Mark Beyer

An online medical information service that was conceived eight years ago by a Perth doctor and a business entrepreneur has taken a big step towards commercial maturity by raising $2.1 million from investors.

An economic study commissioned by the Australian Building and Construction Commission has concluded that the federal government’s industrial relations policies, and the creation of the ABCC, have led to efficiency gains in the construction industry.

The strong rise in molybdenum prices during the past three years has attracted a growing number of Western Australian mining companies to the rare metal.

Manufacturers and unions have criticised a state government decision to build a $62 million floating dock in Vietnam, saying the move is short-sighted and will make it harder for local industry to win work on big resource and defence projects.

Australian mining executive Mark Cutifani, whose diverse career included a stint running Perth-based Sons of Gwalia Ltd, has been appointed chief executive of one of the world's biggest gold miners, AngoGold Ashanti Ltd.

Engineered lumber company Lignor Ltd is reviewing its funding options, including the possible use of private equity, after failing to meet its own deadline for completion of a $125 million public share offer.

The state government has selected Perth business executive Michael Henderson as the new chairman of its revamped Technology & Industry Advisory Council.

The state government has allocated an extra $10.5 million for the development of a new entertainment centre on the Albany waterfront, which is budgeted to cost a total of $46.3 million.

Perth-based earthmoving contractor NRW Holdings Ltd has started an investor roadshow for its initial public offering, which is seeking to raise up to $300 million.

Entrust Funds Management and Growth Equities stand apart from their peers in Perth because they shy away from mining and resources stocks, preferring to focus on industrial companies.

Perth-based fund manager Oceanic Asset Management broke new ground when it established its first investment fund in 2005, and it plans to do the same when it launches Australia’s first specialist uranium fund this year.

WhenWestern Australian companies want to raise large sums of capital, they usually have to jump on a plane so they can pitch to fund managers in cities such as Sydney, Toronto and London.

The state government has allocated an extra $10.5 million for the development of a new entertainment centre on the Albany waterfront, which is budgeted to cost a total of $46.3 million.

Former BankWest and Perpetual executive, Robert Marie, has teamed up with Sydney-based fund managers Brian Eley (formerly of Patersons Securities) and Ben Griffiths to carve an unusual niche in the financial services industry.

Investment bank Argonaut Group is planning to substantially expand its fund management activities by raising up to $125 million for two different funds.

Local shipbuilder Strategic Marine Pty Ltd has sprung a surprise by winning preferred bidder status for construction of a $62 million floating dock at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson.

Private equity investors have played a major role in some of Western Australia’s biggest takeovers of the past year, although contrary to popular commentary, private equity is not new to the WA market.

Gresham Advisory Partners and Azure Capital have emerged as Perth’s top corporate advisers, in WA Business News’ inaugural M&A survey.

The low-profile founders of Welshpool manufacturing company, Kingston Bridge Engineering Pty Ltd, have cashed in on the surging economy by selling their business for $100 million.

Blake Dawson Waldron, Freehills, and Cochrane Lishman are firmly entrenched as the dominant law firms in Western Australia’s M&A market, having advised on the vast majority of big takeovers in the past financial year.

In a sign that the resources boom has only partially flowed through to the state’s manufacturing sector, engineering contractor Thiess Pty Ltd has announced plans to close its Kwinana steel fabrication factory, which has been operating since 1979.

Andrew Forrest's Niagara Mining Ltd, soon to be renamed Poseidon Nickel Ltd, has recruited former Clough Ltd managing director David Singleton as its new chief executive officer.

Woodside Petroleum managing director Don Voelte has raised the possibility that development of its giant Browse Basin gas field could be linked to its planned Pluto LNG plant or the existing North West Shelf Venture's Burrup LNG plant.

The WA Sporting Car Club, which operates Barbagallo Raceway near Wanneroo, will be looking to fill most of its senior positions following the resignation of its president and auditor and the suspension of its general manager and one of its vice-presidents

The Office of Development Approvals Coordination is quietly but effectively helping dozens of Western Australian mining projects clear their way through the regulatory maze, according to its inaugural head.

Four long-running takeover battles targeting Western Australian companies have moved closer to resolution this week while a fifth takeover saga involving winemaker Evans & Tate Ltd has become even more convoluted.

Mining entrepreneur Michael Kiernan last week outlined to WA Business News his plan plan to bring together his non-gold companies under the joint ownership of iron ore miner, Territory Resources Ltd.

At a time when the state government is reviewing several contentious resource projects, one of its top business advisers has questioned whether the mining industry can be trusted.

The future ownership of four Western Australian companies hangs in the balance this week following new takeover offers for Consolidated Minerals Ltd, OmegaCorp Ltd, Evans & Tate Ltd and Vietnam Industrial Investments Ltd.

The state government's $8.8 billion superannuation fund will for the first time face compettion following the introduction of legislation that also allows the fund to compete for members outside the public sector.

The Simon Lee-chaired Vietnam Industrial Investments Ltd cancelled today's shareholders meeting after being told that investment group Prudential has teamed up with the company's managing director to make a $17.6 million takeover offer.

Canadian mining software company Gemcom Software International Inc has reported strong growth in sales and profits, helped by its July 2006 acquisition of Perth-based competitor Surpac Minex Group Pty Ltd.