mutual growth and innovation promises to drive further advancements and achievements in the transport industry.
AG398S AG516
Available in sizes: 11R22.5, 275/70R22.5 and 255/70R22.5
Available in sizes: 11R22.5, 275/70R22.5 and 255/70R22.5
AG168
Available in sizes: 11R22.5, 275/70R22.5 and 255/70R22.5
produced is of the highest quality.
This is further emphasised by Krueger’s dedication to keeping pace with the ever-changing needs and technical advancements of altering market demands.
“While the fundamental principles of engineering excellence have remained constant, the methods and tools used in design processes have undergone a digital revolution,” Selmic informs.
Designs are now created using state-of-the-art computer software, allowing for more precise and efficient developments. The company also ensures that these programmes work efficiently, both within the manufacturing process and in practice.
“With these changes, our dedication to quality and innovation has remained steadfast as we make sure that each trailer reflects the pinnacle of engineering expertise,” Selmic emphasises.
This commitment has not faltered since the inception of Krueger, as the company understands that its responsibility extends beyond simply producing trailers – it is entrusted with the safety and well-being of customers and the general public at large.
For this reason, Krueger refuses to compromise on quality and rejects any materials or parts that don’t meet its exacting standards.
“We recognise the importance of maintaining both our reputation
APAC OUTLOOK: HAVING GROWN UP IN THE BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS KRUEGER’S LEGACY?
Grant Krueger, National Sales Director:
“As a second-generation member of the Krueger family, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the legacy built by my family and particularly my father.
“Growing up around the business and working in various departments means that my engagement with the company has been hands-on and continues to this day as I lead our sales team into the future.
“Krueger’s legacy is rooted in a commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. My father instilled a dedication to quality and reliability into the business, setting high standards that have defined our reputation for over four decades.
“His visionary leadership and tireless work ethic have shaped Krueger into a trusted name in the industry, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to drive our success today.”
and the trust placed in us by our customers and the industry,” John acknowledges.
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
Steeped in a heritage of quality and innovation, Krueger ardently prioritises its customers’ needs as a fundamental ingredient to its success.
“We understand that our customers are the lifeblood of our business, as their needs and preferences are central to everything we do,” asserts Grant Krueger, National Sales Director and the son of John.
Indeed, Krueger actively listens to client feedback and continuously strives to exceed their expectations, enabling the company to develop
personalised trailers that meet their specific requirements and deliver exceptional value.
As such, the business has become a trailer industry stalwart thanks to its devotion to fostering strong client relationships built on trust and reliability and remaining the preferred choice for both large and smaller fleet owner-drivers.
Notably, Krueger would not be
able to deliver such exceptional customer service if it weren’t for its unparalleled trailer manufacturing capabilities and after-sales service through its National Spare Parts and ATR divisions.
For starters, its unwavering commitment to quality and durability has meant that the company’s trailers are built to last, with a reputation for reliability that is second to none.
“The durability and robustness of our trailers have earned Krueger a reputation for excellence that spans over four decades, with thousands still actively operating on Australian roads today,” Selmic urges.
Additionally, the company’s outstanding engineering team comprises highly skilled professionals who are equipped to tackle even the most complex design challenges.
“OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, RELIABILITY, AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION HAS SOLIDIFIED OUR POSITION AS A POWERHOUSE IN THE AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORTATION MARKET,”
– KEVIN DENNIS, CEO, KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Each engineer actively utilises cutting-edge two-dimensional and three-dimensional software, as well as conducting manual calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
As a result, Krueger’s customers can rest assured that every aspect of the company’s trailers are rigorously tested and validated.
Moreover, Krueger’s comprehensive record-keeping and preservation of engineering expertise means that the same high-quality standards are maintained across the generations, especially in regard to after-sales and spare parts services.
EXPANDING PRODUCT RANGE TO KEEP UP WITH NEW MARKETS
2024 marks a year of ambition and innovation for Krueger as it is set to deliver its newly released K-Van range into full production by the end of the year, after completing many
successful piloting units with several key customers.
As a result, the company will become a major player in a new market segment as it continues to expand its product range.
Similarly, continuous improvements to its existing products are a benchmark target from year to year, which stems from decades of engineering practice and refinement processes that underwrite the recognised quality of Krueger trailers.
On top of this, the company’s recent investment in advanced technology has been a crucial pillar in the adaption of the business around the growing needs of the industry.
Towards the end of 2023 and the beginning of this year, Krueger has enjoyed major benefits from these investments, such as its newly installed laser cutting facility.
“This advanced technology has provided considerable gains in
quality, time, and efficiency, which is further reflected in our increased manufacturing quality and speed, which ultimately means we get more Krueger trailers out on the road,” insights Kevin.
Above all else, the company’s commitment and dedication to quality will remain unwavering.
“It’s what distinguishes us in the industry and has made Krueger synonymous with excellence for decades. Whether it’s engineering, manufacturing, design, or delivery, quality is at the forefront of everything we do,” John closes.
Tel: 03 8331 6100
sales@krueger.com.au
www.krueger.com.au
PROTECTING THE FRONTLINE DEFENDERS
Delving into the unmatched capabilities of the two divisions that comprise HighCom Group, we speak to Todd Ashurst, Group COO and General Manager of HighCom Technology, and Sally Nordeen, CEO of HighCom Armor Solutions, about how the company provides state-of-theart technological manufacturing capabilities and tailored capability solutions for both the military and industry
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
The international defence industry becomes more prevalent every day as specialist products are critically required across the world in both domestic and foreign affairs.
HighCom Group, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), has grown over the last 40 years to become a global leader in the defence manufacturing sector, operating two distinct divisions – HighCom Armor Solutions (HighCom Armor) and HighCom Technology.
The group provides high-quality, specialist products and tailored solutions for military and law enforcement agencies whilst also expanding its global sales and distribution networks across new
markets of high-performance ballistic products and technology solutions.
Understanding a range of technologies and their integration is imperative to HighCom Group’s work, as it ensures the cohesion of its two entities.
“At the group level, the company gains process efficiencies through knowledge and technology sharing between the two divisions,” opens Todd Ashurst, Group COO and General Manager of HighCom Technology.
“Whether it’s the manufacturing process, an engineering management framework, or a technology or machine that can be utilised by both divisions, HighCom Group always aims to align the two sides of the business where practical.”
DELIVERING THE NEEDS OF A NATION
With a current focus on representing uncrewed systems and sensor payloads, HighCom Technology serves global defence and security agencies with world-leading solutions from its Canberra – the Australian Capital Territory – facilities.
This includes cutting-edge products from top-of-the-range original equipment manufacturer (OEM) AeroVironment Inc. (AeroVironment) – a US global defence supplier. HighCom Technology is the exclusive Australian representative for small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS), including the Tomahawk Kinesis Common Control System, and non-exclusive Special Export Sales Representative for loitering munitions, alongside other ancillaries.
As such, the division’s focus on supplying global defence and security agencies highly relies on providing a complete range of services from sales to local programme, project, and engineering management, as well as systems integration, training, maintenance, composite repair and manufacture, and logistics support services.
A key HighCom Technology strength is the ability to integrate cutting-edge payload technology from Australia and overseas for the
APAC OUTLOOK: HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPOSITES ONE TO THE SUCCESS OF HIGHCOM ARMOR?
Sally Nordeen, CEO: “Composites One has been a long-term partner of HighCom Armor, supplying ballistic materials and composite consumables crucial to our operations.
“Over the years, the company has developed an in-depth understanding of HighCom Armor’s specific needs, maintaining a well-stocked inventory to support just-in-time (JIT) production and large-volume projects. Its commitment to weekly deliveries ensures a seamless workflow, allowing us to meet our production deadlines consistently.
Additionally, Composites One’s assistance with forecasting helps us to anticipate material needs and plan accordingly.
“The partnership with Composites One goes beyond just supply; they provide experts in various areas to deliver tailored solutions for our challenges. This support includes a dedicated team for sourcing new materials and a technical sales team that excels in meeting our requirements. The company’s expertise and proactive approach make them an exceptional material source, consistently contributing to our operational efficiency and innovation.
“Composites One’s reliability and dedication have been instrumental in our ability to maintain high standards and meet production goals.”
local environment while examining opportunities to increase Australian Industry Content (AIC) through options such as local manufacture.
Heralding a 32-year stint as an Australian Army Officer, the diverse roles of Ashurst’s career have equipped him with the best skills to sharpen his strategic acumen and operational expertise.
“My background has shaped my approach to decision-making based on a structured analysis of intelligence, resource availability, risk factors, and objectives.
“The clarity of goals and execution planning is critical to success, especially in high-stake environments such as operations in conflict zones. I have found this mindset translates well to corporate strategy, particularly when making decisions about adopting or expanding technology,” he shares.
Thus, his experience and knowledge provide Ashurst with a greater understanding of the steps that need to be taken in complex defence projects.
For instance, HighCom Technology recently successfully finalised the
delivery of an acquisition contract for a mixed fleet of AeroVironment SUAS for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This will see the division continue to deliver support services including engineering, maintenance, logistics, flying, and training for approximately four to 10 years.
This long-term contract commitment allows HighCom Technology to directly support the ADF’s mission and purpose: to defend Australia and its national interests to advance the country’s security and prosperity.
The division continues its unwavering commitment to demonstrate how AeroVironment capability product lines, including SUAS, the Tomahawk Kinesis Common Control System and loitering munitions, integrate to form a cohesive and winning capability solution.
“HighCom Technology’s goal is clear: deliver to the ADF common control across all UAS to combine with loitering munitions, thereby expanding the operational response scenarios and range, while reducing the cognitive workload of operators,” affirms Ashurst.
At the same time, the contract reinforces HighCom Group’s long-standing partnership with AeroVironment, of which it has been an exclusive SUAS partner across Australia and New Zealand for a number of years and continues to expand this relationship across a broader range of battle-proven capabilities.
AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF DEFENCE
Alongside supporting the ADF, HighCom Technology also supplies and supports defence, security, and law enforcement agencies across the world with leading uncrewed and control systems, as well as sensor technology.
The division continues to provide a range of services, including directly supporting the acquisition process, integrating solutions, project management, engineering, repair and maintenance services, product support, and training.
“HighCom Technology’s goal is to be the trusted partner of choice in supplying, supporting, and integrating capabilities for use by defence, security, and law enforcement agencies,” Ashurst highlights.
For example, the company continues to work closely with the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) in order to meet its current and future requirements in a rapidly changing strategic environment.
This is achieved by the introduction of a new suite of small and medium UAS products, as well as the Tomahawk Robotics’ (Tomahawk) Kinesis controller. This system is part of the Tomahawk ecosystem, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced, open architecture, common control system primarily designed for warfighter aircraft.
“Built for ease of use, the ecosystem seamlessly connects the humanmachine team across the tactical network to enable the execution of
“WHETHER IT’S THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK, OR A TECHNOLOGY OR MACHINE THAT CAN BE UTILISED BY BOTH DIVISIONS, HIGHCOM GROUP ALWAYS AIMS TO ALIGN THE TWO SIDES OF THE BUSINESS WHERE PRACTICAL”
– TODD ASHURST, GROUP COO AND GENERAL MANAGER, HIGHCOM TECHNOLOGY
critical missions spanning intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to lethal effects,” explains Ashurst.
On top of this, HighCom Technology is excited about representing the Switchblade® 300 and 600 loitering munition systems on behalf of AeroVironment.
Both are man-portable systems that are combat-proven to enhance soldiers’ capabilities in precision flight control, provide greater lethality against fortified targets such as armoured vehicles and tanks, and improve the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets.
Given that the Australian government recently publicly announced the acquisition of the Switchblade® 300 precision loitering munition system, which will be delivered in late 2024,
HighCom Technology looks forward to continuing to represent and demonstrate AeroVironment’s capabilities to the DoD.
