News Articles

Opinion 20 Jan 2016

Wesfarmers’ UK tilt worth watching

Is Wesfarmers' $705 million acquisition of UK hardware chain Homebase a fantastic opportunity or a case of hubris that will lead to disappointment?

Deals 18 Jan 2016

Bunnings plans $1bn UK expansion

Wesfarmers has announced plans to spend over $1 billion in the UK market after sealing a deal to buy the Homebase home improvement chain for $705 million and rebrand it as Bunnings.

Retail 18 Jan 2016

Woolworths to dump Masters chain

Woolworths is abandoning its multi-billion dollar foray into the Australian home improvement market following years of losses, putting 7,000 jobs at risk.

News 15 Jan 2016

BN30 index makes slow start to year

A recent addition to the Business News offering is keeping track of WA's performance on the markets this year. The opening weeks have not been good.

Opinion 14 Jan 2016

Wesfarmers builds UK hardware base

For as long as I can remember, I've asked the Wesfarmers leadership when they would look at an international expansion.

Retail 14 Jan 2016

Wesfarmers plots UK expansion

Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers is poised to make its first major move outside Australasia, offering $A700 million to acquire the Homebase home improvement chain in the UK and revealing plans to develop a new Bunnings-branded business in that market.

Deals 18 Dec 2015

Strathearn sold to US firm

Strathearn Insurance Brokers has become the second big player in the sector to change hands this year, after US-based Arthur J Gallagher acquired the Perth firm for an estimated $60 million.

Opinion 08 Dec 2015

Density debate a case of lost opportunities

A lack of vision from Perth planners of decades past has hamstrung efforts to get the most out of Perth's rail system.

Energy 07 Dec 2015

Mixed fortunes for local business leaders in pay stakes

SPECIAL REPORT: The 2015 CEO salary survey has some surprising names near the top of the list while some of the state's best chief executives are unexpectedly low down.

Opinion 07 Dec 2015

CEO salary data offers hope in the trend

Does stable remuneration at the top of the field indicate the depth of our economic trough has been reached?

Technology, Innovation & Science 02 Dec 2015

Hazer trades flat on day one

Perth technology company Hazer Group wrapped up its first day of trading on the ASX, after completing a $5 million initial public offering.

Cultural Industries 02 Dec 2015

Corporates prefer cash for social giving

The state's corporate donors still prefer their gifts to be in cash, while in-kind contributions have fallen away in favour of increased staff volunteering, according to the latest Giving West survey.

Small Business 30 Nov 2015

Howarth plays diplomat, coach in JWH transition

SPECIAL REPORT: Home builder Julian Walter and company director Tony Howarth have spoken to Business News about how they are working together on the transition to the next generation at JWH Group.

Professions 29 Nov 2015

Chairman Chaney urges business to focus on returns

As one of WA's most influential directors, when Michael Chaney talks, the business community listens.

Events 25 Nov 2015

Chaney at odds with RBA on investment

Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney has disagreed with Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens' view that big companies have not reduced hurdle rates for investment decisions amid falling interest rates, in an address at this morning's Business News Success & Leadership breakfast.

Mining 23 Nov 2015

Cochrane adds to A-list board roles

Former corporate lawyer Ian Cochrane has joined the board of Ausdrill as deputy chairman, adding to a suite of board positions on the private companies of some of Perth's wealthiest families.

Deals 23 Nov 2015

Big W speculation boosts Woolies shares

Woolworths shares have jumped amid speculation two global private equity giants may be considering a joint bid for the retail giant's Big W chain.

Property 19 Nov 2015

Bullish Brookfield completes Tower 2

Brookfield Property Partners is shifting its focus to new developments in Perth as the final piece of the puzzle is finished at Brookfield Place, with construction complete on the precinct's second office tower.

Mining 17 Nov 2015

Wesfarmers restructures industrial arm

Wesfarmers will make about 300 national roles redundant, 45 of which are in Western Australia, as part of a restructuring of its industrial and safety division.

Opinion 17 Nov 2015

Float shows private sector breadth

Whether or not the Wellard IPO is successful, it demonstrates there is more to WA than just resources.

Cultural Industries 13 Nov 2015

Aboriginal artists’ incomes drop amid market oversupply

Aboriginal artists are producing more art than the market is demanding, leading to 40 per cent falls in average incomes between 2007-08 and 2012-13, according to a recent government report.

Mining 12 Nov 2015

Coal losses hurt Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers' incoming chairman Michael Chaney will inherit challenging conditions in the conglomerate's industrial and resources division, but continued solid earnings from its retail businesses including Coles and Bunnings.

Mining 05 Nov 2015

Hazer aims to undercut miners

A Perth technology company seeking to disrupt the mining and energy industries has highlighted how rapid changes in the clean energy sector will also disrupt its own plans to scale up its hydrogen and graphite production.

Food & Drink 22 Oct 2015

Coles grocery sales slowdown

Coles' food and liquor sales growth has eased further as the supermarket price war ramps up with German discounter Aldi's aggressive expansion.

Agribusiness 20 Oct 2015

Changing fortunes for 40u40 winners

From mining to agriculture, technology and finance, 40under40 award winners have been making news this year.

Opinion 15 Oct 2015

Food exports may leave bitter aftertaste

Gas, tuna, and crayfish might not seem to have a clear connection, but there is a link – and it's one Jeff Kennett thinks might become a worry for local supermarkets and promoters of Australian food exports to Asia.

Energy 08 Oct 2015

Krause, Warburton join Western Power

Leading local businesswomen Sharon Warburton and Vicki Krause have joined the board of the energy provider Western Power, replacing outgoing directors Paul Underwood and Sue Wilson.

Opinion 01 Oct 2015

Bengalla coal value a winner for Wesfarmers

It is hard to find a winner in the coal-mining industry these days but some investors were quick to spot a Perth-based winner yesterday in the form of Wesfarmers, which saw the value of its coal assets boosted by a deal in the Hunter Valley of NSW.

Energy 01 Oct 2015

WA hydrogen, graphite producer seeks IPO

A clean energy technology developed at the University of Western Australia with funding from Wesfarmers is the driving force behind Hazer Group, which is looking to secure up to $5 million as it prepares to list on the Australian Securities Exchange later this year.