Africa Outlook, APAC Outlook, EME Outlook, North America Outlook, Mining Outlook, Healthcare Outlook, Manufacturing Outlook, and Supply Chain Outlook are digital publications aimed at boardroom and hands-on decisionmakers, reaching an audience of more than 800,000 people around the world. With original and exclusive content compiled by our experienced editorial team, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from across the globe. Your company can join the leading industry heavyweights enjoying the free exposure we provide across our platforms with a free marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to help you grow your business. Visit www.outlookpublishing.com/work-with-us for details on how your company can feature for free in one of our upcoming editions.
EDITORIAL
Head of Editorial: Jack Salter jack.salter@outpb.com
Deputy Head of Editorial: Lucy Pilgrim lucy.pilgrim@outpb.com
Production Manager: Alex James alex.james@outpb.com
Digital Marketing Director: Fox Tucker fox.tucker@outpb.com
Web Content Manager: Oliver Shrouder oliver.shrouder@outpb.com
Social Media Executive: Jake Crickmore jake.crickmore@outpb.com
BUSINESS
CEO: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outpb.com
Managing Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outpb.com
Chief Commercial Officer: Nick Norris nick.norris@outpb.com
HEADS OF PROJECTS
Callam Waller callam.waller@outpb.com
Deane Anderton deane.anderton@outpb.com
Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outpb.com
Josh Rayfield josh.hyland@outpb.com
Ryan Gray ryan.gray@outpb.com
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outpb.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Thomas Arnold thomas.arnold@outpb.com
SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outpb.com
PROJECT MANAGERS
Cameron Lawrence cameron.lawrence@outpb.com
Kierron Rose kierron.rose@outpb.com Kyle Livingstone kyle.livingstone@outpb.com Liam Pye liam.pye@outpb.com Nicholas Kernan nicholas.kernan@outpb.com Poppi Burke poppi.burke@outpb.com Taylor Green taylor.green@outpb.com
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/apacoutlook Follow us on Twitter: @apac_outlook
DOING THEIR DUTY
Organisations across the world have a duty to their clients, customers, and stakeholders alike, as each company is relied upon to do its part in progressing its respective industry and diligently providing a required service.
This is no greater understood than by Navantia Australia, our latest cover star, who for over a decade has been committed to delivering worldclass engineering and design services to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The company is intrinsically tied to its corporate civic responsibility and has, in turn, become a leader in the nation’s defence sector.
“I sincerely believe that Navantia Australia is a perfect example of how industry contributes to the nation’s goal of building a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability,” affirms Israel Lozano, Executive Managing Director.
In the same manner, Trident Services Australia resolutely provides tailored service solutions for an extensive and diverse range of sectors Down Under, supplying vital aid to both the skies and the seas. Indeed, the company has excelled in providing services where they are most needed across Australia’s airports, airlines, and maritime ports, solidifying itself as the key to enhanced transport security and people protection.
Meanwhile, Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd is taking its first steps into Southeast Asia as a trusted well decommissioning services provider. The company has become a decommissioning stalwart, operating as the region’s first Tier 1 contractor and energy transportation specialist.
In this feature, Massimo Delia, General Manager, tells us how the company is proactive in spreading its expertise across the wider Asia Pacific landscape.
“We are positioned for growth into several new markets. Southeast Asia as a region is largely unchartered territory, with huge opportunities when it comes to well-decommissioning,” he comments.
From the closing of Asia Pacific’s deepest mines to the opening of its skies, Philippine Airlines invites its most loyal passengers to enjoy the abundance of benefits afforded by its Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer programme.
With the name taken from the traditional Filipino greeting, the airline’s customers can earn rewards including free flights and upgrades to business class. It is therefore no wonder that Philippine Airlines continues to experience an upward trajectory of success.
In this edition, you will also find fascinating stories from innovators in the oil and gas industry such as Petrofac and SEA Gas, as well as science-driven building designers, CIAP Architects, amongst more.
We hope that you have an enjoyable read!
Lucy Pilgrim Senior Editor, Outlook Publishing
FEATURES
30 SHOWCASING
LEADING COMPANIES
Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world
MANUFACTURING
32 Navantia Australia
Innovation Where it Matters
World-class engineering and design services
SUPPLY CHAIN
50 Philippine Airlines
Pioneers of the Skies
Exploring an aviation trailblazer
66 Trident Services Australia
Keeping People and Property Safe
Tailored security services for the aviation and maritime sectors
OIL & GAS
76 Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd
Decommissioning Down Under
The expansion of specialist well decommissioning services to Australia
The convenient choice for primary healthcare services in Singapore
CONSTRUCTION
162 CIAP Architects
The Heart of the Built Environment
Mapping a bold architectural future
170
FOOD & BEVERAGE
170 OUE Restaurants
Bestowing Culinary Pleasures
Singapore’s latest taste sensation
176 Pleass
Pleassed to Meet You
Where purity meets sustainability
TECHNOLOGY
184 PNCC
Bridging the Digital Divide Delivering state-of-the-art connectivity across the Republic of Palau
Around Asia Pacific in seven stories…
THE BUBBLE HAS BURST
ORIGINATING IN TAIWAN in the 1980s, bubble tea, or boba, has become a global phenomenon in recent years. However, China’s success story is about to burst as investors are not as sweet on the idea as they once were.
Two China-based chains’ stock market debuts have already flopped. When China’s third-largest bubble
tea chain, Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial, known as Chabaidao, recently made its stock market premiere, shares plunged on the first day and have yet to recover.
Another disappointing debut by Shenzhen-based Nayuki has seen the company lose more than 80 percent of its value since launching in Hong Kong almost three years ago.
A CONSTELLATION OF CONNECTIONS
SPACEX’S SATELLITE
INTERNET service, Starlink, has recently launched in Indonesia, aiming to improve the country’s health sector by providing access to remote areas of the sprawling archipelago.
Starlink is now active in three Indonesian health centres, with
ONVO ON POINT
CHINESE ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) company, Nio, has revealed that the first car for its new lower-cost Onvo brand will retail at around USD$4,000 cheaper than Tesla’s comparable Model Y.
Pre-sales for Onvo’s first car, the L60 SUV, have already begun and deliveries are set for September. Furthermore, the EVs will be sold overseas at some point, although a date hasn’t been specified.
Fierce competition in China’s EV market has invited new entrants and prompted many companies to cut prices. The Biden administration will impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese EV imports to the US.
two in Bali and one on the far-flung island of Aru in Maluku. Despite its commercial availability, the country’s government is focusing internet services first and foremost on outer and underdeveloped regions.
Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia where Starlink operates, after a Philippines-based company signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022, and Malaysia issued the company a licence to provide internet services last year.
RETAIL
GOING FOR GOLD
ASIDE FROM RAMEN and sausages, South Korea’s convenience stores have a new popular item on the menu –gold bars. Weighing between 0.1 gram (g) and 1.87g – the size of a fingernail - they have been up for sale at the country’s largest chain, CU, with the largest size retailing at USD$165.76.
The 1g variety sold out within two days, with the 30 to 40-yearold demographic most active in purchasing the gold bars. They come with congratulatory messages,
FOOD & BEVERAGE
THIRSTY FOR MORE
PEPSICO IS INVESTING
USD$400 million to construct two new plants powered by renewable energy sources in Vietnam.
The company’s decision to expand its global footprint to the Southeast Asian country hinges on several factors, such as its strategic location and affluent population, which ensure a lucrative market for the company’s
different personality types. Also riding the bullion wave, South Korea’s GS25 convenience store chain is offering customers the chance to buy small gold wafers from vending machines.
FINANCE
CHICKEN TENDERS
US PRIVATE EQUITY group, Carlyle, is seeking to buy the chain of KFC restaurants in Japan in a USD$835 million acquisition.
The company will launch a tender offer of 6,500 yen per share, with the offer backed by KFC Japan. When the acquisition is completed, it will mark an exit from the fast-food company by Berkshire Hathawaybacked Japanese trading house Mitsubishi, who owns roughly 35 percent.
portfolio of products.
Having first entered the country in 1994, the food and beverage giant currently has five factories across Vietnam, establishing itself as a trusted partner in the local economy, contributing to job creation and economic development. PepsiCo is expected to foster growth and prosperity in the region with its forward-thinking approach to production and sustainability.
Christmas and KFC are an iconic duo in Japan; when the twinkling lights go up, families gather around a bucket of fried chicken for the occasion, despite the festive season not being a national holiday for the population. Mitsubishi established KFC Japan in 1970 as a joint venture with the chain’s US namesake.
HEALTHCARE
STOP CLONING AROUND
THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT is closing a loophole that has allowed pharmacies to make and sell replicas of the weight loss drug, Ozempic, and other brands such as Mounjaro.
The self-administered injectables are primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, there are periodic shortages of Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient, semaglutide.
Usually, manufactured medicines are sold in pre-packaged strengths and quantities, therefore, the off-label drugs have not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for obesity. Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, is concerned about the safety risk, and a government-enforced ban will apply from October.
The Rise and Popularity of Asian Cuisine
In recent decades, the global culinary landscape has experienced a remarkable transformation, with Asian cuisine taking centre stage. From bustling street food stalls in Bangkok to sophisticated sushi bars in Tokyo, the allure of Asian flavours has captivated taste buds around the world. We dig deeper into this trend with Vanina Principi, Group Development Chef for Bone Daddies
Writer: Vanina Principi, Group Development Chef, Bone Daddies
WHERE DOES ASIAN CUISINE COME FROM?
Asian cuisine is a mosaic of culinary traditions that have evolved over thousands of years. The term “Asian cuisine” itself is a broad umbrella that encompasses a myriad of regional dishes from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and beyond. Each region boasts its unique culinary identity, shaped by geography, climate, and cultural influences.
BREAKING INTO THE SCENE
The media has played a pivotal role in elevating Asian cuisine to global prominence. Cooking shows, food documentaries, and social media platforms have brought the vibrant colours, intricate techniques, and exotic flavours of Asian dishes into the homes of millions.
Another key factor driving the popularity of the cuisine is its association with health and wellness. Many Asian diets are plant-based,
with a strong emphasis on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Alternatively, the traditional Japanese diet, for example, is renowned for its focus on fish, seaweed, and fermented foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics.
At Flesh & Buns, our new restaurant opening as part of the Bone Daddies franchise, we believe that food and experiences are made to share. Our Japanese-inspired menu serves up a mix of small and larger plates, meaning every guest can build their very own sharing experience, as well as their own hot hirata buns. Let’s dive into some of our favourite Asian flavours which make these dishes so popular.
SOY SAUCE
Soy sauce, or shoyu, is a cornerstone of Asian cuisine, boasting a robust umami flavour. Used as a seasoning and dipping sauce, soy sauce enhances the taste of a myriad
of dishes, from sushi to stir-fries. The delicate balance of saltiness, sweetness and umami makes soy sauce an essential component in traditional Japanese cooking.
MISO
Made from fermented soybean paste, miso contributes a profound umami flavour to dishes that is well-balanced. Its depth ranges from sweet to salty, and it comes in varieties such as white (shiro), red (aka), and traditional (awase).
Miso is not just a soup base; it elevates marinades, glazes, and dressings, adding a complex and savoury character to any dish it graces. You can find miso complimenting the flavours in many of our dishes, including our tenderstem broccoli with orange miso and our avocado miso maki.
YUZU
The citrus fruit yuzu imparts a bright and aromatic zest to Japanese
cuisine. Its distinctive tart flavour, a harmonious blend of mandarin orange, lemon, and grapefruit, enhances both sweet and savoury dishes. Yuzu finds its way into sauces, dressings, and desserts, providing a refreshing and uplifting note. If you want to try yuzu, choose our Padron peppers small plate grilled with yuzu miso, or consider our fried squid small plate, served with yuzu kosho mayo, Japanese spices, and red chilli.
WASABI
Wasabi, a fiery green paste derived from Japanese horseradish plant, adds a pungent kick to dishes. Traditionally served with sushi and sashimi, wasabi’s distinct heat clears the palate and complements the freshness of raw fish. Its ability to awaken the senses makes it a key part of traditional Japanese dining. Our delicious portobello mushroom bao buns are served with wasabi mayo and daikon pickle.
SAKE
Sake, often referred to as rice wine, is a versatile beverage crafted from polished rice, water, yeast, and koji mould. Unlike Western wines, sake undergoes a unique brewing process where the starches in rice are converted into sugars, leading to alcohol fermentation. What truly sets Sake apart is the meticulous brewing process, where each step contributes to the final flavour profile – ranging from sweet and fruity to dry and savoury.
The quality of sake hinges on various factors, such as the expertise of the brewer, the purity of water used, and the specific rice strains chosen. A well-balanced sake exhibits harmony between sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and umami.
The brewing process itself – including the fermentation temperature and duration – also contributes to the final flavour profile. Discerning these elements can lead to a heightened appreciation for the craftsmanship behind a bottle of sake.
THE LAST WORD
With so many unique and diverse flavours, it’s no wonder there has been such an explosion of Asian food on the culinary scene in recent years. If you’re in London and want to experience some traditional Japanese cuisine, Flesh & Buns is the place to be. Whether you’re craving beautiful hand-rolled sushi or rich, tender shredded duck – our Japanese Izakaya menus have your perfect mix of dishes.
The rise in popularity of Asian cuisine is not merely a trend but a testament to its rich history, diverse ingredients, and cultural significance.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Vanina Principi is originally from Argentina and started her cooking career in 2011, having worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, her current role is Group Development Chef for Bone Daddies. Principi is extremely talented and loves working alongside a dedicated and creative team.
UNIVERSITYINDUSTRY LED INNOVATION
The executive team at UTS Rapido takes us on a deep dive into the R&D engineering and technology innovation hub at the University of Technology Sydney and how it is making waves by delivering solutions that create industrial and societal impacts
Writer: Lauren Kania
Founded in 2016 by Executive Director, Hervé Harvard, who sought to bridge the gap between academia and industry, UTS Rapido is an impact-focused R&D innovation hub embedded within the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) that is committed to creating a
positive impact and solving real-world challenges.
“By collaborating with research teams, government entities, and clients from diverse sectors, we leverage our R&D expertise in software, mechatronics, and user experience (UX) digital solutions to
innovate new products and services that address specific needs and deliver tangible benefits,” introduces Harvard.
With a workforce of high-level problem-solvers who boast decades of commercial technology development experience, Harvard
leads his team of professional engineers and R&D experts, in collaboration with UTS, to deliver projects for industry and social impact partners.
As an accomplished technology leader and intrapreneur with over 25 years experience in innovation, Harvard is a strong advocate for industry-university collaboration and has a rich background in leading teams in the digital innovation space for large multinationals, including Canon, Siemens, and Philips.
With this vast experience, alongside
the dedicated passion of the UTS Rapido team, the R&D unit utilises customer-centric professionalism and strategic engagement to enable entry into a comprehensive universitywide engineering and IT innovation ecosystem.
The organisation’s unique approach blends commercial R&D experience, academic expertise, and access to state-of-the-art facilities to reliably test, innovate, and commercialise new products and services.
The UTS Rapido team works closely with clients, taking industry ideas and
concepts from the initial research stage to market-ready solutions.
“We provide a multidisciplinary innovation hub with professional R&D engagement and project management, offering the possibility of a fully outsourced R&D workforce,” expands Harvard.
This gateway to a university-wide ecosystem allows clients to take advantage of both the experienced and professional team at UTS Rapido, alongside UTS, a leading technology institute rated among the top 100 universities worldwide and the number one ‘young’ university in Australia.
INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST
The mission to bridge the gap between industry and academia has been embedded into the core of UTS Rapido since its inception.
One of the primary ways in which the R&D unit is able to accomplish this goal is due to its location in the Faculty of Engineering and IT at the UTS campus.
“Our professional engineers, R&D experts, and skilled project managers collaborate with UTS’ researchers, facilities, and labs to deliver projects for our industry and social impact partners,” details Harvard.
“Bridging the gap between academia and industry increases the possibilities for external partners to leverage the technical excellence available through UTS.”
Industry partners can gain access to diverse capabilities, funding grants, and collaborative opportunities with a leading university, alongside the chance to harness a commercially focused R&D team.
UTS Rapido offers a variety of services to its clients, with three primary capabilities consisting of software, mechatronics, and UX and digital solutions.
The UX team consists of strategic engineers who spearhead the creation of invaluable methods for
UTS Rapido Navantia Australia Gamification project
“Our market-driven strategy delivers digital solutions that maximise productivity and engagement. By utilising collaborative design and validation methods, we gain a deep understanding of the needs of our partners’ businesses, segments, workforce, and end users within their specific contexts and environments.” explains Julie Kowald, Principal Delivery Manager UX and Digital Solutions, UTS Rapido.
The engineering team that heads UTS Rapido’s mechatronics service provides expertise in a range of engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electronics, embedded software, and control systems.
“We create innovative and effective solutions for routine and novel mechatronic challenges,” Harvard explains further.
UT Rapido’s software engineering team applies analytical thinking, engineering principles, methods,
“BY COLLABORATING WITH RESEARCH TEAMS, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, AND CLIENTS FROM DIVERSE SECTORS, WE LEVERAGE OUR R&D EXPERTISE IN SOFTWARE, MECHATRONICS, AND UX DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO INNOVATE NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS SPECIFIC NEEDS AND DELIVER TANGIBLE BENEFITS”
– HERVÉ HARVARD, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UTS RAPIDO
tools, and techniques to the design, development, and maintenance of advanced, cost-effective software solutions. It works hard to ensure that large, complex, and critical software systems are interwoven into daily life and accurately fit the intended purpose.
“Our team members specialise in developing not only industry-ready mobile, web, and cloud solutions, but also more advanced computing technologies such as gaming, data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), 3D geometry processing, and computer vision,” asserts Raj Calisa, Principal Delivery Manager Software at UTS Rapido.
DELIVERING INDUSTRY AND SOCIAL IMPACT
In order to develop cutting-edge products and services, UTS Rapido supports start-ups, small to mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), and corporations by providing R&D engineering and technology solutions.
Julie Kowald, Principal Delivery Manager UX and Digital Solutions, UTS Rapido
Raj Calisa, Principal Delivery Manager Software, UTS Rapido
UTS Rapido Mechatronics project
“When we partner with industry, our projects can range from end-toend solutions to smaller projects that fill an expertise gap. We collaborate and apply research findings to our services within world-class facilities to support organisations of all sizes,” details Harvard.
The team’s expertise spans a wide range of industries, including agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, defence, manufacturing, mining, retail, technology, transportation, and education, allowing it to work with individuals who possess brilliant ideas, community groups seeking solutions,
UTS RAPIDO’S CORE R&D ENGINEERING SERVICES:
SOFTWARE – UTS Rapido applies analytic thinking and engineering principles, methods, tools, and techniques to the design, development, and maintenance of bespoke software solutions.
MECHATRONICS – The innovation hub solves industry problems by designing, analysing, testing, and manufacturing intelligent systems using mechanical and mechatronic engineering techniques.
UX AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS – UTS Rapido creates value-generating digital solutions by identifying the needs of businesses, their markets, and endusers, as well as designing, developing, and deploying innovative solutions in software and hardware.
RESEARCH TRANSLATION – UTS Rapido helps to bridge the gap between knowledge gained through research and its application in practice to help deliver market-ready solutions.
and various other organisations aiming to drive innovation.
UTS Rapido provides additional support by helping not-for-profit partners. Since 2017, the innovation hub has donated significant time and resources to purposeful organisations in order to create positive change.
“The for-purpose sector, which is often limited by budgets and a lack of skilled technical talent, faces challenges in embracing technological innovation,” insights Harvard.
“By leveraging our R&D engineering expertise, academic knowledge, and advanced facilities, we pursue impactful collaborations on projects aimed at developing technology-driven solutions for societal challenges.”
The university-based initiative is passionate about giving back and providing affordable technology solutions for organisations that prioritise making a difference.
Specifically, it helps for-purpose organisations with limited access to
UTS Rapido Social Impact AbilityMade
UTS Rapido Social Impact Take Kare
APAC OUTLOOK:
WHAT ARE SOME CURRENT PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS UTS RAPIDO IS WORKING ON?
Hervé Harvard, Founder and Executive Director: “We have collaborated closely with Navantia Australia since mid-2020 to deliver R&D projects, with ongoing collaborations around digital twin, ship routing, training gamification, situational awareness systems, and anomaly detection using deep learning models.
“Our software and UX teams are at the forefront of our collaboration, with the aim of developing sovereign digital technologies for the maritime industry. This partnership culminated in the Maritime Institute of Technology (Marintec™).
“R&D collaborations between UTS Rapido and Navantia Australia through Marintec™ are instrumental to our partnership. We contribute software engineers and expert UX teams to enhance user experience and develop cutting-edge solutions. Leveraging Navantia Australia’s domain expertise, mathematical models for naval vessels are developed, forming the foundation for our software architecture.
“The success of our projects hinge on our collaborative efforts as three distinct entities, underscoring the importance of the unified innovation ecosystem we cultivated together.
“Our collaboration on joint projects has spanned multiple years and iterations, drawing input from subject matter experts in the team from both industry and academia spanning multiple fields, including robotics, UX, software engineering, and naval engineering.”
technological innovation to overcome budget constraints or expertise gaps, utilise engineering and technology-based solutions, and leverage cutting-edge technologies.
Additionally, UTS Rapido assists partners in accessing grant funding opportunities to further their research and projects.
“We understand the financial challenges associated with innovation projects. That’s why we have helped our partners access Australian government grants, through which 80 percent of our innovation projects were partfunded in 2022,” prides Harvard.
With a deep understanding of the social impact space, UTS Rapido is committed to driving positive change in the world beyond its campus as it continues to look towards the future.
UTS Rapido leadership team
Bringing construction creativity to Singapore and beyond, Vector Foiltec is pioneering the lightweight cladding sector. Matthew Penrose, Executive Vice President, highlights some of the company’s latest landmark projects
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim
An essential ingredient of the global construction industry, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) cladding has historically been used as a lightweight and long-span alternative to the performance glazing used in roofs, façades, atriums, and canopies.
Positioned at the forefront of the cladding sector for 40 years, Vector Foiltec invented and pioneered the use of the Texlon® ETFE system and is the only company in the world whose core business activities centre around ETFE cladding.
The Texlon® printed ETFE two-layer cushions replicate the same thermal performance as double glazing but with over 90 percent less deadweight, as well as larger surface areas, lower carbon footprint and maintenance, and greater light transmission and support of lightweight steel structure options for complex geometries.
“With transparent roofs and façades made of Texlon® ETFE foil, our company has set new standards in recent architecture projects,” opens Matthew Penrose, Executive Vice President.
Vector Foiltec’s architectural foil technology can be processed either as a single-layer or multi-layer system and can be used for stadiums, atriums, shopping centres, zoos, garden parks, public buildings, swimming pools, schools, and universities all over the world.
Moreover, Texlon® ETFE is used for high-performance building envelopes with an outstanding eco-balance.
“Our team of experts has been responsible for many major technological innovations in the field. Through extensive investment in R&D and a commitment to superior quality and performance, we continue to be the global market leader,” Penrose highlights.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, GLOBAL EXPERTISE
With a remarkable impact on the industry, Vector Foiltec has amassed an impressive international footprint. Totalling 18 branches and two production sites, the company is represented in countries such as Singapore, Australia, China, Germany, the US, and the UK, combining local knowledge with global expertise.
VECTOR FOILTEC IN NUMBERS
• A material lifespan of over 50 years
• More than 100 countries with Texlon® ETFE systems
• In excess of 250 employees globally
• Over 60 engineers worldwide
In each region, Vector Foiltec familiarises itself with the local supply chain and integrates it into the client’s design, contracting, and quality control processes.
That way, the company achieves shorter delivery times and economical solutions while avoiding shipping tax and duty issues.
“Our international team has a
strong sense of community, which is a key factor for efficient workflows,” expresses Penrose.
“Ultimately, our staff work extremely hard for our clients, and we want them to succeed as it ensures our growth and longevity. This sincerity, backed with our expertise and proven track record, has made us the global leader in ETFE systems.”
Vector Foiltec’s enviable status is bolstered by its unmatched ability to solve complex challenges and immediately identify possible hurdles when working on ETFE projects over the last four decades.
Furthermore, the team is unique in its ability to design, engineer, supply, fabricate, install, test, and maintain operations in-house with full-time staff.
This means that the company’s employees are consistently learning and providing feedback to various departments on how Vector Foiltec can refine and improve.
“Moreover, with everything handled in-house, our customers only need to make one call and know we will solve everything for them,” Penrose adds.
CLIENT-FOCUSED SOLUTIONS
Working closely with clients is a core part of Vector Foiltec’s business, as each project is unique.
As such, the company draws upon its previous construction experience in other parts of the world to inform and adapt its bespoke solutions in each new development.
“We are happy to advise our clients with our specialist knowledge and
A further market differentiator is the support Vector Foiltec provides for developers, consultants, and main contractors, from project conception through to the tender and construction stage, ultimately maintaining ETFE systems decades after completion.
This guarantees that clients receive the best possible solutions with the assurance that the team can provide ample support.
The company’s technical sales managers, designers, engineers, and construction specialists work hand in hand to carry out lightweight, sustainable, and elegant solutions.
Financially, Vector Foiltec also keeps a close eye on project budgets, often saving money for its clients thanks to structural optimisations and a global network of suppliers.
Whether it’s a new community hub or a swimming pool for the city, each new addition to the construction landscape is carefully considered by builders and architects.
“Vector Foiltec is a company closely aligned with its client base; we are a business of architects, engineers, project managers, and skilled individuals who have come from all sides of the construction industry.
“This allows us to understand the needs of our clients and develop targeted solutions for each project as we understand their situations and what support is needed,” reflects Penrose.
SURBANA JURONG CAMPUS
Vector Foiltec’s most recent projects include the new global headquarters of Surbana Jurong (SJ), the largest Asia-based infrastructure and urban planning consultancy in the world, with over 16,000 employees.
Set to be home to 4,000 people, SJ Campus was designed by Safdie Architects and embodies Singapore’s character as “the city in the garden”. As such, the design of the campus
“ULTIMATELY, OUR STAFF WORK EXTREMELY HARD FOR OUR CLIENTS, AND WE WANT THEM TO SUCCEED AS IT ENSURES OUR GROWTH AND LONGEVITY”
–
MATTHEW PENROSE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, VECTOR FOILTEC
integrates harmoniously with the surrounding natural landscape.
The project comprises three courtyards covered with ETFE roofing to create a shared meeting centre, offering a quieter area that is planted in lush nature.
The three courtyard roofs push technical and aesthetic boundaries by being the first cable-truss supported ETFE skylights in Southeast Asia.
The structure is made up of an SS cable with a 28-millimetre (mm)
diameter top chord, a 32mm diameter bottom chord, and 16mm diameter
SS rods between the two, spanning a total of 30 metres (m).
“All our ETFE skylights can be viewed by the public and it’s an amazing space to visit. We would encourage anyone interested in ETFE systems and advanced structural solutions to come and view SJ Campus; it’s an incredible environment that’s very special and unique,” urges Penrose.
A major part of the Singapore Sports Hub, the Singapore National Stadium is one of the few venues to have an open roof and was the largest ever public-private-partnership (PPP)
project when it was constructed. On top of this, it also possesses the world’s biggest free-span dome, measuring 310m.
For these reasons, Vector Foiltec was very proud to be one of the first specialist contractors awarded
by Arup to support its challenge to design a 55,000-seat stadium bowl for optimised viewing while minimising the footprint of the dome, the form of which was chosen as it is structurally efficient for a project of such a large size.
Vector Foiltec’s support and expertise helped to greatly reduce the weight of the steel dome, optimise its thermal performance, and illuminate the ETFE system to be Singapore’s largest flag.