THE PINNACLE OF ARMOUR MANUFACTURING
The same commitment to the advancement of international defence capabilities is reflected by HighCom Armor, the group’s twin division, that designs, develops, tests, manufactures, and distributes state-of-the-art armour and personal protective equipment (PPE) worldwide.
With a 63,500 square foot (sqft) manufacturing and distribution facility in Columbus, Ohio, the division is wellpositioned to meet large-scale and time-sensitive global supply needs. HighCom Armor products include
PRODUCTION BENEFITS OF OHIO FACILITY
Ohio’s military defence industrial complex is exceptionally well-positioned due to several key factors that make it a hub for manufacturing and distribution:
STRATEGIC LOCATION: Ohio’s central location in the US makes it a prime hub for distribution and allows military contractors to efficiently deliver products across the country, particularly given the state’s robust infrastructure network.
SKILLED WORKFORCE: Ohio’s deep-rooted manufacturing tradition offers a skilled workforce well-versed in precision manufacturing and advanced engineering – both characteristics that are essential for producing militarygrade equipment.
DIVERSE INDUSTRIAL BASE: The state’s strong presence in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and advanced materials supports the defence sector’s diverse needs, fostering innovation and collaboration.
BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT: Ohio offers a competitive tax structure, incentives for manufacturing, and a pro-business regulatory environment, making it attractive to companies looking to invest and grow.
ENERGY RESOURCES: The state’s access to affordable and reliable energy resources, including natural gas, helps maintain lower operational costs for defence manufacturers, making Ohio an economically viable location for largescale production.
GROWING ECONOMY: Ohio’s defence sector is an integral part of its overall economy, contributing significantly to both state and national security. The government’s commitment to expanding this sector ensures a steady demand for military goods and services.
armour plates, plate accessories, soft armour, helmets, shields, and carriers.
Moreover, the division’s vertically integrated approach to ballisticresistant product engineering and manufacturing enables it to maintain strict control over costs and material quality, ensuring that its products consistently exceed the missioncritical demands of end users.
Indeed, Highcom Armor delivers comprehensive capabilities for inspecting, testing, and validating every stage of the product lifecycle, from raw materials to finished goods ready for deployment.
“This rigorous process allows us to achieve a high output capacity, producing tens of thousands of pieces of protective equipment each month,” notes CEO, Sally Nordeen.
Evidently, in just 113 days, the division successfully dispatched over 120,000 pieces of body armour to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.
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HighCom Armor engaged many international partners, suppliers, and freight and logistics specialists in order to deliver the substantial order in full and on time.
“Our commitment to experience, reliability, innovation, quality, and collaboration is at the core of everything we do,” she adds.
As the armour manufacturing branch of the group, the integration of technology underpins the division’s day-to-day operations.
From teams of materials scientists and engineers to product solutions produced from its XTclave™ technology, all these inputs need to be carefully managed and integrated to meet the current demand for armour products and expand the group’s market offerings.
INDUSTRY-LEADING TECHNOLOGIES
XTclave™, in particular, is a proprietary-patented technology
Call 816-283-3330 to connect to a Composites One expert today.
“HIGHCOM TECHNOLOGY’S GOAL IS TO BE THE TRUSTED PARTNER OF CHOICE IN SUPPLYING, SUPPORTING, AND INTEGRATING CAPABILITIES FOR USE BY DEFENCE, SECURITY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES”
– TODD ASHURST, GROUP COO AND GENERAL MANAGER, HIGHCOM TECHNOLOGY
that is unique in its capabilities. The system includes tooling and system processes as well as fluids and other components that have been specifically designed for the highpressure and heat application of aerospace and armour consolidation capabilities.
The hardware manufactures ultralight, thin, and strong ballistic products highly suitable for military use, government agencies, and specialised police elements.
Additionally, XTclave™ can produce
complex curves combined with ceramic and other facing materials, yielding advanced hard armour products suitable for a broader range of body types, genders, and applications, such as aviation or vehicle armour.
“XTclave™ provides an industryleading advantage in the US market due to its ability to create complex contours and improved consolidation resulting in increased strength and lighter weight products,” Nordeen emphasises.
AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM OF ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS
Australia’s engineering skills and labour shortage have reached their highest level in over a decade, which makes HighCom Technology’s positive work culture even more critical for attracting and retaining highly specialised and sought-after talent.
The division’s engineering team comprises individuals with exceptional skills and capabilities in aeronautical, electrical, radio frequency, systems, and system safety engineering.
Moreover, each member of the engineering team has a diverse background in customer engagement and management roles within the Australian DoD, which compliments their current work in the design, development, and supply of technology, thus having a greater understanding of customers’ expectations.
The team’s variety of skills and backgrounds also enable HighCom Technology to lawfully import technologies and systems into Australia in a way that is compliant with the country’s work, health, and safety legislation, particularly in cases when technologies and systems are developed by overseas partners.
“Our engineers are able to address real-world problems and improve existing systems. They drive innovation and technological advancement within the company and help solve critical problems, enhancing our customer offerings,” Ashurst prides.
In November 2023, after two years of XTclave™ operations being based in the Adelaide manufacturing centre in Australia, the HighCom Group Board of Directors made the decision to close the operation and relocate all the manufacturing processes to one HighCom Armor production facility in Ohio.
“The manufacturing of products in Australia affected our ability to penetrate the world-leading US market with our unique XTclave™made products, particularly the US DoD, which was the main, underlying reason for the facility relocation,” Nordeen explains.
The XTclave™ operation was successfully relocated from Adelaide to Ohio in early 2024, where the reassembly process commenced. This included designing a new cooling system for XTclave™ to operate outside the facility and cater to the contrasting extreme climate compared to the Australian facility.
The relocation has already generated significant interest from various areas of the US military and federal law enforcement, who are willing and eager to discover what is possible with the state-of-the-art XTclave™ technology.
For example, HighCom Armor is
maintaining a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Development Command and has also been tasked with funding a ‘special threat’ development contract with the US DoD for the R&D of selected ballistic products.
“By closely working with the US military, there is an opportunity to receive ongoing R&D income
and develop products that will go to tender during 2025, allowing HighCom Armor to compete for major contracts,” she affirms.
CREATING A TRILATERAL BOND
Going forward, HighCom Group will continue to diversify both its manufacturing and technological capabilities.
Regarding the latter, HighCom Armor will modernise its capabilities by recommissioning the XTclave™ technology while diversifying other production methods to broaden its product range across multiple markets.
“Our technology makes it possible to manufacture stronger, thinner, and lighter armour solutions. With more armour in development, HighCom Armor will focus on quality and performance as it continues to advance the market with innovative solutions,” emphasises Nordeen.
Indeed, the strengthening of the division’s armour solutions is integral to the solidification of the new US-based production facility and reinforcing the bond between the two nations.
“HighCom Group’s involvement with US-based companies and involvement in integrating their offerings into the ADF and broader security environment is certainly one of our strengths, and we continue to work towards expanding this effort because of the mutual benefits that can be realised,” Ashurst emphasises.
This mutual exchange of value is further replicated by HighCom Technology’s steadfast partnership with AeroVironment, who in turn are learning valuable lessons about employing innovative systems in the Australian context to help advance product designs.
“Knowing that through its supply activities, HighCom Technology is contributing to and supporting closer operational ties between the ADF and its key allies makes us proud and demonstrates how both countries mutually benefit each other in this regard.
“We will continue to do this by working with our commercial partners for innovative ways to explore and introduce more AIC through technology leading locally sourced consumables through to parts
manufacture or assembly,” Ashurst expands.
Additionally critical to HighCom Group’s involvement in integrating US companies into the ADF, the organisation’s activities help drive and test new initiatives such as an Australia, UK, and US (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership, facilitating an export license-free environment.
“The mutual benefits of AUKUS include stimulating innovation in our product range, accelerating advances in capability and technology, and learning from one another –particularly ways to more rapidly integrate commercial technologies to solve warfighting needs,” Ashurst concludes.
Overall, HighCom Group, together with US and Australian-based partner companies, will now be able to get capabilities and equipment into the hands of allies and partner nations’ military, police, and first responders sooner than ever before.
“We will be able to continue to spearhead similar future initiatives as a member of the defence industry for outcomes mutually beneficial to Australian and US companies, as well as allies and partner nations’ militaries, security, and law enforcement agencies,” Ashurst concludes.
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WE KNOW THE DRILL THE DRILL
Ausdrill’s leadership team come together to discuss its extensive presence in the Australian drilling and blasting scene, growing ability to provide innovative technological solutions to increase mine site safety and efficiency, and aspirations for the future
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Since its establishment in 1987, Ausdrill has provided safe, reliable, and productive drilling and blasting services across Australia.
Now part of the Perenti’s Drilling Services division, the company works with a range of clients, from major mining houses to junior explorers and developers, all of whom require high levels of efficiency and quality on their mining projects.
Ausdrill’s vast resource exploration, development, and production drill suite includes diamond core, reverse
circulation, and grade control.
“We have designed and manufactured in-house a specialised lake drill for exploration drilling, whilst our industry-leading Rock Commander provides a bespoke solution to drilling around underground workings,” introduces Matt Clinch, Business Development and Improvement Manager.
Due to its considerable reach and flexibility, the Rock Commander 330 is especially useful in pits with historical underground workings,
providing a highly safe and efficient drilling method in and around voids.
With a range of drilling units at its disposal, achieving hole sizes from as small as 76 millimetres (mm) and up to 311mm, the company’s diversity is unparalleled.
“We have explosives delivery mobile processing units (MPUs) capable of suitably loading both large and small-diameter blast holes,” Clinch adds.
Another operational focus for Ausdrill is geotechnical services
“OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO CONTINUE DRIVING INNOVATION IN SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND PRODUCTIVITY TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST QUALITY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS”
– KYM LOW, GENERAL MANAGER, AUSDRILL
and understanding its client’s risks, particularly when it comes to loose or unstable rocks. As such, Ausdrill’s geotechnical services include rope access meshing and wall scaling capabilities which utilise trained professionals to mitigate the risks posed by wall instability.
To further improve the efficiency and safety of traditional rock scaling, Ausdrill partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) to create the rock-scaling robotic system, High Access Localised Operations (HALO).
The two-year project introduced
robotic and virtual reality (VR) technologies to relocate rope access technicians to a safe distance and remote control a robot based on data transmitted via video and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, allowing rope access technicians to work from a distance.
The robot can manoeuvre over the crest line to descend the wall, rattling and dislodging loose debris and potentially hazardous rocks.
As Ausdrill looks to further develop and improve HALO, it is also exploring the integration of remote VR digital twin technology elsewhere in its suite of mining rigs and services, demonstrating its constant
commitment to ongoing innovation.
INNOVATING SAFETY
As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with over 37 years of experience in the mining sector, Ausdrill specialises in building customised drills for its clients’ unique projects.
“We are also dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology and continue to invest in projects such as one-touch drilling, remote drilling, hands-free technology, and our patented hands-free Auto Sampler,” reveals John Ivanovski, Senior Manager of Operations.
Ausdrill’s patented Auto Sampler
is primarily used in grade control environments and continues to set new standards in safety performance, operational efficiency, and quality control.
The Auto Sampler utilises the RayTrac radio frequency identification (RFID) digital sample tracking system to ensure that every sample is tracked in sequence. The sample data is then uploaded to the client’s database.
Eliminating the need for human intervention, the Auto Sampler improves safety, ensures accuracy, and saves valuable time, labour, and on-site costs associated with sample collection on a drill rig.
TRANSFORMING SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE MINING
Initially awarded to Ausdrill in 1989, the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Super Pit project is one of Australia’s largest open-pit gold mines.
Located approximately 600 kilometres (km) east of Perth, Western Australia (WA), the project currently employs around 115 Ausdrill workers.
It also operates 14 long-reach Rock Commander drill rigs, three grade control drills, and one reverse circulation (RC) drill, all of which are owned and maintained by Ausdrill’s in-house maintenance division.
“We are committed to having a locally based workforce and presence in Kalgoorlie with all key management residing locally on-site, supported by the Ausdrill Kalgoorlie branch,” Ivanovski details.
