Mark Beyer

Cloud computing remains an obscure concept for most people but it’s sufficiently tangible to be the driving force behind increased investment in data centres in Western Australia.

BANKS don’t understand small business, accountants are too focused on the past and never leave the office, and lawyers’ fees always end up higher than first quoted.

LESS than five years after being established, Perth-based GR Engineering is pursing a stock market float that values the mining services business at $150 million.

Sydney-based Vocus Communications has expanded its national network with the purchase of data centre operator PerthIX for up to $7 million.

Perth entrepreneur Rod Jones, best known as the founder of listed company Navitas, is behind plans to build a $90 million diesel-fired power station at Merredin.

A parliamentary committee has recommended WA establish a gas market monitor to improve the operation of the market, after finding wholesale gas prices in WA are now at levels double that of the eastern states.

Delivery of WA’s economic and social infrastructure comes in many forms, which is a good way to evaluate different contracting options.

CONTRACTORS in Western Australia have a problem, and its one that many other businesses would like to have.

FIVE years after buying private Perth business ComputerCORP and renaming it Synergy Plus, the directors of the listed IT services company have called in the administrators.

THE perennial vision of harnessing the abundant water supply in Western Australia’s far north is likely to stay a dream, even though the Ord Dam at Kununurra is full and overflowing.

Government spending still dominates infrastructure provision in WA but private projects just keep on growing.

Cedar Woods Properties disclosed today that it has rejected a takeover proposal from an unnamed third party pitched a $5.05 per share, a small premium to its recent trading price.

Perth-based IT services group Synergy Plus has been placed into receivership after its major funder GE Capital demanded repayment of a finance facility.

Getting politicians to understand business issues is hard work; getting them to take action is even harder.

This year’s 40under40 Awards highlighted the depth in young business talent in WA.

ACTIVITY levels in the Western Australian property market have slumped to 10-year lows and are projected to reach 20-year lows, new data from the state government’s land information agency Landgate show.

STAN Perron still goes to his East Perth office three days a week and supports numerous charities, while Harold Clough says he is working as hard as he has ever done, including in a mining venture in Indonesia.

Toll Group announced late Friday the purchase of Perth-based trucking company Mitchell Corporation for $110 million.

Western Australia has recorded a fall in its unemployment rate, putting it well ahead of all other states, but otherwise the labour force data out today signalled the national economy is losing momentum.

IF a Geraldton-based business can win the backing of James Packer’s Consolidated Press, it must be doing something right.

JAMES McClements and his colleagues at Resource Capital Funds are at the peak of their game.

LOCAL fabrication workshops will get one more chance later this year to win substantial contracts on the Gorgon gas project, as the campaign to lift local content on big projects approaches a critical test.

The state government is to be commended for preparing an energy strategy but the hard work lies ahead.

SIX years ago, AMP Capital Investors started implementing an ambitious strategy to build a major national player in the industrial supplies market.

More than 40 WA businesses have partnered with private equity funds in recent years.

Dutch multinational Fugro has acquired Perth-based oil and gas services company TSMarine Group for an undisclosed sum, 15 months after a $47 million management buy-out at the local company.

The high stakes battle over the future of Alinta Energy has become heated after the company took action against security holder Coastal Capital International, which is believed to be opposed to a planned scheme of arrangement.

The manager of the Gorgon gas project insisted today that it has delivered $10 billion of work to local industry and more is on the way, despite claims that its local content figures are misleading.

RESIDENTIAL and commercial construction in Karratha is set to grow rapidly after the state government short-listed three companies for what will become the largest new development in the town.

THE potential impact of a carbon price on Western Australian businesses was highlighted by the release of new data last week showing the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.

Four major projects due to be completed over the next five years will pave the way for the much heralded City Link development between the CBD and Northbridge to proceed.

Andrew Forrest’s recent conviction has triggered debate over the concept of an informed market; there are plenty of other steps that would help to meet that goal.