Posts Tagged ‘Expansion’

ASX Company News: NewSat Secures Significant New Contracts

Friday, January 20th, 2012

NewSat Limited (NWT), Australia’s satellite company, is pleased to announce a number of new significant Teleport customer contract wins signed during the first half of FY 2012. The new Teleport business contracts are worth $7.5 million in additional revenue and will provide satellite communication services across Australasia and the Middle East. The $7.5 million of new Teleport business contract wins during the 6 month period include New contract with U.S. based partner to provide satellite communications for the Wheatstone Project off the north-west shelf of Western Australia; New contract with partner to provide satellite communications for the Gorgon Project off the north-west shelf of Western Australia; New contract with U.S. based aviation company to provide Teleport services; New contract with Proactive Communications to provide satellite communications for US Government personnel in the Middle East; New contract with global logistics company to provide satellite communications; and New contract with leading engineering and construction company to provide satellite communications for remote construction sites across Australia. The $7.5 million in new Teleport business contracts represent growth to NewSat’s existing revenue base and takes the Monthly Recurring Revenue to $2.9 million per month, up $800,000 (+38%) since December 2010.

In commenting on the recent contract wins, Adrian Ballintine, NewSat Founder and CEO said: “This is outstanding revenue growth for the first half of the year, setting us up for a fantastic 2012. Our core Teleport business continues to perform superbly, providing leading satellite communications to enterprise and government customers around the world. Importantly, our Jabiru-1 satellite launch is tracking extremely well, as we continue to achieve key milestones. This is a ground-breaking time for NewSat as we successfully transform from a growing profitable Teleport operator into a global satellite operator with a fleet of satellites.”

NewSat Limited (NWT) is Australia’s largest specialist satellite communications company, delivering Internet, voice, data and video communications via satellite. With its unique-to- Australia Teleport infrastructure, NewSat provides a full range of managed satellite communication services and has established a reputation as the partner of choice for governments, corporations and private enterprises. Today, NewSat has the ability to provide coverage to 75% of the globe; from Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, across the Indian Ocean extending into Europe and across the Pacific Ocean, reaching into the West coast of the USA.

www.newsat.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/fundamentals/nwt

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ASX Company News: NewSat Acquires Additional Satellite Space

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

NewSat (NWT) announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire valuable space assets in the form of orbital slots for accommodating satellites. Currently licensed to AP Kypros Satellites Limited, a range of frequency assignments at several orbital slots will be exclusively sublicensed to NewSat. The agreement covers seven orbital slots in locations that cover all continents of the globe and are ideal for NewSat’s focus on high value customers and growth markets. The slots will be used to accommodate a fleet of Jabiru satellites, providing telecommunication services in the C Band, Ku Band and Ka Band spectrum. The agreement, which will be governed within the International Regulatory framework, gives NewSat exclusive use of one slot, 50% of the frequencies of another two slots and options over a further four slots. The agreement is subject to customary regulatory and other closing conditions. NewSat will pay consideration in the form of five cash instalments and a sixth and final instalment in ordinary shares on December 1 2011.

“The slots are extremely valuable assets with senior filing status, outstanding geographic footprint and certainly enough capacity to see NewSat’s long-term future assured. We are now in a position to launch multiple satellites, each of which could generate in excess of $100 million of EBITDA per year” said NewSat CEO Adrian Ballintine. He added, “Achievement of this milestone is more significant than the 2005 acquisition of NewSat’s teleports. Orbital slots are the lifeblood of satellite operators, and to have multiple slots is the goal of long-term entrants.”