Congruent with the company’s commitment to supporting its workforce, the Rock Commander long-reach drills have transformed safe and productive mining at the KCGM Super Pit mine site.
“Originally designed to provide an effective approach to void management for KCGM operations, the Rock Commander long-reach drill keeps our employees at a safe distance from potential voids and away from high walls where rock falls may occur,” he elaborates.
This is due to the Rock Commander’s multi-echelon approach, which allows it to drill three lines without needing to tram.
APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE MINING INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA TODAY?
KYM LOW, GENERAL MANAGER:
“The industry is both an exciting and challenging space to work in. There are challenges associated with the current market conditions, however we are optimistic that these will turn, and we remain well-positioned to capitalise on the anticipated uplift in demand.
“In the meantime, we remain focused on our safety, efficiency, and productivity, and ensuring that we continue adding value for our clients.
“We are particularly excited about the opportunities presented by technology and our role in making the drilling industry safer, more inclusive, and diverse.”
CHINA’S LEADING EXPORTER OF ROCK DRILLING TOOLS
-
certified by Euromonitor International
Guizhou Sinodrills Equipment Co., LTD (hereinafter referred to as Sinodrills) is an international market-oriented enterprise dedicated to providing a comprehensive solution for rock drilling tools. Its predecessor, DVY International, was established in 2002 and was registered as Guizhou Sinodrills Equipment Co., LTD in 2006.
Mission: Take Chinese rock drilling world and earn global trust in Sino-quality.
Vision: Make Sinodrills rock drilling global bestseller and achieve annual over 100 million US dollars.
Values: Customer satisfaction and business are the only standards for
drilling tools to the Sino-quality. drilling tools a annual sales of repeat for our work.
After over two decades of development, Sinodrills has evolved into a professional rock drilling tool supplier integrating research and development, production, and sales. Sinodrills owns two production enterprises: Wuxue Zhong’e Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. and Wuxue Xinchuan New Materials Co., Ltd., among which Wuxue Xinchuan New Materials Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech certified enterprise. Sinodrills is committed to providing a one-stop solution for rock drilling tools, with its products covering 4 series: top-hammer drilling tools, down-the-hole (DTH) drilling tools, geotechnical drilling tools, and rotary drilling tools.
Sinodrills strictly adheres to the ISO9001 international quality management system and consistently upholds the principle of integrity in business operations. Since 2016, it has been recognised as a 3A enterprise by the internationally renowned credit rating agency Dun & Bradstreet. Sinodrills places innovation at the core of its business, continuously improving product quality to create more value for
customers. By the end of 2023, Sinodrills had obtained more than 20 patents and has been increasing its R&D investment year by year. Since its establishment, Sinodrills has been focusing on the mid-to-high-end international markets. By the end of 2023, its products had been exported to 110 countries and regions around the world, with its export volume in 2023 ranking first in China (certified by Euromonitor International in March 2024). As of August 2024, Sinodrills, as the leading brand of rock drilling tools in China, has been registered in 120 countries or regions worldwide. sales@sinodrills.com | Website: www.sinodrills.com
AUSDRILL’S FLEET
DRILL RIGS – Ausdrill customengineers its own world-leading drill rigs and equipment, which are specially designed to increase productivity and optimise on-site safety. It also invests in the latest automated technology to remain at the forefront of the industry, especially when it comes to drilling deeper holes with larger diameters and streamlining processes to improve efficiencies.
REVERSE CIRCULATION RIGS –
The company’s heavy-duty reverse circulation rigs are proven to be resilient against a wide range of mining environments. They utilise the latest technologies, with operating systems designed with efficient rod handling systems in place. Having also incorporated its own rod fall prevention system, Ausdrill’s reverse circulation rigs are available with various options to suit a range of project needs.
HAMMER RIGS – Ausdrill’s fleet of top hammer and down hole hammer drills allow it to deliver, no matter how big the project or how remote the site is.
GRADE CONTROL RIGS
– The company’s grade control rigs are designed to meet the stringent demands of today’s modern mine site requirements. Featuring numerous innovative safety systems fitted as standard, the grade control rigs include rod fall prevention systems, efficient rod handling systems with dual operator stations, machine protection systems, and an ergonomic workstation for the sampling crew.
This reduces trip hazards for the blast crew by eliminating the need to turn tracked machines on the patterns.
In addition, the training cab Rock Commander, a two-seat operator training unit for hands-on experience, allows Ausdrill to improve the quality of training for its employees.
EXPERTISE AND ADAPATABILITY
Having operated at the St Ives Gold Mine on Lake Lefroy in Kambalda, WA, for more than 25 years, Ausdrill has worked hard to overcome challenges posed by the area’s harsh environment.
The lake itself is a huge salt pan with hazardous conditions, including deep mud beneath a salt crust.
“We have tackled these challenges by utilising tracked vehicles, designing custom-built drill rigs with extrawide tracks, and even developing a hovercraft-mounted drill rig to access the most remote areas,” Ivanovski explains.
The company’s innovative approach has allowed it to successfully drill across the lake and surrounding lands with various methods.
“Our expertise and adaptability have been crucial in overcoming conditions that would be impossible for standard drilling equipment and solidified our reputation as a leader in surface mining,” he adds.
Ausdrill & SITECH WA Join Forces to Revolutionise Safety, Precision, & Efficiency in the Mining Industry
SITECH WA, a leading provider of cutting-edge KCGM’s Fimiston
by Groundworks improves safety by alerting operators to exclusion zones and potential hazards.
Open discussions between Ausdrill and SITECH WA have concluded that the development of an online portal to interpolate as-drilled data reconciliation would greatly assist Ausdrill stakeholders. Democratising data allows supervisors, planners and maintenance staff, both onsite and further afield, to make critical operational decisions based on accurate as-drilled data and realtime productivity. With Ausdrill’s insights, the upcoming portal will offer the functionality that drilling providers demand.
John Ivanovski, Senior Manager of Operations at Ausdrill, emphasised the significance of the partnership: “With SITECH WA as our technology partner, we’re not just integrating systems; we’re future-proofing our operations. The combination of Ausdrill’s Rock Commander and SITECH WA’s Trimble Groundworks reflects our shared dedication to setting new industry standards and providing our teams with the tools and support they need to succeed.”
Angelo D’Agostino, SITECH WA’s Sales Manager, added, “Our partnership with
Specifically, Ausdrill has provided specialised multidirectional drilling capability to optimise hole trajectories, removing the guesswork to achieve targets, maximising resource extraction efficiency, and offering cost-effective solutions as safely and efficiently as possible.
The company’s activities on Lake Lefroy, enabled by its specialised lake drills, have consistently hit requisite targets, whilst its deep navigational diamond drilling capabilities have yielded significant cost savings at the St Ives gold mine site.
AUTOMATING DRILLING
Contributing to Ausdrill’s on-site
“AUSDRILL’S PARTNERS ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR SUCCESS AND ENABLE US TO DELIVER A VALUED SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS”
– MATT CLINCH, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT MANAGER, AUSDRILL
safety, its semi-autonomous handsfree drilling equipment, which was used in BHP’s Nickel West project in Leinster, WA, has significantly reduced manual handling injuries.
“We’ve noticed a significant reduction in hand and back injuries while creating a safer and more inclusive environment for our diverse workforce,” Ivanovski observes.
The advanced technology can pre-select the required hole depth, drill down, and even change rods and flush the hole. As such, the need for manual, human intervention is not required, except for fine-tuning in the initial stages.
The recent introduction of
hands-free Austex Engineering (Austex) rigs at the Nickel West project has raised the bar for Ausdrill’s operations, further enhancing the safety of its employees.
For example, the Austex X1550TH, a fully integrated electric over hydraulic diamond drill rig operated by a wireless remote, includes a cage barrier protecting the platform alongside human recognition cameras, which immobilise the drill’s function before technicians are able to access a live work area.
Furthermore, the drill rig’s remote monitoring system allows employees to access data points from anywhere across the world. This data is stored
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Our Founder & Director, Matthew Hayes, working the rods on an Ausdrill site, circa 2006.
AUSDRILL’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Committed to remaining at the top of its game, Ausdrill’s shared beliefs, which are widely implemented across Perenti, inform positive company-wide behaviours and actions:
• NO SHORT CUTS – The company never compromises its standards, strives for the best in everything it does, and continues to raise the bar in safety, performance, and transparency.
• NEVER WASTEFUL – Ausdrill makes every moment count, operating as efficiently as possible. It plans effectively, makes full use of its assets, and always spends its money wisely.
• WALK IN CLIENTS’ SHOES – To win over new clients, maintain existing ones, and ensure that everyone in the organisation benefits, Ausdrill must know its customers well – not just who they are, but what they do, what they’re asking for, and what really matters to them.
• SMARTER TOGETHER – Ausdrill believes that not one member of the organisation is smarter than the rest. By valuing diversity, working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, Ausdrill’s people are capable of exceptional things.
• ENABLE TOMORROW – Ausdrill actively embraces change and enables new technologies and smarter ways of working to safeguard the mines of tomorrow, ensuring safer, more productive, and more reliable operations than ever before.
for internal analysis, enabling Ausdrill to further refine and optimise the drilling process for maximum productivity.
“Our investment in semiautonomous, hands-free drilling equipment aligns with our key priority to reduce risk in our work environment and prevent life-changing events. The safety of our employees is our number one priority,” confirms Kym Low, General Manager.
With employee safety at the forefront of its drilling operations, Ausdrill sets a high bar across the industry.
DELIVERING A VALUED SERVICE
Ausdrill’s supply chain is primarily managed in-house, with products sourced both locally and internationally.
“Ausdrill’s partners are crucial to our success and enable us to deliver a valued service to our clients. We have partnerships and relationships with major OEMs that consistently provide both reliability and leading technological solutions for our drilling service offerings to our clients,” Clinch outlines.
Ausdrill, part of Perenti Drilling
“OUR EXPERTISE AND ADAPTABILITY HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN OVERCOMING CONDITIONS THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR STANDARD DRILLING EQUIPMENT AND SOLIDIFIED OUR REPUTATION AS A LEADER IN SURFACE MINING”
– JOHN IVANOVSKI, SENIOR MANAGER OF OPERATIONS, AUSDRILL
Services (Perenti), is deeply involved in delivering the global mining services group’s purpose of creating enduring value and certainty, contributing to 4,726km of drill and blast and 2,621km of exploration drilling, according to the group’s 2024 annual report.
As part of Australia’s largest drilling contractor, Ausdrill continues to focus on innovation in safety, sustainability, and productivity as it provides clients with quality equipment and services.
FUTURE REFLECTIONS
Looking ahead, Ausdrill will continue to expand its presence in Australia, where it was first established 37 years ago.
Its commitment to providing excellent drilling project management services with the highest safety standards across Australia hasn’t changed since its inception.
“Our primary focus is to continue driving innovation in safety, sustainability, and productivity to deliver the highest quality equipment and services to our clients,” Low divulges.
Dedicated to implementing cuttingedge technology and automation to mitigate manual handling risks and elevate the safety standards of its workforce, Ausdrill will continue to investigate innovative drilling technology.
Furthermore, as much as its
recruitment process is focused on achieving and maintaining Ausdrill’s trademark commitment to safety, it also concentrates on getting the right people for the job – which is rooted in diversity to obtain a range of skill sets and strengths.
This extends to fostering an environment where more women in the mining community can thrive and look forward to coming to work.
“With a progressive, 50:50 leadership team, Ausdrill is determined to create a safe, inclusive work environment, achieving greater gender balance in our organisation,” Low passionately concludes.
Tel: +61 8 6159 4407
info@ausdrill.com.au
www.ausdrill.com.au
VANGUARDS OF MINING SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS
With experience and expertise in the mining industry, PBE Group strives to deliver high-quality solutions, services, and products across all its businesses and divisions. David Meyn, CEO of PBE Rutherford, provides further insight
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Australia’s diverse and fascinating geological past has gifted the nation with a vast assortment of precious minerals.