The company’s first challenge was to overcome the difficulties of geometry, which dictates the ETFE design and supporting steelwork.
Although many different geometries were explored, Vector Foiltec opted for 3m-wide and 45m-long cushions that can selfdrain if deflated, with structural flexibility aligned with the moving roof below.
“WITH TRANSPARENT ROOFS AND FAÇADES MADE OF TEXLON® ETFE FOIL, OUR COMPANY HAS SET NEW STANDARDS IN RECENT ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS”
Next, Vector Foiltec investigated the complex deflections of the stadium, beginning with the runway truss deflection, which provided support to the track that carries the moving roof.
However, as each runway truss has a different length, the company had to navigate each individual deflection.
Meanwhile, Vector Foiltec also worked on the rack or skew deflection – since the runway trusses are 48m apart, the moving roof steelwork deflects between the runway trusses as the roof moves, which is an element the company had to consider.
Finally, Vector Foiltec collated all the deflection, rotation, and
movement data to understand the total effect of the moving roof and reconcile this with wind and model study loadings to help develop the moving roof steelwork and ETFE roof system.
Additionally, the company incorporated 20,000 LED pixels, each illuminating a 1m-by-1m area, to create a giant television screen.
“The Singapore National Stadium is over a decade old, and our 20,000 square metre ETFE moving roof has worked perfectly. It’s a project I worked on personally from start to finish, that we still maintain today and I am very proud of,” Penrose closes.
As international street food piques the interest of modern travellers, it becomes increasingly important to maintain an awareness and understanding of where these age-old traditions originate. We explore the importance of street food across Southeast Asia and how it can be preserved for the future
Writer: Lily Sawyer
governments in Chinese cities such as
over 20,000 traders from nearly 500
is entirely worthy of conservation. is now considered element of this dish was initially
modern-day northern Thailand was controlled by Burma.
In addition to its historical influence, the widespread availability of local ingredients often inspires the culinary direction of street food culture and flavours.
Rice is an example of an unparalleled street food staple in China, where the food type originates, whilst countries with tropical climates commonly use ingredients such as mango or pineapple due to their widespread availability.
Affordable, seasonal street food ingredients such as these are often locally farmed by default. Not only does this produce delicious results, but the use of such ingredients inadvertently promotes sustainability in the sense that nothing is imported or inorganically sourced.
As such, the widespread practice of consuming and generally supporting street food across Southeast Asia can, in turn, promote a seasonal and therefore sustainable food supply chain.
FOOD THAT SUPPORTS SOCIETIES
Street food is not only appreciated for the role it plays in the cultural and social heritage of communities, but it can also make a sizeable contribution to economies, particularly those of a developing country.
So far, the impact of street food on a nation’s economic development has been largely underestimated by many governments and authorities due to a lack of solid statistical data.
However, across Southeast Asia it is plain to see that a family-owned street
food stall can provide a primary source of income for many, whilst age-old recipes will often be passed down through generations.
It’s worth noting that women, who often play a crucial role in preparing, marketing, and selling street food, have also benefitted from the sector through employment opportunities that enable them to make a living of their own.
means of obtaining a nutritionally balanced meal.
In this way, it can be a key driver of food security improvement worldwide, and in Asia in particular.
Going forward, it is crucial that we recognise the importance of street food and initiate a global conversation that prioritises its conservation.
More than just a tourist attraction,
APAC OUTLOOK is a digital product aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers across a wide range of industries on the continent.
With content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from the length and breadth of the Asia Pacific region.
We reach an audience of 220,000 people across the continent, bridging the full range of industrial sectors: agriculture, construction, energy & utilities, finance, food & drink, healthcare, manufacturing, mining & resources, oil & gas, retail, shipping & logistics, technology and travel & tourism.
In joining the leading industry heavyweights already enjoying the exposure we can provide, you can benefit from FREE coverage across our digital platforms, a FREE marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to grow your business.
To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, James Mitchell, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for FREE, in one of our upcoming editions.
INNOVATION WHERE IT MATTERS
A Design Authority dedicated to delivering world-class engineering and design services to the Royal Australian Navy, Israel Lozano, Executive Managing Director, outlines Navantia Australia’s commitment to excellence and journey to deliver a sovereign design capability for Australia
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
The Australian defence industry is an exciting space to be involved in.”
As someone with considerable exposure to global defence markets, Israel Lozano, Executive Managing Director of Navantia Australia, can say this with some authority.
“The industry can present some challenges, but these are part of life and should be embraced. Challenges are what encourage people and businesses to continue to evolve and innovate,” he adds.
As an industry that offers longterm career opportunities as well as
avenues for highly skilled professions, defence is also a sector that promotes innovation and leading-edge technologies. With many defence projects being long-term, this provides assurances for the industry to invest in developing its people and capabilities.
Navantia Australia is an Australianled and operated company that delivers world-class engineering and design services to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Established in 2012, the company’s team of 300 local experts based in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and
Israel Lozano, Executive Managing Director
Perth is dedicated to ensuring the technical integrity of RAN’s surface fleet.
“We are responsible for over 60 percent of RAN’s surface fleet. Our parent company, Navantia, has transferred the Design Authority delegations for all four classes of vessels delivered to RAN to us,” Lozano informs.
Today, Navantia Australia ensures the design integrity of each of these naval ships throughout their life, guaranteeing safety and performance during operation and sustainment.
The company’s Australian
workforce is responsible for all engineering and platform design changes, whilst its engineers are supported by equally committed and hardworking corporate teams.
In November 2023, Navantia Australia launched its Technical Partner Network (TPN) to provide RAN with the engineering services capabilities and capacity that it requires now and in the future.
“TPN began with a cohort of 14 companies, which has now expanded to 24 Australian businesses. Together, we have 800 engineers at our disposal to support naval ships,” he outlines.
While the company continues to grow in the field of engineering for the support of RAN ships designed by Navantia, it has begun to develop ships of its own for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and expanded its portfolio of digital services.
UNPARALLELED INDUSTRY KNOW-HOW
With the different types of naval ships currently in service with RAN totalling 110,000 tonnes, having the know-how on such a large capability differentiates Navantia Australia.
Possessing this expertise is a discriminator, not only for providing design support services, but for designing new ships best suited for Australian operations.
“As the Design Authority performing the work locally, we understand the design basis of all these platforms; our work evolves from that understanding,” Lozano reflects.
Understanding its products to such an extent also allows Navantia Australia to contribute to other activities in the value chain, such as new ship designs and the supply chain.
Navantia Australia also provides RAN the opportunity to evolve ship design, in-country using the design baseline in direct collaboration with the designer, which is a first for the industry in Australia.
“Since our establishment in 2012, we have grown and matured to become a strategic defence company and Design Authority for Australia in our own right,” he asserts.
This status was acknowledged in 2020, when the Australian Department of Defence signed a Strategic Agreement recognising Navantia Australia as a Design Authority for RAN, and now with the Designer Support Contractor contract, it plays a critical role under Plan Galileo, an Australian government-run naval shipbuilding programme that prioritises consideration of a vessel’s sustainment needs at the design stage.
“We are agile and have proven our ability to engage with defence, with industry, with academia, and with large and small organisations.
“I sincerely believe that Navantia Australia is a perfect example of how industry contributes to Australia’s goal of building a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability,” Lozano prides.
AN INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER
Like the Australian population, which contains more than 300 different ancestries, Navantia Australia’s workforce also demonstrates a rich cultural diversity. Together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, its local employees represent 40 different ethnicities.
“We have grown organically by over 30 percent year on year since 2019. The average age of our workforce, 39 years, is reflective of our efforts in growing our capability through investment in graduates and early career workers,” Lozano highlights.
The company has strong relationships with Australian universities such as the Australian Maritime College, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
It also offers internships and graduate positions, primarily in engineering disciplines. Indeed, since 2019, Navantia Australia has employed 58 graduates and 33 interns.
NAVANTIA AUSTRALIA’S SUPPLY CHAIN AT A GLANCE
Navantia Australia’s supply chain is localised and managed from Australia. Inheriting ship design knowledge from its parent company, Navantia, it also gained easy access to the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) whose equipment and systems are incorporated in the platforms.
The company seeks to maximise opportunities for Australian industry to participate in the sustainment of Navantia-designed RAN assets, increasing sovereign capability in the country. It has established relationships with over 840 Australian suppliers and identified a comprehensive list of components and systems to localise.
Working collaboratively with local industry to identify solutions to further Australianise the supply chain for Navantia-designed ships, the company recognises that obsolescence and national support are key drivers to developing Australian Industry Capability (AIC) for the design services contract. This, in turn, creates sustainable and reliable support for the platforms and for developing industry in the longer term.
The company’s teams have supported the development of relationships between international and Australian suppliers to enable local manufacturing and support service delivery partnerships.
Navantia Australia is aiding the nation’s industry participation via a dedicated TPN. Engagement of its TPN enables greater opportunities for Australian industry participants to be involved in the delivery of services.
Navantia Australia offers internships and graduate positions, primarily in engineering disciplines
MARINE SERVICES GRIFFIN
Trustworthy Professionals
Can you briefly introduce us to Griffin Marine Services?
Griffin Marine Services (GMS) is a proudly Australian owned and operated company, employing 120 permanent staff around the nation.
GMS is a national leader in ship building, repair, maintenance, and management and offers a comprehensive suite of services including:
• Ship construction and repair (steel, aluminium, and composite).
• Marine engineering and associated trades.
o Above and below water line preservation.
o Insulation fabrication and installation.
o Mechanical fitting.
• Maintenance delivery and project management.
• 24/7 emergency response. GMS operates across Australia with workshops and teams strategically located in each regional maintenance centre, including Perth, Sydney, Darwin, and Cairns.
GMS has also supported repairs in the Pacific region in support of cruise liners and patrol boats. This international presence allows GMS to service clients effectively, efficiently, and provides an unrivalled response capability.
GMS’ diverse range of clientele includes:
• Defence prime contractors (Navantia, Thales, Babcock, Austal, BAE Systems).
• Major marine operators (Sea Swift, Serco, Transdev).
• Private vessel owners.
What are some of the ongoing or recent projects that you are most interested in showcasing?
GMS recently completed multiple major projects in support of its auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) fleet in New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA), demonstrating the breadth of
skills the company offers to its clients and the national reach utilised to manage repairs around the nation.
GMS Sydney has provided four mechanical fitters to assist Navantia Spain rebuild the port main engine on the ship HMAS Supply. The scope was to disassemble the main engine, check all components and tolerances, and rebuild with new or overhauled parts; GMS also took carriage of all heavy rigging.
This task was completed on time, to GMS’ usual meticulous standards, and allowed work that would typically require specialist foreign labour to be completed locally, thereby delivering exceptional value for money and a vessel back to operational readiness in a much shorter period.
At Fleet Base West, GMS’ commitment to excellence shone during HMAS Stalwart’s maintenance period. The GMS team earned high praise for completing a package of both scheduled work and rectification of a lateemerging water-mist system malfunction that threatened the ship’s departure.
Highly qualified welders were mobilised from all four states and the team was
What, for you, differentiates your business from
the competition?
Nationwide and international reach is what separates GMS from the competition. Unlike regional operators, GMS has strategically located workshops and teams in Perth, Sydney, Darwin, and Cairns to provide unmatched accessibility across Australia and in the Pacific. This international footprint ensures a rapid response, minimising downtime for clients.
GMS goes beyond just geographic reach, as it was founded on exceptional customer service and prioritising the building of strong relationships, meaning all clients experience proactive communication, timely project completion, and a relentless pursuit of exceeding expectations. So, whether you’re a government contractor, commercial shipping company, or private vessel owner, GMS offers the combined advantage of national expertise delivered with a local touch.
assembled with incredible speed, and then fabricated and installed a new 120-metre DIN150 316 stainless steel water-mist line spanning multiple compartments and levels. Thanks to the team’s dedication and expertise, HMAS Stalwart sailed on schedule, fully operational, earning the GMS team a commendation from Navantia, and a letter of appreciation from the Commanding Officer.
‘‘Thanks to the team’s dedication and expertise, HMAS Stalwart sailed on schedule, fully operational, earning the GMS team a commendation from Navantia, and a letter of appreciation from the Commanding Officer.’’
Tell us about some of the major challenges faced within the industry and the business itself and then detail how these have been overcome?
A skilled workforce is the lifeblood of the maritime industry, and GMS recognises the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent, particularly when we are directly competing with the resources sector for that same talent. However, GMS have not shied away from these challenges; rather, the company has proactively implemented solutions to build a strong and sustainable workforce.
One key strategy is our commitment to growing our own talent. GMS offer comprehensive apprenticeship programmes across various disciplines, providing a clear career path for individuals passionate about the
maritime industry. GMS is also a proud participant in the Defence Industry Pathways Programme, and the Defence Industry Internship and Graduate scheme.
Continuous learning is another pillar of the GMS approach. GMS invests in extensive technical and non-technical training programmes for all employees, regardless of experience level. This not only enhances the skillset of the GMS staff, it also demonstrates a level of commitment to professional development, fostering a sense of loyalty and career progression.
Finally, GMS understands the importance of workplace mobility. Offering opportunities to work across our national network of workshops provides employees with the chance to broaden their skillsets, gain new experiences, and advance their careers within GMS.
Could you tell us more about any technological initiatives that you have in place or are exploring?
GMS is actively developing several innovative technologies for defence applications. One key area is utilising laser ablation machines for surface preparation on hulls and tanks before painting. This method offers a safer alternative to traditional methods, while achieving a higher quality finish. Laser ablation reduces surface contaminants, leading to significantly longer-lasting paint adhesion, minimising the frequency and duration of dockyard visits.
Furthermore, GMS is implementing a fully digital welding quality management
system. This system integrates real-time data collection from welding machines, enabling the rapid and accurate provision of object quality evidence to all clients. This digital format offers superior searchability, traceability, and trust for the ADF. Furthermore, GMS is committed to accelerating innovation and delivering solutions that enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of the Australian Navy.
What are you most proud of in relation to the company overall?
At GMS, a source of immense pride is the dual commitment of being a wholly Australianowned and operated company
What are your major future ambitions going forward and how will these goals be achieved?
The GMS ambition is clear: become the preeminent ship repair service provider across all our locations in Australia. GMS remains dedicated to being the trusted partner of choice for each of the Regional Maintenance Centres (RMCs).
GMS also recognises that achieving these goals requires a multi-pronged approach:
• Investing in People: GMS continues to prioritise its workforce by fostering a culture of training, development, and career advancement. This ensures a highly skilled and qualified team to deliver exceptional service.
• Continuous Improvement: GMS is relentlessly committed to optimising processes and embracing innovation. This means constantly challenging the status quo and finding better ways to operate while ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality remain at the forefront.
• Exceeding client expectations: Building strong client relationships is paramount. GMS achieves this by exceeding expectations consistently, through transparent communication, high-quality work, and a commitment to on-time project completion.
and to delivering the highest quality workmanship.
Being Australian-owned fosters a deep sense of responsibility. GMS understands the critical role a strong maritime industry plays in Australia’s security and economic prosperity. This fuels the dedication GMS holds to exceeding expectations and ensuring every vessel repaired is in top condition.
The Australian roots and dedication of GMS go hand-inhand. It’s a combination we’re incredibly proud of and allows us to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s maritime future.
What do the next 12 months look like for the business?
The next year at GMS is
brimming with excitement, as we are gearing up to support the increasingly complex fleet sustainment needs of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under Plan Galileo’s regional maintenance construct. This new model presents a unique opportunity, and GMS is perfectly positioned to excel. GMS’ extensive experience working on every class of vessel in the RAN and
Australian Border Force (ABF) surface fleets speaks volumes. Furthermore, the established workshops and seasoned personnel strategically located within each Regional Maintenance Centre (RMC) locations – Henderson, Sydney, Cairns, and Darwin – solidify the company’s commitment to seamless integration with CASG, the RAN, and all RMC providers during this transition.
In the coming year, GMS will focus on:
• Leveraging our national network: Optimising resource allocation and expertise across RMC locations to ensure efficient and timely service for all vessels.
• Building strong partnerships: Collaborating closely with CASG, the RAN, and other RMC providers to ensure a smooth transition and effective regional maintenance delivery.
• Investing in technology: Continuously improving processes and tools to enhance efficiency, data collection, and communication throughout the maintenance cycle.
Graduates are given ownership of end-to-end project work with Navantia Australia as part of a structured, supervised process which delivers on-the-job training until they are sufficiently experienced to deliver inputs on their own.
The company also offers employees the option to participate in formal mentoring programmes, run both internally and externally, to assist graduates in acquiring the requisite skills to succeed in their careers.
Attracting more women to the Australian defence industry is also something Navantia Australia is deeply passionate about.
“We have a strong belief that there is a large percentage of talent not currently working in defence, and that will enhance our industry,” Lozano comments.
Since 2023, Navantia Australia has been an active supporter of the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and
“I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT NAVANTIA AUSTRALIA IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES TO AUSTRALIA’S GOAL OF BUILDING A SOVEREIGN NAVAL SHIPBUILDING CAPABILITY”
– ISRAEL LOZANO, EXECUTIVE MANAGING DIRECTOR, NAVANTIA AUSTRALIA
Aerospace Centre: Young Women in Defence STEM programme.
Run in conjunction with RMIT, the 2024 programme will see 50 female students at secondary schools across Victoria introduced to career opportunities within defence, aerospace, and industry.
“We have also introduced For the WIN (Women in Navantia), an internal, female-led networking community which aims to provide a supportive environment that enhances the role and contributions of women within the business,” he outlines.
In addition, Navantia Australia is committed to supporting veterans and their families through employment opportunities and supports veteran-focused charities and programmes.
“We are a recognised ‘Veteran Employer of Choice’ by the Australian Department of Veteran Affairs’ Veteran Employment Programme. We offer veterans tailored onboarding processes, mentoring, and have a specific veterans’ employee policy and strategy,” Lozano confirms.
WHOLE OF SHIP SOVEREIGN AUSTRALIAN HVAC SYSTEM
DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA
MADE IN AUSTRALIA SUPPORTED IN AUSTRALIA
HVAC IS CRITICAL TO ACHIEVING THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY’S INTENT OF MAINTAINING SUSTAINED COMBAT OPERATIONS AS PART OF A JOINT FORCE. *
IN AUSTRALIA’S TROPICAL ENVIRONEMENT, A LOSS OF COOLING RESULTS IN A LOSS OF CAPABILITY AND POTENTIALLY AN INABILITY TO REMAIN ON DEPLOYMENT.
NAVANTIA, MARENAV AND CHILLFLOW ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER AUSTALIAN MADE, AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED, WHOLE OF SHIP SOVEREIGN HVAC SYSTEMS THAT CAN KEEP OUR FLEET AT SEA.
*Plan Pelorus – Royal Australian Navy
LEADING INNOVATION
Navantia Australia is currently investing in R&D projects to advance smarter solutions for ship sustainment and design.
“We are walking the path to progressively incorporate the digital tide in our processes and innovative solutions,” Lozano enthuses.
This will allow the company to deliver various services to avoid time and cost-consuming transactions and mistakes in the design or service delivery processes.
The same applies when it comes to the development of digital services. The company’s know-how, together with data gathered from the Integrated Platform Management System, provides the basis for developing innovative digital technologies.
With the support of academia and a focus on technology-led outcomes, Navantia Australia is establishing a project pipeline that will deliver advancements in operational, sustainment, and workforce development activities.
A KEY PARTNER TO RAN
As an RAN-focused company, Navantia Australia is responsible for the evolution of the designs of more than 60 percent of the navy’s current fleet.
This means that it is committed and dedicated to ensuring that RAN has its most lethal and capable ships ready to conduct sustained combat operations as part of the Joint Force.
As Navantia Australia’s only customer, maintaining a positive, collaborative, and productive relationship with RAN is paramount. On a daily basis, it works closely with the System Programme Offices, the Capability Development Group, ship crews, and members of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group.
With the delivery of more classes of ships to RAN, the company has grown its workforce accordingly in the locations and capability areas that RAN requires.
Navantia Australia’s growing digital capabilities blend its design and engineering know-how to enhance the services the company provides to its customers.
“Because of our unique position of being both the designer, OEM, and digital developer, we know what we
are talking about – our technology is supported by deep knowledge,” he expresses.
In 2022, Navantia Australia announced the establishment of the Maritime Institute of Technologies (Marintec™), formed with UTS. Through Marintec™, the company
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Chillflow Solutions (Chillflow) delivers comprehensive Marine HVAC and Refrigeration specialist engineering solutions for the defence, commercial, industrial and offshore sectors.
From design, manufacture, supply, installation to service, maintenance and ongoing life-cycle support, we offer tailored demand-led, integrated services to meet your requirements.
We provide deep expertise, quality assurance, and certification to help solve your Marine HVAC and Refrigeration challenges.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Our mission at Chillflow is to bring innovation to the marine HVAC industry through collaboration with our clients and partners to deliver comprehensive, specialist HVAC and refrigeration engineering solutions.
We are experts at navigating complex defence platforms, providing technical assurance for our capability outcomes.
Chillflow are the sole appointed Australian distributer for J&E Hall Ltd (member of the Daikin Group) marine and industrial products
CAPABILITIES
• Design and manufacture
• Project management
• Procurement
• Service and maintenance
• Replacement and upgrades
• Commissioning
• Ventilation
• Control and data acquisition systems
• Refrigeration
• Sea water systems
• Heating and cooling solutions
• Sea trials
• Deployed operations
• Sustainment
• Temporary cooling solution
• Fault finding and diagnostics
KEY CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS, AND SUPPLIERS
• ACSSPO & AORSPO
• Babcock
• Atlantic and Peninsula Australia
• Navantia
• Teekay
• J&E Hall Ltd
• ADROITA
• Sydney City Marine
• Halliday Engineering
• Daikin Australia
• Marenav
• John Crane
• Danfoss
• Aircon rentals
• HydroChem
• Mak Water
QUALITY STANDARDS AND ACCREDITATION
• Environmental Management system ISO 14001:2015 Quality
• Management systems ISO 9001:2015
• Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001:2018 DISP Member
• ARCTICK - Australian Refrigeration Council - AU54434 NSW
• Contactors Licence - 389231C
• Electrical Licence - EW182875
Navantia Australia at Indo Pacific 23 Day
Thermal management is critical for warships today and in the future. A loss of cooling can readily cascade into a loss of combat capability.
Marenav, an Australian HVAC OEM, System Designer and Integrator is delivering intelligent, high availability, Australian-made HVAC systems and equipment to keep your fleet at sea.
has been funding several areas of collaborative R&D, focusing on advanced software engineering, user experience (UX) digital expertise, game design, and artificial intelligence (AI).
With its sights set on becoming Australia’s centre of excellence for maritime digital technology solutions, Marintec™ is charting a course for a brighter, more innovative future.
However, Marintec™ is not just about technology – it’s also committed to developing the workforce of the future. With PhD programmes, internships, and employment opportunities for graduates, the partnership is cultivating a skilled future workforce while addressing the Australian maritime skills gap shortage.
“In November 2023, we entered additional partnerships with Australian universities including
“WE ARE WALKING THE PATH TO PROGRESSIVELY INCORPORATE THE DIGITAL TIDE IN OUR PROCESSES AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS”
– ISRAEL LOZANO, EXECUTIVE MANAGING DIRECTOR, NAVANTIA AUSTRALIA
RMIT and the Australian Maritime College – University of Tasmania (AMC-UTAS),” Lozano informs.
RMIT, AMC-UTAS, and Navantia Australia were together successful in securing federal funding through the Next Generation Graduates Programme (NGGP), offered by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) Data61 initiative, to support PhD projects that explore hydrodynamic effects for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and the optimisation of hydrogen power
plants for USVs.
In addition to the NGGP, Navantia Australia is working with the universities on other independent projects. The company also recently renewed a strategic partnership agreement with the Defence Science Technology Group.
A VAST RANGE OF PROJECTS
The implementation of the Commonwealth’s Plan Galileo Maritime Sustainment Model, which highlights sustainment as a key enabling sovereign capability in naval
shipbuilding, heralds an exciting new era for Navantia Australia.
“We are excited about this new model. The Design Support Contract (DSC) is vital to the success of the new model, as our deep product knowledge and baseline management will facilitate design integrity throughout sustainment and continuous improvement activities,” Lozano shares.
This, combined with the company’s capability to collaborate and effectively communicate within the enterprise environment, will contribute to the assurance of RAN’s fleet, the availability of its ships, and reduced costs throughout the life of the vessels.
The long-term DSC enables Navantia Australia to continue to invest in enabling and developing sovereign naval design and engineering capabilities. A critical element in achieving this is through local partnerships.
SUPPORT FOR VETERANS
With operations across the country, Navantia Australia seeks to provide support for defence industry veterans throughout the community. As such, it supports various schemes and organisations, alongside some of its own.
• Navantia Australia is an annual sponsor of the Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards, which recognise remarkable accomplishments within the veteran community.
• The company is a platinum sponsor of Soldier On, a not-for-profit organisation that offers support to current and former ADF personnel and their families.
• Navantia Australia is an active supporter of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) Veterans’ Employment Programme and other initiatives which assist veterans in securing employment.
• The company supports OPK9, the flagship programme of See Differently that provides highly trained assistance dogs to veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• It also supports Remount, an equine-based therapy programme for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and/or receiving physical therapy.
• Navantia Australia supports Keeping Watch, RAN’s perpetual charitable fund that helps serving members and their families in need of financial aid.
Naval Ship Design and Engineering since 1987
The Design Technology Company (DTCo) is proud to be recognised as a member of Navantia Australia’s Technical Partner Network, highlighting the initiative as a key measure to build sovereign capability. DTCo provides a trusted, collaborative integration service for engineering projects and access to cutting-edge design technologies.
We combine vast industry experience with a skilled team to ensure rapid iteration within projects, fostering early stakeholder engagement, design confidence and optimised workflows. DTCo is committed to an easy to engage, scalable platform to enhance outcomes for Navantia, the Commonwealth, and sovereign manufacturing.
ausmarinetech.com.au | info@ausmarinetech.com.au
“These partnerships include collaboration with other Australian companies to expand, which is why we established our TPN,” he details.
“The DSC is not only an opportunity for Navantia Australia, but for the TPN to also benefit from the certainty of workflow, enabling members to invest in capability development,” outlines Lozano.
The maturing of the company’s local end-to-end design capability is another important area of growth; in addition to the engineers who are working on sustainment programmes, Navantia Australia is investing in developing new ship designs.
The company’s first complete design is a medium landing craft that is optimised for riverine and littoral operations. This design, the Kodal LMV-M, was originated and developed by its Naval Design and Engineering Centre in Melbourne.
“We are receiving a high degree of interest in the platform, and it
has been accepted into Navantia’s global portfolio, which is a major achievement,” Lozano prides.
Another significant project underway presently is the capability upgrades to RAN’s Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyers.
“Supporting these upgrades has created 60 full-time design and engineering jobs with Navantia Australia in the fields of combat systems interface into the platform, naval architecture, outfitting, electrical, mechanical, structural, design drafting, and systems engineering,” he shares.
Going forward, Navantia Australia hopes to continue to deliver what RAN needs now and in the future.
The company aims to keep growing its Australian capabilities in support of the government’s objectives for achieving a sovereign continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry, whilst ensuring that delivery is done in accordance with its
strong corporate values and ethical behaviours.
“We are continuing our journey to deliver design sovereignty to Australia to enable the design of future complex warships to be developed locally. It’s a path we must walk together with RAN and defence,” Lozano concludes.
The global resource for supply chain professionals and organisations
Building on the global success of our regional titles – EME Outlook, Africa Outlook, APAC Outlook, and North America Outlook – Outlook Publishing is proud to introduce a digital magazine and web platform, dedicated to the supply chain sector.
