Morris Corporation

Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Metals Group has claimed a major milestone in its efforts to spark indigenous development, announcing a series of new contracts that double its deals with Aboriginal business to $1 billion.

Indigenous business is thriving and growing in the north-west, but it was not an overnight success.

A US company is growing its airport catering business as part of its continuing investment strategy for WA.

Facing a slowdown in mining-related construction work, indigenous contractors are diversifying into new fields, establishing joint ventures and highlighting their Aboriginal credentials. Click through to also see our BNiQ list of 25 major indigenous contractors in WA.

Sodexo has been shortlisted with two other companies to manage all of Rio Tinto’s camps and other facilities in the Pilbara, in the same week it has been awarded a contract to run Shell’s Prelude Floating LNG facility.

French company Sodexo is set to become one of the biggest service providers in the Pilbara after signing a $2.5 billion contract to manage all of Rio Tinto’s mine camps and other facilities for 10 years.

Indigenous contracting group Eastern Guruma, which has contracts or joint ventures with the likes of Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, NRW Holdings and Carnegie Clean Energy, has been placed into administration.

Global facilities management giant Sodexo, which counts Rio Tinto’s iron ore business among its major clients, is buying Australian competitor Morris Corporation, the manager of Fortescue Metals Group’s three major camps.