As a result, the country’s mining industry has experienced a substantial upsurge, leading to a remarkable increase in the export value of its natural resources.
A relatively flat terrain and sparsely populated areas, except in coastal cities and towns, make Australia an advantageous location for mine exploration and development.
In fact, the minerals sector contributes eight percent of the country’s GDP, placing it amongst the top five producers of the world’s key commodities.
Benefitting from favourable industry conditions, PBE Group (PBE) is at the forefront of mining services, offering an extensive range of electrical power and electronic safety
products and solutions.
This includes critical power solutions as well as data and communications infrastructure for mining, energy, tunnelling, data centres, infrastructure projects, and heavy industry.
Strategically located within mining regions for more than 30 years, PBE is a leader in delivering turnkey high-voltage power infrastructure up to 330 kilovolts (kV), spanning a plethora of services including the design, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning of electrification projects.
“Our in-house capabilities shine through as the company’s defining differentiator in Australian mining, and PBE prides itself on its ability to get the job done efficiently and quickly through close collaboration with customers,” opens David Meyn, CEO of PBE Rutherford.
As one of three separate but synergistic businesses within the group, PBE Rutherford operates through five divisions and one vision, with David leading and supporting its dedicated team alongside overseeing the Australian operations of ADE Power and PBE Axell – the global entities of the wider company.
David joined PBE 13 years ago after a varied career, including working as an apprentice electrician in the energy sector and managing mining projects.
SAFETY, SOLUTIONS, AND SUCCESS
Over the past year, PBE Rutherford has furthered its business in the mining and energy sectors by offering comprehensive turnkey critical power solutions for backup, peak demand, and off-grid applications.
electrical overhauls and repairs, PBE Rutherford’s expertise extends to various equipment such as shuttle cars, continuous miners, feeder breakers, and auxiliary fans.
“ OUR MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IS THE PBE AXELL PROXIMITY ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH IS NOW APPROVED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN COAL MINING MARKET”
– DAVID MEYN, CEO, PBE RUTHERFORD
With its vast experience, the company also ensures enhanced workplace safety is of paramount importance through its innovative monitor, which reduces the risk of collisions between vehicles and employees with underground multiple detection technologies.
“My father was a coal miner, so growing up in the Hunter Valley meant mining was in my blood. It was a natural progression that my chosen career would be servicing an industry that means so much to me,” he expresses.
This includes a variety of mine specification generators, as well as solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Offering a range of services for underground mining machinery, including complete mechanical and
“Our most exciting development is the PBE Axell Proximity Alert System (PAS), which is now approved for the Australian coal mining market. We are also currently collaborating with various Tier 1 mining companies on rigorous trials of this product line,
P.I. Technical Services delivers complete electrical engineering and electrical skills as an integrated service. We specialise in on site electrical maintenance, testing, repairs, installations and equipment hire.
When you choose P.I. Technical Services, you are choosing an experienced electrical contractor with a strong set of values who will consistently provide the technical and professional expertise to satisfy your needs. We want to get the job done safely, on time and within budget.
SERVICES
• Labour Hire
• Conveyor Installations
• Pre Overhaul Audits
• Coal Seam Gas
• Longwall Moves
• Electrical Workshop
• Engineering
• Engineering Design
• Inspection & Audits
• Overhaul Management
• Project Management
• Commissioning Services
PI Technical Services Pty Ltd
Unit 1/36 Transport Av Paget Qld 4740 PO Box 8392 Mt Pleasant Qld 4740
Phone: 07 4998 5226
www.pitechnicalservices.com
APAC OUTLOOK: HOW DOES PBE VALUE, INCENTIVISE, AND MOTIVATE ITS EMPLOYEES?
David Meyn, CEO: “We truly value our employees, and as I often say, we are all players within the team. Each of us have a key role, and we are a great team as we complement each other’s skill sets.
“We provide flexible working arrangements, upskilling through training, and development opportunities with financial support.
“In addition, we offer an employee service awards programme and pathways for our staff to develop and contribute to the success of the business.”
which will greatly improve safety in mining,” reveals David.
Recently, PBE has experienced a rise in revenue due to specific contributing factors that have had a positive impact on performance, including an inspiring company work ethic.
“At PBE, we strongly believe in our ability to commit to and deliver on our customers’ requirements, and our project management approach instils confidence that projects will be successfully completed. My personal philosophy is to deliver on our promises and to do so safely,” emphasises David.
POWERFUL PROJECTS
PBE Rutherford has recently completed several significant projects in the mining and energy sectors.
“We have been working on three important developments. Firstly, a 330/33 kV substation and associated
works for converting a coal-fired power station site in New South Wales (NSW) into a renewable energy and technology hub.
“The second project involved constructing a 132/11kV substation for a new metallurgical coal mine in Central Queensland.
Lastly, we expanded a 66/11kV substation for a gold mine in the Central West region of NSW,” prides David.
For the first project, PBE Rutherford built a new substation connected directly to Transgrid’s 330kV transmission network.
The substation must provide a 33kV supply to nearby coal mines and the neighbouring Bayswater Power Station.
In addition, Liddell Power Station in NSW’s Hunter Valley was decommissioned and transformed into a renewables hub, with existing overhead feeders relocated underground.
HENGTONG CABLE AUSTRALIA
• Hengtong is the largest cable manufacturer in China
• We are one of the world’s largest opitical fibre producers
• Fourth largest insulated wire and cable producer globally
• Tallest VCV extrusion tower in the world at 180 metres
• Largest submarine cable manufacturer in Asia
• 22,000 employees globally
• Total of 3,000,000m2 of factories of which 2,200,000m2 are in China
• 80 subsidiary companies
RUTHERFORD
SPECIALIST MINING EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE OFFERED BY PBE
• Flameproof product line of Ex d enclosures and cable reelers for underground coal applications.
• Proximity alert systems for both open-cut and underground mining.
• Turnkey site-wide power infrastructure for both on and off-grid applications.
• Communications systems including leaky feeder radio, distributed antenna systems, and fibre optic networks.
• Cable services including cable repairs, new cable sales, couplers, and on-site services.
• Complete mechanical and electrical manufacture and overhaul of mining machinery.
• Mine spec generators, solar, and BESS.
• On-site support services.
“OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO BE THE SUPPLIER OF CHOICE FOR ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS WITHIN THE MINING AND ENERGY SECTORS, ALONG WITH BUILDING ON OUR ALREADY SUCCESSFUL SERVICE BUSINESS”
– DAVID MEYN, CEO, PBE RUTHERFORD
The next project, Ironbark in Central Queensland, is a new underground metallurgical coal mine for the global export market whose substation connects directly to Powerlink’s 132kV transmission network.
Finally, the company designed, manufactured, and installed two new transportable substations and a static VAR compensator (SVC) for the Narrabri Mine Southern Extension Project in NSW.
This project, which is expected to extend the life of the mine until
2044, involved expanding an existing underground coal mine that produces 11 million tonnes of high-quality thermal coal for the global export market. Crucially, all three projects were delivered safely and on time.
“We have several key investments in the pipeline, including acquisitions and organic growth within the mining and energy sectors. There’s a lot happening in these areas, and we are well-positioned to continue our growth and expansion,” David reveals.
CHALLENGES, CHANGES, AND CAPABILITIES
The industry currently faces the challenge of navigating towards a more eco-friendly future by setting and achieving sustainable goals to reduce its impact on the environment.
“I believe the mining sector’s biggest challenge is decarbonisation and meeting lower emissions targets to avoid penalties, alongside reducing overall operating costs. However, PBE Rutherford, through a diverse range of products and solutions along with our capable team, can greatly support the mining sector in this period of transition and into the future,” David points out.
PBE Rutherford is equally seeing an increase in opportunities in Australia’s burgeoning rare earths market, which is rapidly growing as it serves many industries such as electric vehicles
(EVs), solar panels, and digital technologies.
“It’s a new venture for us with several contracts secured in the mineral sands sector. We have already witnessed considerable interest in our range of products and solutions related to power, communications, and safety,” he informs.
Looking forward, PBE Rutherford is prioritising becoming the top supplier and consistently delivering positive results for its services.
“Our main focus is to be the supplier of choice for electrification projects within the mining and energy sectors, along with building on our already successful service business,” David concludes.
Possessing a cohesive vision, worldwide distribution channels, and operational facilities strategically positioned in five key Australian
locations, PBE Rutherford is poised to further advance the group’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions, comprehensive services, and essential supplies to the mining industry.
Tel: 02 49619619
contact@pberutherford.com pbegrp.com
NATION BUILDING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Darren Lockyer, Head of Business Affairs at Mayur Resources, enlightens us on the company’s focus on renewable energy projects and carbon footprint reduction across Asia Pacific’s building materials market
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
The mining and aggregates industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has an extensive and storied history, permeating across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and its many sectors.
At the helm of the country’s mining industry is Mayur Resources (Mayur), who is spearheading low-carbon manufacturing and natural resources across PNG.
“Our asset portfolio, which spans industrial minerals and renewable power generation, will contribute to nation building in a country that
is poised for a significant growth trajectory,” introduces Darren Lockyer, Head of Business Affairs at Mayur.
In the context of PNG, this means building a nation that has one of the lowest cement consumption rates per capita with the ability to obtain competitively priced, locally and sustainably sourced cement to drive socioeconomic development.
“Our success is directly connected to bringing better sustainability outcomes to PNG and the broader APAC region by reducing the building industry’s carbon footprint. We’re
doing this by developing mineral projects that deliver high-quality, low-cost, and net zero inputs for the mining and construction industries,” he adds.
This is further supported by Mayur’s investment in building and operating a renewable energy portfolio of solar, wind, and geothermal production, as well as carbon mitigation and battery storage.
The company has grown to become a diverse entity with developments across lime and cement production, iron and industrial sands, and renewable energy.
Mayur is also building infrastructure that will not only support its projects but create an environment for other industries to grow in PNG, particularly in the special economic zone (SEZ) near Port Moseby, where the company has access to 12,000 acres of land.
COMPETITIVENESS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT
The SEZ was specially chosen for Mayur’s Central Cement and Lime (CCL) project, a 400,000 tonne lime source that is strategically located to initially supply lime and then cement to PNG and a host of markets in Southeast Asia.
Both lime and cement are critical materials for the building and construction sectors, thus providing PNG with a reliable local source of competitive materials with a smaller carbon footprint, subsequently giving the company a competitive advantage.
“Our location and the way we are structuring our business means we will make a genuine difference in the competitiveness and carbon footprint of cement and lime production in the region,” highlights Lockyer.
MAYUR’S VALUES
RESPECT – The company values all relationships, working with partners to understand and serve all stakeholders with respect.
INNOVATION – Mayur is resourceful, solves problems, and constantly seeks to create value while adapting, developing, and continually improving.
ACCOUNTABILITY – The company initiates sustainable outcomes, takes responsibility, and is open and accountable.
INTEGRITY – Mayur commits to its word, delivers results, and is professional and ethical.
Indeed, with the aim to meet all PNG’s cement, clinker, and quicklime needs, the CCL project is also strategically located next to the ExxonMobil PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which helps keep operating costs low and provides easy access to domestic and export markets.
Furthermore, the project’s SEZ status offers tax relief and duty exemptions which boost the operation’s financial viability.
Additionally, in 2020, the PNG government awarded Mayur a 20-year mining lease for the project on top of a significant offtake agreement that the company had already secured.
The CCL operation will be delivered in two phases, starting with the quicklime plant followed by clinker and cement facilities, and is set to play a crucial role in the region’s economic and sustainable development.
CCL PROJECT: Developing Asia Pacific’s first carbonneutral quicklime, clinker, and cement project for supply to PNG, Australia, and the South Pacific at much lower cost than Asian exporters.
“We are also committed to doing things the right way, with the partnership and support of the government and people of PNG. We engage closely with host communities throughout our project areas to ensure we are aligned on what it means to undertake the sustainable development of the country,” affirms Lockyer.