As supply chain organisations worldwide confront unprecedented change, embracing technological innovations and incorporating critical environmental sustainability agendas, now more than ever is the time to showcase the strides being taken in this dynamic sector.
A multi-channel brand, Supply Chain Outlook brings you the positive developments driven by organisations across the global supply chain industry through its various platforms. Discover exclusive content distributed through its website, online magazine, social media channels, and dispatches delivered straight to your inbox with a bi-weekly newsletter.
Through this compelling new venture, we 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.
PIONEERS OF THE SKIES
With a proud heritage, Philippine Airlines continues to forge a path of innovation and customer-centric service with Captain Stanley Ng at the helm; the President and COO discusses plans, pilots, and progress
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Taylor Green
As an archipelago consisting of 7,641 islands and islets, the Philippines is a Southeast Asian nation located in the west of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Vietnam.
Over eight decades ago, it became apparent the country needed air transport not only to facilitate economic growth and development but also to link the chain of subcontinental land to the rest of the world with the fastest mode of connectivity.
As a true industry pioneer and flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL) was the first commercial airline in Asia and is currently the Philippines’ only fullservice network airline.
Now headquartered at the Lucio K. Tan. Jr. Centre in Pasay, PAL is easily
identifiable by its logo, which comprises two red and blue sail triangles with an eight-rayed yellow sunburst.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, PAL flight crew wore unique and functional protective gear specially designed by Filipino couturier Edwin Tan that featured the colours of the airline, which are also a nod the flag of the Philippines.
The company’s origins date back to 1931 when visionary entrepreneur Andres Soriano founded the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company. However, he closed the fledgling aviation firm in 1939 and replaced it with PAL a few years later.
Braving the imminence of war, PAL began with an inaugural flight from Manila to Baguio on March 15th, 1941, carrying only five passengers.
Today, PAL operates a fleet of Boeing, Airbus, and De Havilland aircraft, providing scheduled non-stop
Captain Stanley Ng, President and COO
flights from its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to 33 other destinations within the Philippines. Additionally, it offers flights to 39 other destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.
PAL’s network includes islandhopping flights to fabulous beach resort destinations, high-tech hubs, eco-tourism havens, and ultralong-haul transpacific flights linking Southeast Asia to the US mainland – Los Angeles, San Francisco, and JFK Airport in New York, and Canada, namely Vancouver and Toronto.
“We are known for our warm and gracious service anchored in ‘Buong Pusong Alaga’, meaning wholehearted care, which embodies Filipino hospitality at its best,”
“BY HELPING TO ENSURE THAT HIGHLY ESSENTIAL GOODS REACH INTENDED MARKETS, WE KEEP SUPPLY CHAINS MOVING, WHICH HELPS THE ECONOMY”
– CAPTAIN STANLEY NG, PRESIDENT AND COO, PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
explains Captain Stanley Ng, President and COO of PAL.
“PAL takes pride in supporting the global economy by providing air cargo and charter services while also fulfilling the travel needs of overseas Filipinos, businesspeople, tourists, and families from all around the world. We consider it a privilege to have been given this opportunity to serve, and feel honoured to do so,” he continues.
NAVIGATING A CAREER PATH
Captain Ng assumed the role of PAL’s president in 2022 after holding various positions in Flight Operations, including Head of PAL’s Operations Group and Chief Pilot of the Airbus A320 fleet.
Soon after taking up his prestigious post, he became part of a significant, special moment in history. He had the privilege of captaining a flight
Captain Stanley Ng, President and COO
1940s – At the dawn of the aviation age, a fledgling airline began its journey just as World War II in the Pacific theatre reached the Philippines. Determined to serve its battered nation, PAL’s fleet joined in the war effort. When it was over, the airline took on the mission of rebuilding the country through a growing network of routes across the islands and beyond.
1950s – As the world was recovering from World War II, Filipino trade grew, and the airline’s network expanded from Manila to as far east as London and as far west as San Francisco, spanning two-thirds of the world.
1960s – PAL joined the age of the jet-powered aircraft and re-established its mission to link the Philippines to the world after the government suspended international flights halfway through the previous decade.
1970s – More routes were introduced to ensure Manila became a crossroads of Asia and a gateway between the East and West. In 1974, a merger made PAL the sole flag carrier of the Philippines, and it acquired its first widebody aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10.
1980s – The passenger experience was elevated with the introduction of the Boeing 747 for transpacific and European services, and the twinjet Airbus A300 for regional services. The carrier continues to modernise its domestic fleet today with Fokker50s, Shorts SD 360s, and Boeing 737s.
1990s – PAL was returned to private hands, and in its push to modernise, it ordered state-of-the-art aircraft, including Boeing’s longer-range 747-400s and a family of Airbus A330s, A340s, and A320s.
2000s – The airline restored routes, rebuilt its secondary hub in Cebu, reintroduced turboprop services through PAL Express, and accepted its first long-haul twinjet, the Boeing 777-300ER.
2010s – PAL enhanced its offerings with new transpolar routings for non-stop flights to the east coast of North America, revived its Middle Eastern services, and introduced more advanced De Haviland Dash 8-400s for inter-island flights, as well as Airbus A350-900s and A321neos for international routes.
A SHORT-HAUL HISTORY OF PAL
Integrity, excellence, and success are the cornerstones of Lufthansa Technik Philippines, where we ensure safety and reliability for our customers.
Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ extensive portfolio of MRO operations strengthens your supply chain and maximizes support, allowing you to reach new heights with ease.
Excellence in Motion
for the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., who was on a mission for the nation.
As the first active pilot to serve as the flag carrier’s top executive since the 1960s, Captain Ng ascended to the PAL presidency after an esteemed 18-year career with the airline.
“Before my time as a pilot, I was a customer service agent at Manila Airport, which provided me with an insight into how PAL interacts with customers at the heart of its operations,” he recalls.
After joining the airline, he underwent his Ab Initio Cadet Pilot training at the PAL Aviation School and joined the pilot roster as a Second Officer in 2006. Subsequently, he rose through the ranks and served as Chief Pilot of the PAL Airbus A320/A321 fleet.
“Everything I have experienced has helped me hone our vision for PAL and enable it to transform itself into a reliable and profitable flag carrier that Filipinos can be truly proud of.
“Our goal is to differentiate the company from other industry players, locally and internationally, through our route network of non-stop flights to major global markets, the
PAL FOUNDATION
“BY HELPING TO ENSURE THAT HIGHLY ESSENTIAL GOODS REACH INTENDED MARKETS, WE KEEP SUPPLY CHAINS MOVING, WHICH HELPS THE ECONOMY”
– CAPTAIN STANLEY NG, PRESIDENT AND COO, PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
The PAL Foundation was established in 1992 as the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Asia’s first airline. The foundation aims to leverage PAL’s airlift capacity to contribute to social welfare development and promote environmental sustainability. This includes providing assistance to marginalised sectors, aiding in disaster relief efforts, and supporting environmental conservation initiatives.
PAL is fully committed to sustainable development and investing in the Filipino people. The company places great importance on the well-being of its customers, employees, the environment, and the community at large.
Its vision to uplift the welfare of communities connected by the PAL network, and its mission to pursue social welfare programmes that assist marginalised individuals and sectors of society, utilises the national flag carrier’s airlift capacity and other resources to deliver aid, transport medical patients, promote Filipino excellence in sports and culture, safeguard the environment, and support the needs of communities served by PAL.
acquisition of latest-generation aircraft, and our service innovations,” Captain Ng reports.
PAL has always led the trend in the aviation industry and continues to do so. Aside from its young, modern fleet and state-of-the-art facilities, it also has one of the most extensive computer systems and radio communications networks in the Philippines.
“Our mission is to build a strong base of dynamic and driven employees who can effectively represent and promote the PAL ethos of quality Filipino service. We are currently focused on implementing digitalisation initiatives that will revolutionise customer service and engagement,” Captain Ng shares enthusiastically.
A DYNAMIC DELIVERY
Alongside commercial passengers, PAL supports the global economy with air cargo through its port-todoor service.
“Our airline offers direct flights to major global markets in North America, Australia, the Middle East, and all over Asia, making us the top choice for the Philippine economy.
“Thus, we have the capability to address specific freight transport requirements of various sectors. We are able to utilise our cargo space to transport goods throughout the Philippines and the rest of the world,” Captain Ng informs us.
In addition to the usual freight service, PAL has introduced rapid handling of urgent shipment (RHUSH), the fastest way to ship domestically or overseas. Advantages include the highest cargo loading priority, guaranteed space, and fast acceptance and release time.
“We regularly carry essential goods such as e-commerce, vaccines, medical supplies, tissue samples and organs to save lives, and perishable cargo such as fruits, vegetables, marine, and meat products. Additionally, we carry live animals on our ventilated aircraft, and furry family members in accordance
PAL FOUNDATION PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES
MEDICAL TRAVEL GRANT – Partnering with healthcare organisations to help transport patients with serious medical conditions, along with their escorts, to cities in the Philippines or abroad where they can be given the necessary medical treatment at specialised hospitals. The foundation also transports medical volunteers on missions to serve disadvantaged communities throughout the Philippines.
HUMANITARIAN CARGO GRANT – Helping to facilitate the airlift of relief goods and essential supplies to assist disaster-stricken and marginalised communities.
DISASTER RESPONSE – Assisting the rescue, relief, and rebuilding efforts of communities affected by disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and oil spills.
REPRESENT PINOY – Granting travel assistance to underprivileged but outstanding Filipinos who represent the country in global competitions in the fields of sports, arts, and academics.
MABUHAY MILES WITH A MISSION – Helping generous PAL Mabuhay Miles members donate unused flight miles to support the foundation’s advocacies and programmes.
OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES – Organising activities that provide assistance to underserved communities and sectors, including support for underprivileged children, the elderly, and people with disabilities through livelihood programmes, material donations, and other initiatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS – Protecting the environment by supporting programmes for the conservation of forests and marine biodiversity.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE – Organising initiatives to help alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable sectors.
Creating Connected Inflight Experiences for Today and the Future
Next Generation of RAVE
The IFE system with a focus on sustainability. Consisting of an innovative new lightweight DC power system and MiniLED displays for premium cabins.
RAVE OS Open Platform
Allows third party developers or airlines to autonomously build and deploy applications that will run on RAVE OS.
RAVE Cloud Services
Over the Air Distribution developed in conjunction with Amazon Web Services (AWS) + Edge Cloud Technology for large scale processing and data storage onboard.
with live animal regulations (LARs).
“We also transport human remains, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, we arranged dedicated, specific flights to carry the remains of overseas Filipinos who had passed away in foreign countries. Additionally, we use Manila as a transit hub for cargo destined for other countries,” details Captain Ng.
Naturally, PAL must adhere to strict International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines when transporting the recently deceased, and the airline carries out the task with the utmost respect. Furthermore, the cabin crew had protective gear incorporated into their uniforms to carry out the repatriation flights in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
“By helping to ensure that highly essential goods reach intended markets, we keep supply chains moving, which helps the economy,” he declares.
THE CONSUMMATE CREW
Safety is paramount to PAL and
its sister company, PAL Express (PALex). To ensure cabin crew are well-equipped to perform their duties, training is completed in-house, and the In-Flight Services Training (IFST) Division handles the requirements so that the team receives the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes (KSVA) to perform tasks effectively.
When selecting new employees, PAL seeks individuals with specific skill sets to represent the company’s values and exceed customer expectations. Captain Ng encourages team members to assert themselves and bring fresh perspectives to their work.
“I value courage and the ability to speak one’s mind when the situation calls for it, along with introducing new ideas and ways of doing things.
“I admire individuals who put forth their utmost effort to complete a task, learn from their errors, and progress forward, developing their skills in the process. The honing of one’s abilities is a product of an individual’s
MILLION MILER PRIVILEGES
PRE-FLIGHT – Waiver of all Mabuhay Miles processing fees, including Million Miler card replacements, ticket servicing charges, advance seat reservations on choice seats and forward seats, and more.
DURING THE FLIGHT – Priority check-in, luggage handling, boarding (extended to one travelling companion), airport stand-by, additional free baggage allowance, access to the Mabuhay Lounge, and VIP Lounges with two travelling companions.
POST-FLIGHT – Discounts and perks from selected programme partners, tier-based bonus miles on top of those earned for economy class, comfort class, premium economy, and business class based on distance flown, 25 percent tier-based bonus miles on PAL and PAL Express flights (except to or from the US and Canada), and 75 percent tierbased bonus miles on PAL flights to or from the US and Canada.
concentration and resolve, together with the support of their work environment, tools, and resources.”
As part of the company’s innovation efforts, PAL has invested in a virtual reality (VR) training programme. This is a first of its kind in Filipino aviation, developed in collaboration with a local start-up and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The programme offers an immersive experience that improves learning and service standards, resulting in higher retention rates. Moreover, the interactive and engaging nature of the training makes it more fun to participate in.
Indeed, Captain Ng adopts an open and inclusive approach to leadership, where ideas are explored, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.
“As leaders, we must acknowledge the skills of our team members and collaborate with them towards a common goal or vision. We should empower and trust our people, providing them with the freedom to innovate and execute at their best, while keeping a strong focus on meeting our customers’ needs and wants. This means having a customercentric approach and a dedication to providing excellent service,” Captain Ng emphasises.
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
To secure the airline’s future, PAL maintains its own air academy to provide a steady supply of pilots.
Since it was established in 1960, the PAL Aviation School has aimed to produce competent pilots with a focus on the airline industry, utilising modern equipment and methodologies in its comprehensive training programme.
The airline understands the importance of having a competent crew to pilot its planes. However, that’s not the only wise business
“WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR WARM AND GRACIOUS SERVICE ANCHORED IN ‘BUONG PUSONG ALAGA’, MEANING WHOLEHEARTED CARE, WHICH EMBODIES FILIPINO HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST”
– CAPTAIN STANLEY NG, PRESIDENT AND COO, PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
move PAL has made; the airline also takes care of its digital assets by introducing technology to improve the flight booking experience for its customers.
PAL will integrate Customer 360 – Salesforce’s integrated customer relationship management (CRM) platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) – across the airline’s contact centre and customer feedback handling units.
“This will give us a comprehensive view of each customer’s interactions so we can personalise and elevate the overall passenger experience while enhancing internal processes to improve efficiency,” Captain Ng clarifies.
The cloud-based software will link PAL with its customers in a whole new way, thus enhancing productivity as well as connectivity.
“We will also use Salesforce’s Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Customer and Partner Portals, as well as Slack, to provide employees with the insights and tools they need to deliver exceptional customer experiences while boosting internal processes to improve efficiency,” Captain Ng explains.
The airline also plans to harness the power of AI through the Salesforce Einstein Chatbot, leveraging its ability to utilise natural language processing (NLP) to understand and respond to customer enquiries.
As well as its fully-fledged transformation journey, PAL is making significant upgrades to its fleet. In 2023, the company placed an order for nine Airbus A350-1000s, with options to purchase three more and deliveries starting from Q4 2025 until 2027.
“Similar to the A350-900, an aircraft we already employ in our fleet, the A350-1000s will be the most advanced new-generation aircraft in any Philippine air carrier fleet, and we will equip these with three cabin classes; namely economy, premium economy, and business,” he reveals.
Fleet renewal can equally help reduce environmental impact by using the latest generation of aircraft, which are quieter and more fuelefficient than their predecessors.
“We are working on other fleet renewal plans and will announce new developments in due course,” Captain Ng concludes.
PAL MABUHAY MILES FREQUENT FLYER AND LOYALTY PROGRAMME
‘Mabuhay!’ is a traditional Filipino greeting that means ‘Long live!’ and ‘Welcome!’ It is PAL’s traditional way of greeting passengers and is also the name of its frequent flyer programme, known as Mabuhay Miles.
The term is also used when making ceremonial toasts during happy occasions as a way of saying ‘Cheers!’, and with PAL, there is always something to celebrate.
The rewards system entitles the passenger to ‘miles’ from each flight, which can be redeemed in the form of rewards such as flights (domestic, regional, or international), or service upgrades to business class.
The frequent flyer programme has four different membership tiers –Classic, Elite, Premier Elite, and Million Miler – each with corresponding privileges.
When a customer initially signs up for Mabuhay Miles, they become a member of the Classic tier. However, depending on their travel activity during a calendar year, they can move up or down a tier annually.
Million Miler is the prestigious upper tier for loyal PAL customers who have earned premium privileges. At this high level, customers
LAUNCH OF MANILLA-SEATTLE FLIGHT ROUTE
PAL is proud to be the first airline to directly link the Philippines and the Pacific Northwest area in the US, with continuous flights between Manila and Seattle commencing from October 2024.
Seattle marks PAL’s sixth location in the country, operating the largest network of non-stop flights from the Philippines to the US, also jetting off to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, and Guam.
The direct flights from Seattle and the wider region will help stimulate business and leisure travel in Manila, as over 9,000 Americans visited the Philippines in 2023, making the US the country’s second largest source of tourists.
As such, the new service, which coincides with the plans for an upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, will heavily boost the tourism industry of both nations.
“PAL is happy to say ‘Mabuhay, Seattle!’ Our Manilla-Seattle-Manilla flights give us a valuable opportunity to promote our beautiful island country as a flourishing tourist and business destination for American travellers.
“We also look forward to serving Filipinos who hope to reunite with family members or experience new travel adventures in the vibrant US Pacific Northwest,” excites Captain Ng.
receive top-priority treatment and personalised travel assistance throughout their journey.
PASSENGER PRIVILEGES
As the name suggests, customers must have flown one million cumulative tier/flight miles on PAL and PAL Express in order to become Million Milers.
The privileges offered to customers are not limited to the journey, as they are also available before and after the flight. Additionally, customers are entitled to receive four complementary upgrade certificates each year, in addition to those they have already earned and premium gifts bestowed along the way.
One of the most common ways to earn Mabuhay Miles is to book flights through PAL’s codeshare partners or through its website, where customers can also use a mileage calculator to estimate how many miles they can earn per booking.
Moreover, those who fly often have the option to purchase miles. This feature and can be used for either the customer’s personal account or as a gift.
However, it’s important to note that buying miles does not contribute towards tier advancement, while the maximum number of miles that can be credited to any account within a year is 150,000.
Alternatively, miles can also be earned through transactions with programme partners such as Petron, SMAC, banks including Metrobank, BPI, and BDO, and hotels like Shangri-La and Dusit Hotels and Resorts.
Hotline: (+632) 8539-0000 (+632) 8855-8888
flights.philippineairlines.com
The number one provider of all things IT for your company.
Senco Link Technologies provides total solution systems for various sized enterprises. We are an established provider of the best upscale technology that helps companies increase productivity, improve their efficiency and reduce operation costs.
Be it in the field of advertising, broadcasting, post-production houses, BPO’s, pharmaceutical and others, we supply the right tools and programmes that suit each enterprise’s needs.
Contact us to find out in what other ways we can help you.
KEEPING PEOPLE AND PROPERTY SAFE
Trident Services Australia specialises in tailored service solutions for a diverse range of sectors, including aviation and maritime. We learn how the company partners with airports, airlines, and maritime ports to enhance transport security and protect people, essential services, and critical infrastructure with David Wilkinson, Executive General Manager - Aviation and Maritime Services
Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Ryan Gray
Australia’s facilities service sector is currently undergoing a phase of expansion and evolution.
Indeed, projections indicate substantial growth of around six percent over the next few years, driven by factors such as the integration of technology, adoption of sustainable practices, and the ever-present pressure of controlling costs as well as managing public liability claims.
The latter is leading to a discernible shift in the public sector towards outsourcing companies that have the experience, staff, and technology to mitigate associated risks.
“During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian facilities service industry demonstrated strong resilience, and with the promise of continual growth, it is definitely an exciting time for us at Trident Services Australia (Trident),” opens David Wilkinson, Executive General Manager - Aviation and Maritime Services.
The story of Trident began in 1996 when Director, Perry Dollar, travelled from his home in Zimbabwe to Queensland, Australia to complete his studies.
To support this educational pathway, Dollar began working as a security guard at a shopping centre in Brisbane. Unfortunately, the security firm ran into some difficulties, and at this point, Trident was born.
Although much has changed since then, the company remains privately owned and Australian-operated, and still clings to the honest sense of humble identity drawn from its modest beginnings.
“I believe that this ethos has served the company very well over the years, and we strongly emphasise this with any new management team members,” Wilkinson states.
TAILORED SOLUTIONS
Trident provides tailored service solutions for a variety of sectors, including aviation and maritime, overseen by Wilkinson, as well as government, commercial, retail, events, and more.
With a workforce exceeding 2,500 inspiring employees spread across close to 50 sites throughout Australia, the company delivers toptier security, comprehensive cleaning services, and integrated management solutions.
Backed by an advanced technology platform, it provides robust data analytics for real-time
decision-making, reporting, and risk management.
Ensuring the safety of both people and property is Trident’s primary focus, which it achieves by tailoring its services to clients to enhance the customer experience, championing a culture of safety and security, and actively supporting regulatory compliance and best practices.
“Taking a ‘One Team’ approach, we make sure that we’re not just another contractor, but a true and invested partner in a client’s business,” enthuses Wilkinson.
“We value teamwork that drives outstanding customer results,
ethically growing sustainable partnerships and being authentic by acting with integrity and building trust.”
The organisation likewise trains for excellence and works hard to support personal growth, develop skills, and offer guidance to help individuals reach their goals.
“Our people are integral to everything we do. By choosing Trident, you are partnering with a company dedicated to excellence in every aspect of service delivery,” he adds.
AVIATION AND MARITIME EXPANSION
Trident entered the aviation security sector in 2018, premiering operations along Queensland’s
north-east coast at Proserpine, closely followed by Cairns and Mackay airports. The following year saw the footprint extend to central Australia with Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport in the Northern Territory, which has recently expanded to include cleaning services.
Since that time, Trident has refined its aviation security service offerings. Plus, a proven ability to consistently deliver industry-leading compliance and performance outcomes at site level has positioned it as one of the market frontrunners in the country.
As a result, over the past 18 months, the company has expanded its aviation operations from five airports to 14, equating to a 180 percent increase.
January 2023 also saw Trident enter the maritime sector for the first time, partnering with Darwin Port to provide screening and general maritime security services at the Fort Hill and East Arm wharfs in the Northern Territory.
A few months later, in May 2023, the company was then contracted by Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) to provide aviation security services at the airports of the Gold Coast, Townsville, and Mount Isa.
Not only was this the biggest tender won in Trident’s esteemed 26-year history, but more importantly, it also gained the company another sophisticated client and partner that champions similar values.
Wilkinson asserts the latter can also be said for Brisbane Airport
“WE WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS TO DELIVER SITE-SPECIFIC TRAINING AND PARTNER WITH REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS (RTOS) TO DELIVER TAILORED, FIT-FOR-PURPOSE EDUCATION IN REAL AIRPORT ENVIRONMENTS”
– DAVID WILKINSON, EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER - AVIATION AND MARITIME SERVICES, TRIDENT SERVICES AUSTRALIA
Corporation (BAC), after Trident secured the largest cleaning contract in BAC’s history, covering Brisbane’s domestic, international, and general aviation terminals, as well as its general and direct factory outlet (DFO) carparks, alongside service, airport operations, and air freight centres, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial, Skygate shopping centre, and BAC administration offices.
“Collaborating with Tier 1 and industry-leading companies ensures Trident continues to mature and improve its own systems and processes. These efforts were recently recognised at the Skytrax 2024 Word Airport Awards, with Brisbane Airport winning the Cleanest Airport in the Australia and Pacific Region category.”
Trident is now looking forward to its latest aviation and maritime collaboration with Newcastle Airport Pty Ltd, which commences in July 2024 for the provision of security services.
The facility operates Australia’s sixth-largest regional airport, providing air travel to the people of the Hunter Valley, Central Coast, and northern New South Wales regions.
“For anyone who has not visited the area, do yourself a favour and plan a trip. It’s well worth it, particularly if you enjoy the combination of picturesque countryside and world-class wines,” Wilkinson recommends.
Like every special dish that requires its secret herbs and spices, the same can be said for setting up new contracts to ensure consistent delivery and optimised service standards.
“Ultimately, the proof of the Trident pudding is in the eating, and as such, our successes in the aviation and maritime sectors have been driven through industry recognition, our strong site-based security outcomes, and our focus on training and regulatory compliance,” he notes.
“However, whilst growth is essential for any successful business, we understand the criticality of client retention
and therefore continue to focus on existing client needs and emerging requirements. The company’s brand, and that of our clients, means absolutely everything to us, so we work hard to develop authentic partnerships that drive mutual advocacy.”
SUITE OF PROGRAMMES
From an aviation and maritime services perspective, the project that Wilkinson is most excited by is the upcoming launch of Trident’s Screener Development Programme (SDP), which will provide end-toend visibility, structure, and tools for employees contemplating a long-term screening career with the company.
The programme comes as aviation, freight, and maritime screening has undergone a huge transformation in Australia, particularly over the last five years, including the introduction of a new National Screener Accreditation Scheme and mandatory screener qualifications.
“Perhaps the most important takeaway from this story is that the success of Trident, its proud 26-year history, and recent amazing growth is primarily attributable to our wonderful staff. I want to take this opportunity to thank them publicly.
“Fundamentally, we are a skilled labour hire business, so our company only succeeds on the consistent, high-quality operational outcomes that our staff deliver each and every day –we can’t thank them enough.”
- David Wilkinson, Executive General Manager - Aviation and Maritime Services
“We operate in a highly regulated environment. For this reason, we developed our SDP, supported by a structured Rewards and Recognition Programme, enabled through industry-leading training, enhanced by technology and innovation, and driven by emotionally intelligent leadership,” Wilkinson tells us.
As such, Trident is committed to providing the highest levels of training for its staff.
Specifically, the aviation and maritime services division has a comprehensive suite of programmes covering areas such as threat detection, passenger screening procedures, baggage screening techniques, and emergency response protocols.
“We work with our clients to deliver site-specific training and partner
with RTOs to deliver tailored, fit-forpurpose education in real airport environments,” shares Wilkinson.
“Our contextualised training programmes support all the various roles and functions within our aviation and maritime portfolio, from leadership and culture to customer experience and screener development.”
The company provides its customers with detailed insights into screening technology capabilities, limitations, and their effectiveness in detecting various threats.
It also offers recommendations and solutions for optimising the use of these technologies to enhance aviation security.
Trident’s industry-leading Systems Validation Activity (SVA) programme, meanwhile, focuses on penetration
Leading the way through intelligent cleaning
Shrink large spaces, and triumph over turns with smart, efficient and agile Nilfisk cleaning equipment
Nilfisk: elevate your cleaning standards with a brand you can trust
Maintaining a clean environment is paramount for leaving a positive impression on customers. Nilfisk offers innovative solutions that redefine cleanliness and enhance brand reputation.
With a focus on quality, durability and efficiency, Nilfisk equipment is designed to withstand demanding daily use while maximising productivity. Nilfisk products have unique features that make a big difference.
From durable floor cleaning machines such as autonomous machines, sweepers and scrubber/ dryers that cover large spaces and get into tight corners, to vacuums built to handle materials including wet and dry waste, hazardous or combustible dust and more - Nilfisk’s products deliver exceptional results in any setting.
Experience the transformative power of Nilfisk’s innovative cleaning solutions and elevate your cleaning standards today.
APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT CRUCIAL ROLE DO LOCAL PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS PLAY IN SUPPORTING AND ENHANCING YOUR PROCUREMENT AND OPERATIONAL DELIVERABLES?
David Wilkinson, Executive General Manager of Aviation and Maritime Security:
“By establishing collaborative partnerships with regional and local suppliers, we gain invaluable knowledge and can leverage their networks, expertise, and understanding of site-specific nuances and logistical challenges to ensure continuity of supply chain operations.
