Mark Beyer

Australia’s $1.2 billion live cattle trade has gone from gloom to boom this month but, while welcoming the news, major players in the sector are keeping their celebrations in check as they evaluate recent events.

When newly appointed managing directors agree to work for nothing, it’s a sure sign the cost pressures facing listed companies are getting more acute.

The WA winners in the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards are looking well beyond their home state for growth opportunities.

Gold miner Silver Lake Resources plans to boost its exploration spending by 60 per cent in the current financial year on the back of a strong improvement in its current and forecast cash position.

Evolution Mining has recorded record quarterly and annual production on the back of an “outstanding” result at its Edna May mine, adding to the ranks of gold miners to post impressive results this month.

Conference and events company EECW has changed hands, with Renee Bennett and Alison Petrie jointly acquiring the business.

Law firm Minter Ellison has promoted Kip Fitzsimon and Gehann Perera to partners in the Perth office.

Australia’s largest live cattle exporter, Wellard Group, has welcomed a new deal that will open up the China market but has cautioned about the likely boost, especially for cattle producers in northern Australia.

The market appetite for backdoor listings of tech stocks continues unabated, with Magnolia Resources securing $7 million in funding commitments and Potash Minerals becoming the fifth exploration company from Western Australia to head down the tech path this month.

Company director and accountant Graham Anderson, who held positions with about 10 listed companies, has passed away after suffering a heart attack yesterday.

The private equity group seeking control of Mungana Goldmines has lifted its takeover bid to 17 cents per share, above recent trading levels but below the valuations of the company’s independent expert.

RNI shareholders lodged a big protest today, with many voting against resolutions at a general meeting, which was held three days after the debt-laden gold company extended the timing of its $25 million entitlements offer for a second time.

The development of the Ord River region in the state’s far north will be significantly affected by the tender process for 5,000 hectares of land released by the state government last week.

HHG Legal Group has expanded its regional network, acquiring a practice in Mandurah to add to its offices in Albany and Mt Barker, and its main operation in West Perth.

Finalists in the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year awards show how technology and innovation can enable rapid growth, even in mature industries.

The state government has announced plans to release another 5,000 hectares of farm land in the Ord River irrigation area, as Chinese-backed company Kimberley Agricultural Investment continues to seek development approvals for land it secured three years ago.

DVG Automotive Group managing director Lou Divirgilio has achieved a rare feat, selling a majority stake in his family business for $120.6 million, which equates to the kind of earnings multiple that only ASX companies normally attract.

Automotive Holdings Group had employed a consistent approach to buying and integrating dealerships over many years, long-serving director and head of business development Hamish Williams told Business News after his recent retirement.

Upwards of 130 corporate finance transactions worth more than $11 billion were announced in WA in the June quarter, but most notable was a handful of landmark M&A deals.

France’s Technip and South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries have been signed up as the lead engineering and construction contractors for the Browse floating LNG project, continuing similar work they have undertaken for the Prelude FLNG project.

Coogee Chemicals has started the new financial year with a freshly installed executive chairman in Tim Martin, and a new managing director in Grant Lukey.

The Pilbara Ports Authority lifted throughput to a record 619.8 million tonnes in 2014-15, primarily on the back of a 21 per cent jump in iron ore shipments through Port Hedland offsetting a small decline at Dampier.

Roy Mellon has built his business on the premise that running payroll is one of the least favourite functions inside most businesses.

Integro Private Financial Consulting is a financial planning firm founded on the core principle of complete independence.

Woodside Petroleum has stuck with its planned timetable for the Browse gas project, announcing today it has reached agreement with its joint venture partners to commence front-end engineering and design ahead of a final investment decision by the end of 2016.

Brookfield Asset Management is seeking to add ports and rail operator Asciano to its expansive Australian interests, which already include Brookfield Rail, construction giant Brookfield Multiplex, half of oil and gas producer Quadrant Energy, and multiple city office towers.

For the past nine years, City of Swan Mayor Charlie Zannino has made an annual trip to Canberra, usually with his deputy and a couple of staff in tow.

Amidst the publicity surrounding the rescue of renowned sailor Jon Sanders in rough seas over the weekend, the role of private Western Australian company Bhagwan Marine was lost on most people.

IT services company Empired is something of a rarity in Western Australian business, as it has been busy recruiting staff to support its expansion.

DLA Piper has entrenched its positon as one of Western Australia’s top 10 law firms after confirming today it would absorb boutique corporate practice Hardy Bowen, with one notable exception.

Training standards in WA have been criticised by the auditor-general and big employers.

Two of Perth’s prominent business families have shed light on their future plans, after the Bennett family struck a deal to buy a marina operation in Fremantle from the Kailis family.