Thus, the CCL project has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs, as well as support service businesses, electricity, roads, education, and health facilities for landowners.
PROSPEROUS PARTNERSHIPS
Mayur’s recent projects also extend to the development of a promising iron and industrial sands province along the southern coastline and delta regions of the Gulf of Papua.
A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN
Mayur has a strong belief that the industry is moving forward towards sustainability, but not fast enough.
“We believe there is a real opportunity to speed up the transition to net zero by creating an integrated business in PNG that includes mining raw materials and processing them into high-value products, powered by renewable energy,” impassions Lockyer.
On top of the company’s plans to use renewable energy sources, Mayur will also significantly reduce carbon emissions from existing, long supply chains that move product to market across the region.
This is further aided by the location of PNG and its proximity to major regional markets, affording the company a strategic advantage in acquiring and exporting building materials and influencing the supply chain.
“Ultimately, our products will build resilience in the APAC supply chain for the critical materials that support the region’s building and constructing industries, while developing a downstream manufacturing sector that will support PNG’s economy by providing jobs and business opportunities for local people,” he elaborates.
This particular area shows great potential for numerous future projects and mining operations.
“The potential for scalability here is a big plus. If the initial projects are successful, we can expand operations relatively easily, tapping into more resources and increasing production,” comments Lockyer.
“Plus, our proximity to market routes means we can get our product to customers quickly and cost-effectively, which is a significant advantage.”
The company is also very close to finalising an investment made into the business by ACAM LP – a prominent global investment organisation in the natural resources sector, which will underpin the development of the CCL project.
“The project itself is ‘shovel ready’ with all the necessary approvals in place. This is an exciting time for us, and once we finalise our funding, we will be in a position to make an investment decision and start construction,” explains Lockyer.
Mayur is pioneering the development of a highly prospective iron and industrial sands province along the southern coastline and delta regions of the Gulf of Papua. There is potential for multiple projects, with near term routes to market and significant scalability to expand future low-cost operations.
An artist’s impression of surface mining operations at Orokolo Bay
1. Social feasibility studies
2. Social impact studies
3. Environmental monitoring
4. Environmental impact assessment
5. Social licence, environmental and social safeguards
Community liaison and consultations
Incorporated land groups capacity building and GIS training
Development forum facilitation and negotiation
Projects aside, Mayur also deeply values investment into the local community, as the business sees itself as partners in the development of PNG.
For example, Mayur recently connected eco-friendly solar panels and batteries at Kido Primary School, benefitting over 125 students.
Moreover, the company engages in the development of local skills and vocational education through its involvement in institutions such as the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), who it has joined to help fund 36 students through a 12-week intensive programme in its Engineering Pathways course.
“Ultimately, these people will have skills that could help us with our projects and other developments in PNG,” Lockyer points out.
“As we grow the business, we will continue to invest in supporting the local socioeconomic development of the country.”
CREATING OPPORTUNITY
With a great team both in PNG and Australia, Mayur aims to be an inclusive organisation where people from all backgrounds are welcome to bring their skills and talents to help make a difference.
The company offers employee benefits and schemes to all levels of staff to recognise the performance and contributions of the team.
“The biggest reward for us is knowing that we are building a sustainable business that will strengthen communities and PNG as a nation by diversifying its economy and producing building materials that are critical for socioeconomic development,” Lockyer closes.
Aside from employee well-being, Mayur’s other focus remains on closing a financing round for the CCL project, which will provide the funding required for the operation to enter full-scale construction and is expected to take around 18 months.
When complete, the company will have established the first downstream mineral resource processing hub in the country, which it expects to spur the creation of additional downstream industry in the region, significantly improving the livelihoods of local residents and PNG as a whole.
COSMIC CAPABILITIES
Installing, maintaining, and servicing wind turbines across Australia and beyond, Cosmic Group has grown into a prominent force in the renewable energy landscape. We speak to Managing Director, Matt Crossan, about the company’s elite culture of safety and the exciting potential of wind power
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Connell Privett
Renewable energy is an exciting, dynamic industry, and across the globe, wind turbines are rapidly advancing, harnessing new technologies, and growing both in size and in the vital importance they play in the ongoing energy transition.
Globally, wind power is an increasingly important source of intermittent renewable energy, used in many countries to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Cosmic Group has positioned itself at the forefront of the wind energy industry, and while the company continues to adapt to changes in this burgeoning sector, it is also driving them.
With a proven reputation for safe, efficient, and cost-effective service delivery, Cosmic Group’s team of technical experts has delivered largescale renewable energy projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere overseas.
The company installs wind turbines and provides inspections, maintenance, and repairs to support ongoing productivity in the industry.
“Our technical knowledge of wind turbines is matched by our heavy crane capabilities. With these critical assets at the ready, we ensure the timely delivery of every project,” introduces Matt Crossan, Managing Director.
“We manage every aspect of delivery across the complete project timeline, from inception to installation and commissioning,” he sets out.
ENTERING THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Having worked on a multitude of electrical projects across Europe, with an initial grounding in the industry from his native home of Ireland, Crossan turned his attention to Australia after assessing the continent’s growing potential within the wind turbine industry.
“Our company was founded in 2016 by myself and my business partner, and we have since established a reputation for excellence. With head offices in both Australia and Ireland, Cosmic Group is positioned to remain at the forefront of the industry, locally and internationally,” he tells us.
Like Crossan, many of Cosmic Group’s technical experts have
worked on projects across the world.
As a result, their unrivalled experience and commitment to quality are highly regarded by the company’s numerous clients and industry partners.
Working together, the two factions of the business have consistently delivered projects ahead of schedule and under budget.
“We had been working across Europe and Africa for many years, but when we moved to Australia, we identified a gap in the market. We quickly grew from four technicians on our first wind farm to over 130 more recently.”
Crossan believes the Australian turbine industry to be vastly different to the more mature, developed European sector. Navigating this evolving landscape with a wealth of expertise, the team at Cosmic Group can expertly assess new trends and developments, thus initiating an appropriate response.
Juggling the challenges of environmental and financial approval processes, alongside the ongoing mission of sourcing skilled workers, has seen gradual progress since the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the company oversees a plethora of exciting new projects, all happening simultaneously.
WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION
Cosmic Group’s expert teams safely install and commission wind turbines in onshore and offshore locations.
“We construct new wind farms, expand existing facilities, and replace turbines that are ready to be decommissioned,” details Crossan.
“Turbines are subjected to
“WE MANAGE EVERY ASPECT OF DELIVERY ACROSS THE COMPLETE PROJECT TIMELINE, FROM INCEPTION TO INSTALLATION AND
– MATT CROSSAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, COSMIC GROUP
provide operational support to wind farms throughout Australia, where its highly qualified technicians ensure that the turbines’ productivity is maximised throughout the life of the asset.
“We also regularly conduct scheduled and emergency inspections, repairs, replacements, and retrofits.”
Heavy cranes are essential to installing and repairing wind turbines, and Cosmic Group’s specialised heavy crane team are skilled in rigging, ever-changing weather conditions and extreme loads. If blades aren’t checked regularly for damage and wear, a turbine’s yield can be reduced,” he expands. In this way, timely maintenance allows Cosmic Group to control costs, capitalise on revenue, and mitigate risk.
Today, the company is trusted to
de-rigging, and transportation.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to efficiently relocate a large-scale crane while maintaining the highest safety standards,” says Crossan.
Projects can easily be delayed if cranes or crane operators aren’t available at precisely the right time. By directly managing these services, the company simplifies communication and project management, aiming to remain safe, efficient, and cost-effective.
Heavy cranes need to be built on-site; therefore, to move the crane onto a new site, it must first be dismantled before being transported piece by piece, then rebuilt and rigged up.
“At Cosmic Group, our crew has expert technical knowledge of all large-scale heavy cranes, including telescopic and lattice boom cranes, as well as all-terrain and crawler cranes.
Best price guaranteed and complimentary airport pick up and drop off, with subsidised onsite accommodation for our remote clients
In Demand Courses:
High Risk Work Licences
• Rigging (Basic – Advanced)
• Scaffolding (Basic – Advanced)
• Dogging
• Slewing and Tower Cranes
• EWP (Over & under 11m)
• Forklift
• Personnel and Materials Hoist (HP)
Industry Short Courses
• Standard 11
• All Mining and Civil Construction machine operations
• Verification of Competencies (VoC)
• Working at Heights and Confined Spaces
A range of Certificate III and IV qualifications plus many more
s an industry-associated Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Ascent Training Solutions (32108) offers something no other RTO offers to our clients.
Best price guaranteed and complimentary airport pick up and drop off, we offer subsidised onsite accommodation for our remote clients.
Established in 2009 as a RTO, Ascent Training Solutions has since grown into one of the leading training providers in the region with an offering of 30+ Nationally Recognised Training programmes, delivered by experienced industry professionals. Our mission is to empower the success of our workforce through practical, engaging, and safetyfocused training. Whether you’re a seasoned tradie aiming to advance your skills, a business looking to elevate your team’s capability, or a newcomer eager to break into Australia’s booming construction and mining industries, we’re here to make it happen.
At Ascent Training Solutions, we emphasise real-world learning by providing theory alongside hands-on practice.
Our new, purpose-built training facility located in Richlands Queensland, supports real site conditions, including working as a team with other operators, machinery, and equipment. This approach ensures every graduate is qualified, confident, and ready for onsite work.
Our new purpose-built training facility has been designed to meet the needs of our clients, delivering nationally recognised training and assessment services for highrisk work licences, earthmoving tickets, and a range of Qualifications from Certificate III to Certificate IV in the civil construction and mining industries. Training can be delivered onsite or at our Richlands Training facility. Additionally, industry and government subsidies are available for selected courses and eligible participants. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction. This level of service is unique in our industry, and we are proud to work with you to avoid the unnecessary pressure in upskilling. For more information on courses, qualifications, and eligibility for subsidised training, please contact our supportive team on (07) 3865 4926 | 0404 765 828 | bookings@ascent.edu.au
bookings@ascent.edu.au
0404765828 | (07)38654926
www.ascent.edu.au
Kevin GallagherManaging Director
QWhy should companies and individuals invest in their future with Ascent Training Solutions?
Value for money. We may be a smaller business, but that allows us to truly care about each client and student. Our personalised approach ensures everyone receives the attention and support they need to succeed. A
Q
How does Ascent Training Solutions go out of its way to ensure client satisfaction and make sure they achieve their goals?
We offer services that go beyond typical training programmes. With one-on-one training and ongoing support, we make sure our students never feel like they’re just part of a process. We create a relaxed, enjoyable learning environment because we believe that when people enjoy learning, they achieve more. A
Q
What makes this level of service unique in your industry?
This level of personal attention and care has become a forgotten service in our industry. We stand out because we prioritise the individual needs of each student and client, ensuring their experience is as comfortable and rewarding as possible. A
Q
As a small Queensland business, what ‘big company’ moves is Ascent Training Solutions making?
We continue to expand our scope by adding specialised courses to meet the growing needs of our clients. Additionally, we offer complementary services such as airport pick up/drop off and initiatives like Pizza Wednesdays and onsite accommodation, all aimed at creating a welcoming and supportive environment. A
Q
Finally, how is Ascent Training Solutions achieving its mission to empower the success of its workforce through practical, engaging, and safety-focused training?
Empowering our workforce is at the core of what we do. It’s in our DNA. Half of our trainers and assessors hold a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, and every single one of them has over 20 years of industry experience. This combination of expertise and practical knowledge ensures our students are not only skilled but are also trained with a strong focus on safety and real-world applications. A
John KooymanTraining Manager
Q
Why should companies and individuals invest in their future with Ascent Training Solutions?
We provide high-quality training, and all of our trainers bring a wealth of industry experience to the table. What sets us apart is that we’re always prepared to go the extra mile for our students, ensuring they get the best possible learning experience. A
Q
How do you and your team, as Trainers/Assessors, go out of your way to ensure client satisfaction and make sure they achieve their goals?
