Linking Indigenous businesses with major projects

Queensland Indigenous businesses are set to get a bigger slice of the major projects pie
through the recently launched online business directory – Black Business Finder
(www.bbf.org.au).

Black Business Finder (BBF), launched yesterday by Minister for Education, Training and
Employment the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, is an online database of Indigenous businesses
which will be used by major projects operators to source suppliers.

Industry Capability Network (ICN) Queensland, a division of QMI Solutions, was commissioned
by the Queensland Government to develop the BBF database and link to ICN's listing of major
projects Australia-wide - through an online tool called ICN Gateway (www.icn.org.au).

The Queensland Government provided more than $200,000 for the development of BBF which
already has 130 businesses registered.

QMI Solutions CEO, David Harrison, said the BBF is a valuable resource for major project
owners to source Indigenous businesses to provide goods and services for major projects in
Queensland.

“The benefits of Black Business Finder are two-fold – it introduces efficiencies for project
owners in terms of locating and engaging local Indigenous businesses; and it serves to
strengthen Indigenous businesses through increasing their exposure to major project work.

Queensland Minister for Education, Training and Employment the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP launches Black Business Finder with Indigenous business owners Dylan Sarra and Suzanne Thompson.

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ICN helps IDEC win $4.2 million contract

An online database that links suppliers with projects helped steel fabricator IDEC Solutions win a $4.2 million contract on the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Industry Capability Network (ICN) in Queensland recommend businesses registered on ICN Gateway for projects such as Gold Coast University Hospital based on the suppliers' capacity and capability.

Idec Solutions Senior Projects Manager Ian Glover registered the company on ICN Gateway in early 2010 after investigating information on its services.

“I was doing my own research when I heard about ICN and the assistance it provides. Through registering with ICN, we have had a lot of exposure and been able to tender for more projects.”

ICN also helped Idec win a tender to supply 120 tonnes of steel to the $408 million redevelopment of the Mackay Base Hospital, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.

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Camel Tanks thirsty for more project wins

With so many major project on the go in Queensland - how do you maximise the amount of local involvement in these projects? By doing so, more jobs remain local, expertise is also developed local and project owners can benefit from a local supply chain.

Camel Tanks - primarily manufactures water tanks, producing 12 models ranging from 1,591 litre to 24,424 litre capacities - and by helping the company align itself with the capabilities required by major project Camel Tanks was able to tender for $5 million in contracts and in one case winning a contract worth $800,000.

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