NewSat Limited is Australia’s largest specialist provider of satellite capacity delivering voice, data and video communications via satellite. With its unique to Australia teleport infrastructure in Perth and Adelaide, NewSat provides a full range of managed satellite communication services and has established a reputation as the partner of choice for governments, corporations and private enterprises. Today, NewSat has the ability to provide coverage to 75% of the globe; from Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, across the Indian Ocean extending into Europe and across the Pacific Ocean, reaching into the west coast of the USA.

www.newsat.com

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/nwt

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ASX Company News: Tabcorp Holdings To Invest $260 million In Queensland

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Tabcorp Holdings Limited announced an expansion of its investment program in its three Queensland casinos from the $175 million investment announced in October 2010 to $625 million. The investment will deliver three world class entertainment destinations and provide a boost for the tourism and entertainment sectors in the state.  The investment follows in-principle agreement with the Queensland Government on a package of concessions that will support the long-term growth of the properties and the viability of the investment.   The investment program is subject to Tabcorp entering into a binding agreement with the Queensland Government, as well as regulatory, council and other planning approvals.

The investment program will turn the casinos into attractive destinations for Queenslanders, interstate visitors and international tourists.  It will significantly expand the number of hotel rooms, restaurants and event space, and will add new nightlife venues and spa and pool facilities.  The investment includes the construction of two new hotels – one in Brisbane and one on the Gold Coast.

Tabcorp Chairman John Story said that the investment shows confidence in the long term future of the Queensland tourism market. “We see Queensland as one of the premier destinations for interstate visitors and tourists.  Our investment will create world class destinations with a wide range of entertainment and leisure choices for our customers.  This will put Queensland in a stronger position to grow its tourism market and compete successfully with new destinations in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region. “The Queensland investment follows the redevelopment of Star City in Sydney. Together, these investments will make the casinos an attractive growth business following the proposed demerger from Tabcorp,” he said.

Below is a summary of the key components of the expansion program.

In October 2010, Tabcorp announced an investment of $175 million at Jupiters on the Gold Coast.  Following agreement with the Queensland Government, this investment will be increased to $350 million.

The investment of $260 million in Brisbane will add much needed hotel capacity to the city and will significantly upgrade and expand the entertainment and gaming facilities available at the Treasury property. It includes a new hotel and an upgrade of the existing hotel and casino properties:

A $15 million investment at Jupiters Townsville will upgrade existing facilities and increase the space available for major events in the region.  It includes:

The growth in the scale of the properties requires an increase in the gaming facilities for customers. Tabcorp has reached in principle agreement with the Queensland government on a number gaming concessions that will support the overall investment and improve the competitiveness of Queensland in the international VIP gaming market.

The investment program will improve the growth prospects of the Casinos business post demerger and is expected to provide significant growth in revenue and EBITDA.  The Queensland investment is attractive, with an expected increase in EBITDA of $90 million by 2018 and an expected IRR in excess of 14%.

www.tabcorp.com.au

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/tah

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ASX Company News: Australian Infrastructure Fund To Benefit From Upgrade Of Perth Airport

Friday, November 26th, 2010

Australian Infrastructure Fund (AIX) is pleased to note the announcement by Westralia Airports Corporation regarding its planned $500 million redevelopment of Perth Airport over the next three years. The planned redevelopment, which will be underpinned by an aeronautical pricing agreement currently being negotiated with airline customers, will comprise a number of projects, which are planned for completion by the end of 2014.The redevelopment is expected to significantly enhance Perth Airport’s functionality and customer experience and optimise the asset’s long-term value for AIX and its security holders. The planned redevelopment comprises the following major elements:

$270 million expansion of the international terminal including the addition of a shared pier to cater for  larger twin aisle aircraft; $120 million construction of a new domestic terminal, Terminal WA, to meet the needs of Western Australia’s rapidly expanding regional market; $50 million expansion of airfield aprons, taxiways and aircraft parking areas; Expanded retail facilities; Further investments in roads and car parking.

AIX CEO Jeff Pollock said, “This is the most exciting development at Perth Airport since we acquired ur original stake in the asset more than a decade ago. The recent redevelopment of Queensland Airports Limited’ Gold Coast Airport, in which AIX holds a 49.1 per cent stake, is a compelling example of the value uplift created by a well planned and executed redevelopment. AIX strongly supports the edevelopment of Perth Airport, which, similar to Gold Coast Airport, boasts a strong and growing nderlying business. The $500 million redevelopment announced today which forms part of Perth Airport’s broader long-term growth plans, will be funded from a combination of asset level debt facilities and shareholder equity contributions. At this stage, it is expected that AIX‟s equity contribution will be funded from existing reserves and debt facilities at the fund level. AIX has in place an undrawn $30 million stand-by facility to fund organic growth initiatives.”