We make a point to truly listen to and observe our students as they work through their tasks. When needed, we spend one-on-one time with them to ensure they feel supported and confident in their abilities. A
Q
What makes this level of service unique in your industry?
Our students leave our site with not only the skills they need but also the confidence to perform their tasks on the job. I always encourage them to reach out to me if they encounter challenges at work – I’m happy to offer advice whenever they need it. This level of ongoing support is rare in our industry. A
Q
What makes you proud to work for Ascent Training Solutions?
We truly go the extra mile for our students. Here, they aren’t just numbers on a seat – they’re individuals whose success matters to us. A
Q
Finally, what does it take to be a Trainer/Assessors who is able to empower the success of the workforce through practical, engaging, and safety-focused training?
It takes flexibility in the delivery of your training and willingness to adapt to each student’s needs. Being open to changing your methods ensures every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their goals.
A
Tileah MilesRTO Manager
Why should companies and individuals invest in their future with Ascent Training Solutions?
We do it differently. We’re a team that genuinely wants to see our clients succeed. There’s something special happening here, but the best way to understand it is to come and experience it for yourself. A
Q
How do you and your team go out of your way to ensure client satisfaction and make sure they achieve their goals?
It’s all about the people we employ; it’s who we are. Just the other day, I was onsite picking up a student’s ID so they could be assessed for their high risk work licence the next day. While it’s not something we can offer every time, when we can help, we will. That’s the level of care we provide – because their success is our success. A
Q
What makes this level of service unique in your industry?
The lost art of customer service is alive and well at Ascent Training Solutions. Here, the training isn’t a production line —you’ll get trainers and assessors with over 20 years of real-world experience and an admin team that’s handpicked to help you succeed from day one. Sadly, this kind of personal touch is rare in our industry, but that’s exactly what makes us stand out. A
Q
As a small Queensland business, what ‘big company’ moves is Ascent Training Solutions making?
We stay competitive with our pricing and offer complementary services like airport pickup, drop-off, and even accommodation. Plus, we pride ourselves on staying flexible – always adapting to industry demands and the evolving needs of our clients. A
Q Finally, What makes you proud to work for Ascent Training Solutions?
I’ve been with Ascent Training Solutions for almost nine years now, and in my management role, I’ve had the opportunity to shape the company’s goals and services into something unique. It’s been an incredible journey, aligning the company’s mission not just with Kevin’s vision but also with my own values. That’s what makes me proud to be part of this team. A
Robbie WatsonClient
QWhy should companies and individuals invest in their future with Ascent Training Solutions?
Honestly, the other training companies I’ve used in the past don’t even come close. That’s 100 percent the truth. A Q
How does Ascent Training Solutions go out of its way to ensure client satisfaction and make sure they achieve their goals?
Ascent Training Solutions went above and beyond for me. I flew in from out of state, and Kevin himself picked me up from the airport and took me to their accommodation facility. That level of personal service really stood out. A
Q
What makes this level of service unique?
It’s the convenience. Having onsite accommodation and being able to start your course right away in the morning is a game changer. Everything is right there – super convenient. A
Q
What keeps you coming back to Ascent Training Solutions to upskill?
What keeps me coming back is how everything is set up. The training facility and accommodation being in one place is just too convenient. Plus, Kevin, John, and Robbie are great guys – I connected with them right away. That’s why I’ll always come back for any future training. A Q
What are three words to describe Ascent Training Solutions, their trainers, and staff?
Positive, polite, and professional. A
START-TO-FINISH PROJECT DELIVERY
Cosmic Group works closely with wind farms and turbine manufacturers to ensure that each project runs smoothly from start to finish.
The company’s service delivery includes:
• Transport to site and offloading of components
• Preparation of each turbine component
• Foundation levelling
• Erection of structures
• Component installation and mechanical completion
• Commissioning
“WE’RE COMMITTED TO CARING FOR OUR PEOPLE TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE TRAINING AND RESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOBS WELL, AND TO KEEP THEM SAFE AT WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY”
– MATT CROSSAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, COSMIC GROUP
Revolutionizing the Wind Industry. One product at a time.
Zendit was built to offer a single platform solution for wind energy project management.
By orchestrating various tasks, Zendit brings forth an efficient unified platform that enables project managers to effortlessly handle day-to-day operations in one place - track project progress, manage team communication, handle payroll, produce onsite and offsite reports, and everything in between.
Zendit was conceived from a real understanding of the complications that plague wind energy project management. As a SaaS platform, it helps project managers reduce lag, streamline operations, significantly cut down administrative tasks, and boost overall project efficiency.
Our platform’s core goal is to free up project managers from the shackles of disjointed and deprecated systems, enabling them to focus on what truly matters - successful project execution. With Zendit, you’re not just getting a tool, you’re stepping towards more efficient, more streamlined project management in the wind energy sector.
With Zendit, you’re not just getting a tool, you’re stepping towards more efficient, more streamlined project management in the wind energy sector.
With in-house capabilities to move and maintain each crane, we’re able to deliver projects more efficiently.”
SAFETY AS A PRIORITY
People are undoubtedly the most valuable asset at Cosmic Group, and ensuring their safety is its number one priority.
The company considers this to be key to all its work, and historically, its positive safety culture has been the foundation of the entire business.
“As the renewable energy industry grows rapidly, new risks are likely to emerge alongside new opportunities. We believe it’s our responsibility to remain alert to these risks and lead the way in delivering on our promise of elite service,” Crossan prides.
Cosmic Group aims to achieve an accident-free workplace while providing the highest level of quality and efficiency for its clients. By always remaining alert to opportunities,
hello@zendit.com.au
the company maintains a positive safety culture through meaningful conversations and regular evaluations.
On top of this, a dedicated health and safety manager works closely with all levels of personnel to address hazards and mitigate risks.
“The company’s safety management system incorporates strict procedures to ensure work is carried out to the highest standard. We strive for continuous improvement and the best possible safety culture,” he elaborates.
“Our commitment to safety is embedded in everything we do. We recruit with care to make sure we have the right people in the correct roles, and our rigorous induction takes the form of an introductory course that covers our high expectations, training,
and general safety guidelines, including all Cosmic Group policies and procedures.”
All Cosmic Group staff must complete comprehensive safety and professional onboarding, including manual handling, fire awareness, first aid, working at heights, digging, and rigging.
New employees are mentored by experienced staff, ensuring they have all the support they need to produce excellent results. Every technician is Global Wind Organisation (GWO) accredited.
“We’ve got some of the best technical experts in the world working with us. Every day, they’re helping us reach new heights and training those around them to the same standards of workmanship,” details Crossan.
“We’re committed to caring for our people to equip them with the training and resources to do their jobs well, and to keep them safe at work every single day.”
In this way, Cosmic Group hires people who demonstrate and mirror this same steadfast commitment to safety, excellence, and teamwork.
“Moving forward, our ambition is to provide the best service we possibly can. This is such a high-risk business, especially when you’re operating large machinery, cranes, and components, often in very difficult locations that are extremely hard to navigate. We want to consistently maintain the highest safety standards,” he concludes proudly.
1300 07 WIND
admin@cosmicgroup.com www.cosmicgroup.com/
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As organisations worldwide navigate the new healthcare landscape, defined by technological innovation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to showcase the strides being taken in this critical sector.
A multi-channel brand, Healthcare Outlook brings you the positive developments driven by organisations across the healthcare industry through its various platforms. Discover exclusive content distributed through its website, online magazine, social media campaigns and digital dispatches, delivered safely to your inbox with a bi-weekly newsletter.
Through these compelling media channels, Healthcare Outlook continues to foreground the movers and shakers of the industry.
To participate as a featured company and join us in this exciting endeavour, contact one of our Project Managers today.
Juliana Gim, Regional Managing Director of leading international health and security risk management organisation, International SOS, discusses its dedication to improving healthcare outcomes across Asia, recent innovations, and future aspirations
GLOBAL REACH WITH A HUMAN TOUCH
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Cameron Lawrence
WITH
“These disparities not only affect general public health but also increase health risks for employees working in these environments,” introduces Juliana Gim, Regional Managing Director of International SOS.
The world’s leading health and security services company, International SOS specialises in risk management and assistance services for organisations and their employees across the globe.
Founded in 1985, the company has grown significantly, now operating from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, including a substantial presence in Asia.
“At International SOS, we emphasise the importance of understanding these regional disparities to effectively manage the health and security risks faced by our clients,” Gim assures.
As such, the healthcare industry in Asia is a landscape of contrasts – rapid technological advancements co-exist with deep-rooted challenges.
International SOS notes that navigating this complex environment requires a strategic approach that balances innovation with providing quality healthcare for all.
“As the region continues to develop, there is a clear need for collaboration
between public health authorities, private sector stakeholders, and international organisations to address these challenges and harness opportunities to improve healthcare outcomes in Asia,” she sets out.
MYRIAD CAPABILITIES
With services centred around ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of its clients’ global workforce, International SOS oversees everything from routine primary healthcare and employee wellbeing management to emergency assistance, including medical and security evacuations.
“We provide comprehensive risk
“WE ARE FOCUSED ON ADVANCING OUR TELEMEDICINE AND MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES TO ENSURE GREATER ACCESS TO CARE, PARTICULARLY IN UNDERSERVED REGIONS”
– JULIANA GIM, REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SOS
management solutions tailored to the specific needs of various industries, such as the energy, mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and construction sectors, where employees often work in remote or high-risk areas,” Gim outlines.
Comprising nearly 12,000 experts across various fields, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, security professionals, public health consultants, and digital specialists, the company’s workforce collectively speaks almost 100 languages – a diversity which enables it to offer
culturally sensitive and region-specific solutions.
Its support extends to clinical services planning, crisis management, and security consulting. Globally, International SOS is trusted and used by over 9,000 organisations, including government and non-government organisations (NGOs), the private sector, as well as educational institutions.
“Our extensive network of assistance centres is operational 24/7, ensuring help is always available whenever and wherever needed,” she adds.
Setting International SOS apart from the competition is its ability to integrate health and security services seamlessly.
“This integration allows us to offer holistic solutions that address the full spectrum of risks our clients might face, whether they are operating in remote, high-risk areas or urban environments.”
In addition, the company’s commitment to providing personalised services is at the heart of its operations. Taking time to understand the specific needs of each client, International SOS can tailor support accordingly.
This, combined with unparalleled expertise, helps the organisation ensure its clients receive the most effective care possible, defining International SOS as a trusted partner for governments and organisations worldwide.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
At International SOS, promoting equal employment opportunities and female empowerment is a key part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. As such, the organisation believes a diverse workforce is essential to driving innovation and achieving its mission.
One of the core ways it prioritises gender equality is through its involvement with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), and UNGC’s Target Gender Equality programme, all of which implement initiatives that focus on increasing female representation across all levels of the organisation.
In addition, International SOS has integrated gender diversity into its broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Committed to creating an inclusive work environment that values both cultural and gender diversity, it has achieved 30 percent female representation amongst its global middle management employees.
Its internal Empower Mentoring Programme recognises and supports the career development of female leaders within the organisation. Additionally, more than half of its Executive Leadership Development Programme, launched in 2015, is made up of women.
International SOS also recognises the importance of working within the cultural contexts of the regions in which it operates, whilst its employees enjoy flexible work hours to balance responsibilities with their caregiving duties, regardless of gender.
A DUTY OF CARE
International SOS’ ‘Duty of Care’ approach is a fundamental tenet of how it operates, ensuring it can protect and save lives in both low-risk and complex, high-risk environments.
“Duty of Care at International SOS means proactively taking steps to mitigate risks before they materialise and providing comprehensive support when incidents occur,” Gim clarifies.
One of the core components of its Duty of Care approach is the organisation’s adherence to global standards such as ISO 31030, which provides a framework for travel risk management.