“In addition to the mitigation of supply chain and operational disruption, Trident seeks to source employees, goods, and services locally wherever possible that will contribute to the development and economic growth of our local communities. It’s a definite win-win scenario.”
testing in all areas of the aviation ecosystem, from perimeter security and access control points to security screening.
“These activities are not only crucial to maintain compliance with evolving security threats and regulatory changes in the aviation industry, but also to ensure our team is well equipped to respond to security threats effectively, thereby enhancing our overall contribution to the aviation and maritime industry,” Wilkinson enlightens.
INNOVATIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Technology adds value to Trident’s service offerings to enable people to work smarter, more efficiently, and with lower operating costs.
The company works on a continuous business improvement methodology and is always looking at innovative ways to enhance and differentiate its operations.
Business Accelerator 365 (BA365), for example, is Trident’s proprietary incident
management and training software.
BA365 enhances real-time compliance and reporting and provides risk mitigation and benchmark metrics for operational performance.
“The system and reporting dashboards are fully customisable for individual client needs. Data is everything,” emphasises Wilkinson.
To this end, the company’s aviation and maritime division uses technological solutions to enhance delivery across airports, whether it’s training for screening or using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive
“This is a game-changer for our industry and for Trident to monitor and address screening performance anomalies in real time, as well as using this data to produce a digital twin of each screening officer and targeted training programmes to improve screening outcomes,” he acclaims.
Celebrating Our Partnership with Trident Australia
Trident and Windsor Income Protection (WIP) have successfully collaborated to build a comprehensive Income Protection scheme for their staff across Australia. As we enter our 5th year of partnership, we applaud Trident’s leadership for their foresight in providing a unique and relevant staff benefit program. Both organisations are dedicated to further enhancing Trident’s employees' financial and mental well-being, ensuring robust support in the event of serious accidents or illnesses.
Why Choose the WIP Group?
Proven Expertise: As dedicated group insurance specialists, we deliver award-winning products trusted by some of Australia's largest corporations.
Beyond Income Protection: Enhancing Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to boost recruitment, retention, and satisfaction.
Our Services Include:
Innovative Group Insurance Solutions: Customised to meet your needs. Expert Claims Handling: Providing fast and professional claims management.
Strategic Marketing and Consulting Services: Boosting employee engagement, wellness, and productivity. Call us at 1300 547 966 or visit www.wip.com.au
AI partnerships equally provide additional support to the company’s screening officers by using a revolutionary AI-based system that delivers automated and immediate threat detection for X-ray security.
This minimises close contact with bag contents and people, increasing accuracy, efficiency, and throughput.
The capacity to handle screening throughput remotely is yet another example of how Trident harnesses innovation.
“We have the ability to perform remote screening not only within the screening facility, but between separate facilities.
“Trident currently provides multiplexed screening functionality capabilities between Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport, which are around
Using robotics and autonomous devices to achieve better results and lower costs is not just limited to the company’s aviation and maritime stream, but has been applied across its broader business, including cleaners, drones, security, robots, and internet of things (IoT) and smart sensors.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Elsewhere, the effective implementation of sustainable business practices requires a strategic approach that incorporates a combination of technological integration, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to regulatory standards.
Trident’s internal process starts
with an environmental impact assessment to identify key areas where improvements can be made and set goals and reduction targets, such as decreasing carbon emissions, minimising waste, and conserving resources.
“We align these goals with any relevant industry standards and best practices, drive adoption and develop a culture of environmental responsibility through employee training and stakeholder engagement, and look for partnership opportunities at all stages,” outlines Wilkinson.
The company’s targets are also driven externally, usually through its membership and participation in environmental consultative committees and/or local community groups.
River Fire Event Plane against high-rise
“Partnering with clients is essential to sustainable outcomes, which have included recycling bottles and cans with proceeds going to charity, using environmentally-friendly cleaning products and waste management programmes, as well as partnering with suppliers who have similar commitments to ourselves.”
Trident strives to reduce its environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable future for the industry.
Ultimately, this is manifested through supply chain sustainability, green technologies, products, and practices, waste reduction and recycling, a lower carbon footprint, and training and awareness programmes.
Whilst adopting a holistic approach that integrates sustainability into all aspects of operations, Wilkinson is conscious of maintaining the company’s current high level of service and compliance across its existing aviation and maritime streams.
To this end, Trident’s strategic plan is to focus on maturing its existing service offerings and optimising resources – but that does not mean standing still.
“We intend to increase our market share. We believe we are the provider of choice and have planned for selective growth so that we can add value to new clients,” Wilkinson concludes.
This commitment is one of the reasons why Trident has elevated to become one of the four major aviation security screening companies in the country and the only one that is Australian-owned and operated.
The creation of Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd signifies the expansion of specialist well decommissioning services to Australia and Southeast Asia. We find out more about this exciting new endeavour with General Manager, Massimo Delia
Writer: Jack Salter | Project Manager: Joshua Mann
With the growth of its subsurface and well engineering capabilities and the acquisition, refurbishment, and mobilisation of three well decommissioning assets, Well-Safe Solutions (WSS) has gone from strength to strength in Europe.
Now, the decommissioning industry’s first Tier 1 contractor and energy transition specialist focused on well decommissioning is eyeing international growth in several key markets worldwide. WSS has expanded into Asia Pacific,
with Massimo Delia, the MBA-qualified General Manager of Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd, having joined the business in July 2023.
An industry stalwart, Delia brings nearly 25 years of international and multidisciplinary experience in a variety of pipelay/subsea, umbilical, riser, and flowline (SURF) and well abandonment projects from both a commercial and execution stance.
His appointment comes as interest in well decommissioning has solidified. It also reflects WSS’
ambitious growth strategy, a key aspect of which is its commitment to international expansion, as the company strengthens its position as a decommissioning market leader.
“With the vertical growth of the decommissioning market in Australia, and in order to futureproof my career in a sustainable way, I became interested in well decommissioning’’ opens Delia, who is keen to play his part in an exciting new chapter for WSS and has joined at a crucial time in its strategic development.
Founded off the back of a large pipeline of well decommissioning opportunities in the country, WellSafe Solutions Pty Ltd’s Australian office is the first overseas location opened by WSS, whose headquarters is located across the other side of the world in Aberdeen, Scotland.
“The Perth office was opened in August last year, and Well-Safe
Solutions Pty Ltd was registered there at the same time,” outlines Delia.
“We now have an Operations Manager and a Senior Well Abandonment Engineer working alongside me, with one consultancy agreement for a Subsurface Specialist. We are also recruiting for more staff positions.”
In March, WSS also appointed its
first ever Chief Financial Officer as the company continues to deliver its strategic growth plans throughout Asia Pacific and Europe.
LEVERAGING WSS
In its initial assessment of Australia’s offshore oil and gas decommissioning liability, the Centre of Decommissioning Australia
APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT MAKES WELL-SAFE SOLUTIONS PTY LTD THE COMPLETE PACKAGE FOR WELL DECOMMISSIONING IN ASIA PACIFIC?
Massimo Delia, General Manager: “It is the fact that we focus solely on well decommissioning. We have people, assets, processes, procedures, and experience purely in this segment.
“As a consequence, we can realise efficiencies through lessons learned over the years that drilling contractors focused on barrel-adding and occasionally performing well decommissioning can’t achieve.
“At present, there’s no other global business offering this degree of specialism within well decommissioning.”
“WE WILL MAKE OUR FIRST STEPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH OUR WELL ABANDONMENT ENGINEERING STUDIES AND ASSESS THE TIMINGS OF POSSIBLE FURTHER INVESTMENTS FROM THERE”
– MASSIMO DELIA, GENERAL MANAGER, WELL-SAFE SOLUTIONS PTY LTD
ABOUT MASSIMO DELIA
Delia has nearly 25 years of multidisciplinary general management, operational, and commercial experience in the energy sector, having lived and worked across four continents.
As General Manager of Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd, Delia leads the entity’s growth in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Working in this region for the past 12 years and in the well decommissioning sector for the past three, Delia collaborates with clients, stakeholders, and the regulator to achieve safe, smart, and efficient well decommissioning.
Prior to this, Delia spent 12 years working for Saipem in a number of positions up to Subsea Regional Manager. Immediately after completing his university studies, he became an officer in the Italian Army. Delia holds a degree in electrical engineering as well as an MBA from ENI Scuola Superiore Enrico Mattei.
(CODA) has identified more than USD$50 billion of work ahead, circa half of which comprises well decommissioning and pipeline removal.
This includes the abandonment of over 1,000 offshore wells, in addition to a significant onshore decommissioning market.
“The buoyant well decommissioning industry in Asia Pacific is driven by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management
Authority (NOPSEMA), one of the most stringent and dedicated regulators on the planet. NOPSEMA has the power to make sure all operators in Australia adhere to their decommissioning guidelines and honour their decommissioning liabilities,” details Delia.
To partner with regional operators and stakeholders throughout Australia and Asia Pacific, Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd leverages the capabilities and established track record of WSS.
Indeed, 842 wells worldwide already feature WSS’ engineering expertise, with 72 so far either decommissioned or set to be so by the business in the North Sea alone as it capitalises on opportunities presented by the energy transition.
Backed by this vast experience, Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd is therefore ideally placed to deliver on its mission to provide safe, efficient, and collaborative well decommissioning operations globally.
STEPPING INTO SOUTHEAST ASIA
“We have wide visibility across our clients in Asia Pacific. Currently, we are working with the main Australian operators on engineering studies, as well as one of the major national oil companies (NOCs) in Southeast Asia,” Delia discloses.
“There is still so much for WSS to achieve through our international commercial strategy, and we are
positioned for growth into several new markets. Southeast Asia as a region is largely uncharted territory, with huge opportunities when it comes to well decommissioning.
Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd’s high-level strategy is to grow its roots in Australia, where it plans to own and operate a rig by 2026, and use the country as a springboard into Southeast Asia.
“We will make our first steps in the region with our well abandonment engineering studies and assess the timings of possible further investments from there,” outlines Delia.
“Finding the right local partners is certainly the way to go when you enter a new area, especially in Southeast Asia where it is mandated.”
For the rest of 2024 and beyond, the first key priority for Delia and his team is to grow trust in the brand in Asia Pacific through its bespoke engineering studies.
Providing protective coatings
Jotun Paints has been in a partnership with Well-Safe Solutions since the company’s inception.
From the re-fit of the Well-Safe Guardian through to three rigs now in operation, Jotun has supplied protective coatings for the entire fleet and provided technical support throughout this period.
Well-Safe Solutions has utilised Jotun’s innovative Jotamastic Smart Pack system which reduces waste, VOC’s and complexity with 1:1 mix ratios or single component product, suitable for the harsh offshore environment.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Well-Safe solutions in the years to come.
+44 1724 400 000 | info@jotun.co.uk | jotun.com
The company also aims to be involved in tenders for large well decommissioning campaigns in Australia and Southeast Asia as it continues to raise awareness of its offering throughout the region.
For example, in late May, WellSafe Solutions Pty Ltd was one of the lead sponsors of the Australian Energy Producers (AEP) conference in Perth.
In June, the company will also be sponsoring DrillSafe, a forum for sharing health, safety, and environment (HSE) best practices for the Australian onshore and offshore drilling and completion industry.
“We’re also going to exhibit at the Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (APOGCE) in October in Perth and I am looking forward to meeting many prospective clients from Australia and Southeast Asia there. We also have presented on a few separate occasions so far,
including the Decommissioning Offshore Infrastructure Conference, DrillWell, DrillSafe, and Asian Oil and Gas (AOG),” Delia closes.
Efficiently balancing the needs of the Australian oil and gas industry with the nation’s current energy transition, Josie Philips, Regional Director of Petrofac in Australia, tells us how the business provides diligent, end-to-end decommissioning services by leveraging global knowledge
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Joshua Mann
Josie Philips, Regional Director
Australia has witnessed a heightened focus on its energy transition in recent years, which has in turn reduced the amount of foreign and domestic investment into the oil and gas industry.
This has presented significant hurdles to the progression of new development projects, compounded by the increasing debate around offshore regulatory frameworks, which have been sparked by delays to recent significant oil and gas projects.
However, Josie Philips, Regional Director for Petrofac in Australia, argues that the oil and gas sector will in fact play a critical role in the country’s energy transition journey.
“Changes to the current framework are required to clarify consultation requirements and address ambiguity in expectations around offshore environmental management,” she opens.
Nevertheless, the company is also well-positioned to take hold of the emerging decommissioning sector.
“As many oil and gas assets near end-of-life, the challenge of a large clean-up exercise becomes apparent. Alongside mature asset
management, decommissioning is an area where Petrofac excels,” she highlights.
As an industry leader in these services, the company is also active in several mature international basins, such as the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, where it has introduced many new disciplines and innovations.
As such, Petrofac is focused on bringing this expertise home to help the Australian decommissioning sector improve its efficiency, predictability, and safety.
UTILISING INTERNATIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Petrofac’s Australian team operates in unison with its North Sea business in the UK, albeit currently on a smaller scale. The Australia team’s main areas of focus include supporting clients with mature asset management, operations, and maintenance, alongside endto-end decommissioning, diligently conducted by Petrofac’s 100-strong workforce spread across its offices in Perth and Brisbane.
The company’s capabilities also extend to the energy transition space, where it supports clients with
early-stage engineering design for some of the most exciting projects in hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture.
Petrofac operates as an Outsourced Operator under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGS Act), allowing it to hold the safety case for a facility and take on regulatory liability on behalf of the client as an outsourced service.
“This is a process Petrofac pioneered on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) 35 years ago, and we currently operate under this model for various operators around the world,” informs Philips.
The business also stands out due to its unmatched in-house well engineering capabilities and all-encompassing services, including facility preparation for decommissioning alongside removal and well abandonment.
A further high-value asset of the company is its local delivery model. Despite operating globally and applying world-class standards and technologies to its work, the local communities in which it operates remain a priority.
“WHEREVER WE OPERATE, WE AIM TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL ENERGY INDUSTRY AND NOT THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF A FACELESS GLOBAL ORGANISATION”
– JOSIE PHILIPS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, PETROFAC AUSTRALIA
Petrofac employs people from the nearby community, nurtures regional supply chains, and develops local capability, capacity, and talent.
This local delivery model helps Petrofac bid on challenging projects, keep costs at a minimum, reduce risk, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders.
“Wherever we operate, we aim to be a member of the local energy industry and not the representative office of a faceless global organisation,” Philips expresses.
“This is reflected in the make-up of our team, the growing scale of our local offices, our engagement with regional supply chains, and the type of social investments we make.”
APAC OUTLOOK: HOW DO YOU VALUE AND RECOGNISE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOUR TEAM?
Josie Philips, Regional Director:
“Our teams in Australia are some of the most dynamic and collaborative individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
“One of the key areas of focus for me is always providing transparent communication to the team, whether that be good news or challenges faced. I find that providing regular, clear communication also helps to empower people. Recognition comes in many forms, from verbal to social events and, of course, compensation. Our teams are very proactive at highlighting the successes of their colleagues, which helps keep morale high.
“The great thing about working at Petrofac is that you will always be given opportunities to take initiative, prove yourself, and shine.”
NORTHERN ENDEAVOUR
Petrofac’s Northern Endeavour decommissioning project was a breakthrough operation for the company, putting it on the industry map in Australia.
Given the age of the field and its assets, the project was a complex undertaking that involved meticulous planning, plenty of stakeholder engagement, and close collaboration with the regulators to obtain consent for each step.
Although the operation was supported by Petrofac’s global entities, the project team in Perth worked closely with several locally based supply chain partners.
“The first major milestone came in October 2022 when, following an intensive programme of due diligence and the necessary regulatory approvals, we officially took over operatorship of Northern Endeavour,” recalls Philips.
This demonstrated Petrofac’s ability to act as an outsourced operator and execute a major project offshore in Australia, which indicated significant growth from its previous domestic activities.
Elsewhere, the company is excited about commencing a preliminary front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) contract with Hexagon Energy Materials for its low-emission ammonia facility in Pilbara, a remote area of Western Australia.
The facility will be home to Hexagon’s flagship WAH2 project that aims to meet the rising demand for low-emission ammonia in the Asian market.
In support of the oil and gas
industry’s place in renewable energies, low-emission ammonia has a significant role to play in the journey to carbon-free energy in the power generation sector, leading to a projected surge in demand for the gas over the next decade.
The project will be located on Hexagon’s 40-hectare site in the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area (SIA) and will serve key markets in Japan and South Korea while also providing for domestic Australian users.
“It’s a good indication of our credentials in the energy transition space, as well as our success in applying our established strengths in hydrogen and gas handling for this type of plant,” Philips comments.
SUPPORTING LOCAL SUPPLIERS
Northern Endeavour requires more than 80 suppliers to ensure its success, which demonstrates
the extent to which a large roster of competent suppliers is a vital necessity for Petrofac.
“First and foremost, our focus is to work with the local supply chain. Where these services do not exist locally or are over-stretched, we look to supplement and complement local capabilities with global suppliers,” explains Philips.
The company is also attracting trusted suppliers that Philips believes will be a good fit for the local market and extend its capacity and knowledge.
Furthermore, as a globally connected team, Petrofac has the advantage of tapping into the expertise of other regions for guidance and vendor recommendations worldwide.
“Although decommissioning is a new challenge in Australia, leveraging the extensive experience of our international colleagues allows us to confidently engage with vendors
PETROFAC AUSTRALIA AT A GLANCE
CLEAR SOLUTIONS FOR COMPLEX FLUIDS
CETCO Energy Services (CETCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI), is the trusted partner to oil and gas operators worldwide for treating problematic fluids and measuring well performance. Leveraging decades of experience, CETCO efficiently manages projects for customers from exploration through production to final decommissioning.
CETCO is the global expert with 16 worldwide locations in 10 countries, offering proprietary media blends and technologies combined with in-house engineering, project management, research, and development to reduce costs and increase production while ensuring safety and compliance.
CETCO Australia has partnered with Petrofac to successfully deliver a treatment solution for inventoried slops and flushing water for the Northern Endeavour FPSO Decommissioning Project. A three-stage onshore PilotScale treatment study was developed using our proprietary CrudeSorb®, GAC, and Hi-Flow® Advanced Coalescing Technology to ensure a robust and effective treatment solution.
Our proprietary Mercury Removal technology, CrudeSorb® MR, differentiated CETCO from our competitors, enabling CETCO to secure the project.
If Mercury was detected, CrudeSorb® MR media canisters could be easily mobilised to replace the media blend of CrudeSorb® and GAC, showcasing the adaptability of CETCO’s treatment solutions.
CETCO continues supporting the partnership, providing a subsea leak repair system for the project.
Baldwin Group NT
With more than 15 years of experience in refrigeration and air conditioning, and more than 40 years of experience in electrical services, Baldwin Group NT provides specialist capabilities to the oil and gas, defence, and marine industries.
We specialise in heavy marine and offshore air conditioning, refrigeration and electrical solutions, including design, installation, and service, and the procurement and supply of parts and equipment. We also provide a 24/7 breakdown service for both onshore and offshore operations, working on defence vessels, transport cruisers, fishing vessels, ferries, onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities, and refrigerated containers.
“WE ARE A LEADER IN PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE, AND WITH A CLIENT-CENTRIC ETHOS, WE NURTURE INNOVATION AND VALUE CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING”
– JOSIE PHILIPS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, PETROFAC AUSTRALIA
not yet present in the region. This collaboration enables us to efficiently fulfil our project scopes,” she elaborates.
Elsewhere, the company’s project success can be attributed to its approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Petrofac is determined to help its clients deliver the energy transition in a way that brings mutual benefits to their people, projects, and communities.
In addition to the company’s local delivery model, Petrofac is committed to ensuring its staff are valued and
operate with an open mindset.
“As a people-based business, we care deeply about personal and professional development in a culture that embraces diversity. Moreover, we are a leader in protecting the safety and well-being of our people, and with a client-centric ethos, we nurture innovation and value creative problem-solving.”
In line with the efficient and safe delivery of its current endeavours, Petrofac hopes that the many energy transition projects it supports will gain further traction and progress into the development stages.
“Our local teams have been doing a lot of upskilling in the background to ensure we are ready to assist our customers with preparing for and operating in the energy transition. It would be fantastic to see that materialise,” Philips reveals.
Meanwhile, the company strives to further expand its local teams and provide greater opportunities for Petrofac’s existing employees.
“People are at the core of our business and our most valuable asset. We already have a strong and diverse team locally, so I’m excited to see where the future can take us,” she concludes.
BRINGING ENERGY TO THE COMMUNITY BRINGING ENERGY TO THE COMMUNITY
Proudly celebrating 20 years of helping to keep South Australia’s lights on, Eric Bardy, CEO of SEA Gas, tells us about the company’s history of transporting natural gas and its innovative plans for the future
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Joshua Mann
Having recently marked its 20th anniversary of operations and exceptional service, SEA Gas is proud to have built an infrastructure that has come to form a critical component of South Australia and Victoria’s energy security.
Helping to keep the lights on and more since 2004, the company boasts an impressive history of innovation,
teamwork, and industry leadership. Established in 2002 to develop, own, and operate the 700 kilometre (km) underground, high-pressure natural gas pipeline transmission system from Port Campbell in Victoria, connecting the Otway and Bass Basins to Adelaide in South Australia, the company plays a critical role in the country’s oil and gas sector.
ENERGY COMMUNITY ENERGY COMMUNITY
“SEA Gas was conceived to deal with a surplus of gas from Western Victoria and provide an alternative supply to Adelaide’s gas-fired power generators and distribution network,” introduces Eric Bardy, CEO.
Transporting large volumes of natural gas to major delivery points,
primarily for power generation but also servicing industrial users, the company operates from its head office in Adelaide with a team of 50 staff who work diligently to manage, operate, and maintain its infrastructure.
SEA Gas is co-owned by APA
Group, an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Top 50 company, and Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST), an industry superannuation fund, enabling a multitude of benefits for the business to draw upon for its operations.
“The owners of the two companies
provide a depth of expertise in the strategic management of both infrastructure and investment,” divulges Bardy.
As a direct result of this collaborative effort and dedication to continual improvement, SEA Gas is able to work towards its vision
“WE CONTINUE TO SEE OURSELVES AS AN ASSET THAT IS HELPING TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE OPERATE”
– ERIC BARDY, CEO, SEA GAS
of being the best infrastructure company linking Australia.
20 YEARS OF QUALITY SERVICE
Recently appointed CEO in October 2023, Bardy brings to the role more than 30 years of experience across all elements of the oil and gas industry,
having successfully led teams of different sizes and compositions in a variety of settings.
Having acquired valuable knowledge in operational and management roles at SA Power Networks, Santos Ltd, and ExxonMobil, he spent the last seven
years as Head of Operations at SEA Gas and comes with a deep understanding of the transmission pipeline business, intent on confidently leading the enterprise into the future.
“We provide gas haulage and storage services for our transmission pipeline system, specifically receiving gas from producers in Western Victoria and delivering it to a range of power stations, industrial users, and distribution networks,” summarises Bardy.
The primary function of the company’s pipeline system is to ensure the safe, reliable transportation of high-pressure gas, which subsequently serves approximately 50 percent of Adelaide’s natural gas needs.
SEA Gas operates three different pipelines across Southern Australia, including the Port Campbell to
Adelaide (PCA) pipeline, the Port Campbell to Iona (PCI) pipeline, and the Mortlake pipeline.
PCA is the main pipeline within the company’s extensive system, stretching approximately 680km across the country and consisting of two compressor stations located at Coomandook and Miakite.
This system incorporates a number of laterals owned and operated by SEA Gas, together with associated
SEA Gas’ vision and purpose
Vision: To be the best and most reliable infrastructure company linking Australia.
Purpose: To work diligently to bring energy to the community.
facilities such as connection point infrastructure and all the equipment required to operate the crucial pipeline system.
Additionally, the company provides pipeline services with marketreflective pricing to deliver the natural gas from multiple source points to the required destination, alongside offering capacity trading and dayahead auction services for the PCA and PCI pipelines.
HELPING KEEP THE LIGHTS ON
Currently, SEA Gas is working towards converting its pipeline to a bi-directional flow – a significant operation that will progress the company’s capabilities towards an innovative future.
“This project is key to delivering energy security to both South Australia and Victoria,” enthuses Bardy.
Distribution network delivery point in Cavan, Adelaidet
SEA Gas Partners with Industrial Defender for OT Security and Compliance
Trustworthy data is the bedrock of OT security and compliance. Partnering with Industrial Defender, SEA Gas gains comprehensive visibility and a deeper understanding of their OT environment, bolstering their security and compliance efforts.
Through Industrial Defender’s centralised OT security and compliance platform, SEA Gas is able to manage their OT assets in line with established baselines and security best practices.
Industrial Defender goes beyond basic asset inventory, detailing configurations, vulnerabilities, and changes, offering deeper, actionable insights into the OT landscape. By automating data collection through Industrial Defender, SEA Gas is equipped with vital data that is readily available, accurate, and easily accessible, enhancing the company’s resilience against cybersecurity and operational risks.
“Sourcing gas either from Northern Australia via the Moomba to Adelaide Pipeline System (MAPS) or through a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, gas will flow through our pipeline into Victoria and be stored for peak day use in South Australia.
“We will be a critical component of the energy transition, transporting gas to be used for firming renewable energy well into the future.”
This project will expand the company’s 20-year history of dedication and hard work to continually provide energy and keep the lights on for communities across the nation.
Equally important to both SEA Gas’ past and present is its relationship with supply partners.
“As a small organisation, our supply partners for both materials
“WE
services are key to our success. We don’t always have specific expertise in-house, so we rely on our service partners to provide their skills and knowledge to ensure we maintain operations to the highest standards,” explains Bardy.
These long-term relationships extend to its valued members of staff who keep the company operating smoothly on a daily basis.
– ERIC BARDY, CEO, SEA GAS
SEA CHANGE
SEA Change represents the company’s commitment to making a positive and lasting difference for stakeholders and the local communities in which it operates.
• Sustainable communities –Providing support through environmental initiatives and promoting health and well-being.
• Education – Supporting the creation of job opportunities and helping to develop and retain talent in the local community through education and awareness programmes.
• Arts – Bringing people together through arts, culture, and heritage activities.
“We have a highly dedicated workforce that cares about ensuring we get it right every day, and with such an intimate team, everyone is given the opportunity to make an impact on the business,” expands Bardy.
Despite SEA Gas’ relatively small staff size, it has a big focus on diversity and inclusion, believing that promoting an equitable workspace engenders a strong culture and promotes positive business outcomes.
GASSED FOR THE FUTURE
SEA Gas has been able to differentiate itself from the competition in a number of ways throughout the years.
“We are unique because we are small, independent, and have always been privately owned,” states Bardy.
Along with the close-knit nature that the company has embedded into its DNA, SEA Gas proudly
SEA Gas executive team
incorporates an eco-friendly approach into all of its pipeline services by monitoring its asset footprint through a stringent, regulator-approved sustainability management plan.
“We have recently adopted a net zero aspiration for 2050, and are actively working on reducing emissions to meet our interim 2030 targets,” expands Bardy.
SEA Gas aspires to lead the standards for public, employee, and contractor safety, while valuing sustainability in its approach to environmental management.
This desire for a better future extends to the company’s involvement with a variety of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, including supporting organisations such as the Adelaide Mechanical Engineering Student Society (AMESS), the University of Adelaide Chemical
Abrasive Blasting, Industrial Coatings, Powder Coating, On-site Works
Engineering Society (Chems Adelaide), the Warrnambool and Murry Bridge Agricultural Shows, the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, and Men’s Sheds.
“We also sponsor different enterprises through our SEA Change programme, helping local communities, educational institutions, and the arts,” prides Bardy.