Westralia Airports Corporation (WAC), the owner and operator of Perth Airport, today announced that it expects to invest up to $500 million over the next three years to deliver new and expanded passenger terminals, expanded aircraft parking areas and expanded public access infrastructure.

The first stage of the redevelopment will commence in early 2011 and will include Significant expansion of theInternational Terminal; Adding a shared domestic/international pier to the current International Terminal, making greater use of the existing terminal assets and allowing airlines to swing aircraft between domestic and international markets; A new terminal designed to meet the needs of the growing Western Australian regional market, including the resource sector; Expanded aircraft parking and taxiways; Further investments in roads and car parking, including better access to and from the airport. The capacity created by this redevelopment program is expected to meet projected demand for the next eight to 10 years, at which time further consolidation developments will proceed.

The expansion of Perth Airport is underpinned by delivering a safe and efficient road network to allow greater access to and from the estate. WAC is working closely with the Western Australian Government to plan for a major upgrade to the arterial road network around Perth Airport as part of the ‘Gateway WA’ project, which is expected to see a major investment in the arterial roads in the vicinity of Perth Airport.

www.hfm.com.au

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/aix

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ASX Company News: Fortescue To Spend $8.4 billion To Expand Iron Ore Capacity

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG) has approved plans to expand its production from 55 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 155Mtpa.  The approval sets the platform for a major US$8.4bn works and procurement expansion program to commence at Fortescue’s Chichester and Solomon Hubs. “This decision will enable Fortescue to leverage its existing infrastructure and its massive land holding across the Pilbara to exponentially increase product sales within key markets of Asia, Europe and Australia,” Fortescue’s CEO Mr Andrew Forrest said.

“After years of planning for the next phase of development, the depth of management experience and breadth of construction and operational expertise will enable Fortescue to rapidly achieve its growth ambitions within a sector that is underpinned by an extraordinary demand profile,” Mr Forrest added.

Fortescue’s Board approved the expansion plans after assessing the recently completed Solomon Stage 1 feasibility study and a full review of the detailed planning for the Chichester Hub expansion. The decision to proceed was enabled by the recent highly successful refinancing of Fortescue’s debt facilities.

The total capital expenditure budget, for construction of the infrastructure platform together with the procurement of the materials handling equipment including rail consists, is US$8.4bn. The strategy for contractor versus owner mining has yet to be finalised and therefore the cost of any mobile mining equipment, should it be acquired by Fortescue, will be in addition to this amount.

www.fmgl.com.au

http://www.traderdealer.com.au/Fundamentals/fmg

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Brickworks To Double Capacity Of Plant

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Brickworks Limited (BKW) today announced plans to expand its Wollert-based brick factory, increasing the capacity to 170 million standard brick equivalents (SBE) up from its design capacity of 85 million SBE. The expanded factory will set new productivity and energy efficiency benchmarks in Australia. The expansion of the highly efficient Wollert plant will cost $65 million and will commence once the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Works Approval is issued.

The expansion will significantly reduce emissions, in particular Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) and Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) and is expected to be completed by mid-2011, with commissioning to take place thereafter. Once completed, Austral BricksTM will be the first brick company in Melbourne to meet the stringent State Environmental Protection Policy requirements. The expansion of Wollert will result in the eventual closure and subsequent redevelopment of the Craigieburn brickworks (Est. 1964) and the closure of the Summerhill factory (Est. 1973). The timing of the closure and eventual redevelopment will be dependent upon the progress of construction and commissioning, the state of the market and the approval process for the redevelopment.

