How Mackay METS businesses can level-up with Regional Accelerator program

A man who had purchasing power at BHP and Royal Dutch Shell is guiding mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) businesses on how they stand out from the crowd. How you can get involved.

A man who had purchasing power at the world’s largest mining company is now helping Mackay METS sector businesses find their competitive edge.

BRAWD & Company director Jordan Geddes runs the Regional Accelerator program, guiding businesses to gain perspective, network, share information, innovate and improve their productivity.

Australia is recognised globally as the market leader in Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS), supporting over 1.1 million jobs, almost 10% of all full time employment.

Having worked in procurement for BHP and Royal Dutch Shell, Mr Geddes knows first-hand the challenges businesses face to stand out from the crowd.

Mr Geddes said the program’s core theme of innovation extended beyond the product to service delivery and other elements of providing customers with goods and services.

Regional Accelerator program facilitator Jordan Geddes is helping Mackay METS sector businesses gain a competitive edge through innovation and identifying their core market. Picture: Heidi Petith

Hosted at the Resources Centre of Excellence over six weeks, METS Ignited heavily subsides the program with further discounts offered to Resource Industry Network members.

“Businesses are out there trying to win work everyday, an organisation like RIN helps make introductions and provide insights to how they can be more successful in that process rather than necessarily brokering deals,” Mr Geddes said.

He said the program also helped businesses hone in on what their core goods, services or processes were to help them shift from being generalists to experts in their field.

“Trying to be everything to everyone, you get caught up in a very competitive price-driven environment with little certainty so there’s not much loyalty, everything goes to tender and you’re constantly winning work,” Mr Geddes said.

“Ideally you want to have long-term multi-year customers,” adding businesses had to start marketing themselves as being able to solve a customer’s existing problem rather than relying on showcasing their own expertise.

One such business hoping to put the course’s innovative direction to good use is Richies Engineering.

Richies Engineering owner Richard Bugeja, pictured with draftsman and marketing administrator Ashleigh Vaughan, says the Regional Accelerator program has helped his METS sector business hone in on its point of competitive difference. Picture: Heidi Petith

Richard Bugeja took the solo plunge in 2005 with his full service 24-7 problem solving, repairs and maintenance engineering operation now employing 40 people.

Mr Bugeja said it had been particularly valuable to learn more about pitching and increasing their exposure with draftsman and marketing administrator Ashleigh Vaughan adding it aligned with their overarching goal to be recognised as the METS sector’s first choice.

Richies Engineering owner Richard Bugeja says the Regional Accelerator program helped them to identify how they could market their expertise to METS sector clients. Picture: Heidi Petith

“It can be hard because we’ve got a lot of competition in this area but everyone has their own point of difference,” Ms Vaughan said.

“We just thought that we were doing what everyone else was doing but (Regional Accelerator) helped us recognise where we were excelling and get that across to customers.”

Costs to take part in Regional Accelerator are about $150 for RIN members.

For more information, head to RIN’s website, which also details upcoming events such as a personal development session with guest speaker, Australian Olympic Gold Medallist Mark Knowles.