To encourage the next generation of engineers and ensure the successful future of the oil and gas industry, the company also runs an annual summer internship programme for local engineering students, exposing them to a wide range of activities and experiences.
As SEA Gas looks towards the future of an ever-evolving industry, it ultimately seeks to continue to be an asset for the Australian energy sector by helping to keep the lights on throughout the communities in which it operates.
“Over the last five years, the energy industry has moved from a steady and nearly invisible part of the community to constantly being in the media,” concludes Bardy.
SEA Gas is ready to face whatever challenges there may be and pave the way for an innovative, sustainable, and reliable future.
Tel: 8236 6800
info@seagas.com.au
seagas.com.au
Unit 7, 34 Adam St, Hindmarsh SA 5007,
PCCP Accredited 1-6 (No 233) Nace Coating Inspector Level 1 (CIP No 13390)
Discover our exclusive content, delivered straight to your inbox
As mining organisations worldwide confront unprecedented change, embracing technological innovations and incorporating critical environmental sustainability agendas, now more than ever is the time to showcase the strides being taken in this dynamic sector.
A multi-channel brand, Mining Outlook brings you the positive developments driven by organisations across the global mining industry through its various platforms.
Discover exclusive content distributed through its website, online magazine, social media campaigns and digital dispatches, delivered straight to your inbox with a bi-weekly newsletter.
Through these compelling media channels, Mining 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.
Since the beginning of civilisation, earth’s resources have been mined and subsequently used to make energy, manufacture, and create wealth and trade. Contract Mining has been a part of this in some form or another.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and the global mining industry is booming, as a multitude of elements and rare minerals are in high demand as a direct result of the introduction of new technologies, energy solutions, and goods that are required across
the world. Today, contract mining services play a major role in mine site development, the extraction of ore, and mine site rehabilitation – through to mine closure works.
Mining in Australia is a vast industry that remains famous worldwide due
UNEARTHING AUSTRALIA’S MINING POTENTIAL
BUMA Australia has a vision to build a modern mining and rehabilitation company, that drives growth, sustainability, and prosperity. We dig deeper into the company’s story with Chief Operating Officer, Russell Taylor and General Manager- Rehabilitation, Ngaire Tranter
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
to its fascinating history, power in the export market, and its role as a trendsetter in ‘futureproofing’ the wider mining sector.
Furthermore, the high quantity of mining sites in the country means that the industry provides a sizable
prospective job market for Australian citizens, as well as for the number of foreign workers who want to work in the field due to its esteemed global standing.
The Australian mining industry has become more efficient at extracting
maximum product but in a more sustainable way. No longer is mine site rehabilitation an afterthought to mine development, it is planned for at the pre-feasibility stage of the mine life cycle. New technologies are being embraced in rehabilitating mined
Back to The Future in Transportation
Acompany with old-fashioned values is delivering modern and innovative approaches to BIBO services and mine fleet hire with environmental standards at the forefront.
L&F Transfers are in the business of getting people where they need to be, safely, in comfort, and on time.
At a time when the safety and wellbeing of staff is at the forefront of every procurement manager’s mind, choosing a company that prides itself on safety, reliability and professionalism is essential.
L&F provides not only this, but a flexible and dynamic approach to transport solutions and a focus on building strong relationships with clients.
L&F offers total passenger solutions and management.
Currently servicing Queensland and South Wales, with a strong presence in Central Queensland.
Our depots and workshops
• Yeppoon
• Blackwater
• Emerald
• Charters Towers
• Gin Gin
Founder and CEO Lindsey Ward’s foundation partnership was with the John Holland Group at the Jellinbah Plains mine, owned by the Jellinbah Group. Today the partnership is stronger than ever with an ongoing commitment that will see them through to 20 years of collaboration. Thanks to continued partnerships with industry leading companies such as Jellinbah, BUMA, Sojitz, NQM and Evolution to name a few, the Yeppoon based business continues to thrive and grow.
General Manager, Nathan Turner, has been with the company for five years and in that time, he’s overseen rapid growth and the expansion from bus services exclusively into mine fleet hire. L&F Fleet Hire has grown to more than 80 fleet hire vehicles from five to 57 seaters.
“We have focused on providing highly adaptable and reliable workforce transport solutions to support the mining and resources industry and local communities,” Nathan said.
“We do not keep coaches older than five years in our fleet. In fact, we aim to turn our fleet over at three years. We do this to ensure reliability, safety, and lower emissions. This year we’ve taken ownership of six Yutong C12 Clean Euro 6 emission compliant engine coaches.
“These coaches are equipped with state-ofthe-art technology including advanced safety systems and the best fuel efficiency on the market resulting in a minimum of 20 percent reduction in emissions. In every new bus we also install a Guardian driver monitoring system, a driver fatigue, distraction and accident prevention solution. We also have the ability to access live stream CCTV.
“It is undeniable that our partnership with our customers is our strength and superpower.”
“We take the view that every person on every seat is our client and it’s our responsibility to get them home safely” Nathan said.
L&F Transfers gives back to the communities in which it works, providing thousands of kilometres of bus and coach transfers every year.
VALUES:
• Safety is our number one priority: we ensure everyone makes it to their destination safely.
• We’re on time, every time – 15 minutes leeway is our limit, or it’s free
• We’re available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• We’re professional - you can expect honesty, integrity and transparency when dealing with us.
• We provide good old-fashioned service that is personal, courteous, genuine, and friendly.
SAFE, RELIABLE, AVAILABLE, PROFESSIONAL AND GREAT SERVICE
L&F Fleet Hire’s main operation is in Central Queensland, but it offers services right across Queensland and New South Wales, providing:
• Mine-compliant light vehicles
o 4WD Wagons
o 4WD Utes
o 4WD and 2WD HiAce’s
• Buses and coaches
• Tailored fleet solutions
• Network of mechanical workshops
• Highest standards for safety, reliability, and functionality
• 4WD bus conversion kits – they are the Central Queensland dealer for EnduroCo.
L&F Fleet Hire provides safe, efficient and adaptable fleet hire to support the mining and resources industry and local communities.
APAC OUTLOOK: HOW DO YOU EMPOWER YOUR STAFF AND RECOGNISE THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY MAKE?
Ngaire Tranter, General Manager:
“People are our greatest strength at BUMA and remain central to our ongoing success. We provide meaningful career development opportunities for our employees so that they feel both challenged and fulfilled at work.
“We are a beliefs-driven organisation, and we believe that our commitment to our core values of safety, integrity, progress, collaboration, and people further facilitate the process of creating a positive work experience for all of our staff.”
areas and also in the monitoring and maintenance of the rehabilitated land.
The mining industry currently finds itself in a dynamic period of change, as the collective focus has turned to developing efficient mechanisms to manage environmental and social considerations, whilst maximising resource extraction.
Additionally, the industry as a whole is striving for an enhanced quality of rehabilitation as opposed to a focus simply on obtaining quantity.
BUMA Australia (BUMA) is well placed to provide this high-quality rehabilitation delivery and practices, which is demonstrated by the work it has conducted for clients in the past, and present and will continue to do so in the future.
“With the increase in prescriptive compliance in environmental licensing, we’re currently working closely with our clients in the implementation space to essentially operationalise planning documentation that is designed for
seeking environmental approvals and associated licensing,” introduces Ngaire Tranter, General ManagerRehabilitation of BUMA.
AUSTRALIA: A HISTORICAL MINING GIANT
At present, approximately 1.2 million people are employed in the Australian mining industry, with the sector’s net worth of exported resources totalling an estimated AUD$160 billion.
Existing as a nation with an abundant supply of metals and materials, the country has naturally enjoyed a long and successful mining history, dating back to its first human habitation around 60,000 years ago.
The First Nations people initiated Australia’s first-ever mining operations, which included fossicking for stones suitable for weapons and tools and digging for ochre. This was then used for making pigments for the paint used in rock art and body painting, forming an integral part of their culture and distinctly unique heritage.
AUSTRALIA’S TOP MINING RESOURCES
As seen throughout its past, Australia is home to a wealth of materials that the nation has mined and exported to help drive its economy. Historically, the top four mining resources have been:
IRON ORE – Australia has been exporting iron ore, its most significant source of export revenue, since the 1960s, first helping to support Japan’s post-war redevelopment.
COAL – Australia is the biggest coal exporter in the world. As well as being vitally important to the export market, coal helps fuel the country and is primarily used to produce around 80 percent of the nation’s electricity needs.
Australia’s biggest coal mine is Peak Downs, located in the Bowen Basin in Queensland.
GOLD – With a history of gold rushes and an abundance of gold resources, it is no surprise that Australia continues to be a prominent focus in the world’s growing demand for gold. In 2021 alone, the country’s gold exports totalled 257 tonnes.
Its biggest gold mines are in Western Australia (WA), including the Boddington Gold Mine, and the Kalgoorlie Super Pit. As the country holds the title of the largest gold mine reserve in the world, there is no sign of Australia’s gold mine industry slowing down any time soon.
URANIUM – Australia is the world’s fourth largest producer of uranium, behind Canada, Namibia, and Kazakhstan, and holds 28 percent of the world’s known recoverable uranium resources. Due to the potential uses of the material, Australia exports it worldwide to countries that have agreed to use uranium for peaceful purposes only.
Later, upon the arrival of European settlers to Australia, the process of large-scale mining truly began. The first reported discovery of coal occurred in 1791 and was found by a family of escaped convicts, William and Mary Bryant, and their children.
This defining discovery was unearthed just three years after the arrival of the first fleet of settlers. The exact location of the find is unknown, but it is believed to have been located in Glenrock Lagoon in the Newcastle and Hunter regions of New South Wales (NSW).
Eight years later in 1799, coal was being exported with shipments that were sent regularly to India, thus initiating a long and prosperous history of exporting mined materials.
Lead mining began in 1841, which was shortly followed by copper in 1842. Both resources were regarded as monumental developments for the Australian economy, with the subsequent gold rush era in the 1850s catapulting the nation firmly onto the global map.
Finding the Right Mining Solution for You
Over the past six years, Ostwald Steele Electrical Pty Ltd (OSE) has operated heavily across the East Coast of Australia as one of BUMA Australia’s key partners through delivering high-quality professional trade labour, developing safety improvement products, efficiency solutions, and being utilised as the leading electrical contractor on various infrastructure projects within its operations.
Having developed and continually growing a solid team of value-driven professionals, OSE covers much more than just mining equipment maintenance. The company is known for its ability to resolve complex issues through ‘Expanding Solutions’ paired with the belief that anything is possible.
OSE’s mission to provide elite maintenance trade services and industry solutions for mining, commercial, industrial, and residential operations and contractors is achieved alongside BUMA Australia and has played a huge part in the growth and diversification of OSE’s services offered to BUMA and the wider industry.
Having diversified teams specialising in their own unique fields - mining maintenance, electrical contracting, and product R&D, OSE’s team comprises multiple trades and industryrelated talent, i.e., electricians, HD fitters and mechanics, auto electricians, refrigeration mechanics, servicemen, and apprentices. Externally, OSE partners with quality and valuealigning companies as a strength in its product development and infrastructure fields.
Having a permanent workforce allows OSE to invest in its people and their careers, resulting in a team of professionally developed tradespeople who remain consistent in innovation, quality, and efficiency while greatly assisting with closing the trade shortage gap by cross-training and upskilling its workforce in overlapping trade and industry fields.
MINING MAINTENANCE
OSE prides itself on machine availability and increasing companies’ overall productivity.
What sets the company apart is knowing and understanding the value and importance attached to having a wellmaintained and readily available fleet of equipment operating at maximum capacity on a consistent basis. Having internal targets clearly communicated to both the team and clients, OSE delivers results from the ground up, maintaining a smooth mining and production operation for every client.
Specifically, the company has a professional focus on electrical technology and equipment advancements across various industries and a solution focus on upskilling its workforce to align with the evolving needs of its clients. OSE invests heavily in cross-training electrical and mechanical fields, offering dual trade apprenticeships to ensure its people are as technically skilled and knowledgeable as possible on heavy equipment electrical adaptation. OSE is known for providing extra value to its client’s maintenance operations and always maintaining a positive company culture.
With a deep understanding of defect management, machine
With a deep understanding of defect management, machine schedules, and thorough preventative maintenance, OSE reliably ensures the highest level of maintenance for every mining fleet. With continuous advancement and innovation, the OSE team operates with the utmost attention to detail to achieve fast diagnosis and repair of any and all breakdowns, ensuring minimal downtime and protecting operational yield. With values that include the promotion of integrity and transparency, solutions and success, risk management and a safe environment, and the professional development of the people who encompass OSE, the company is set to be the leading global resource for professional trade skills and industry solutions within the energy sector.
PROTECTING PEOPLE WITH pLEV™
With silicosis currently playing a dominant role in mine workers’ health deterioration, professional bodies, including the QLD mines inspectorate and regulatory bodies, identified an area of high exposure to hazardous respirable substancesthe practice of cleaning fine dust from electrical components. After this discovery, OSE went searching for a solution to ensure the protection of its team and industry professionals.
Co-developed with Australia’s leading air quality engineers Synergetics, the pLEV™ system (portable Local Exhaust Ventilation) is an air-operated cleaning system used to effectively clean electrical cabinets and components on electro-mechanical mobile plant and mining equipment. pLEV™ can be adapted to most mining air cleaning tasks where dust exposure is a concern, including:
• Electrical cabinets
• Switchboards
• Electric motors
• Alternators
• MG sets
• Drive motors
• Grids
The pLEV™ system works by creating negative pressurecontrolled environments in electrical cabinets. Dust is disturbed using the pLEV™ SmartLance and extracted safely and effectively using the pLEV™ Extractor.
pLEV™ Extractor is responsible for creating the negative pressure environment and the safe extraction of airborne dust. It has a dual-stage extraction fan that directs airflow through a HEPA-13-rated filtration system before then being released into the atmosphere as clean air. The portable extraction unit weighs under 14kg, is easy to work with and light to wear.
pLEV™ SmartLance HP (high pressure) enables the use of compressed air in the extraction environment. It features illumination, multivariable sensors for failsafe operation and optional cloud-based reporting. The SmartLance monitors particle exposure through air quality sensors with failsafe shutdown technology at the ready if an unlikely exposure event occurs. Negative pressure sensors are fitted to the SmartLances to prevent use outside the operational environment and to avoid accidental exposures.
pLEV™ SmartLance EX (exhaust) houses all the same safety and failsafe technology as the SmartLance HP but uses exhaust air directly from the Extractor to dislodge dust. Intended for use as a field unit, this air supply option allows for easier transportation due to the elimination of the need for compressed air.
pLEV™ Covers are lightweight, durable, and tailored to most common electrical cabinets and components. The covers are used to seal the cabinet to create a negative pressure extraction environment and minimising the risk of potential dust exposure. pLEV™ Covers are designed to give the operator a clear view of inside the cabinet so that they can see what they are cleaning.
The pLEV™ system improves the health and safety of all those who work daily in mining maintenance by preventing hazardous dust exposures that occur through traditional cleaning practices on electrical cabinets and components.
EXPANDING SOLUTIONS
At its core, OSE is driven by the purpose of expanding solutions, dedicating itself daily to the growth of skills, safety, and technical expertise among its team. With a forwardlooking approach, OSE has evolved its services to align with the global shift towards cleaner living, emerging as a leader in comprehending, maintaining, and repairing electro-drive equipment and technology across various industry sectors.
The company’s commitment to sustainability is complemented by its investment in a permanent workforce.
This strategic choice not only fosters a team of consistently innovative and skilled tradespeople but also positions OSE at the cutting edge of technology. Through continuous research and development, OSE tackles challenges with a solution focused mindset, producing new technology and equipment that expands solutions and delivers optimal outcomes for clients.
The heart of OSE’s success lies in its unparalleled expertise in maintaining operational fleets and enhancing machine availability through defect management, machine schedules, and preventative maintenance, thus boosting overall
OSTWALD STEELE ELECTRICAL PTY LTD SERVICES
MINING AND INDUSTRIAL
• OSE offers a comprehensive range of services to industrial and mining companies, including electrical infrastructure projects and electrical contracting to specialised mining equipment maintenance contracts.
• With nearly a decade of experience in mining and remote electrical work, the company confidently offers everything from basic electrical installations to complex electrical repairs and system upgrades including renewable energy options and standalone power gen systems.
COMMERCIAL
• OSE is a trusted provider of commercial electrical services, offering quality electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
• With experienced and certified electricians on staff, OSE provides comprehensive and reliable electrical solutions to meet any commercial need.
RESIDENTIAL
• With expertise in lighting, power, maintenance, and smart home systems, OSE offers comprehensive solutions tailored for homes, sheds, and outdoor areas.
• Whether it’s a new build, renovation, landscaping, or electrical upgrade, the team has the knowledge to bring any idea to life.
productivity for its clients. Internal targets, transparently communicated, serve as guiding lights, ensuring seamless mining and production operations. OSE’s unique focus on electrical technology advancements, workforce upskilling, and cross-training amplifies the company’s commitment to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and safety standards.
In response to the industry-wide challenge of silicosis and OSE’s commitment to protecting people, OSE collaborated with partners, including Synergetics, to pioneer the groundbreaking pLEV™ system. This portable Local Exhaust Ventilation system redefines safety standards, offering a meticulous solution for cleaning electrical cabinets and components, vastly minimising the risk of hazardous mining dust exposure from these tasks. Components like the pLEV™ Extractor, SmartLance HP, SmartLance EX, and Covers truly showcase OSE’s dedication to health and safety advancement.
OSE’s journey is marked by the cultivation of a team of value-driven professionals, a testament to its commitment to ‘Expanding Solutions’ and fostering a positive company culture. This ethos propels the company beyond the confines
of mere mining equipment maintenance, positioning it as a leader in resolving intricate challenges with an unwavering belief in the attainability of anything. OSE’s scope now spans mining, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, made possible by a permanent workforce committed to unwavering innovation, quality, and efficiency.
BUMA COMPANY VALUES
BUMA’s vision is to build a modern mining and rehabilitation company, that drives growth, sustainability, and prosperity. The basis of this vision is the core values of safety, integrity, collaboration, people, and progress.
PEOPLE – BUMA’s greatest strength is its people, and the company recognises their history and values how they shape its future.
SAFETY – BUMA is dedicated to working safely and believes this is a mindset, a way of thinking, and a commitment to the well-being of its people, communities, and the environment.
INTEGRITY – The company is founded on good people doing good things. “We do what we say we are going to do” isn’t just a tagline for BUMA, as the company always deliver on its promises.
COLLABORATION – BUMA actively seeks collaboration with all stakeholders to find common solutions and positive outcomes.
PROGRESS – The company pursues growth and sees change as an essential part of its journey.
Gold was first discovered in NSW in 1823, and in the decades following, more and more influential finds were dug up across Australia.
The exciting news of the discovery of gold spread worldwide, and as people began emigrating to the country in huge numbers, population growth increased exponentially alongside fresh agricultural and industrial development. The transformations of the 1850s saw Australia producing approximately a staggering 40 percent of the world’s gold supply.
However, during the first half of the 20th century, the nation witnessed
a steady decline in mining activity, with new mineral finds becoming more and more scarce. Subsequently, during the second half of the century, Australia once again witnessed a resource boom, with discoveries including nickel, oil, natural gas, and uranium. These prominent discoveries prompted a resurrection of global interest in the country’s mineral resources.
AUSTRALIA: KEY MINING LOCATIONS
With abundant resources, it is no surprise that mining is so prevalent throughout Australia.
Specifically, Western Australia (WA) is widely considered the epicentre of Australian mining and a major force in the industry worldwide. It is home to a vast number of natural resources and some of the country’s largest mines
WA currently plays host to 98 percent of Australia’s iron ore and 60 percent of the country’s gold reserves. These plentiful resources mean that at present, more than 20,000 people in WA work in the mining industry.
These are particularly exciting times for the Queensland mining sector, as growing demand has meant that explorations for new mines have begun in the north and east of the state, with the potential to create even more jobs in the future.
In the 2021/22 financial year, the Queensland mining industry contributed a record AUD$94.6 billion to the Australian economy.
Staggeringly, despite its large number of mines and impressive economic contribution, the industry only takes up 0.1 percent of the state’s surface area.
Victoria, meanwhile, continues to play a significant part in the country’s mining history. In 1851, gold was discovered in Ballarat, which triggered the gold rush that gripped the country and the wider world. It is still a key location for the production of gold, brown coal, mineral sands and antimony today, and is filled with great potential for future mineral exploration.
Mineral projects play an important role in regional development within Victoria, whilst mining creates lucrative employment for regional Australians and supports a broad supply chain of businesses.
The state is additionally home to the Fosterville Gold Mine, the largest gold mine in Victoria. Exploration also proceeds elsewhere, such as in Glen Wills, an isolated mountain area near Mitta Mitta in north-east Victoria.
Recently, a spotlight has been placed on the growing demand for
green energy alternatives and battery technologies. Therefore, mineral exploration is widely underway with a particular focus on vanadium and lithium.
AN EXPLOSIVE START FOR BUMA
BUMA was established in 2021, to acquire the Open Cut Mining Business of Downer. This acquisition included the transition of all people, mining services contracts, assets, systems, and IP from a business that successfully provided mining services in diverse locations across many commodities since 1922.
In only two years of operating as BUMA, 750 new employees have joined the business, the number of operations has increased by 57 percent, and the size of the business has doubled. BUMA has exploded onto the Australian market and further strategic growth is planned.
BUMA’s rapid growth has been based on the quality of services that it provides its clients and its strict adherence to the company’s core values. BUMA pursues a relationship-based long-term approach and willingness to work with clients to ensure the mutual success of all projects.
“Ensuring we provide value to our clients through all stages of mining, including rehabilitation, is a mainstay of our business,” Taylor informs us.
With a strong focus on delivering optimal outcomes for our clients and a strong commitment to safety, innovation, and technology BUMA Australia has quickly become one of Australia’s leading mining contractors.
BUMA AUSTRALIA: DELIVERY AND COMMITMENT
BUMA is an established mining services provider currently operating several long-term contracts within Queensland. The company has been providing mining services for 75 years and has established, numerous longterm relationships within the industry.
“THE KEY TO OUR CONTINUED CONTRACT SUCCESS COMES FROM OUR FOCUS ON DELIVERING SERVICES TO MEET EVOLVING CLIENT NEEDS USING A FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE APPROACH”
– RUSSELL TAYLOR, COO, BUMA AUSTRALIA
BUMA’s current contracts are diverse, tailored to suit client requirements, encompassing a range of services from full mine operation, pre-strip, coal mining, processing plant maintenance and operation, and statutory management, as well as incorporating activities from greenfield development to closure and rehabilitation services.
With a strong commitment to safety, systems and technology, BUMA pursues a relationship-based, long-term approach to ensure the mutual success of all its projects.
“The key to our continued contract success comes from our focus on delivering services to meet evolving client needs, using a flexible and adaptable approach,” Taylor remarks.
“Our strength lies in our people,
with an experienced and diverse workforce of over 1,500 individuals, who conduct new-to-industry training programmes.”
Further to this, BUMA’s operational capabilities and technical services include mine planning, dozer push, dragline operation, load and haul operations, wash plants, and drill and blast across seven different sites.
BUMA also provides full mining services, including statutory roles, at both the Broadmeadow East and Burton mines. In addition to the Bowen Basin, the company has also provided full mining services, which include statutory roles and coal delivery to power stations at the Meandu mine for the last 10 years, as well as the Commodore mine for over two decades.
Underpinning every facet of the business, BUMA has established a set of core values that are applied daily throughout the business, and with a well-established history of successfully completing rehabilitation and environmental projects, BUMA now offers a full suite of services from mine development through to closure, including progressive rehabilitation as the mine advances.
“We have key operational sites that are actively working under Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP), which provides us with first-hand knowledge of rehabilitation delivery requirements under this new regime.”
BLACKWATER MINING PROJECT
One of the operations that BUMA is most proud of is the Blackwater Mine, which is situated in the Central Highlands of Queensland, known for its mining heritage and substantial coal deposits.
Blackwater is one of BUMA’s most established and successful projects, showcasing efficient operational practices, along with a steadfast commitment to safety, community, and our team.
As such, BUMA has been conducting truck and excavator pre-strip operations at Blackwater since 2012. Each year, the company’s fleets mine over 44 million banked cubic meters of material. To facilitate the efficient movement of this material, BUMA operates and maintains a substantial equipment fleet, which includes a Hitachi EX8000 excavator, three Caterpillar 6060 excavators, and a Hitachi EX3600 excavator. These are further supported by 28 Komatsu 930E and CAT 789 haul trucks.
Led by Project Manager, Freya Perrins, Blackwater’s success is a testament to the collective strength and expertise of its diverse and
seasoned workforce. The Blackwater project’s established training department oversees the site’s newto-industry programmes such as the First Nations work readiness initiative that has been operating since 2016.
The purpose of the work readiness initiative is to provide an introduction to mining life and offer helpful advice on potential career pathways in the industry. The programme covers topics that employees will face on a day-to-day basis to help assist those who are new to the mining sector or even the BUMA workforce.
Overall, this has had great success in preparing new-to-industry operators to be successful in securing full-time positions in the company.
“Diversity is a valued part of BUMA’s
employment approach, and we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that facilitates opportunity and respect,” Perrins tells us.
“Our focus on cultural inclusiveness is active and ongoing, and we are continually working to build our organisational culture with a focus on enhancing workforce diversity,” he establishes.
BUMA’s relationship with the community is a significant component of its business and the company’s reputation as a valued corporate citizen and community-conscious organisation has been achieved by consistently working closely with its neighbours. Subsequently, BUMA is committed to continuously
implementing this across all its projects.
The future of the company will depend on its ability to maintain its social license to develop, operate, and close mines consistently alongside its stakeholders’ expectations.
“At Blackwater, we highly value our community and continuously seek opportunities to assist both individuals and local businesses. This support extends to local goods and services procurement, as well as offering ongoing financial assistance to various local initiatives, including the Tiny Tots Kindergarten Centre, local youth football teams, and the Blackwater Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) Braking the Cycle (BTC) programme,” she adds.
DRILLING INTO THE FUTURE
A trusted, family-owned company for over 45 years, built on honesty, integrity, and safety. Led by Gayle Coldwell and her son Brendan, our experienced team operates in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, delivering top-quality drilling services tailored to your needs. Safety, expertise, and commitment are our priorities.
Conclusively, the Blackwater Mine has consistently maintained a high level of operational efficiency and a strong commitment to safety standards. This achievement has been made possible through BUMA’s people, technology, and thorough safety measures.
BUMA OBJECTIVES
REHABILITATION PROJECTS
It has become a significant focus for BUMA to carry on delivering exceptional service in collaboration with its clients, BUMA recognises that there has been a significant investment into technical resources to develop rehabilitation and closure
To achieve the company’s vision, BUMA’s senior leadership and management:
• Take accountability for the effectiveness of quality management.
• Guarantee that all quality objectives have been set and are maintained adjacent to internal auditing and monitoring in order to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Promote the use of a process approach and risk-based thinking.
• Engage, direct, and support people to contribute to the effectiveness of the quality management system, encourage improvement and professionalism, and motivate employees
This list of policies is communicated to all employees, subcontractors, and organisations working for BUMA.
plans across the Australian mining industry. As such, the delivery of works in accordance with these requirements is paramount.
“We aim for long-term stable and sustainable landforms, with our focus firmly set upon efficiency in earth movements right from bulk earthworks through to the ongoing management and maintenance of completed areas,” Taylor comments.
“This, supported by our quality control and evidence-based monitoring processes, ensures that we support our clients in equally meeting their scheduled physical delivery and statutory reporting outcomes,” he furthers.
