managed workforce group

Back in the Managed Workforce Game: Darren Lockyer and Grant Wechsel

by Client News

Large infrastructure, construction and resources projects expected to be fast-tracked for a critical post-COVID Australian economic rebuild will be the focus for Managed Workforce Group as it commences labour management operations in Australia.

Led by Grant Wechsel, who co-founded specialist mining services firm One Key Resources in 2010, and rugby league legend and experienced company director Darren Lockyer, the company will specialise in professionally managing large-scale blue-collar workforces.

Together, Wechsel and Lockyer grew One Key Resources from a start-up to achieving over $250 million in annual sales revenue before selling the business to an international buyer in 2016.

Managed Workforce Group’s services are delivered through three core brands: One Track Workforce, Mining Pro and Crew People.

Mining Pro delivers expert solutions to the coal mining sector while Crew People services the broader mining industry, both areas where the company’s executive team have a long history.

The group has also expanded its focus to major infrastructure and resource projects through its One Track Workforce business, with work beginning on major tunnel, rail and mining projects across Queensland and New South Wales immediately.

Grant Wechsel said: “We understand that managing large scale workforces is a specialty service that allows our client partners to focus on running safe, productive and profitable operations.

“We know what we do best, and we see a tremendous opportunity in the market in Australia.”

Wechsel said that many clients in the industries they supply are lacking service providers who innovate and consistently deliver.  He said, “We take ownership of our responsibilities, consistently innovate and collaborate with our clients and work hard to achieve positive outcomes.”

Wechsel is also excited to be reunited with Darren Lockyer.

“It’s great to have Darren on our team again,” he said. “He is the ultimate professional off the field; just like he was on it. We have worked together for over a decade now and built trusted partnerships with clients across Australia, so we are enjoying the opportunity to work together again.”

Darren Lockyer said: “I am excited to be on the Managed Workforce Team working with all the brands in the group.

“I have full confidence in Grant and our whole team who have the experience and focus to succeed.”

Wechsel believes that following a lot of consolidation in the labour hire industry that there is a gap there for companies to professionally manage large-scale blue-collar workforces, not just sourcing the personnel.

“We introduced the model previously to manage large scale workforces for our clients, so that they can focus on running their mine or project safely and profitably and not have to worry about all the workforce planning, HR compliance and management components.”

For more information on Managed Workforce Group and its services please visit: www.managedworkforcegroup.com

MPX Mining Projects Accelerator

MPX Appoints Fred Hess to Fast Track Mining Projects

by Client News

Brisbane – Former PanAust managing director and resources industry veteran Dr Fred Hess has been appointed a non-executive director of Brisbane-based MPX (Mining Projects Accelerator).

MPX is a project generator that uses cutting edge artificial intelligence and machine learning information, combined with traditional exploration techniques to accelerate the identification of drill targets on prospective mining leases in Australia. 

Dr Hess had been with PanAust for 13 years including four as managing director. Prior to joining PanAust, Fred managed the Macreas Gold Mine in New Zealand and the Mt Gordon Copper Mine in Australia following a career with WMC Resources and Bougainville Copper Limited in Papua New Guinea.

He will take up his appointment in April.

Mining industry veteran Dr Fred Hess

MPX Executive Director Grant Wechsel said, “Dr Hess joins MPX with over 30 years experience in the industry across copper, nickel and gold operations including assessing project opportunities and exploration programs, through to developing operating mines, which will be a huge asset for the MPXteam.” 

Established by Ortus Mining Capital with interests in Singapore, Laos and Australia, MPX’s strategy is to accelerate high potential mining projects along the value curve using robust technical analysis, proven leadership teams and astute capital raising programs.

MPX is currently building a stable of projects within the accelerator having secured a number of promising leases already and some strong prospects across different commodities in Australia.  

Fred Hess said, “I’m very attracted to the idea of trying to accelerate the identification and development of an economic ore deposit by rapidly screening multiple project opportunities. By selectively gathering data that can quickly inform the decision to continue to invest or discard, this helps to spread risk for investors while maximising the chances for success.

“I see the ‘accelerator’ approach using the latest advances in information technology as the new way forward for exploration. I look forward to providing strategic direction to the company through both the project filtering and subsequent development phases.”

MPX Executive Director Simon Cohn said, “The traditional time frames to discover new projects and accelerate them to development and ultimately production is leaving a future gap on the supply side in the gold industry.  

“We believe the use of technology to better identify targets and also continue to analyse drilling results combined with a laser focus by management on only taking suitable projects forward is a very real point of difference in the Australian market.

“Having someone of Fred’s standing in the industry to advise on project selection and strategy is a huge benefit for us and we look forward to working with him.”

The MPX board is targeting a mid-2019 launch by completing a fully funded initial capital raising. It is proposed that the accelerator will launch with 6-10 projects initially and that this will be progressively augmented by further additions.

One Key Resources expands with NSW acquisition of Pegasus Employment

by Client News

Mining and infrastructure labour hire and workforce services specialist One Key Resources has made a strategic acquisition by purchasing the labour hire business Pegasus Employment from Hunter Valley-based integrated services firm Pegasus.

Pegasus provide labour hire, training and induction and log-in systems and through expansion in other parts of their business have decided to exit labour hire.

One Key Resources managing director Grant Wechsel said Pegasus Employment was a good fit with One Key’s existing services and the business would be fully integrated under the One Key Resources brand.

“We’ve had experience ourselves in the region with our own operation based at Singleton,” Mr Wechsel said.

“One Key Resources is committed to the coal industry and this acquisition provides us with great long term opportunities in the Hunter Valley as well as other regions in NSW.

“We are excited to build on the great reputation that Pegasus has in the local area and believe our commitment to exceptional service combined with our strong industry background will make for a successful business in the long term.”

One key resources

Approximately 170 field staff have transitioned across to One Key Resources with three permanent Pegasus local staff also joining the One Key office in Singleton. One Key Resources regional manager for NSW Todd Geddes will be overseeing the local operation.

Pegasus chief executive officer Adam Boyle said, “As Pegasus moves to focus on our contractor engagement and workforce management services, we are confident that One Key Resources will service our employees and clients with the same professionalism and care as we were proud to do as Pegasus Employment for the past 25 years.

“We wish One Key Resources and its people all the best and trust the Hunter Valley mining sector will welcome them as they did us.”

Rugby league legend Darren Lockyer is a director of One Key Resources and plays a key role in business development and client and community relations. He will be visiting the region for an event and site visits in the coming months.

One Key has extensive operations throughout Queensland, Western Australia and in the Northern Territory servicing the mining, gas and infrastructure sectors. Earlier this year One Key Resources formed a majority indigenous owned joint venture in the Northern Territory with Wedgetail Larrakia Corporation to provide much needed innovative labour hire solutions to the Northern Territory. This acquisition in New South Wales continues the company’s national expansion.

Media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs