Having taken the opportunity provided by the mining construction boom to establish his own contracting firm, Robby Mallard is now in the process of building a diversified and sustainable business.
Mr Mallard completed an adult apprenticeship and then obtained plumbing and gas fitting certificates more than 20 years ago.
The formation of Mallard Contracting came about after he attended a Rio Tinto workshop designed to encourage Aboriginal people to establish their own business.
Mallard Contracting started operations in 2011 and now offers a range of building and construction services to the mining, government and oil and gas sectors.
The Osborne Park-based business has been 100 per cent Aboriginal owned since 2013, and nearly half of its 26 employees are Aboriginal.
The business is also certified by non-profit organisation Supply Nation, which connects indigenous businesses to the broader corporate and government sectors.
Recent projects include decommissioning of a mining camp, maintenance of housing in Karratha, civil works on North West Coastal Highway and at the Brockman 4 mine site entry, refurbishment of units at Wickham Village, and installation of a camp at Minilya Roadhouse.
Mr Mallard said his goal was to help as many Aboriginal people as possible through training and employment.
The challenges he has faced include winning long-term contracts, dealing with the downturn in the volume of work, and seeing large competitors win big contracts as one package.
Mallard Contracting’s small size has provided it with a competitive edge, as it allows the firm to put together pricing and quoting quickly, and to mobilise and demobilise its staff quickly.
The firm has also completed an audit process to become a category 3 approved vendor for Rio Tinto, opening up more opportunities to win long-term contracts.
Mr Mallard’s desire to assist Aboriginal people was illustrated by the donation of nearly 600 beds, fridges, TV sets, air-conditioners, tables and other items from a demolition contract to a nearby Aboriginal community.