Today, rehabilitation activities at Stanwell’s Meandu Mine commence as soon as areas become available,
with over 930 hectares (ha) of native vegetation rehabilitation already completed across the site.
This year, the Meandu site is aiming to achieve an additional 41.5 ha of native vegetation rehabilitation. Significant work has already occurred, with the land profiled, topsoiled, and seeded earlier this year. Previously, during 2022, BUMA successfully completed 28.7 ha of native vegetation rehabilitation across the Meandu Mine.
“Our native vegetation rehabilitation areas, designed to meet the final post-mining landform, exemplify our commitment to safety, stability, sustainability, and adherence to environmental regulations,” Tranter shares.
“To ensure the project’s success, we thoroughly follow government
“OUR STRENGTH LIES IN OUR PEOPLE, WITH AN EXPERIENCED AND DIVERSE WORKFORCE OF OVER 1,500 INDIVIDUALS”
– RUSSELL TAYLOR, COO, BUMA AUSTRALIA
regulations, incorporating specific design elements such as gradients, cover materials, and drainage systems.”
Similarly, BUMA also designed and constructed a network of rock-lined drains, utilising basalt rock sourced from the mine, to manage the overland flow and mitigate the risk of erosion.
“We place topsoil across the entire rehabilitation surface, drawing from on-site topsoil stockpiles that are assessed for quality, ensuring optimal performance for native vegetation
rehabilitation. To reduce the compaction of the cover material, we employ a single-pass method, which included the processes of fertilisation, ripping, and seeding,” he continues.
BUMA is committed to restoring the environment to its natural state, a promise that extends to its choice of seeds. Over 600 kilograms (kg) of seeds, comprising a diverse mix of species of trees, shrubs and grasses mirroring the local regional ecosystem, are spread across the rehabilitation site.
Culleton Contracting Pty Ltd (Culleton Contracting) is an all-encompassing and comprehensive bulk excavation and earthworks company, permeating many industries across Queensland and Western Australia.
With over three decades of experience, the company has progressed to become highly respected as a reliable source of excavation operations, regardless of the size and complexity of the project in hand.
APAC Outlook (AO): Please could you briefly introduce us to Culleton Contracting and tell us more about the company?
Kristy Presnell, Office Manager (KP): Culleton Contracting is a privately-owned, proprietary limited, Australian company based in South-East and Central Queensland.
Established in 2020, we provide services for clients operating in mining, local and state government infrastructure, and land development sectors throughout the state.
Our continued and steady growth has been revolved around developing close, long-term working relationships with our clients. This is achieved by providing experienced people a variety of modern equipment using our internal expertise and knowledge, to deliver a wide range of contracts in a timely and cost-effective manner, whilst upholding the highest safety standards.
Culleton Contracting’s staff – consisting of approximately 40 employees - have extensive experience in projects, operations, and maintenance activities in a variety of heavy industries. These include coal and metalliferous mining, upstream and downstream gas transmission and facilities, marine services utilities including water and sewer lines, bridge and
dam construction, windfarms, solar plants, and the farming industry, including organic farms.
AO: What differentiates Culleton Contracting from the competition?
KP: Culleton Contracting is large enough to respond to our clients’ needs while being small enough to develop and maintain personal business relationships.
The company’s reputation is built on the commitment and dedication of all its employees, delivering outcomes that meet our clients’ specific requirements.
Our business supports the community and local groups by way of donations, attendance at community events, and supply of Culleton Contracting merchandise.
AO: Please could you elaborate on the company’s partnership with BUMA Australia? How long have you worked together and what is the nature of your interaction?
KP: Culleton Contracting, known as ‘Downer’ previously, has had a strong relationship with BUMA Australia for the past four years. We believe to be key partners to its operations, providing services and equipment for the client as requested. We have current agreements in place which are regularly reviewed by both parties for ongoing works on multiple BUMA Australia sites. We have also recently been given the opportunity to be a part of the company’s major editorial and marketing project.
AO: How do Culleton Contracting and BUMA Australia mutually benefit each other and what complementary strengths do you bring?
KP:
- Establishing clear goals and expectations: Building trust and communication through regular interactions, whilst seeking mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and innovation, whilst ensuring minimal impact on the environment.
- Prioritising open communication: Developing and maintaining the relationship with regular check-ins, sharing feedback, and establishing clear goals and expectations.
- Effective communication: Fostering transparency and nurturing mutual understanding by continuously exchanging knowledge, challenges, solutions, success stories, and needs.
- Identifying how Culleton’s strengths complement BUMA and how their strengths complement us: Working together as much as possible to bolster each other’s complementary strengths.
- Sharing media opportunities: Creating a mutually beneficial relationship where both companies will gain advantages from the exposure given by the press hit.
- Schedule regular meetings: Discuss new initiatives, products and services, promotional campaigns, and other growth activities.
AO: Could you tell us more about the company’s current projects?
KP:
- Supply of provision and open-cut mining equipment and services in accordance with good industry practice for BUMA Australia at Burton and Commodore Mines.
- Supply of material and rehabilitation works for the local power station.
- Works at Coolmunda Dam consisting of trenching,
diversion, and pipe laying.
- Multiple civil jobs including farm works, road works, and fire protection methods for local properties.
- Windfarm project consisting of the construction of new pads, roadways, and drainage.
AO: Similarly, are there any projects in the pipeline Culleton Contracting is excited about?
KP: We have multiple tender applications in the pipeline for next year. The company is also excited to continue our strong relationship with BUMA Australia in the mining space, as well as focusing on civil works around our local area and beyond.
AO: How does the company try to empower its staff and recognise the contributions that they make?
KP: Culleton Contracting strives to foster an environment of trust and safety. We build employees confidence with recognition and incentives, offering flexibility in work arrangements, and asking employees for feedback and actioning it.
The company supports professional growth with coaching and delegation, showing appreciation and recognition, and supporting a balanced family/work lifestyle.
Furthermore, we have an excellent safety and industrial relations track record, being five years lost-time injury (LTI) free at our operations, and have enjoyed a harmonious, collaborative, and co-operative relationship with our workforce.
AO: Looking ahead, what are Culleton Contracting’s key priorities?
KP: Core Values
- Safety is our core focus and an integral part of all activities.
- Quality is an essential element of our business. Do it once, do it right.
- Minimising the environmental impacts from our activities. Our Commitment
- Continuous improvement, innovation, and repeat business development.
- The utilisation and implementation of safe and responsible work practices.
- A can-do approach whilst also working hard to understand our clients’ business needs and provide them with excellent service. This is demonstrated by our return client business.
- Conducting our business ethically, honestly, and with diligence always.
- Providing a work environment where our people are motivated and satisfied.
- Working under a self-performing model and delivering on our commitments.
BUMA CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Strong corporate governance is an essential driver of BUMA’s operations and performance, and underpins the culture of its workforce.
The company’s governance framework is overseen by the BUMA’s board and executive leadership team. This framework enables BUMA to make sustainably responsible decisions and maintain strong relationships with employees, clients, and other stakeholders.
BUMA operates under a robust and transparent governance framework that applies across all operations and functions of the company. This framework provides a structure that ensures:
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Responsibility
• Independence
• Fairness
Each of BUMA’s employees has committed to a code of conduct that instils the high importance of compliance in everything the company does. The code also includes commitments in relation to:
• Individual behaviour
• Use of communication platforms
• Conflicts of interest
• Confidentiality of information
As such, BUMA source 25 different native seeds from a local supplier, further enhancing the project’s authenticity. In addition, the seed mix incorporated grasses, serving as a cover crop to facilitate the establishment of native vegetation.
“Among the species we have reintroduced to the Meandu Mine area is the Yarraman Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), a native variety indigenous to the region, as well as the Native Apricot (Pittosporum angustifolium), and the Brisbane Golden Wattle (Acacia fimbriata).”
BUMA’s unwavering commitment to conducting high-quality and progressive rehabilitation projects remains at the core of its central values.
“We are dedicated to ensuring the sustainable and responsible transformation of mining areas back to their natural state, embodying our commitment to the environment and community,” finishes Taylor.
COMMODORE BACK CREEK DIVERSION
BUMA’s Commodore Mine is located in a sensitive agricultural region close to the farms and township of Millmerran.
At this site, BUMA works closely with the local community to operate a safe and environmentally-responsible mining operation. Dust, excessive noise, and blasting restrictions are managed to ensure minimal impact, while special attention is also placed on the rehabilitation of the post-mine landform.
The post mine landform must be capable of supporting long-term primary industries, such as grazing. Furthermore, the site’s water management is achieved through the use of contour banks, sediment traps, and dams, separating mine run-off water from clean water in accordance with the Site Water Management Plan.
“Environmental sustainability solutions have been applied to all
Drill-Bourn Pty Ltd provides mechanical repairs and reliability consultation. Located in the Hunter Valley NSW supporting customers globally, as required
Drill-Bourn can carry out all machine upgrades and improvements. We’re not your run of the mill technicians, we believe in going above and beyond. That’s why we can also work with you to help evaluate and optimise your machine design, and collaborate with you to achieve low maintenance solutions that are better for your business.
OUR SERVICES
All machine upgrades/improvements consider machine design and target low maintenance solutions.
• Drill automation consultation
• Increased machine reliability
• Maintenance improvements and modifications
• Operator and maintenance training
• Parts support and supply
Successful Projects:
• Patented drill specific stands
• High density poly sheaves to reduce manual handling hazards
aspects of the mine’s operations, including water recycling, waste management, and rehabilitation. The project is self-sufficient in its water use and prioritises best practice rehabilitation practices that minimise disturbance and protect rare grass species,” Taylor shares.
Additionally, the Commodore Back Creek Diversion Project is an earthworks civil construction operation designed as a meandering creek bed, comprising floodplains, terraces, and a clay-lined, low-flow channel. It has been constructed within the overburden and backfilled for rehabilitation of previously minedout coal seams.
The work involved the excavation and the localised placement of 30 ha of floodplain and terraces. The primary activity for BUMA was
NORTH END BOX CUT WASTE DUMP REHABILITATION
BUMA has completed the rehabilitation of the North End Box Cut waste dump rehabilitation in the Pilbara region of WA for Rio Tinto in 2022.
The project involved reshaping waste material and encapsulating it with waste cover. The slopes were then sheeted with rock armour before the final surfaces were topsoiled. In total, 80 ha were then reseeded using a dozer and the process of cross-ripping.
The project involved two load and haul fleets using excavators and articulated dump trucks. Larger off-road dump trucks were unsuitable due to the required gradients for the operations and because of the limited workspace. Additionally, a significant amount of dozer push was also required to assist in the reshaping and spreading of the encapsulated cover and subsequent topsoiling.
The client was satisfied that the work was finished to a high standard and exceeded their expectations in regard to First Nations engagement. The project was operated on-site with technical and management services provided by BUMA’s Brisbane office.
• Hydraulic service
• Metal fabrication, both light and heavy
• Sheet metal work
• Machining
• Line boring
• Sand blasting and painting
• Labour hire
• Retail outlet
• Plant and equipment hire Kingaroy Hydraulic Sales and Service (KHSS) has been in operation for 32 years. We are more than our name suggests. We provide the following services to our wide range of clients:
the excavation and placement of a thick liner to form the low-flow channel. This was required to be placed, compacted, and tested to a highly intricate level of accuracy. The project scope also required topsoiling, vegetation, installation of timber habitat, and embankment construction for interim flood levees.
The project required a complete quality assurance programme to ensure all statutory regulations and environmental requirements were achieved to the highest standard.
The Commodore Back Creek Diversion Project attracted attention from a range of stakeholders, including heritage considerations, local community members, and multiple government departments.
Finally, the project was selfsufficient in its water use and
“OUR WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES COVER EACH PHASE OF A MINING OPERATION, FROM START-UP THROUGH TO OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY CLOSURE”
– RUSSELL TAYLOR, COO, BUMA AUSTRALIA
innovative rehabilitation practices were prioritised throughout to restore disturbed areas, recreate the original landform, and ensure strict adherence to reinstating original tree and grass species for the area.
SECURING A POSITIVE LEGACY
BUMA is resolutely focused on leaving a positive legacy through delivering high-quality rehabilitation and closure outcomes.
“We aim to contribute towards the establishment of thriving local communities during and after mining, through initiatives such as our Rural Seed Collective programme, which is focused upon delivering high quality, localised seed stock to mine rehabilitation and broader land regeneration projects within the regions we operate,” Tranter sets out. This initiative sees qualified environmental practitioners work
with landholders and community participants to harvest, and in some instances propagate, native plants via a certified programme that provides them with income, qualifications, and access to support for broader natural resource management initiatives.
“We believe that investing in this type of programme is mutually beneficial for the industry and regional communities, in that it reduces the risk of limited native seed supply, which is a common issue during intensive periods of rehabilitation on a region wide scale and provides additional income streams for landholders,” he affirms.
This programme also facilitates
access to new vocational pathways for a diverse range of individuals across BUMA’s communities.
Looking ahead, BUMA is now focusing on growing its rehabilitation services from bulk earthworks right through to ongoing maintenance and monitoring requirements. The company is also committed to contributing to adding long-term value for regional communities through the restoration of previously mined terrain, which allows for beneficial land uses well into the future.
“We know that here in Queensland, PRCP requirements are a primary focus along with the connection to
miner’s surety obligations under the Financial Provisioning Scheme,” Taylor sets out.
“We’re focused on ensuring that mining organisations can confidently plan on achieving compliant outcomes in accordance with their PRCP and internal rehabilitation delivery schedules in a way that makes commercial sense,” he culminates.
In summary, BUMA also understands how progressive rehabilitation feeds into broader closure planning considerations, and in this way, the company will continue to support its clients with rehabilitation trials which will contribute to positive closure outcomes.
KEEP YOUR WHEELS TURNING
In today’s ever-changing business environment, optimising your tyre and wheel assets is crucial, whether you have a large fleet or just a few vehicles.
Take control of your fleet
• Track tyre usage: Gain insights into performance and usage.
• Rim certification: Ensure the safety and reliability of your rims to prevent accidents and downtime.
• Prevent premature tyre failures: Identify and address issues early to avoid costly problems.
• Operator training and on-site feedback: Empower your team with the right skills and provide real-time insights to management.
Track performance and actual cost per hour
• Tread utilisation: Ensure efficient usage.
• Customised reports: Get the data that matters most.
Enhance performance and profits through customised reports:
• Interactive graphical analysis: Visualise data for quick insights.
• Evaluation of tyre-related issues: Identify potential problems and take corrective action.
• Productivity and cost efficiency recommendations: Benefit from expert advice to optimise operations.
• Initiative implementation: Use findings to maximise operational value.
SERVICES
• Tyre repairs
• Tyre bay tooling
• Rim testing and repair
• Valving & components
• Tyre fitting
• Tyre & wheel management
• Inspections & reporting
• Tyre bay equipment hire
CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY
Since 2016, BUMA’s Blackwater Mine has proudly supported local community organisations, including organisations such as the PCYC with financial assistance to help run youth programmes in the local community. These initiatives focus on various community needs, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and promote social cohesion through inclusive programmes. The mine is located adjacent to the town of Blackwater, where BUMA’s workforce is accommodated and integrated. The company endeavours to exist as a proud supporter of local community groups in the area.
The Blackwater site is also proud of its First Nations work readiness initiative that has also been operating
“AT BUMA, OUR COMMITMENT TO HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT MEANS PROVIDING A WORKPLACE THAT SUPPORTS THE WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE AND CONDUCTING OUR OPERATIONS IN A MANNER THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE”
– RUSSELL TAYLOR, BUMA AUSTRALIA
since 2016. The programme has been triumphant in preparing new-toindustry operators to be successful team members of the broader BUMA team at Blackwater.
Elsewhere this year, BUMA Blackwater has proudly sponsored the BTC programme.
“The BTC programme gives our
local young people the ability to drive legally and safely on the road and accumulate their 100 log-book hours alongside a dedicated volunteer to help mentor good driving habits,” Perrins explains.
“Additionally, this programme improves employability and opportunities for young people as
MINE DEWATERING EXPERTS
lack of transport is a major barrier to attaining employment in Central Queensland.”
BUMA Blackwater’s investment in BTC is also an investment in each young participant and their future as they are empowered through road education to be safe and responsible drivers.
Meanwhile, BUMA also presently possesses a dedicated team of sustainability professionals as well as a broader corporate ESG framework which allows the company to develop initiatives that meaningfully empower its employees and present them with exciting opportunities, as well as facilitating the opportunity to contribute to the communities in which BUMA operates.
“We believe in transparency across the entire business, so
BUMA currently undertakes annual sustainability reporting on its own ESG impacts in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Reporting Index (GRI),” Taylor elaborates.
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The health and safety of BUMA’s
people and the protection of the environment for future generations are of paramount importance to the ongoing success of the company.
“At BUMA, our commitment to health, safety, and the environment means providing a workplace that supports the well-being of our people and conducting our operations in a manner that is environmentally responsible and sustainable.
NITRO CRUSHING
As one of Australia’s largest and most reputable contract crushing companies, Nitro Crushing is a leading provider of contract crushing services and solutions. We are dedicated to meeting our clients needs through a determined focus on delivering outcomes with efficiencies while not compromising on safety, environment and personnel. We pride ourselves on being first adopters of innovative and technology advanced solutions to build efficiency for us and our clients. We have an extensive low hour, fully maintained fleet of crushing equipment.
BUMA Broad Meadow East Case Study
Nitro is proud to be a working partner with BUMA mining solutions, in Australia. BUMA approached Nitro to crush at the Broad Meadow East Coal Mine while the wash plant was under construction. Nitro slipped in effortlessly meeting the highest of standards with their machinery, systems and staff and hit the ground running to produce to target from the first instance. “We really enjoy working with a company like BUMA who has the same focus on outcomes and safety as we do” said managing director Trent Marino. “The staff at BUMA head office were great at letting us know what was required, the SSE and her team set the standards early and let us get on with our job without incident, hitting 100kt target per month in production.”
More than just crushing
Nitro Crushing owns and supplies fully equipped service vehicles with capabilities of oxy cutting, welding, conveyor belt repair, manganese replacement, breakdown repair and general servicing, thereby reducing any downtime which could impact the supply chain. We constantly keep a full range of parts in stock. Nitro Crushing has qualified diesel fitters trained in this industry, specialising in looking after quarrying and mining machinery. We also have a highly skilled team of boilermakers to assist in major repairs and maintenance.
The Go to in Crushing
Trent Marino – Managing Director of Nitro Crushing has over 15 years’ experience in the mining and quarrying industry, with a dedication and understanding to supply quality cost effective solutions to our clients.
In 2004 Trent started his Diesel Fitting apprenticeship in Cairns with the reputable Hastings Deering Pty Ltd QLD, working on all aspects of mining plant equipment and operations, completing his apprenticeship in 2008. In 2007 Trent expanded his career in the industry, starting works with local Quarries. Trent purchased crushers leading to the creation of Nitro Crushing.
Over the past 15 years Trent has devoted himself to creating an honest and reliable service with a high quality of workmanship, easy to work with, friendly, loyal, and approachable staff. Trent has the philosophy of buying new machines and keeping them in great conditions so he can be proud of his fleet.
We pride ourselves on our crushing and screening expertise. Our crews are led by experienced crushing professionals who have multiple years experience, and formal qualifications. Employees of Nitro Crushing have detailed knowledge and understanding of quarry material, specifications, and making big rocks into small rocks allowing us to crush anything anywhere in almost any conditions. Experience that ensures we achieve compliance. We operate under a fully integrated management system, delivering a quality and consistent finished product every time.
Managing Director - Trent Marino: 0439 712 867
General Manager - Hamish Jenkins: 0412 575 373 | manager@nitrocrushing.com.au
Therefore, all projects strive to exceed our client, stakeholder, and industry expectations,” shares Taylor.
Safety requires strong leadership and commitment. To ensure this, BUMA’s leadership teams set clear, positive expectations, actively involving its people to identify improvements, be accountable, and uphold industry-leading safety standards.
“We believe that everyone at the company has a responsibility for improving and maintaining health, safety, and environmental performance. Therefore, BUMA has an organisational structure to support the achievement of its targets and strategy in this area,” he adds. Underpinning this safety
“THE BTC PROGRAMME GIVES OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THE ABILITY TO DRIVE LEGALLY AND SAFELY ON THE ROAD AND ACCUMULATE THEIR 100
LOG-BOOK
HOURS ALONGSIDE A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER TO HELP MENTOR GOOD DRIVING HABITS”
–
FREYA PERRINS, PROJECT MANAGER, BUMA AUSTRALIA
commitment is a carefully constructed framework structured around leadership, risk, controls, planning, improvement, monitoring and enables BUMA to meet the correct legislative certifications.
The company uses various reporting and performance systems and controls to support its ongoing
commitment to the safety of its people and the environment, ensuring that it remains proactive in its approach to the mitigation of risks on each of BUMA’s sites.
Furthermore, BUMA recognises that a stable, educated, and focused workforce is essential for delivering a safe and productive project.
Transforming Tyre Management
Otraco International is the leading provider of off the road tyre management solutions in Australia.
Our team of highly skilled and qualified tyre technicians have been assisting clients lower their total cost of ownership in the tyre space for over 50 years.
From our humble beginnings at Mt Newman in 1972, we have grown into a 1000 strong workforce operating in six countries, and we continue to grow, performing over 50,000 EM tyre changes per annum across 55 separate mining operations.
Through the creation of our bespoke and industry-unique, dedicated training facility, we have the capacity to meet the resource sectors’ never-ending demand for tyre management expertise.
Otraco, keeping the big wheels turning since 1972
“Across BUMA, our training system is designed to ensure that our employees and contractors are suitably trained and competent enough to conduct their activities in a safe, productive, and environmentally sustainable manner,” Taylor elaborates.
Through a process of continuous improvement, the company has implemented formalised practical skills training that utilise alternative forms of education, including e-learning through video and interactive programmes.
MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT
Earlier this year, BUMA proudly announced the publication of its Modern Slavery Statement, confirming its commitment to addressing modern slavery and supporting ethical practices in its business operations. The statement outlines BUMA’s approach to mitigating modern slavery risks, which includes implementing relevant policies and procedures, and conducting regular due diligence, aligning with the company’s core values
Modern slavery is a significant human rights issue impacting many individuals worldwide, and BUMA acknowledges the important part it has in tackling this problem. The company is focused on making sure its operations and supply chains do not involve any forced labour, human trafficking, or exploitation.
BUMA’s strategy to addressing modern slavery ensures its employees, contractors, and suppliers maintain high ethical standards, including awareness of the importance of identifying and reporting potential modern slavery incidents.
As part of its risk assessment and due diligence processes, BUMA identifies high-risk areas within its supply chain to enable focused interventions and ongoing improvement.
Frontline Equipment Maintenancekeep your wheels
Frontline Equipment Maintenance has a reputation for supplying highquality, skilled tradespeople to any sized business for any sized job.
We specialise in supplying a quality workforce with experience in all facets of hydraulic excavators, off-highway trucks, blast hole drills, and all other earthmoving and ancillary equipment repairs and maintenance. This includes fault diagnosis and repair, servicing, midlife overhauls, machine relocations, as well as major and minor shutdowns.
Our tradespeople have high levels of experience with all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands of earthmoving and ancillary equipment, used in both the mining, civil, and construction industries.
Frontline’s mackay-based maintenance workshop has the capability to work on a wide range of light to heavy vehicles and machinery, air conditioning service and repairs, roadworthy inspections, and able to cater to any fabrication requirements.
Contact Steve Green on: +61 417 600964
sgreen@horizonrental.com.au
Horizon Rental is proud to be a preferred supplier of off- highway service trucks to BUMA Australia. All trucks are fully mine compliant and include high pressure cabin filtration and monitoring. Our dry hire agreements include three monthly module servicing, carried out by qualified BARD Technicians, irrespective of location.
In terms of training and awareness, BUMA understands the crucial role of education in tackling modern slavery risks. The company provides training to its employees, educating them to identify, prevent, and report any potential exploitation.
“By publishing our Modern Slavery Statement, we aim to uphold transparency and accountability within our business. We are dedicated to continuously improving our practices and we welcome feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders,” he adds.
Beyond the Modern Slavery Statement, BUMA’s commitment to ethical practices is an integral
part of its broader corporate social responsibility strategy, underscoring its dedication to making a positive societal impact.
SPECIALISTS IN SUSTAINABILITY
The ensured sustainability of the Australian resources sector relies on the efficient planning, management and operation of mining activities.
As specialist operators of mines, contract mining service providers have an important role to play in the future sustainable development of the Australian mining industry. As one of Australia’s leading contract mining service
providers, BUMA’s environmental strategy is progressive, adaptive, and responsive, with a strong focus on continually improving its management systems and performance.
“Our well-established systems and processes cover each phase of a mining operation, from start-up through to operations and eventually closure. Central to upholding our systems and processes is our ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System (EMS),” Taylor informs us.
Alongside this, BUMA has developed a sustainable procurement framework which it strives to
continuously improve upon via regular communication with its suppliers, allowing the company to ensure that it is supporting these businesses in meeting the sustainability objectives of mining organisations wherever possible.
“Suppliers are integral to our business, because without them, we can’t deliver for our clients or continue to grow our market share. We look to partner with quality suppliers who we know can deliver and, just as importantly, expand as we expand,” Taylor shares.
“We also rely upon their expertise in terms of supply and logistics, and technical matters in relation to their relevant areas of our business.”
All BUMA’s sites have detailed and specific environmental management plans in place to ensure that the company meets compliance requirements and hits its environmental targets and objectives.
“The environmental processes
“OUR FOCUS ON CULTURAL INCLUSIVENESS IS ACTIVE AND ONGOING AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY WORKING TO BUILD OUR ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE, WITH A FOCUS ON ENHANCING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY”
– RUSSELL TAYLOR, COO, BUMA AUSTRALIA
and systems focus on the areas in which we have the greatest potential to make a difference, such as reducing GHG and energy emissions, minimising water use and waste, and responsibly managing the land on which we conduct our activities,” she continues.
“We also work to minimise disruptions to the surrounding communities, neighbours, and other stakeholders.”
Similarly, BUMA has implemented continuous improvement measures to reduce fuel usage across its numerous
sites and support its sustainability goals. The company remains resolutely committed to setting and reporting targets for CO2 intensity.
With these plans in place, the mining industry in Australia has a rich history and an exciting future ahead of it, a future within which BUMA is firmly entrenched and thriving.
BUMA info@buma.com.au www.buma.com.au
BLASTING TOWARDS GREATNESS
As a global leader in explosives manufacturing, storage, and distribution, EPC Groupe has prided itself on serving customers for over 130 years. We speak to Pascal Lacourie, CEO of EPC Asia Pacific, to learn more about the company’s history and plans for an explosive future in the region
Writer: Lauren Kania | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
As one of the world’s figureheads in explosives manufacturing, storage, and distribution, EPC Groupe has a proud history of effective solutions, technological innovation, and highquality customer service forged by dedication, hard work, and neverending perseverance.
Exploding onto the scene over 130 years ago, EPC Groupe established its first factory in Saint-Martin-de-Crau in the south of France before quickly expanding its operations across the globe, with production that spans all the way from Canada to Saudi Arabia and every continent in between.
Today, the company focuses on manufacturing and supplying a range of commercial explosives and
tailor-made services, with a customer base that includes a variety of leading names in mining, cement, aggregates, civil engineering, and tunnelling industries.
Specifically, EPC Asia Pacific, headed by CEO Pascal Lacourie, has an established physical presence across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Lacourie is passionate about the industry and the vast potential it holds, proving himself to be an accomplished leader known for inspiring teams, driving innovation, and delivering exceptional results.
“I have been lucky to find inspiring people who have made me passionate
Pascal Lacourie, CEO
about this industry, and it is certainly one of the few sectors where people choose to stay for the duration of their career,” he opens.
