Mark Beyer

SIX years ago, AMP Capital Investors started implementing an ambitious strategy to build a major national player in the industrial supplies market.

More than 40 WA businesses have partnered with private equity funds in recent years.

Dutch multinational Fugro has acquired Perth-based oil and gas services company TSMarine Group for an undisclosed sum, 15 months after a $47 million management buy-out at the local company.

The high stakes battle over the future of Alinta Energy has become heated after the company took action against security holder Coastal Capital International, which is believed to be opposed to a planned scheme of arrangement.

The manager of the Gorgon gas project insisted today that it has delivered $10 billion of work to local industry and more is on the way, despite claims that its local content figures are misleading.

RESIDENTIAL and commercial construction in Karratha is set to grow rapidly after the state government short-listed three companies for what will become the largest new development in the town.

THE potential impact of a carbon price on Western Australian businesses was highlighted by the release of new data last week showing the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Four major projects due to be completed over the next five years will pave the way for the much heralded City Link development between the CBD and Northbridge to proceed.

Andrew Forrest's recent conviction has triggered debate over the concept of an informed market; there are plenty of other steps that would help to meet that goal.

PEET and Cedar Woods have continued to be the pick of the bunch among Perth's listed property developers, with both companies' half-year results boosted by their exposure to the relatively strong Melbourne market.

THE value of Australia's commodity exports is expected to exceed $250 billion in 2011-12, new forecasts by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences have concluded.

In front of 850 guests at a black-tie dinner on the South Perth foreshore, internet entrepreneur Zhenya Tsvetnenko was last night named First Amongst Equals winner in WA Business News annual 40under40 awards.

WA is a world leader in mining engineering; we should aim for the same ranking in LNG engineering.

THE trend for the private sector to deliver traditional government infrastructure in Western Australia has continued, with a private consortium selected to fund, build and operate a new $300 million water treatment plant at Mundaring.

The 40under40 Awards have stood the test of time.

The adversaries in a heated battle over regulation of the franchising industry in Western Australia have used submissions to a parliamentary inquiry to argue their cases.

DRILLING services contractor Boart Longyear has officially opened a manufacturing plant in Forrestfield, one of seven centres servicing its global operations.

The adversaries in a heated battle over regulation of the franchising industry in Western Australia have used submissions to a parliamentary inquiry to argue their cases.

Steel fabricators, engineers and unions have started a new campaign to win more work on big resources projects, but they lost the debate six years ago this month.

As the debate over local content on big projects heats up, we need to ask where WA's competitive edge is and what the government can contribute.

Engineering and construction contractor Marine & Civil is set to emerge from administration after striking a deal with Thiess to establish a new jointly owned company.

Clifford Chance has become the second of London's 'magic circle' law firms to move into the Australian market, today announcing mergers with Perth's Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe and Sydney's Chang, Pistilli & Simmons.

The founder of failed property investment group Westpoint, Norm Carey, was today found guilty of five charges of making false or misleading representations regarding a residential property development in Rivervale.

THE state government is evaluating a range of alternative contracting and procurement models in the health and corrective services fields, potentially offering new opportunities to building construction companies.

The outlook for non-residential building construction in WA is weak but the impact on each business will depend on where they sit in the construction cycle.

Recent controversy over a successful technology company highlights the need for a coherent industry policy in WA.

“REPORTS of my death have been greatly exaggerated” is a classic line that could be applied to building construction opportunities in the office and education markets.

TWO of Western Australia's largest construction companies have been signed up by competing bidders for the $360 million Midland Health Campus project, which is shaping up as an intriguing test of the state government's support for public private partnersh

GOLD explorer Doray Minerals had no trouble getting investor support for its recent share purchase plan, with its directors joining other shareholders in backing the capital raising.

GRAIN handler and marketer CBH Group says access to competitive capital will not be a constraint on its growth after deciding to retain its existing cooperative structure.

The federal government's planned flood levy has attracted vigorous debate, but a larger issue is the setting of spending and infrastructure priorities.

Top corporate lawyer Leigh Warnick will be packing his bags at Blake Dawson this week, followed by an extended break before resuming his practice at Lavan Legal in May.