Indigenous supplier open day proves a hit

Our Worsley Alumina operation recently hosted its first Indigenous Supplier Open Day, where eight local Indigenous-owned businesses showcased their products and services to our teams and major contractors.

There was a great turnout on the day, with representatives from all Worsley refinery’s operational areas stopping by to meet the local business leaders and talk about the services they provide.

Kim Collard, CEO of stationery and workplace supplies business, Kulbardi, said: “It was great to have the opportunity to meet some of the key contractors to South32, and we believe there will be a number of business opportunities for Kulbardi resulting from the event.”

Mitchell Matera, Managing Director of electrical and instrumentation company, Maali Group, said the event was one of the best open days for Indigenous businesses they had been to, while Sanjay Karki, General Manager of current Worsley contractor, Marrak Recruitment, said it was a great opportunity to meet area managers, supervisors and sub-contractors to better understand project requirements.

“We look forward to building on new and existing relationships,” Mr Karki said.

In the 2021 financial year, we increased our procurement of goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses by 18 per cent year-on-year, exceeding our target of a 10 per cent increase. Learn more in our 2021 Sustainable Development Report.