With the company’s extensive history and unabashed mindset towards progress, it has proudly become a defining voice within the industry, helping to evolve the sector one step at a time.
“It is truly an industry in full expansion and dedicated to a bright future, particularly with the growing demand for metals driven by the energy transition. The mines we operate in are at the forefront to meet this rising demand,” Lacourie divulges.
UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO SPECIAL PROBLEMS
Having a company find continuous success for more than a century is no easy task. EPC Asia Pacific has not
EPC ASIA PACIFIC CURRENT PROJECTS:
THE LINE
Saudi Arabia’s mega project, The Line, is the future of urban living. Stretching 170 kilometres (km) across the mountains of Neom to the Red Sea, this cognitive city redefines the concept of urban development and what the future of city life will look like.
Modern Chemical and Services Company (MCS), a joint venture between EPC Groupe and Modern Chemicals Company, has been contracted to supply the prestigious construction project.
Specifically, this mega project will construct 31km of twin tube tunnels as part of the 170km belt of hyper-connected future communities, which is projected to accommodate nine million people and be built on a footprint of just 34 square kilometres (sqkm).
only found this unstoppable growth but has become a pioneer in the mining industry along the way.
In the Asia Pacific region alone, the company produced 70,000 tonnes of explosives and four million detonators in 2023, alongside services that include rock-onground, blasting engineering, and digital solutions.
The company requires precision, care, and the highest standards of quality and safety, whether it be carrying out controlled blasting for quarrying, mining,
and infrastructure operations and tunnelling activities.
Above all, EPC Asia Pacific’s spirit aligns with EPC Groupe’s values and has allowed the company to maintain its high levels of safety, expertise, control, and independence.
Rapidly becoming a leading player in the global phosphate trade, the Ma’aden Phosphate Mine produces close to 11.6 million tonnes of ore per year.
EPC Groupe’s subsidiary, MCS, initially partnered with Ma’aden in 2021 and subsequently signed a contract to supply materials, including bulk explosive boosters and detonators.
Recently, the MCS team broke the record for daily blasting with 173.8 tonnes at the Al Jalamind site in Saudi Arabia, a testimony to the company’s expertise and commitment to excellence.
In addition to this company-wide mindset and established culture, EPC Asia Pacific has differentiated itself from the competition over the years due to its agility, customer orientation, and understanding of needs.
“Given the nature of the fields we operate in, we recognise the paramount importance of providing
solutions that not only deliver outstanding performance but also prioritise safety, sustainability, and ethical standards. Our commitment to meeting these criteria ensures that our customers achieve the optimal efficiency they demand,” prides Lacourie.
With close proximity to customers,
Ma’aden Phosphate Mine workers
Number one wax distributor in Europe
T +31 (0) 172 24 26 28 E NLinfo@alphawax.com W www.alphawax.com
coupled with value-added services, EPC Asia Pacific sets itself apart from the competition.
“While others may provide generic solutions, we prioritise a service-oriented approach, offering reassurance to our customers through our commitment to delivering high performance, quality, and tangible results,” affirms Lacourie.
SERVICE WITH NO BOUNDARIES
With a proven track record as a trailblazer in both mining products and services, EPC Groupe consistently demonstrates its capacity to adapt and innovate in an ever-evolving global landscape.
The integration of drilling and blasting, advanced expertise in blast engineering and specialised works, continuous investment in R&D for products tailored to market needs, and proficient logistical solutions are all key assets empowering the
www.apacoutlookmag.com/work-with-us
“EPC GROUPE HAS DEVELOPED GLOBALLY OVER THE YEARS WHILE MAINTAINING REAL PROXIMITY TO ITS CUSTOMERS WITH TEAMS AND FACILITIES TO RESPOND TO THEIR PROBLEMS WITH TAILOR-MADE SOLUTIONS”
– PASCAL LACOURIE, CEO, EPC ASIA PACIFIC
company to deliver products and solutions that enhance overall performance for its clients.
This success has not been captured alone, however, as strong, loyal relationships with partners and suppliers have enabled EPC Asia Pacific to expand and reach
EPC GROUPE AT A GLANCE
• Founded in 1893 by EugeneJean Barbier
• More than 2,800 employees
• €550 MILLION in revenue
• €3 MILLION of R&D investment
• 44 subsidiaries in 24 countries
thousands of consumers.
“Effective supply chain management and logistics play a pivotal role in both our upstream and downstream operations. With robust business continuity plans in place, we assure our customers of alternative solutions without disrupting their production processes,” explains Lacourie.
Hand-in-hand with these crucial partner and supplier relationships is the company’s focus on constant advancement and innovation in order to ensure its customers always have the latest technology at their disposal.
“We invest a lot of time and financial resources towards developing cutting-edge technologies and equipment to meet the ever-evolving requirements of the extraction industry,” expands Lacourie.
This admirable consistency in
the quality and progressive nature of EPC Asia Pacific’s products and services demonstrates the company’s dedication towards evolution and adaptation.
With problem-solving in its DNA, all of EPC Asia Pacific’s technologies are developed in-house and provide a concrete solution in the form of products, equipment, or even expert software.
BOOMING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Beginning as a dynamic production and commercialisation company at the end of the 19th century, EPC Groupe has evolved to become a worldwide business, providing clients with high-performance products and services specifically tailored to their needs, no matter how complex.
“EPC Groupe has successfully
“WE ARE VERY CUSTOMER-ORIENTED WITH A GLOBAL SERVICE THAT REASSURES OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH A HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE, QUALITY, AND COMMITMENT TO RESULTS”
– PASCAL LACOURIE, CEO, EPC ASIA PACIFIC
expanded its global presence over the years while maintaining close proximity to customers, with teams and facilities able to swiftly address any challenges with customised solutions,” reflects Lacourie.
This success could not have been achieved without the diligent and consistent effort of the employees who comprise the company, and EPC Asia Pacific fully recognises its crucial importance to the future of the business in the region and industry at large.
“Our teams are made up of incredible talent full of expertise and specific skills. We encourage internal promotion whenever possible and are attentive in supporting our employees’ career aspirations,” details Lacourie.
The individuals who work daily to help advance EPC Groupe have been at its heart for more than a century and are dedicated to the values of safety and respect.
Of equal importance to the future are the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Since its inception, EPC Groupe has placed respect at the heart of its actions and development strategies, continued to grow in harmony with local communities, and sought to protect nature.
This vision is also embodied by EPC Asia Pacific, whose actions in the field go beyond normal regulatory expectations.
“We are committed to a CSR
approach, which involves integrating local resources and providing training opportunities to people in the communities, enabling them to grow within our organisation,” concludes Lacourie.
As EPC Asia Pacific looks ahead to the future, it is prioritising continuing to do what the group has done best for over 130 years – providing the highest standards of professionalism and care to its valued customers as it expands further across the region and beyond.
Tel: +971 42226674
contact.asiapacific@epc-groupe.com en.epc-groupe.com/asia_pacifica/ EPC ASIA PACIFIC
Brand new exclusive content, delivered safely to your inbox
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.
CUSTODIANS OF HEALTH
Preventative, accessible and professional healthcare.
That was the common aim of an experienced group of doctors who formed OneCare Medical in 2013, opening the very first clinic in Boon Lay that year.
One of those doctors was co-founder and CEO, Jimmy Chew. An accredited family physician, he completed his medical undergraduate studies at the National University of Singapore, obtaining a graduate diploma in family medicine before gaining a wealth of experience in both the surgical and medical departments of various public healthcare institutions in the country.
Chew, and the rest of the 180-strong OneCare Medical team, firmly believe that prevention is better than the cure. As such, the company aims to provide preventative healthcare by dealing with the prevention of illness to lower the associated effects and risk factors of disease.
“OneCare Medical is a primary care general practitioner (GP) chain providing affordable, accessible and quality healthcare services to the community,” begins Chew.
“We have been opening up to five clinics per year and currently we are operating 25 clinics, which are fairly well distributed throughout the whole of Singapore.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, close to half a million patients visited
In an appointment with Dr Jimmy Chew, CEO of OneCare Medical, he tells us more about the company’s full range of healthcare services provided to patients in Singapore
Writer: Jack Salter Project
Manager: Callam Waller
OneCare Medical clinics every year.
The majority of these clinics are located in the residential heartlands, making them the convenient choice for healthcare services.
PRIMARY CARE FOCUS
Such is the multitude of complex healthcare choices and treatment
options now available on the market, OneCare Medical’s team of family doctors try their utmost to enable patients to make the best decisions for their health.
Seeing to patients from across all age groups and demographics, the company strives to listen carefully to any health concerns, addressing them with informed discussions and clear explanations.
OneCare Medical clinics also have access to Singapore’s National Electronic Healthcare Record (NEHR), which enables continuity of care between various healthcare institutions in the city-state.
“We offer a full range of the usual primary care services including acute and chronic disease consultation, health screenings, vaccinations, statutory medical examinations for patients, and much more,” Chew outlines.
“First and foremost, our main focus is to make sure that we provide excellent and affordable primary care services. That’s what makes us different.”
OneCare Medical’s focus on primary care has been necessitated by the highly competitive nature of the healthcare industry, in which the company has sought to find its niche and be the best at it in order to stand out from the crowd.
“Competition is unavoidable in almost all industries and healthcare is
no exception, so we try to be the best at what we do by providing highquality primary care to the masses.”
The concept of workplace health is also becoming increasingly relevant, as more and more companies recognise that future success in a globalising marketplace can only be achieved by a healthy, qualified and motivated workforce.
A healthy workplace environment ensures a flexible and dynamic
balance between meeting customer expectations and organisational targets, as well as the skills and health needs of employees.
As such, OneCare Medical also helps to relieve organisations of the strain of managing medical administration, providing monthly invoices and reports on employee health matters to ease the burden of healthcare administration tasks for companies.
APAC OUTLOOK: WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT TAKE ON THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IN SINGAPORE?
JIMMY CHEW, CEO: “Singapore’s healthcare system in general is pretty efficient with fairly good standards.
“We have competent, well-trained healthcare professionals in Singapore, so I would say that the system is trusted by citizens to take care of their health needs.
“Of course, with an ageing population comes the increasing burden of chronic diseases, so we at OneCare Medical have to plan ahead to be able to deal with that, together with making sure that healthcare costs don’t spiral out of control.
“As for the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe the whole nation plays a very important role in the response. So far, we have avoided some of the worstcase scenarios whereby the healthcare system becomes overwhelmed and healthcare professionals are put in a difficult position.
“We have mostly been able to prepare for what we expected to happen during the pandemic. There have been some unexpected challenges, but more or less we have managed to overcome them.
“In the private sector we have definitely seen a reduction in patient numbers, so that has affected revenue for a lot of private practices, but that is probably due to people working from home or avoiding clinics for less serious illnesses.”
SPECIALIST PARTNERS
Most OneCare Medical clinics are open seven days a week, an attractive proposition for patients in search of doctors that are always there to attend to their primary care needs, whenever and wherever they require it.
Indeed, accessible healthcare for OneCare Medical is not just about having a number of clinics well distributed across Singapore, but also the availability of doctors.
Complemented by supporting services such as telehealth, radiology and appointment booking systems, OneCare Medical relies on partners to further diversify and provide a more complete, specialised primary care service.
“We work with laboratory, homecare, ancillary and specialist service providers; these are things
that help to add value to our patients’ healthcare experiences,” Chew says.
For example, OneCare Medical has been working very closely with StarMed Specialist Centre, an advanced one-stop specialist centre with a comprehensive range of clinics and services.
“Because we are focused on primary care, we do not really have our own specialists. That’s where the likes of StarMed Specialist Centre come in, to help us create a healthcare ecosystem,” Chew reveals.
“We both have a common investor called Health Management International (HMI) Group, which has invested in ourselves and StarMed Specialist Centre to form this synergistic collaboration.”
In 2019, HMI Group invested in 40 percent of OneCare Medical with the
PromiseLand
PromiseLand is an Independent Financial Advisory Firm and General Insurance Broker founded in 1986 and headquartered in Singapore.
We have had the privilege of serving OneCare Medical since its establishment in 2013, by brokering Insurance for the group spanning from Business Insurance and Medical Malpractice Insurance to Group Hospital and Surgical Insurance.
With Business Insurance, healthcare facilities are protected and business can continue even in the face of natural disasters or hazards.
Medical Malpractice Insurance covers any claims from patients resulting from any negligent act, error or omission. It also covers the insured against any claim made by any person for written or spoken libel or slander.
Where standard professional indemnity covers the risk of financial loss, Medical Malpractice covers situations where an error of judgement could result in either life or death. Various extensions also broaden the coverage of the Insured to cover any medically qualified Employee in respect of any legal liability arising from giving emergency first aid to any person, and more.
We can also arrange cover for valued staff and medical practitioners under the group hospital and surgical insurance so that they are financially protected from costs arising from such medical treatment.
Please contact PromiseLand Independent for financial and risk management needs through our email at enquiries@promiseland.com.sg or call +65 8029 2192.
www.promiseland.com.sg
Get the right cover for your business
workforce, premises and your ability to stay open if you’re sued or a disaster occurs. Without it, you could risk losing everything you’ve worked so hard to build But with so many options available, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice
That’s where we can help. We can take the time to understand exactly what risks your business faces - and then help ensure that you’re properly covered. We can even help you negotiate a better price for your policy - and support you if you need to make a claim. can get on with your day-to-day business without the worry, knowing that your insurance is in capable hands
Cost-effective business insurance, without the stress.
power
Our brokers have a deep understanding of businesses across a range of industries We can also take the time to understand your company’s specific risk profile This means we can provide expert advice on tailoring insurance policies for your business - so you don’t waste valuable time researching and comparing cover options
As part of of a regional broker network, we have the power to negotiate better prices and policy terms We have access to exclusive policy terms that offer broader and more comprehensive cover for our clients. We can also arrange for customised policy options, so no matter how unique your needs, we can help ensure your risks are covered This means better procession for you business - at a more competitive price.
We have arranged group employee benefits insurance programmes for our Surgical insurance, Group Outpatient insurance , Group Term Life insurance,
ONECARE MEDICAL SERVICES
FOR EVERYONE – As well as providing a full range of services, OneCare Medical is also able to offer patients statutory check ups, vaccinations and the convenience of repeat prescription requests.
FOR SCHOOLS – OneCare Medical is an experienced provider of onsite medical check-ups for students attending the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) programme, dedicated to giving students, parents and teachers peace of mind.
FOR BUSINESSES – Working with various companies and organisations on the provision of primary care, including subsidised rates for medication, consultation and check-ups.
intention of growing it into a clinic chain of 40 GPs in Singapore, and has since taken a majority stake in the company.
A growing regional private healthcare provider with a presence in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, it shows that HMI Group is focused on growing its existing healthcare businesses.
OneCare Medical has also recently collaborated with healthcare technology solutions provider Ninkatec to offer homecare services and personalised home-based healthcare solutions for elderly patients.
These services are wide-ranging, and include medical and nursing home visits, procedures and other treatments. It is a revolutionary step forward for primary care services, with the rapid acceleration of novel healthcare innovations helping to improve patient wellbeing.
The partnership coincides with efforts to make medical services available to patients in the comfort of their own homes, the benefits of which comprise convenience, peace of mind and safety.
By moving beyond the physical walls of its clinics, OneCare Medical
UNO Technologies
UNO Tech powering clinical operations and management
UNO Technologies is a med-tech firm based in Singapore. Founded in 2015, it has since offered its med-tech solutions to over 2,000 practitioners in the APAC region, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, and China.
UNO Tech’s core product, the UNO Clinic Management System (CMS), designed to improve healthcare efficiency, quality and patient outcome. The CMS has since served over one-million patients - averaging 350,000 patients yearly.
UNO Tech has been in partnership with OneCare Medical Group for more than five years - providing OneCare with latest solutions in clinic management and Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Giving OneCare centralised control and management over its multiple locations and provide high quality patient care efficiently with ease.
The tech-driven OneCare team had the foresight to be one of the pioneering clinic groups in Singapore to go cloud-based with UNO CMS. This was pivotal in their growth and success as they scaled from 10 clinics in 2016 to 26 clinics in 2021.
UNO Tech remains committed to improving healthcare quality and efficiency for private practitioners. Besides EMR and CMS, telemedicine services were also launched in 2021, amid the COVID-19 endemic in Singapore, enabling patients affected by COVID-19 to seek medical advice remotely and safely.
Research and development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is another area UNO Tech is focusing on as it foresees the healthcare industry to be the next industry ripe for AI disruption.
www.essexbio.com
THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN BEFORE COVID-19 SAFE DISTANCING MEASURES WERE APPLICABLE IN SINGAPORE
can extend its reach into the homes of more patients and families with an increasing number of treatments.
SCALING UP THE BUSINESS
The 25th and latest addition to the OneCare Medical family is Beo Crescent Clinic & Surgery, having been acquired by the company in October 2021.
Conveniently located in central Singapore, this independent GP clinic has been providing basic primary healthcare services to the local community for the past 10 years.
With this experience in mind, it means that Beo Crescent Clinic & Surgery has been able to seamlessly embrace the common, shared values of the OneCare Medical network.
“They can leverage our resources to expand their services, as well as potentially extend their operating hours,” states Chew. “As part of the OneCare Medical family, they are now able to enjoy our economy of skills which can
also reduce their running costs.”
In addition to pursuing more acquisitions, the establishment of a new central support office has further helped to scale up the business.
Complete with accounting, logistics, central purchasing and operational departments, the capabilities of this central support office continue to grow.
It has also enabled OneCare Medical to set up more clinics, such as the likes of Beo Crescent Clinic & Surgery, and support them in a scalable manner.
“Every time we start up a clinic, the processes are really fine-tuned and that makes things easier,” Chew notes. “Of course, when it comes to the operational needs of the clinic, the central support office brings a huge number of benefits because we have everything in place.”
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
All OneCare Medical clinics are able to administer recommended vaccines
Innoquest Diagnostics
Innoquest Diagnostics is proud to be a laboratory provider for OneCare Medical Group’s doctors and clinics since their inception in 2016.
We are privileged to have been a part of OneCare’s growth from a single clinic to over 25 clinics to date.
As a valued partner, we look forward to working closely with OneCare in serving the nation and achieving greater heights of success and prosperity together.
for adults and children, including COVID-19 vaccines in some of the clinics.
OneCare Medical has participated in the national vaccination programme against COVID-19, and as part of the Singapore Ministry of Health’s network of Public Health Preparedness Clinics, the company has helped to diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients.
The proximity of clinics and consultations to affected patients and communities across Singapore has helped to reduce the transmission of this infectious disease as OneCare Medical’s services, which include providing COVID-19 swabs, are widely available across the country, negating the need to travel to multiple locations.
Singapore currently has a case fatality rate of just 0.29 percent, one of the lowest in the world, and OneCare Medical has helped to play its part in this success.
On 31st March 2021, Innovative Diagnostics (IDPL) and Quest Laboratories (QUEST) merged to become Innoquest Diagnostics Pte Ltd (Innoquest). IDPL and Quest have been serving our medical community for over 25 years.
The merger allows for more efficient economies of scale, faster turnaround times and an expanded menu of tests to improve diagnostics access to all of Singapore’s doctors and patients. Innoquest also stands as one of a few labs in Southeast Asia to hold dual accreditation to CAP and SAC-SINGLAS ISO 15189.
We continuously strive to advance frontiers in medical science and build Singapore’s laboratory of the future in our mission to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes in pursuit of science, innovating for life.
“TEAMWORK IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT, TO FULFIL ALL OF OUR DAILY TASKS AS WELL AS HANDLE CHALLENGES AND FIGHT AGAINST UNEXPECTED EVENTS SUCH AS THE PANDEMIC”
–
JIMMY
CHEW, CEO, ONECARE MEDICAL
“We have mobilised our manpower to help manage key community facilities, used to manage COVID-19 patients who do not require tertiary care, so these are things that we have been doing to help with the pandemic response,” shares Chew.
The support of suppliers has also never been more paramount, to ensure the company is adequately and reliably equipped with pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and consumables.
“We have to trust our suppliers to make sure that quality control procedures are in place and that they
are able to restock our supplies in a timely manner.
“That way, we can ensure that there’s a good balance been the shelf life of products, having stock ready, and making sure our warehouse capacity is optimised. All these things come together to make sure that our operational requirements are met,” Chew continues.
In what has been a truly testing time for healthcare staff during the COVID19 pandemic, the hard work and professionalism of OneCare Medical’s staff cannot be overemphasised.
“Teamwork is especially important,
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
STARHUB GREEN
67 Ubi Avenue 1, South Wing #02-08/09, Singapore 408942
Tel: +65 6430 3461
Fax: +65 6254 8115 / 8266
www.innoquest.com.sg
to fulfil all of our daily tasks as well as handle challenges and fight against unexpected events such as the pandemic. It requires them to be courageous as well as professional.
“We encourage our staff to support each other, and we have career planning in place for most of them, so they are able to grow with us as the company grows,” adds Chew.
In doing so, OneCare Medical will continue to provide preventative, accessible and professional healthcare to residents across the heartlands of Singapore, with the hope of becoming a recognisable, trusted brand.
With a firm commitment to innovation, sustainability, and client satisfaction, CIAP Architects delivers bespoke design solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of any architectural project. We
True architects surpass the role of building stylists, healing the built environment, creating places and spaces that add value and meaning to life. We construct the necessary theatre and stage on which the story of humanity unfolds. We are the heart of the built environment.”
The opening words of Theodore Chan, Senior Director at CIAP
encapsulates how much it means to him and his team to see the company’s buildings used in the way they were originally intended.
Flash back a lifetime to when Chan was 14 years of age, when his elder brother asked him to design and build
“I designed a very simple picket fence, worked out the measurements, then bought the timber, nuts, and bolts, and built it myself. My brother was very happy with it,” he recalls
“I thought this is what architects do – except they design buildings rather than just a fence.”
Little did either brother know that this seemingly inconsequential holiday project would propel Chan on a pathway to one of Singapore’s leading architecture
Theodore Chan, Senior Director
Determined to follow his dream, the next stage of Chan’s career progressed as he chose to study architecture at the National University of Singapore. After graduating, he began working with prominent and avant-garde architect, Tang Guan Bee. Having soaked up as much knowledge as possible, Chan spent the next 11 years training with SAA Architects, a distinguished architect firm in Singapore, where he learned the ropes of the industry.
Next, in 2000, Chan was presented with the opportunity to join a fledgling company – Consultants Incorporated Architects and Planners, which would eventually become CIAP.
Now boasting a vast level of industry experience and knowledge, collected meticulously over the last 30 years, Chan and the internationally acclaimed CIAP has been instrumental in the design and implementation of many
award-winning development projects in Singapore.
Additionally, from 2012 to 2015, Chan proudly served as President of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), where he developed the curriculum for the Architectural Practice Course and the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA).
During this period, balancing both roles meant splitting his time carefully between the SIA and CIAP, which entailed relying on business partner Tham Tuck Cheong and a strong team of young independent architects.
“I was very fortunate to be supported by Tuck Cheong, my mentor and friend, and our team,” Chan reflects.
MASTERS IN MASTER PLANNING
CIAP provides a vast selection of master planning, architectural, project management, and interior design
services and has built a wealth of substantial experience in a wide range of developments in Singapore and across Asia. As it has grown, CIAP has expanded its offices in the Philippines and Indonesia to venture and support the growing regional needs of the business.
At the company’s core, CIAP believes in designing buildings as an honest expression that is appropriate for its function and with sensitivity to the environment.
In this way, the firm’s intricate design process embraces a logical analysis of the client’s brief and user requirements with a personalised and professional approach. The company further considers the complete consciousness of the client’s objectives regarding operational policy, time, cost, and design excellence.
“Our team of experienced and qualified professionals are dedicated to confidently delivering the highest
National Cancer Centre
standards of service, from inception to successful completion,” Chan acclaims.
“To this end, our office is equipped with extensive and comprehensive state-of-the-art computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting facilities to document the most demanding of designs alongside coping with the fast-paced complexities, requirements, and challenges of today’s design and construction industry,” he confirms.
MAXIMISING INNOVATION AND DESIGN
For CIAP, the craft of designing bespoke buildings must be integrated with a layer of innovation and technology.
Further to this, Chan believes that the ever-growing importance of engineering and science will continue to play a bigger role in the industry moving forward.
“BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS NEED MEANING, AND WE’VE ALWAYS PRIDED OURSELVES ON NOT DOING THINGS FRIVOLOUSLY. EVERYTHING WE DO MUST
BE PURPOSEFUL, AND THERE MUST BE A REASON FOR EVERY BUILDING COMPONENT OR DESIGN”
– THEODORE CHAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, CIAP ARCHITECTS
“Beautiful objects need meaning, and we’ve always prided ourselves on not doing things frivolously. Everything we do must be purposeful, and there must be a reason for each building component or design,” he elaborates.
“We now have the technology and digital tools for evidence-based design. It’s time for architects to science-up. My team has the artificial intelligence (AI) and programming skills, and now is the moment for them
to step up and put the science and technology into our mantra.”
When Chan refers to evidencebased design, he uses the example of a sun shading device on a building. Eight out of 10 architects won’t be able to tell you what percentage of shading there will be on the façade, but evidence-based design will outline the specifics of what it can do, cutting out 82.3 percent of sunlight between the months of June and July.
CIAP PROJECT CASE STUDY: YISHUN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, SINGAPORE
The pride of CIAP’s healthcare portfolio, inventively conceived as a hospital in a garden, Yishun Community Hospital (YCH) draws inspiration from classic equatorial vernacular architectural elements of shade, screen, porosity, verandah, and apertures to achieve a Greenmark Platinum Certification healthcare facility that provides a comfortable, community-based healing environment for longer-stay patients to recuperate.
“OUR
TEAM OF EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS ARE DEDICATED TO CONFIDENTLY DELIVERING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SERVICE, FROM INCEPTION TO SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION”
– THEODORE CHAN, SENIOR DIRECTOR, CIAP ARCHITECTS
“This is the focus for CIAP moving forward. We’ve recently started a small innovation department called CIAPAI. Here, we’ll apply technology and science to all our healthcare buildings and architecture that we’ll be designing in the future,” he explains.
Moreover, across the industry, evidence-based designs are the new normal in terms of design thinking.
Chan also believes that integrated digital delivery will become a growing trend in Singapore construction, with digital technologies used to integrate all processes and stakeholders throughout the construction life cycle. Cloud-based technologies can now create a single, up-to-date source of project data that can be accessed by all.
TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE
Across the entirety of CIAP, the company brings years of experience and expertise in designing healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and research centres.
“Our team of architects understands the complexities of healthcare architecture, from regulatory compliance to patient-centric design principles,” Chan tells us.
“We specialise in creating state-ofthe-art hospital environments that prioritise patient care, staff efficiency, and operational excellence. Whether
An Era of New Challenge Begins!
Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd was established in 1896 and has evolved over the last 128 years into one of Japan’s leading construction companies. Penta-Ocean Singapore Office was established in 1965 and has been part of Singapore’s growth and development through the years since its independence, and the company has utilised its expertise to build some of the world’s most noteworthy structures. Drawing on this accumulated know-how, Penta-Ocean is today a leading producer of innovative construction techniques and products, and continues to be in the forefront of many projects in Japan, Singapore and around the world.
it’s a new construction project or a renovation, we collaborate closely with our clients to design spaces that enhance healing, promote wellness, and optimise workflow,” he enthuses.
Dedicated to excellence across every facet of the process, CIAP’s architectural designs combine functionality with aesthetic appeal, reflecting the latest trends and innovations in healthcare architecture. From evidence-based design principles to sustainable building practices, the company integrates cutting-edge solutions to create environments that inspire healing and well-being.
