West Perth mining companies are usually run by one of two types – the accountants who never get their hands dirty and the operators who’ve seen it all first hand.
Michael Kiernan clearly falls into the second camp.
Physically he is a big man and his forceful style also makes a big impact.
In fact, he says it was critical to the turnaround success of ConsMin.
“We restructured this business. It was a wreck, an absolute corporate wreck, and if you go around ‘pat arse’ you won’t get to where we’ve got.”
Mr Kiernan spent many years as a transport and mining contractor before reviving ConsMin, and doesn’t try to hide his influences.
“I come from a pretty tough industry,” he said. “If you are a wimp, you fade.”
Oakvale Capital managing director Jim Cunningham, who has advised ConsMin on treasury issues since 1998, also believes Mr Kiernan’s style has been central to ConsMin’s success.
“If it hadn’t been for Michael being as tough as he is he wouldn’t have succeeded,” Mr Cunningham said.
“He is a tough person to work for, there is no doubt about that, but he is very fair to the people who provide good service to him.”
Some people suggest Mr Kiernan may overstep the mark at times, but he believes that is not the case.
“Intimidating? I don’t suffer fools,” he said.
“If I don’t like something I let them know in no uncertain terms. Some people may think it is intimidation, these guys just see it as a very strong bloke who doesn’t like clap trap.”
Mr Kiernan emphasises that ConsMin’s management team is given a high degree of autonomy.
“My job is not to run their business, my job is to empower them and support them,” he said.
“We’ve got a great group of experienced managers and they stand up to me.”
He also highlights the strength of ConsMin’s board, which is chaired by mining veteran Colin Smith and includes former Bristile managing director David Gilham.
“We’ve got a very strong independent chairman and I answer quite clearly to the board. I’ll thump the management table but I won’t ever thump the boardroom table.”
