Mackay’s young business mogul James Mogford brings jobs to Pleystowe

A Mackay entrepreneur has smartly snapped up a business in liquidation, moving it up north from the Sunshine Coast where the previous owner is still in a legal fight over money owed.

James Mogford, at only 37, is the Director of a formidable portfolio of companies. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A youthful Mackay mogul, with a knack for business, is bringing manufacturing and jobs to the region after acquiring a Sunshine Coast based shed company.

Moggy’s Group, a portfolio of businesses built from the grounds up by the soft-spoken, Mackay developer James Mogford, acquired Transportable Shade Sheds after the company’s collapse in 2023.

“It was a great business, really good money, good product with a national reach,” Mr Mogford said.

“Liquidators are still unsure why the business ended up in liquidation.”

Bill Cotter of Robson Cotter’s insolvency group, the liquidators involved with the former Sunshine Coast business have said that “investigations were still ongoing” .
Currently they are only in contact with the business’ former owner through solicitors.
Having purchased the rights to the brand and parts of the companies equipment and stock, Mr Mogford is now set to move its manufacturing and storage operations to his facility in Pleystowe.

At Moggy's Group Pleystowe property, materials will be stored, parts will be manufactured and eventually loaded onto Moggy's Transport trucks and shipped across Australia. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“We are so keen to get this product back out there,” Mr Mogford said.

“The design has been around for more than 20 years.

“They’re so quick and easy to assemble.”

Mr Mogfords business philosophy boils down to personally meeting customer demand while seizing gaps in the market.

For instance, when his pool company was having difficulty with fencing contractors, they bought their own company and met their own demands and when they had issues with supply chains, they began their own transport company and now have a fleet of trucks, capable of meeting shipping and logistics needs on a national scale.

This successful approach to business synergy is made even more impressive by Mr Mogfords relative youth.

The manufacturing, transport and sales operation of this new enterprise will bring over 20 jobs to the Mackay region. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“I started in business when I was 19 and – I’m showing my age here – I’ve been in business 18 years.”

The 37 year old began his career as a diesel fitting contractor, working across the Bowen Basin and Mackay region until he was 26 when he moved into residential construction and started his first enterprise that would eventually grow to be the foundation of Moggy’s Group.

“I started building houses as a hobby when I was 19,” Mr Mogford said modestly.

“It’s been a journey but I’ve been helped along the way by great people in key staffing positions.”

Likening himself to an orchestra conductor, Mr Mogfords role is in long term strategy and client outcome.

“We will continue to grow our business out of what is needed for our clients.”

Moggy’s Group will be creating over 20 jobs for the region over the next 18 months.

Firstly, they are looking to hire trade qualified boilermakers then, to staff their operation, the call will go out for trade assistants, ideally those with at least two years of experience.

Eventually Moggy’s Group will also be hiring sales people to meet the needs of the business’ expected growth and demand for product.