“By following such guidelines, we help organisations establish robust risk management policies that cover all aspects of employee health and safety, from pre-travel advisories to on-the-ground emergency assistance,” she adds.
Connectivity Meets Security
As a global company specialising in health and security risk management solutions for businesses, International SOS provides customised services to protect employees from various threats, including extreme weather, epidemics, and security incidents. Their solutions help organisations maintain continuity and productivity whilst complying with duty of care obligations. This mandate demands reliable and dedicated connectivity across the company’s sites worldwide to ensure the seamless delivery of critical health and security services. In an environment where realtime, actionable insights and immediate response capabilities can mean the difference between life and death, uninterrupted connection and data exchange are essential.
International SOS selected ViewQwest as a key partner to capably source and implement their connectivity requirements across global operations. ViewQwest has been instrumental in connecting International SOS clinics, 24/7 Assistance Centres, data centres, and offices in 18 countries spanning five continents. The most critical of these are the Assistance Centres --- where during life-threatening medical emergencies and urgent security incidents, it is imperative that callers can request assistance without the risk of dropped calls due to poor connectivity.
An award-winning telecommunications and managed security services provider headquartered in Singapore with operations in Asia, ViewQwest delivers connectivity solutions to meet the diverse needs of organisations like International SOS for their sites across the globe. With the help of ViewQwest’s expertise in building high-performing and robust network infrastructures, International SOS can ensure its high standards of service as well as continuity and resiliency of operations, regardless of location. This partnership enables International SOS to focus on its core mission of saving lives and protecting workforces, confident in the knowledge that its connectivity backbone is both robust and reliable, connecting their corporate sites and workforces wherever and whenever they are needed.
APAC OUTLOOK: COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH ESKER?
Juliana Gim, Regional Managing Director: “Since 2020, we have partnered with Esker, initially implementing their Accounts Payable (AP) solution to process incoming trade provider invoices.
“Before discovering Esker, we evaluated several other optical character recognition (OCR) tools, but none could handle the complexities of our provider network, which involves documents arriving in various formats, languages, and from numerous global locations.
“Esker’s AP solution, leveraging a combination of OCR and AI technology, successfully met these challenges. Following the successful deployment of the AP solution, we implemented Esker’s Accounts Receivable (AR) solution to automate our invoice dispatch to clients.
“As part of our ongoing digital transformation and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, we have now incorporated Esker Collect and Esker Cash into our operations, which integrate seamlessly with our existing software. Every entity transitioning to our new ERP system is now configured with these tools, enabling us to automate processes, reduce manual tasks, and eliminate human error.
“The AI capabilities of both tools have proven particularly beneficial. In conclusion, Esker has been a valuable partner in our digital transformation journey, consistently providing effective solutions and exceptional support that have significantly enhanced our operational efficiency.”
Offering services that are tailored to the specific needs of their workforce, including timely medical advice and assistance, security support, and logistical help through its global network of assistance centres, International SOS can support organisations in meeting Duty of Care obligations.
Its integrated risk management solutions also include preventive care management, real-time tracking of employees, crisis management, building capacity in training, and evacuation services, ensuring that clients’ workforces are safeguarded.
“Our Duty of Care approach extends beyond just physical health. We equally address mental wellbeing as a crucial aspect of overall employee safety, providing Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and mental health support,” Gim furthers.
By prioritising these aspects, International SOS helps organisations fulfil their legal and ethical obligations while enhancing the resilience and well-being of global workforces.
“Our comprehensive, end-to-end services ensure that employees are not only protected but feel supported, which is essential for maintaining morale and productivity in today’s demanding work environments.”
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
International SOS boasts a holistic sustainability agenda that integrates its ESG principles into every aspect of business.
“We are dedicated to embedding sustainability across our operations – reducing environmental impact, upholding ethical standards, and ensuring the well-being of all,” Gim affirms.
As such, the organisation has been recognised for its responsible business practices, including securing a high score from recognised business sustainability ratings provider, EcoVadis.
International SOS places strong
Eliminating Manual Processing To Run A More Efficient Finance Department
International SOS, a leader in health and security risk management, enhanced its finance operations with Esker’s AI-driven solutions. With over 80,000 providers across 90 countries, they struggled with having efficient Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) processes.
The Challenge
Managing supplier invoices was cumbersome, with 50% in paper format. Manual processes slowed collections and cash applications, causing bottlenecks and errors. Streamlined collaboration between AP and AR teams was essential for improving visibility and planning.
The Impact
Esker’s AI technology has transformed the way International SOS operates, shifting from inefficiencies to a streamlined finance team. This efficiency accelerates payment processing and improves accuracy and fosters better collaboration with customers and suppliers.
emphasis on social responsibility, including initiatives such as health education systems designed to break the academic poverty cycle by providing skills development and job training specifically for medical education.
“By empowering individuals and communities through education in this field, we help create sustainable livelihoods and improve overall well-being.”
In Singapore, International SOS is
The Solution
International SOS chose Esker to automate Source-to-Pay and Orderto-Cash cycles, integrating them with Oracle and SUN6 systems. By implementing Esker’s solutions—Accounts Payable, Invoice Delivery, Collections Management, and Cash Application—they achieved an efficient finance process, eliminated their manual processing, centralized the information, automated their workflows and enhanced its visibility.
Join the Transformation
Experience the benefits of streamlined operations and enhanced productivity. Speak to Esker to transform the way you manage your financial processes today!
Read the full case study here
honoured to have been awarded the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) Champion of Good Award 2024, a testament to its unwavering commitment to ESG.
However, the organisation’s efforts are not limited to its internal operations – International SOS actively engages suppliers and partners through its supplier code of conduct, which outlines strict ethical standards.
Covering areas such as data
“DUTY OF CARE AT INTERNATIONAL SOS MEANS PROACTIVELY TAKING STEPS TO MITIGATE RISKS BEFORE THEY MATERIALISE AND PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT WHEN INCIDENTS DO OCCUR”
– JULIANA GIM, REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SOS
protection, environmental responsibility, and labour rights, this code ensures that a commitment to sustainability is reflected throughout its supply chain.
Moreover, International SOS’ strong emphasis on collaboration and engagement with partners and stakeholders in terms of ESG is deeply rooted in a multiplier effect created to amplify its impact across various domains.
“The strategic integration of sustainability into our business model is guided by continuous improvement and regular evaluation of our ESG initiatives to ensure they remain relevant and impactful.”
In this way, the organisation uses feedback to refine its approach – a strategy which has proven crucial for sustaining its efforts and maximising its long-term positive impact.
ASIA-WIDE INFLUENCE
Actively engaged in several impactful projects across Asia addressing diverse health challenges faced by local populations, International SOS’ commitment to enhancing community health and supporting government initiatives is indisputable.
One key initiative is the company’s ongoing collaboration with governments to strengthen public health systems and improve emergency preparedness in each region.
“For instance, we have been working closely with governments in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines to provide critical health services and support during public health emergencies,” Gim explains.
In the Philippines, International SOS has partnered with the Quezon City government to conduct a rapid health risk assessment to strengthen the city’s pandemic response plan,
including a comprehensive evaluation of the city’s COVID-19 vaccine and testing programmes.
Additionally, in Laos, it has designed and implemented the Nam Theun (NT2) Hydroelectric Project community health programme, covering 8,000 resettled people across 16 villages in the Nakai district.
“Our health expert piloted the health programme in Laos for eight years, successfully establishing infrastructure for primary health care alongside training local medical staff,” she elaborates.
In addition to government partnerships, the company is deeply involved in community-focused projects aimed at improving overall health outcomes, which emphasise underserved communities.
As such, in Thailand and Vietnam, it has launched campaigns that include vaccination drives, maternal and child health programmes, and chronic disease management
support designed to address specific challenges such as high rates of noncommunicable diseases and limited access to primary healthcare services.
“Looking forward, we are also expanding our efforts to enhance workplace health and safety through our Workforce Resilience (WFR) programme, including a comprehensive set of services aimed at improving employee well-being,” Gim reveals.
Set to be rolled out across various industries in Asia, the programme covers mental health support, stress management training, and wellness education, all of which are tailored to meet the specific needs of the local workforce.
“By focusing on both the physical and mental health of employees, we are helping organisations create healthier, more resilient environments that can adapt to the evolving demands of the modern workplace,” she adds.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Set to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, as International SOS anticipates the future, its key priorities revolve around expanding its digital health capabilities, enhancing its global reach, and deepening its commitment to sustainability.
“We are focused on advancing our telemedicine and mobile health services to ensure greater access to care, particularly in underserved regions,” Gim divulges.
Strengthening partnerships with governments, NGOs, and private sector organisations will allow it to deliver tailored health and security solutions across diverse markets.
The organisation is also dedicated to fostering resilience within the workforce and offering programmes that support mental and physical welfare in the workplace.
“Holistic well-being remains an important pillar of our agenda. We recognise that mental health is
SUPPORTED BY STUDIES
Delivered through its comprehensive health and security risk prevention strategy, International SOS believes prevention is paramount. A recent joint study with international personal accident insurance company, Chubb, found:
• Jointly, 86 percent of calls from Chubb and International SOS clients were resolved with no additional cost.
• A 51 percent reduction in the number of evacuation cases when a comprehensive prevention strategy is in place.
As such, the study confirms how a thorough risk mitigation programme results in fewer major medical and travel security incidents, reduced business disruptions, and fewer evacuations.
In addition, International SOS’ recent study on mental well-being has provided critical industry insights. It revealed that 42 percent of employees globally have experienced a decline in their mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant impacts on productivity and overall well-being, highlighting the urgent need for effective mental health support systems in the workplace.
By leveraging the findings from its studies, International SOS offers insight into the tools required to build resilient, supportive work environments.
an increasingly important aspect of overall employee well-being, especially as the global workforce continues to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
As such, International SOS’ mental health and resilience support services are designed to help organisations proactively address mental health across their teams. This approach not only helps reduce absenteeism and improve productivity but also fosters a more supportive and engaged workplace culture.
In parallel, sustainability remains a cornerstone of the organisation’s strategy, with goals to reduce its environmental impact and support local communities.
Additionally, innovating for crisis management and risk mitigation remains crucial to International SOS as global challenges grow in complexity.
Internally, the organisation is committed to nurturing talent and
leadership, promoting diversity, and empowering its teams to drive its mission forward.
“These efforts are aimed at ensuring International SOS continues to adapt and lead in a changing world while staying true to our core values of protecting and saving lives,” Gim concludes.
Progress is a journey, and each day is a chance to become better versions of ourselves.”
The bold mantra of Nutrition Warehouse perfectly encapsulates how the company is pursuing excellence by embracing challenges, constantly raising the bar, and
Nutrition Warehouse is the largest sports supplements and vitamins retailer in Australia. We sample the company’s infectiously positive and motivational outlook on life with COO, Duncan McHugh
Writer:
Ed Budds | Project Manager: Josh Rayfield
through its winning dedication to adapt and overcome.
One of the company’s values –‘Stronger Every Day’ – symbolises its willingness to embrace challenges as opportunities to innovate and persevere through adversity, inspiring its people and clients to continuously learn, evolve, and exceed.
Predominantly an Australian retailer and e-commerce business selling sports supplements, vitamins, and a comprehensive array of nutritional products, the company is on a mission to inspire everybody to be ‘Built for Life’, a goal which can be personalised depending on the wants and needs of each individual.
The business was created by Founder, Grant Mayo, who the company proudly regard as the very definition of a seasoned professional. After adding both the Mr. Australia and Mr. World trophies to his impressive cabinet of achievements, he realised he’d completed that set of goals and called it quits on competitive bodybuilding, ending that storied chapter of his life.
Choosing to relocate to the Gold Coast to investigate the world of personal training, Mayo began to wonder where all the supplement stores were, thus identifying a gaping hole in the market.