“At CIAP, client satisfaction is our top priority. We work collaboratively with healthcare institutions, stakeholders, and end-users to understand their vision, goals, and requirements. Through open communication and transparent project management, we ensure that our designs exceed expectations and align with our client’s objectives,” Chan concludes passionately.
Tel: +65 6336 3900
info@ciap.sg www.ciap.sg
NUH Medical Centre (2013)
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
Outram Community Hospital (2019)
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital (2012)
Penta-Ocean collaborated with CIAP in the above three Hospital Projects in Singapore. ( ) : Completion Year
Exclusive, appetising content, delivered straight to your inbox
Adding to the success of its regional titles; Africa Outlook, EME Outlook, APAC Outlook, and North America Outlook, Outlook Publishing is proud to introduce a new platform dedicated to the food and beverage sector.
A multi-channel brand, Food & Beverage Outlook serves up all the positive global developments driven by companies across the food and beverage industry. Discover exclusive content presented through its website, social media channels and dispatches, delivered straight to your inbox with a bi-weekly newsletter.
Through this compelling new venture, Food & Beverage Outlook foregrounds the movers and shakers of the industry by confronting unprecedented change, showcasing technological innovations and incorporating critical environmental sustainability agendas.
To participate as a featured company and join us in this exciting endeavour, contact one of our Project Managers today.
Takayama
BESTOWING CULINARY PLEASURES
OUE Restaurants seeks to deliver authentic dining experiences to a multitude of demographics and broad range of tastes. We make a reservation with Andrew Ing, COO, and discuss the range of innovative concepts that the company has developed
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Poppi Burke
The food and lifestyle division of OUE Limited, OUE Restaurants (OUER), is on a mission to meet and deliver new standards of exceptional dining that bring together a diverse range of clientele from across Singapore and overseas.
Its growing portfolio features a distinct host of restaurants and bars - from fine and bespoke, to fast and casual, aspiring to feed its customers in new and innovative ways.
Parallel to OUER’s impressive growth, Singapore has witnessed gradual and measured development, emerging as an internationally renowned city of commerce, with a constellation of prominent buildings now dotting its rapidly evolving skyline.
By both conceptualising and operating a broad spectrum of dining and lifestyle concepts that were dreamt up with the aim of creating authentic and
exceptional dining experiences that guests love, OUER, in a relatively short amount of time, has become a household name in Singapore’s bustling hospitality scene.
In this way, with a strong brand philosophy at its core, the company is striving to establish incredible fresh spaces for its visitors to create memories, discover new and classic traditions, and to fulfil a complete spectrum of desires which guests love and will revisit time and time again.
NAVIGATING CHANGING TASTES
The hospitality industry in Singapore continues to battle global issues such as inflation, staff shortages, and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, another issue that the nation has encountered comes in the unexpected form of the strength of its own currency.
Andrew Ing, COO
The rigidity of the Singapore dollar means that when tourists visit from overseas, they often find services expensive and overpriced, which then affects restaurants and other establishments.
Singapore has a rising middle and affluent class of people with high disposable incomes, fuelling the dining-out culture and demand for both everyday and fine dining. Food and beverage spending is now viewed increasingly as a lifestyle activity rather than simply a necessity.
Furthermore, across multiple income segments, eating out is now considered an important part of social and professional engagements.
“Now, in Singapore, we are seeing more fine dining restaurants and Michelin starred chefs opening casual concepts that are more affordable,” introduces COO of OUER, Andrew Ing.
“Value is the big thing for me now as a strategy for our company, because
it doesn’t matter if you’re charging SGD$5 or SGD$500, you still need to deliver value to that guest,” he elaborates.
THE ESSENCE OF STREETSIDE SINGAPORE
Today, synonymous with its worldfamous chicken rice, OUER’s Chatterbox concept brings an authentic hawker dining experience to an elevated modern, convivial setting.
“Being the first to bring hawker food to a 5-star hotel, our dishes are made to be celebrated together in the spacious, light-filled comforts of today,” Ing reveals.
“We believe in the simple truth that food is the soul of society and eating is a sensorial affair. At the heart of each compelling dish is a history and a rich broth of heritage and culture,” he continues.
For over half a century, Chatterbox has upheld simple truths to bring joy
to what it serves. The chefs select the freshest local ingredients and let their true colours shine - each element plays an important part in Singapore’s history.
Flash back to 1971, and the OUE Limited dream was simple, but bold for its time: to bring authentic Singapore hawker food from the city’s streets, and into the comfort of a 5-star luxury hotel.
Today, the company’s menu has blossomed into a freewheeling tour of the nation’s multicultural food scene, devoted to capturing the flavours of street-side Singapore.
“Our dishes are seasoned with stories of yesteryear as our recipe evolved into its own ritual over time. As legends go, our chicken rice recipe evolved into its own ritual over the years - fiercely guarded and unyielding to the passage of time, resulting in flavours and textures that have remained consistent in the last 50 years.”
Hanare interior
Hanare Ebi Pasta
Hanare Unagi Kamameshi
Other signature dishes include OUER’s lobster laksa and specialty king prawn hokkien noodles.
The concept provides a comfortable and contemporary space to ideally commemorate every occasion. Be it a celebration, business meeting, or an intimate event, the private dining room is available for customers to gather and create lasting memories.
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Elsewhere in OUER’s impressive portfolio is its HighHouse concept, a transcendent day-to-night nightlife and culinary destination where music, art, flavours, and conversations seamlessly intersect atop one of Singapore’s tallest buildings.
“Offering unparalleled views of the Singapore skyline, HighHouse spans across Levels 61 and 62 of One Raffles Place. Inspired by flavours that thrive where land meets the sea, we celebrate ingredients that are synonymous with
communities from around the Pacific Coast,” Ing enthuses.
This impressive venue exists as the ultimate setting for meaningful connections, exceptional cocktail and culinary experiences, impeccable service, and memorable gatherings to flourish, coupled with a progressive soundscape by renowned and emerging music selectors from Singapore and across the region.
“The concept was developed by art, design, entertainment, and hospitality
NOV – HighHouse’s opening, One Raffles Place, Singapore
2024 (UPCOMING)
AUG – Nova opening, One Raffles Place, Singapore
DFS signature sandwiches
DFS interior
“WE BELIEVE IN THE SIMPLE TRUTH THAT FOOD IS THE SOUL OF SOCIETY AND EATING IS A SENSORIAL AFFAIR. AT THE HEART OF EACH COMPELLING DISH IS A HISTORY AND A RICH BROTH OF HERITAGE AND CULTURE”
– ANDREW ING, COO, OUE RESTAURANTS
adopting progressive human capital practices, and knowing how to build a strong brand,” he concludes.
Indeed, it is the strength of the OUER brand that continues to define its success and will surely lead to a continuum of prosperity heading into a bright future for the company.
industry visionaries to serve up exceptional experiences that push the boundaries of nightlife and dining,” he expands.
Specialising in Mod Pan-Asian flavours, HighHouse serves up a diverse selection of beverages and dishes that take diners on a diverse journey of cultures and dishes from all over South America, Oceania, and beyond.
This ground-breaking concept from OUER provides a perfect platform for a dynamic ensemble of emerging and established artists from across the globe and transforms HighHouse into
a vibrant transmedia space.
In this way, it is the variety and diversity of concepts, and the ability to cater to all tastes that separates OUER’s portfolio and continues to truly set the company apart.
“After 40 years in the nightlife and food and beverage industries, working in a variety of roles across a multitude of concepts, I have developed a strong foundation for the success of such businesses,” Ing divulges.
“This winning formula is based on three principles – applying a hospitality mindset to an organisation both internally and externally,
Hashida
PLEASSED TO MEET YOU
Responsibly sourced and purified to perfection, Pleass is redefining standards in bottled water production. We quench our thirst and get the full story with Joint CEO and Marketing Director, Cate Pleass
Writer:
Ed Budds | Project Manager: Josh Rayfield
The bottled water industry has become a global juggernaut.
More than one million bottles of water are sold every minute around the world, and the thriving sector shows no sign of slowing down, with global sales of bottled water expected to nearly double by 2030.
On a worldwide scale, bottles are the key to safe consumption, and for many economically developing countries, serve as a partial solution when clean drinking water is not readily available.
As an influential and exciting player within this titanic field, Pleass exists as a dynamic and rapidly expanding publicly-owned company, primarily focused on producing and marketing bottled water under its signature AquaSafe artesian water from Fiji and VaiWai artesian water from Fiji labels, as well as various other client brands.
The broader group, Pleass Global Limited, was incorporated in 1996 and has been a listed company on
the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) for 14 years, overseeing segments including bottled water, food service packaging, and property development.
BOTTLING THE ESSENCE OF FIJI
In the vast bottled water industry, Pleass has risen to a prominent position as the market leader by
“DISCIPLINED, COMPLIANT, AND FOCUSED, WE ARE A BUSINESS THAT STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO WITH THE HELP OF 180 GREAT TEAM MEMBERS WHO ALL CONTRIBUTE STRONGLY TO THE COMPANY’S SUCCESS”
- CATE PLEASS, JOINT CEO AND MARKETING DIRECTOR, PLEASS
volume in Fiji with strong market shares across the Pacific and is further exporting its premium artesian waters to the US, Asia, and the Middle East.
“Our state-of-the-art, hygienic bottling facility, located at the water’s source, caters to both local and international markets. In addition to our water business, Pleass operates a division that sells single-use daily items and manufactures packaging
products,” introduces Cate Pleass, Joint CEO and Marketing Director.
Today, the company also continues to diversify and venture into ecotourism with its inbound tourism park and organic farming facility.
“At the core of our procedures is a deep-seated dedication to environmental protection and sustainable practices. We certify our land source as organic, ensuring that our sustainable water sources are protected,” adds Cate.
Since 1997, the company has averaged a 30 percent growth rate, while its sales, production, and
distribution teams are continually being strengthened in numbers and undertaking enhanced training programmes.
Similarly, Pleass takes pride in its comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, which reflect the company’s dedication to making a positive impact on both the environment and the communities it serves.
In this way, Pleass goes beyond ordinary water companies. As a market leader, the business strives to enhance the quality of hydration, ensuring purity while prioritising the environment from source to bottle.
“WE HAVE FILTRATION AND ULTRAVIOLET (UV) TREATMENT SYSTEMS TO ENSURE EVERY BOTTLE REACHES THE CONSUMER IN PERFECT CONDITION”
- CATE PLEASS, JOINT CEO AND MARKETING DIRECTOR, PLEASS
“We understand the impact our choices have and that is why we utilise sustainable practices throughout our operations. Disciplined, compliant, and focused, we are a business that strives for excellence in everything we do with the help of 180 great team members who all contribute strongly to the company’s success.”
PRIDE OF THE PORTFOLIO
Imagine crystal clear water, untouched by impurities, gently filtered for millennia through layers of pristine Fijian rainforest.
That’s the essence of every sip of Pleass’ AquaSafe and VaiWai natural artesian water bottles. Produced at its source deep beneath the Namosi
PLEASS MISSION AND VISION
MISSION
To delight consumers with waters of distinctive design, character, taste, and quality.
Refresh – To deliver the ultimate hydration solution and become a brand associated with style, health, activity, and lifestyle.
Respect – Respect must be the hallmark of all that the company does for its customers, consumers, shareholders, employees, and communities.
Rethink – Constantly deliver innovation and excellence.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover – Deliver environmental and sustainability gains with integrity and purpose through the company’s famous four “Rs”.
VISION
To be engaged with consumers globally and admired for its portfolio of brands and values.
Mountains, which remains untouched by human activity, the brand brings customers the purest artesian water nature has to offer.
As such, AquaSafe and VaiWai stand out in the markets for their unique taste and silky texture, originating from an artesian source beneath the lush tropical rainforest of Fiji. Every year, this region receives over four metres of rainfall, which naturally filters the water through the earth before bottling.
A noticeable difference from other waters is AquaSafe and VaiWai’s relatively low total dissolved solids (TDS) and the unique geology of the aquifer that positively influences its natural flavour.
“Since its product inception in
1998, AquaSafe has been bottled in 15-litre refillable polycarbonate cooler bottles, which are among the most eco-friendly packaging options available. You can wash, sterilise, and refill these bottles multiple times; however, they are mainly suitable for home and office water coolers due to their size,” Cate sets out.
“The Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) has awarded us the
highest Bottling Excellence rating, and we hold full Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification. Independent third parties conduct annual audits to maintain these standards” she details.
DELIVERING NATURE’S REFRESHMENT
Staying hydrated is essential, and with Pleass’ renowned AquaSafe and
VaiWai water brands, customers can ensure they’re getting the utmost refreshment with every drink.
Sourced directly from the springs and bottled using sustainable practices, Pleass delivers nature’s refreshment one crisp, clean bottle at a time.
“Environmental protection is a core value at Pleass, as we employ state-of-the-art facilities that reduce
our environmental footprint. From using recycled materials to executing responsible water management, we strive to leave a positive impact on the planet,” Cate highlights.
“Our land is certified as 100 percent organic, which means we are doing our part for the environment by focusing on sustainable farming practices, soil health, land regeneration, and biodiversity
APAC OUTLOOK: DO YOU PARTAKE IN ANY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PRACTICES?
Cate Pleass, Joint CEO and Marketing Director: “Pleass is the long-term platinum donor to Rotary Pacific Water, a foundation in Fiji that delivers clean water and sanitation solutions to communities in need.
“This is life-changing work as many communities in the country have no access to clean water, resulting in waterborne illnesses and deaths. Often, people are forced to transport water over long distances and endure great effort to supply hydration to their homes. To date, hundreds of communities have been assisted, and we are now seeing villages provided with taps and showers in their homes for the very first time. Clean water is key to development and health, and we are very proud of this partnership.
“We have further assisted around 220 other organisations in the past year with financial support or goods of some kind, and we try to focus our efforts on health, wellness, sport, youth, schools, and communities in need.
“Additionally, we have an annual scholarship programme in our local community where children are provided with school necessities to make learning more accessible.”
protection around the primary source of AquaSafe and VaiWai to give our customers the most responsibly sourced water in the world,” she excites.
Furthermore, Pleass has embarked on a monitoring programme in
collaboration with ABWI to measure its environmental gains and impacts. This project will reveal what actions the company may need to take to effect changes and will hopefully uphold what Pleass already believes is a highly sustainable operation.
Its manufacturing plant is situated in the lush tropical rainforests of Namosi, Fiji, where the company owns a land holding of 420 acres and cares for the property with organic certification in the catchment areas. Its aquifers are deep underground, and by keeping the land above pristine and free of contaminants, Pleass further assures the quality of its artesian water.
“We have filtration and UV treatment systems to ensure every bottle reaches the consumer in perfect condition. Our manufacturing plant is seven years old and was constructed under green technology regulations, ensuring that it uses the lowest possible amount of energy, utilising extremely high ceilings and flow-through ventilation to maintain a comfortable temperature even in the hottest months.”
Well equipped for continued prosperity, the impressive facility also includes a large warehouse, quality
laboratory, engineering workshop, and all the typical head office functions including finance, HR, sales, customer service, IT, projects, procurement, and management departments.
Future facing, with a world-class facility in place, Pleass’ strategic plan is to progress and continue with its anticipated growth, entering new markets, launching new products, and operating ethically and authentically in line with the company’s key values.
As the Republic of Palau’s only full-service telecommunications provider, Palau National Communications Corporation is on a mission to deliver state-of-the-art connectivity across the islands. Simon Fraser, CEO, tells us how the business is embarking on a technological transformation to show that small island nations can lead on a global stage
Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Liam Pye
The Republic of Palau (Palau) is one of the world’s top diving destinations, with vibrant seas, abundant marine life, pristine beaches, and welcoming people.
What is lesser known about the archipelago, however, is its up-andcoming telecommunications (telecoms) industry that is experiencing a major transformation.
In recent decades, the region has witnessed remarkable advancements in digital connectivity that have facilitated a robust telecoms infrastructure, becoming a cornerstone of the country’s development and progress.
At the forefront of this evolution, Palau National Communications
Corporation (PNCC) provides essential telecoms services that profoundly impact both the daily lives of individuals and the overall economy.
Indeed, the industry is full of innovations such as 5G and the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) movement, which promise to revolutionise connectivity with faster speeds, lower latency, and more flexible network management.
“These technologies are critical as they enable us to offer cutting-edge solutions that drive socioeconomic growth,” introduces Simon Fraser, CEO of PNCC.
Simon Fraser, CEO
In contrast, the country’s telecoms sector also faces significant challenges, such as bridging the
investment gap for the necessary infrastructure that ensures Palau can fully benefit from the latest advancements.
This gap is a global industry-wide issue, primarily stemming from the lack of substantial capital needed to build and upgrade infrastructure to handle increased data traffic, expand coverage, and improve connection reliability in remote and sparsely populated areas.
“At PNCC, we are committed to overcoming these challenges through strategic partnerships and leveraging grant funding opportunities with Palau’s international partners, ensuring our community is not left behind in the digital revolution,” assures Fraser.
WORLD-CLASS SOLUTIONS
Established in 1982 as the country’s first telecoms provider, PNCC is proud to be Palau’s national carrier for local and international telecoms services and was founded with the mission to modernise and expand connectivity.
However, the company has always been more than just a service provider, positioned as the bridge joining the archipelago to the rest of the world.
“Our unwavering commitment is to reach every corner of the nation, delivering world-class connectivity from Kayangel in the north to Sonsorol and Hatohobei in the south.”
The company began over 40 years ago with just 200 telephone
customers and has now grown to over 40,000 subscriptions, offering a full array of basic and advanced telecoms services.
These include mobile data, voice, short message service (SMS), fixedline broadband, digital television, and specialised business solutions.
PNCC’s dedicated team of 112 employees consists of 105 Palauans and seven expatriates who work tirelessly to ensure top-notch services for its customers.
The company operates across three business premises in Palau’s urban core, namely a main retail store, the corporate headquarters, and the International Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (ITMC), which
houses a 13-metre satellite earth station.
PNCC owns and operates Palau’s largest 3G/4G mobile network, which today has approximately 98 percent population coverage, and is delivered via almost 60 cell sites throughout the main archipelago. A landmark project is underway with satellite services partner, Intelsat, to extend mobile network coverage to the two remote southwest island states of Hatohobei and Sonsorol.
“Through continuous innovation and determination, we are dedicated to providing reliable and affordable telecoms services, ensuring that every resident of Palau stays connected to the world,” Fraser states.
MODERNISING MOBILE NETWORKS
Palau will be the first country in Oceania to disaggregate and modernise its mobile network using a 5G standalone core and following O-RAN principles.
The company launched the project in June 2023 in collaboration with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which provided a technical assistance grant to fund the design of a new mobile telecoms network based on 5G O-RAN.
This is an innovative approach to building Radio Access Networks (RAN) that uses standardised, open interfaces between network components to allow diverse vendors’ equipment to work simultaneously together. This contrasts with traditional RAN where, typically, the hardware and software are tightly integrated and proprietary is granted to a single vendor.
There are a whole host of benefits to an O-RAN system, such as flexibility and interoperability, as the network allows PNCC to combine components from different vendors, fostering innovation and reducing dependency on individual suppliers.
Meanwhile, by leveraging commercial off-the-shelf hardware and open interfaces between network components, the O-RAN architecture can reduce costs and make it more feasible to deploy highly advanced networks in smaller markets such as Palau.
It also boasts enhanced network performance, enabling more tailored and efficient configurations and improving overall performance and service quality.
Additionally, O-RAN will continue to create meaningful employment opportunities for Palauan engineers, developers, and technicians. Therefore, by internally sourcing all
aspects of network management, the company can retain and attract skilled professionals.
“By pioneering the first commercial 5G standalone O-RAN network in Oceania, PNCC is not only enhancing its service offerings but also setting a benchmark for innovation and technological advancement in the region, underscoring our commitment to driving progress,” Fraser expresses.
POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS
One of PNCC’s most groundbreaking initiatives is its partnership with Lynk Global in the world’s first commercial launch of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, introduced in June 2023.
“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY; IT’S ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, CONNECTING OUR REMOTE ISLANDS, AND INCREASING RESILIENCE FOR THE ENTIRE NATION”
– SIMON FRASER, CEO, PALAU NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
FUTURE ROADMAP OF PNCC’S MOBILE NETWORK
DEPLOYMENT OF 5G STANDALONE O-RAN MOBILE NETWORK – The roll-out of PNCC’s disaggregated RAN infrastructure will leverage multivendor interoperability, enabled by O-RAN standards. Therefore, the business can optimise its network for cost efficiency and flexibility.
AUTOMATION AND ORCHESTRATION – Implementing advanced automation and orchestration frameworks to streamline the management and optimisation of its O-RAN deployment.
O-RAN INNOVATION LAB
This service aims to achieve universal coverage across the republic, including the two remote southwest islands.
“The D2D service employs satellite ‘cell towers in the sky’ that connect directly to standard mobile phones, with no special devices required,” Fraser informs.
The collaborative service began with SMS last year and will further expand to include voice calls and internet access by 2026. Moreover, the Lynk Global roll-out will also serve as a cost-effective backup system during emergency outages.
“It’s not just about advanced technology; it’s about bringing people together, connecting our remote islands, and increasing resilience for the entire nation.”
This sentiment is further demonstrated by the company’s provision of high-speed internet to Palau’s schools.
In 2023, the company joined hands
with Palau’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Human Services to build a high-speed fibre optic private network to connect all public schools in Palau, the first in the Pacific Islands.
In the near future, Palau will have fast fibre optic connections across the entire country via PNCC’s Reconnect 3 Grant Programme funded by the US Rural Utilities Service (RUS), however, schools remain the primary focus in the shorter term.
“We believe that the health and education of our youth is the most important aspect of investing in our country’s future,” comments Fraser.
What’s more, the company is currently introducing a hybrid green power backup system that provides reliable mobile data services to remote islands in preparation for natural disasters. The model will use solar, wind, and generator energy solutions to maintain access to internet and phone networks.
Fostering collaboration with ecosystem partners and accelerating the development and testing of cutting-edge O-RAN solutions, keeping the company at the forefront of technological advancements.
EDGE COMPUTING
INTEGRATION – Integrating O-RAN deployments with edge computing capabilities to enable low-latency applications and enhance the user experience. This integration will open up new revenue streams through innovative new services, further strengthening PNCC’s market position.
O-RAN TALENT DEVELOPMENT
Committing to continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives to cultivate a highly proficient workforce in 5G O-RAN management and operations, driving innovation and service excellen
Lynk Global Launch ceremony June 2023
(Photo Left to right): Charles Obichang, Palau Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries; Pooja V. Vernekar, Political Counselor, Embassy of India; Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., President of Palau; Whitney Baird, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Simon Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, Palau National Communications Corporation; Carmen Cantor, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior; Richelle Turner, Ambassador, Embassy of Australia; James Boughner, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, U.S. Embassy; Mayu Hagiwara, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan.
THE PNCC APPROACH
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY – The company leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver seamless telecoms solutions, ensuring its clients stay connected in the ever-evolving digital era.
COMMUNITY IMPACT – PNCC believes in the power of connectivity to drive socioeconomic growth, enabling communities to access vital services, education, and other previously unreachable opportunities.
GLOBAL REACH – The company is committed to bridging the digital divide and bringing the world closer to Palau through reliable and affordable telecoms services.
SUSTAINABILITY – Environmental practices are at the core of the business as it strives to implement sustainability solutions that not only enhance connectivity but also protect the planet.
CUSTOMER-CENTRIC – PNCC’s customers are at the heart of everything it does, as the company provides personalised, high-quality telecoms services that meet their needs on a daily basis.
Elsewhere, PNCC is also set to launch an Electronic Voucher Distribution (EVD) system with technology partner Ogloba, as part of its digital evolution. This new system will streamline the process of purchasing prepaid access to PNCC’s mobile and fixed-line networks while introducing a variety of new digital products. The system aims to enhance online services, ensuring a green, secure, and convenient customer experience.
Customers can expect easier access to prepaid mobile and internet top-up products, followed by the introduction of electronic SIM (eSIM) cards and other digital products including vouchers and gift cards for leading global online businesses.
COLLECTIVE CONNECTIVITY
Due to Palau’s remote location and small market size, PNCC’s business partners are critical to ensuring smooth operations. Moreover, as a public corporation, the company has
A Vision of Value
a formal purchasing policy in place to ensure the best value from its vendors.
“The key to PNCC’s success lies in fostering strong collaborations with partners who share common goals within the telecoms industry.
“By aligning with like-minded organisations and leading suppliers, we can leverage collective expertise, resources, and innovation to stay competitive and drive growth,” reveals Fraser.
Suppliers are also key in helping the company stay abreast of global trends and remain relevant, thereby achieving long-term success in a rapidly evolving telecoms landscape. Synergistic relationships also provide ample training opportunities for PNCC’s staff.
The upskilling of its workforce is of paramount importance to the company as its people are at the core of everything it does. Thus, by internally sourcing all aspects of network management and investing
in its staff, the business creates a thriving environment where Palauan talent can flourish.
This not only benefits PNCC but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable development and technological advancement in Palau and the wider region.
“Our ambitious plans for the coming year are not just about technological advancements, but about empowering our community, fostering innovation, and ensuring that Palau remains seamlessly connected to the world,” concludes Fraser.
To round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question
Who or what do you look up to for inspiration?
Israel Lozano Executive Managing Director, Navantia Australia
“Our people inspire me. There is a purpose to everything we do, which is to create a piece of sovereignty for Australia and serve the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Knowing that behind our people are the men and women who serve to protect us is inspiring and helps us keep striving to be the best we can be. I feel honoured to share the same efforts, responsibilities, and commitments with all our employees.”
Massimo Delia General Manager, Well-Safe Solutions Pty Ltd
“Being a marathon runner myself, Eliud Kipchoge is one of my
sources of inspiration. He is humble, extremely hard-working, always smiling, capable of appreciating every moment, and has tungstengrade mental strength.
“He’s also a team worker and cognisant of the fact that, without his support team, he wouldn’t have become one of the greatest runners of all time. He preaches that no human is limited, and that through sacrifices, determination, and selfbelief, everyone can reach any goal they set themselves.”
Simon Fraser CEO, Palau National Communications Corporation
“Without a doubt, our customers are my greatest source of inspiration. Every day, their resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to their communities motivates us to strive for excellence. Their feedback and needs drive
our innovation and continuous improvement, pushing us to provide the best possible services.
“Their diverse stories and experiences remind us of the critical role we play in connecting people, businesses, and communities across Palau. They inspire us to go beyond just being a service provider; they challenge us to be a partner in their journey towards a more connected and prosperous future.”
David Wilkinson
Executive
General
ManagerAviation and Maritime Services, Trident Services Australia
“I don’t have a choice; I have to say Perry Dollar!”
Are you a CEO/Director with a company story to tell? Contact APAC Outlook now!
Now, why not tell yours? Our bi-monthly magazine APAC Outlook is essential reading for business executives wanting to keep up with the latest in global news and trends affecting Asia Pacific businesses across all industries.
Reaching an audience of over 220,000 readers, your company can take advantage of exposure in APAC Outlook with a FREE article and FREE digital brochure, as well as access to further digital-based marketing tools that could transform your business.
To share in this unrivalled opportunity, contact one of our project managers today!
www.apacoutlookmag.com
www.apacoutlookmag.com/work-with-us
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
DESIGNING WITH PASSION. BUILDING WITH PURPOSE.
The Outlook Creative Services Division provides a complete web design, build and delivery service that leverages the expertise of our in-house production team. Complementing Outlook Publishing’s portfolio of esteemed global publications, our specialist skills cater to clients around the world with a fully bespoke service.
If you would like us to bring your digital story to life with passion and purpose, visit www.outlookcs.com or email hello@outlookcs.com
