Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s briefcase, a new real estate agency launches, Vintage Energy announces a merger, and finalists for business and export awards revealed.
Real estate agency launched
Thomas Crawford and Vincent Doran have launched real estate agency Crawford Doran, with the backing of Nick House.
The pair have worked together for the last four years, with Crawford stepping in as sales director, and Doran as both sales director and the agency’s auctioneer.
“I’ve always had my own ideas about what selling property could and should look like,” Crawford said.
“Crawford Doran promises to do things differently – and better…that’s a reflection of the way Vincent and I have always done business and it’s the approach that has underpinned our ongoing success.”
The agency is based in the inner western suburbs, an area Doran sees as a “significant growth opportunity”.
– Isabella Kelly
Grain producers prioritise sustainability
A new survey from Grain Producers SA (GPSA) found an increasing number of grain producers see sustainability as a critical issue which is crucial to their market success.
In an almost 10 per cent increase from 2022, 64 per cent of respondents saw sustainability as a critical issue.
The number of producers believing it would be crucial for market access in the next five years rose from 48 per cent to 60 per cent.
Nearly 80 per cent of respondents saw the value of implementing sustainable farming practices, with 93 per cent saying they had taken some form of action regarding environmental sustainability.
“From managing pests and weeds effectively to enhancing soil health and maximising energy use, it is clear…that South Australia’s grain producers are leading the way in sustainable farming practices,” said GPSA CEO Brad Perry.
– Isabella Kelly
gama consulting staff. Photo: supplied
gama consulting celebrates major milestones
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Structural, civil and environmental engineering firm gama consulting has begun its 10,000th project, following the opening of its Brisbane office in 2023 and an update to its Adelaide headquarters.
The company, which has over 35 staff, is involved in several high-profile projects, including the University of Adelaide’s Union House, a robotics warehouse for Isuzu, and Ventia projects for DfE and Tafe SA.
“We have always been big on our people and forming lasting relationships with our staff and clients, we take what we do seriously,” said managing director Matthew Mammone.
“Without engineering input, construction doesn’t exist. We will focus on growing the business [and] providing innovative engineering solutions on all our projects.”
– Isabella Kelly
Vintage Energy announce merger
Vintage Energy has announced a proposed merger with Brisbane’s Galilee Energy, which would see Vintage acquire 100 per cent of the company.
The Galilee board unanimously recommended the proposal. The merger would combine Vintage’s Cooper Basin gas supply and 2P reserves with Galilee’s long-term potential contingent resources.
“There is a huge opportunity emerging in Australia’s east coast gas market. This merger is aimed at enabling the combined companies and their shareholders to take full advantage of this looming gas shortfall,” said Galilee executive chairman Ray Shorrocks.
“The merger will create a company with much greater exposure to east coast gas supply in the near and long term and a stronger balance sheet,” said Vintage chairman Reg Nelson.
Among other things, the merger is conditional upon Galilee completing a $2.5 million capital raise.
– Isabella Kelly
Winners of the 2023 awards. Photo: SA Business Chamber
Finalists announced for Premier’s Business and Export Awards
The South Australian Business Chamber and state government have announced the finalists for the South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards for 2024.
The awards received more than 300 nominations, with 30 business awards finalists and 28 export awards finalists now announced.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate South Australian businesses who are innovating and challenging themselves to be better, year after year,” said the chamber’s CEO Andrew Kay.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on October 11 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
– Isabella Kelly
Tech Harvest – Ingenuity in Agri-Business, an AmCham event on technology’s role in improving agricultural productivity with Elders managing director and CEO Mark Allison, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.
EuroMix, a French Australian Chamber of Commerce event celebrating food and wine and the partnerships between countries such as Austria, France, Germany, and Greece, with Minister for Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison at the Adelaide Convention Centre on August 29.
Australia’s Space Future Conference, a French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event with REDARC Defence & Space and Neumann Space, at REDARC Electronics on September 5.
National Self-Employment Conference, a two-day event with industry experts and Andrew Leigh, at the Stamford Grand on September 9 – 10.
South Australian Business Index, an InDaily event presenting an independent ranking of South Australia’s top 100 companies, with Premier Peter Malinauskas, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on September 20.
Inspiring Women Impacting the World and Beyond – Women in Defence, an Australia Day Council event with Jessica Pisani from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Kate van Hilst from the Australian Submarine Agency, and Libby Day from the Defence Teaming Centre, at the Allan Scott Auditorium on September 20.
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Pink Yellow Blue Disco, a Flinders Foundation event raising funds for cancer research and care, at the Adelaide Convention Centre on October 12.
iTech completes NT acquisition
iTech Minerals has completed its acquisition of the Reynolds Range Project from Prodigy Gold NL, which was announced in February.
The project holds prospective gold, copper-gold-silver and lithium mineralisation trends.
“We have ‘hit the ground running’ with two field trips already completed to the project area,” managing director Mike Schwarz said.
– Isabella Kelly
Power Rangers are go for Mighty Kingdom
Mighty Kingdom recently announced the global launch of its mobile game Power Rangers: Mighty Force, in collaboration with Canadian East Side Games Group and Hasbro.
Over 100,000 people pre-registered across Apple and Android platforms for the free game.
– Isabella Kelly
Staff at the Papyrus Egypt factory in Sohag. File photo: supplied
Papyrus takes step into new market
Papyrus Australia has successfully registered a provisional patent for the production of a moldable cellulosic fibrous pulp, extending its technology into the realm of food contact-grade packaging.
Papyrus said the technology would enable a broader range of applications and uses for its moulded fibre products as it diversifies its product offerings.
“By expanding into food contact grade packaging, we are not only broadening our market reach but also reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” chairman Al Jawhari said.
– Isabella Kelly
Iondrive sign for European partnership
Iondrive has signed a Collaboration Agreement with German-based Production Engineering of Mobility Components at RWTH Aachen University (PEM) and PEM Motion GmbH (PEM Motion).
The non-binding agreement is another step in Iondrive accessing the European market, as PEM and Iondrive work to prepare a project plan and investment case for establishing a pilot plant based on Iondrive’s battery recycling technology.
The collaboration aims to advance sustainable battery recycling using PEM’s battery technology and recycling knowledge and Iondrive’s Deep Eutectic Solvents Sustainable Battery Recycling process.
“Partnering with PEM and PEM Motion…greatly enhances our ability to navigate the commercialisation pathway for our advanced recycling technologies,” said Iondrive CEO Ebbe Dommisse.
“By forming a consortium, we are looking to strategically position to pool critical resources, expertise, and infrastructure.”
– Isabella Kelly
Eco-friendly end-of-life options
Centennial Park is exploring more sustainable end-of-life options as it develops a pathway to net zero emissions.
“As the population ages and with current projections setting the annual death rate at over 370,000 by 2071, we need to be equipped to accommodate this increasing need as well as the generational shift towards alternative and greener end-of-life options,” said Centennial park CEO Janet Miller.
The park has released its Environmental Sustainability Plan, led by executive manager of operations Mike Rusby.
“This includes evolving the Park’s landscapes to better withstand extreme weather events with resilient vegetation, increasing biodiversity to enhance natural habitats, reducing consumption of natural resources, and being more self-sufficient in terms of water and electricity,” Rusby said.
– Isabella Kelly