“Now, with more than 115 locations across the nation, and a first store recently unveiled in New Zealand, with a dedicated, core team that includes past and present Australian and world champion athletes, alongside the vision of creating a big impact, big wow, and big lifestyle appeal, Nutrition Warehouse is unquestionably the bedrock of the Sports Nutrition market in Australia,” introduces COO, Duncan McHugh.
NUTRITION WAREHOUSE’S MISSION
Nutrition Warehouse had set the ambitious goal of inspiring two million people to be ‘Built for Life’ by 2033.
• The company is here to constantly raise the bar in the Australian fitness and health community. Whether you’re a ‘fithead’, a ‘buffnut’, a ‘class butterfly’, or a ‘cardio junkie’, Nutrition Warehouse welcomes everyone on their way to becoming a ‘workoutaholic’.
• The growing Nutrition Warehouse community and family is proudly invested in health, nutrition, and well-being for all.
• Nutrition Warehouse embraces bold lifestyle changes to build fitness for the life that its clients want, and as such believes in supplementation to support the achievement of these goals.
• Determined, dedicated, and driven, Nutrition Warehouse inspires those around it watching from the sidelines to join the health and fitness game. Whether it’s day one or day 1,000, the company shares its focus on making this happen, moving with intention, and fuelling with purpose. Everyone and anyone is invited to join the mission to level up.
Scaling UP
Julia Bucalina, Senior Merchant Success Manager of Shopify Australia New Zealand, discusses the leading commerce platform’s ongoing innovation and growing global presence
As a fast-evolving industry, the retail sector must constantly adopt the latest tools and capabilities to remain competitive.
International commerce retail platform, Shopify, prides itself on innovating to help retailers do just that, releasing hundreds of new products and feature updates each year.
Beyond its pipeline of forward-thinking products and features, the company combines all aspects of commerce in a unified platform that takes care of the essentials, freeing retailers to focus on their customers.
“These traits, amongst others, have seen Shopify host more than USD$1 trillion in total gross merchandise value to date, powering over 25 percent of all e-commerce in Australia,” reveals Julia Bucalina, Senior Merchant Success Manager of the company’s Australia New Zealand (ANZ) division.
With over 100,000 merchants in Australia alone using the platform, Shopify powers
retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, LSKD and Hismile in Australia, Secretlab in Singapore, Sanyo Shokai in Japan, and China-based Anker, among many others.
The company’s scale provides the platform with firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by brands around the world – knowledge it utilises to build industry-leading solutions designed to assist retailers in growing their businesses.
TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
Built for growth, Shopify boasts a range of tools aimed at helping businesses scale. For instance, it supports multiple languages and currencies, enabling merchants to sell to customers across the globe with its Shopify Markets solution.
“Automation tools like Shopify Flow help retailers streamline processes to boost efficiency and bolster profit margins,” Bucalina details.
Shopify also has powerful, built-in marketing tools such as Shopify Email and search engine optimisation (SEO) features,
which improve search engine rankings and integrations with social media platforms for unified selling across channels.
“These tools help merchants reach a broader audience and drive more traffic to their stores.”
Meanwhile, whilst Shopify takes care of the majority of businesses’ commerce system management, its advanced analytics give merchants the ability to delve deep into their data and track key metrics such as sales, customer behaviour, and conversion rates, all of which can enhance performance and drive growth.
A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE
Even at scale, Shopify is easy to use. Although powerful, it is designed to take care of retailers’ core commerce essentials whilst reducing the technical barriers they may face when growing their business online.
“Features like Shopify’s Admin Dashboard and App Store, which hosts thousands of tools at the click of a button, mean that
Collaboration with Nutrition Warehouse
Founded by Grant Mayo in 2008, Nutrition Warehouse has become Australia’s leading sports, bodybuilding, and general health supplement retailer.
Operating online and across more than 100 warehouse-style stores nationwide, the company boasts highly trained staff that specialise in sports and general health nutrition.
Offering customised supplements and nutritional advice for each customer that enters its stores, Nutrition Warehouse is all about customer service. A big part of that is hinged upon achieving a seamless customer experience across every sales channel, both online and in-store. Shopify provides Nutrition Warehouse with the unified commerce platform needed to achieve this.
However, this is just the start – working closely with the Nutrition Warehouse team, Shopify is diving into some fantastic projects that promise incredible growth opportunities.
“It’s truly inspiring to collaborate with such a passionate team that shares a common vision for excellence.
“I can’t wait to see the amazing things we’ll accomplish together and the positive impact we’ll make in the community,” Bucalina prides.
merchants can accomplish big things easily,” Bucalina clarifies.
The company’s checkout is proven to increase conversion rates by up to 36 percent when compared to other platforms, whilst a point-of-sale (POS) tool integrated directly within the platform makes for a seamless, unified customer experience across every channel.
In addition, Shopify Magic’s suite of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features accomplish labour-saving tasks such as creating blog posts or emails.
AT THE CUTTING-EDGE OF RETAIL
As the most scaled commerce platform in the world, Shopify’s rate of innovation and execution is unparalleled.
“These differentiators mean we can serve the needs of the biggest retailers in the world whilst also helping them stay at the cutting edge of the retail game from a technical perspective,” Bucalina affirms.
Given the company has hosted over USD$1 trillion in gross merchandise value, and
with over half a billion unique shoppers purchasing from businesses on Shopify in 2022 alone, it is a platform that can evidently handle scale.
As such, large businesses such as iconic Australian retailer, JB Hi-Fi, which boasts a market capitalisation of more than AUD $8 biliion, choose to partner with Shopify.
“They know the platform can support the volume of their business and they will never outgrow Shopify because of that scale and the innovation it drives,” Bucalina adds.
Alongside these unmatched attributes, the company also provides cost savings through reduced infrastructure expenses and risk by handling maintenance, uptime, and availability. This is because, as a cloud-native solution, the platform maintains 99.99 percent uptime, bolstered by Google Cloud infrastructure.
UNPARALLELED INNOVATION
Shopify has over 4,500 engineers led by the Head of R&D and CEO, Tobias Lütke, who has embedded innovation within the
company’s DNA.
“To give you some idea of how much Shopify invests in its engineering team, in 2022 alone, the company spent USD$1.3 billion on R&D solely dedicated to commerce,” Bucalina divulges.
In addition, Shopify spent USD$1.1 billion on R&D in the first half of 2023 – more than 34 percent of its revenue for the period.
Beyond its innovation efforts, the company’s app store supports applications made by thousands of developers worldwide, while the company itself maintains an ecosystem of over 100,000 partners, from business consultants and systems integrators, to marketing specialists and managed service providers.
Through the Shopify Academy for Partners, these partners can access free training courses.
“These include in-depth documentation and other resources, such as Shopify’s Partner Support team, helping them grow their businesses and those of their clients,” she concludes.
GIVE A SH!T
“Go all in, treat it like it’s your own, and get sh!t done!”
Nutrition Warehouse’s message of ‘Give a Sh!t’ encapsulates its commitment to going above and beyond. It signifies the company’s dedication to treating every task, project, and responsibility as if it were its own. The business doesn’t just care – it passionately invests itself in everything it does, and the results show.
‘Give a Sh!t’ is a company-wide rallying cry that motivates everyone at Nutrition Warehouse to take ownership, deliver results, and get things done with unwavering enthusiasm and dedication.
Elsewhere, exciting plans for brand expansion are well underway, with crucial wholesale contracts agreed in new geographies such as Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as ambitions to continue to unveil new stores domestically every year.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Regarding the growing prosperity of the health and wellness retail industry, McHugh believes it’s an increasingly fast-moving space where companies such as Nutrition Warehouse must constantly strive to exist on the cutting edge of new products and ingredients, embracing the latest health research and exciting, fresh scientific developments.
“Over the last few years, we have explored various new trends such as nootropics and other brain stimulants, whereas now, across the industry, we are seeing a rise in the popularity of
hydration products, especially sports drinks, and products that can enhance your longevity,” he highlights.
“People want to live longer and better lives, as well as looking after things like their skin and joints to enable a better quality of life, or even just to be able to run around with their kids.”
For some clients it’s simply about accessing that extra burst of energy to bounce out of bed in the morning and complete a day of work, whereas other customers use the company’s products to get bigger and stronger in the gym.
“On the other end of the spectrum, we look after loads of triathletes and other fitness gurus that love to do marathons or other crazy endurance challenges, so for us it’s about having the perfect products that help everybody achieve whatever their goal is in life,” McHugh prides.
Furthermore, from an expansive range of protein powders and preworkout supplements to vitamins, minerals, and energy drinks, Nutrition Warehouse caters to every possible need of its customers in order to help them achieve their ongoing health and fitness goals.
ENJOYING THE JOURNEY AND DELIVERING WOW
Nutrition Warehouse knows that happiness is not a destination and thus endeavors to deliberately create great moments every step of the way for its customers on their individual health and fitness journeys.
“We’re adaptable, curious, and constantly changing. We take time to reflect and appreciate the experiences and lessons throughout the journey and celebrate the small wins along the way,” McHugh expands.
“We’re not an average company,
our service is not average, and neither are our people. We are committed to crafting extraordinary and unforgettable experiences for our customers, partners, and colleagues,” he gushes.
With its incredible team, many of whom are nutritionists and personal trainers, the company is proud to have garnered an impressive reputation for exceptional customer service across all factions of the business, as its people all possess an undeniable passion for helping people become their best selves.
“Delivering WOW is not just a goal; it’s a standard by which we measure our success, setting us apart as a company that strives to amaze and astonish in everything we do.”
Nutrition Warehouse believes that we are all stronger together, and this is the key to achieving mutual success.
“We understand that in order
to reach our goals, we must uplift and support one another, fostering an environment where individual achievements contribute to the growth of our entire community,” McHugh concludes proudly.
From day one, community has been at the heart of what Nutrition Warehouse does, and the people this includes share one overarching purpose of inspiring everyone to be ‘Built for Life’.
Tel: 1300 837 785
sales@nutritionwarehouse.com.au
www.nutritionwarehouse.com.au
To
round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question
WHAT HOBBIES
OUTSIDE
OF WORK HAVE HELPED YOU TO BECOME A BETTER LEADER?
Tom Brady
Executive Chairman, Brefni
“Volunteering at Vinnies
– this helps me give back to the community whilst learning from others through their life experience.
“Industry events – the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF), Australasian Railway Association (ARA), The Permanent Way Institution of New South Wales (PWINSW), Clean Energy Council (CEC), and other industry bodies host forums that I enjoy attending to hear about what’s happening across the industry, learn about new and innovative ways of working, represent Brefni, meet
new people, and touch base with colleagues and friends.
“Golf – a passion of mine, but also great for networking.
“The gym – to clear the mind and keep fit.
“Travel – enables me to meet people and learn about new and innovative ways of working, both in Australia and abroad. For example, InnoTrans in Berlin, the Global Rail Conference in Dubai, and other industry events and forums across Australia.”
Contact APAC Outlook with your story
David Meyn
CEO, PBE Rutherford
“Outside of work, I run a charity with my wife called the Harry Meyn Foundation, which we established 15 years ago in memory of our son, Harry, who we sadly lost to brain cancer. We support children living with cancer and their families through our Harry’s House Retreats, which include a beachside family retreat house in Newcastle and a six-berth motorhome mobile retreat. We also support families who have sadly lost their children to cancer. I call it a hobby, and although it’s hard work, I genuinely love what we do to help other families.”
Kym Low
General Manager, Ausdrill
“I enjoy team sports because everyone needs to fulfil their roles for the team to be successful. Each player’s contribution is crucial for overall success.”
John Ivanovski
Senior Manager of Operations, Ausdrill
“Fishing. I’m Australia’s worst fisherman, but I’m improving by listening to others’ advice and talking to experts. You can be a leader without knowing everything. Our company is full of intelligent individuals; you just have to listen, and you might learn something valuable.”
Matt Clinch
Business Development and Improvement Manager, Ausdrill
“I coached kids’ basketball teams, which made me appreciate and understand that every individual develops at their own pace. Allowing the team room to make mistakes and develop sets them up for future success.”
Half a century of
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