Business News

Perth-based kitchen appliances firm Thermomix has been ordered to pay $4.6 million in penalties after the Federal Court of Australia found that the company misled customers when its products were found to be dangerously faulty.

Brett Fraser has been appointed non-executive director of Sundance Resources.

The Minerals Council of Australia has announced former Co-Operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies chief executive Tania Constable as its new leader, more than six months after Brendan Pearson left the role.

The board of nickel miner Western Areas has approved a $32 million capital works program at the company’s Odysseus project, with the definitive feasibility study set to be released in the September quarter.

Local fintech company DigitalX has announced it will open a cryptocurrency-focused investment fund and launch two digital currency websites with Perth-based media company Multiplier.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has helped local workers recover nearly $400,000 in unpaid wages, including more than $300,000 from court actions started by the regulator.

The Independent Living Centre WA has appointed Steve Glew chief executive.

Graeme Clatworthy has resigned as executive director of Meteoric Resource, having served on the board in both an executive and non-executive capacity since November 2012.

Lucapa Diamond Company is planning to launch a follow-up exploration program at its Brooking diamond discovery in Western Australia’s Kimberley region after completing a $16.5 million capital raising.

Perth-based Fastbrick Robotics says it is on track to have its commercial prototype Hadrian X bricklaying robot fully assembled by the end of the quarter, with the company expanding its workforce to 140 people to meet its development schedule.

Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan has suggested a summer ban on livestock exports after video emerged showing sheep dying in extreme heat and filth on a Middle East-bound vessel.

Local engineering company Lycopodium has been awarded a contract for design work at Nzuri Copper’s Kalongwe operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Stephen Buckley has been appointed company secretary of Intiger Group following the resignation of Sonu Cheema.

The US arm of Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal has secured a $US10.2 million ($13 million) for engineering and design work with the US defence department.

Ian Parkes has resigned as chief financial officer of Homeloans. Mr  Parkes joined Homeloans over 5 years ago and was a key contributor to the merger with RESIMAC.

New vehicle sales in Western Australia registered a slight increase in March compared with the same month last year, while sales for the 12 months to March were up 5.3 per cent on the prior year, according to the latest data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

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Robert McEniry, non-executive chair of Automotive Holdings Group (AHG), has resigned from all public company directorships in order to spend more time with his family since the diagnosis of a serio

Local contractor AK Evans Earthmoving will shred and bury up to 6,000 tonnes of tyre waste at the South Hedland landfill as part of a new contract with the Town of Port Hedland.

Kerman Contracting has won a $20 million contract for works associated with the upgrade of the crushing circuit at Talison Lithium’s Greenbushes operation in the South West.

Automotive Holdings Group has announced the resignation of recently appointed chairman Robert McEniry, who has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition.

NBN chief executive Bill Morrow will quit his role by the end of the year.

Wayne Trumble and Philip Clark have retired as non-executive directors of African Energy Resources, but will continue to provide consultancy services when required.

The US private equity firm aiming to buy Santos has raised its bid for a third time, valuing the local oil and gas producer at about $13.5 billion.

Avanco Resources has made several new management appointments to support its substantial commitments arising from the push for growth and development through to production of its significant copper

Liquidators have been appointed to Burswood-based Hayes Auctioneers after the business suffered financial difficulties, with up to 40 sellers out of pocket.

Mineral sands miner MZI Resources has announced a new $US61 million ($80 million) debt funding package with major shareholder Resource Capital Fund to continue development at its Keysbrook operation near Serpentine and facilitate debt restructuring.

Based in the Wheatbelt town of Cunderdin, agricultural machinery manufacturer Trufab Global has been nominated as Australia’s only finalist in the 2018 Swedish Steel Prize.

John Sendziuk is retiring as company secretary of Great Boulder Resources, and Melanie Ross has been appointed as his replacement.

Perth-based Global Construction Services has been awarded a new three-year scaffolding contract at CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron project south-west of Karratha.