Business News

Govermment funds earmarked for a biomass energy plant and solar farm at Collie have been transferred to a new $60 million job creation fund that aims to create a long-term future for the town as coal mining winds down in coming years.

Shares in Swick have jumped 10 per cent, after the drilling business revealed its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 58 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Michelle Andrews, Rikki Kersten, Caroline Lindsey, Julia Sutherland, Edgar Basto, Ivan Vella, Michael Erickson and Helen Shield.

Our daily board moves wrap includes Gary Powell, Allan Kelly, Bryan Dixon, Milan Jerkovic, Richard Boffey, Guy Simpson, Flemming Bjoernslev, Toby Chandler, Philippa Leggat, Anthony Cooper, David Deak, Craig Hall, Michael Fotios, Michael Spreadborough, Greg Foulis, Alan Still, Alex Passmore, John Richards, and Paul Dalgleish.

There have been 37 insolvencies announced of WA-registered companies in the past 21 days.

ORIX Australia has won a tender to become the outsourced fleet management and leasing provider for agribusiness giant CBH Group.

Hazer Group has appointed current chief executive Geoff Ward as managing director.

A joint venture between Perth-based Clough and Madrid-based Acciona has secured rail construction works at Rio Tinto’s $3.5 billion Koodaideri iron ore project.

BGC Contracting has been awarded a $24 million contract to deliver bulk earthworks and roads at the Fortescue Metals Group’ $1.7 billion Eliwana iron ore project.

Our daily board moves wrap includes Richard Cottee, Ray Barnes, Michael Montgomery, Leonard Math, Albert Cheok, Ian Lynass, and Guido Belgiorno-Nettis.

Pioneer Credit’s shares have surged 27.4 per cent to close at $2.51 each, after the company confirmed it has received a takeover proposal at a “material premium” to its current share price.

Richard England is the new non-executive chair of Automotive Holdings Group.

DTI Group has won a $3.6 million contract to supply and install its CCTV recording system on a fleet of trains which operate on the London Underground.

Decmil has been awarded a $79 million contract for balance of plant works at the $400 million Yandin wind farm.

Federal Labor is calling on Environment Minister Melissa Price to explain why she approved a controversial uranium mine in Western Australia the day before the national election was called.

Mick Keelty has resigned as non-executive deputy chair of Elsight.

Hydroponics technology company Roto-Gro International has completed a $3.6 million share placement, with the funds set to fast-track expansion of its research and development facility in Canada.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Katherine Martin, Peter Hobbs, Chris Doepel, Jo Lanagan, Jane Mahon, Alfred Seeling and Ken Anderson.

Our daily board moves wrap includes Ian Murchison, Bruce McCracken, Tim George, Peter Webse, Jerry Monzu, and Keith Bowker.

The Australian Building & Construction Commission has commenced legal proceedings against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and three of its officers, including WA state secretary Michael Buchan.

DDH1 Driling has acquired Ranger Drilling, which will see the Sy van Dyk-led company grow to 700 employees and 84 drill rigs.

The GO2 People has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire a Gold Coast-based training provider for up to around $8.4 million, and is seeking to raise up $4 million via a share placement to help fund the purchase.

Apollo Consolidated has raised $6 million via a share placement, with the funds set to primarily go towards drilling at the company’s flagship Lake Rebecca gold project.

Our daily board moves wrap includes Zhao Tong, Josef El-Raghy, Aaron Colleran, Brett Montgomery, Peter Evans, Richard Baumfield, Ronald Beevor, Albert YuZi Zhou, and Phil McKeiver.

Galaxy Resources has abandoned its search for a joint venture partner for Sal de Vida, after no company was willing to inject enough capital for the Argentinian project.

With the federal election just a month away, the confidence of Australia’s company directors is at its lowest point in over two years, according to the latest Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) Director Sentiment Index.

The state government will outlay $131.5 million of additional funds for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in the upcoming budget.

CBH Group has awarded six of the nine contracts for its $150 million Network Strategy Expansion project, including four to local contractors WCP Civil and Georgiou Group.

Family Zone Cyber has raised $5.5 million in a share placement to support further growth and support its expansion in the United States.

Workplace consumable products supplier and distributor Stealth Global has acquired distribution business Industrial Supply Group for about $1 million, the third deal the company has made since listing on the ASX in October 2018.

Ardiden has appointed Robin Longley as chief executive.

The National Stock Exchange (NSX) will raise up to $10 million via a share placement, with the funds set go towards establishing a Perth office.