Mr. Lindsay Partridge, Managing Director of Brickworks said: “The expansion will complete the rapid renewal of the company’s Victorian assets, reflecting the Board’s confidence in the Victorian economy and the long term brick market in that state and will cement Austral BricksTM market leading position in Victoria”.

www.brickworks.com.au

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APA To Expand Victoria To New South Wales Pipeline

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

APA Group (APA), Australia’s largest natural gas infrastructure business, has commenced a $90  million capacity expansion of its Victorian and New South Wales pipeline systems to meet pipeline service requirements under regulatory and contractual arrangements.

The expansion projects, which are scheduled to be completed by winter 2010, will provide increased  gas transportation and storage capacity within and between the two states.    The southern section of the Moomba Sydney Pipeline system will be expanded to provide additional  storage services and more flexible gas transportation services, including across the Victorian New  South Wales border.  The additional capacity, which is fully underwritten by long term transportation and storage agreements, will be achieved by partial looping of the Young to Culcairn pipeline with 450 mm diameter pipe.

APA Managing Director Mick McCormack said increasing demand for natural gas in both New South Wales and Victoria highlighted the importance of APA’s pipeline infrastructure in transporting and storing this fuel. “The Moomba Sydney Pipeline is a critical piece of Australia’s natural gas infrastructure and will continue to be so, as natural gas is used increasingly for electricity generation,” he said.

Across the border, the northern section of the Victorian Transmission System will be expanded to provide improved deliverability of gas for customers in this part of the state and into New South Wales.

Mr McCormack said: “APA, as owner of both pipeline systems, is able to respond to the markets’ requirements for additional natural gas pipeline and storage capacity with the best solution for all participants. “The expansions lay the basis for significantly increasing the movement of gas between states, and providing the market with increased flexibility to source and use natural gas.”

This expansion will involve installation of two new compressors at the Wollert Compressor Station; pipeline operating pressure up rating of the Wollert to Euroa pipeline; and installation of flow reversal capability at the Springhurst Compressor Station.

APA Group (APA) is Australia’s largest natural gas infrastructure business, owning and/or operating more than $8 billion of gas transmission and distribution assets.  Its pipelines span every state and territory in mainland Australia, delivering more than 50% of the nation’s gas usage.  Unique among its peers, APA has direct management and operational control over its assets and investments.  APA also holds minority interests in energy infrastructure enterprises including Envestra, SEA Gas Pipeline and Energy Infrastructure Investments (EII).

www.apa.com.au

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Webjet To Commence USA Operations

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Webjet (WEB) today announced that it has entered into a series of agreements which will lead to the commencement of Operations in North America in early 2010.

Commenting, Webjet MD David Clarke said “We are excited to advise, that after an extensive analysis of off shore regions as foreshadowed in our ASX announcement of 06 August 2009, we have completed agreements which will see WEBJET commence operations on WEBJET.COM early next year.

The operation will take the form of a 50% joint venture in conjunction with Mathias Friess, formerly General Manager Global Sales and Distribution of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines and previously Head of Sales North America for Lufthansa. He also has extensive knowledge of the Latin America markets gathered during his tenure as Country Manager for Argentina, Chile and Uruguay for Lufthansa. The joint venture will acquire the business assets but no liabilities of two existing websites Farecrawler.com and Whentofly.com. Webjet’s equity and funding will be limited to $1million dollars US with appropriate currency protections. Webjet.com will focus on long haul leisure travel from North America to Australia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The joint venture will initially be constructed as close as possible to a virtual organisation to ensure lowest possible fixed costs.

www.webjet.com.au

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Focus Minerals Reaches The Tonne

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Gold producer Focus Minerals Limited (FML) has reached another significant milestone in the development of its Coolgardie Gold Project in Western Australia after recently surpassing one (1) tonne (35,274 ounces) of total refined gold production.  Since commencing gold production at Coolgardie in April 2008, Focus has made significant progress in adding to its resource and reserve base and maximizing production recoveries and efficiency. 

Focus’ Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Baird, said the milestone – which was achieved during the Company’s current milling campaign (its eighth overall) – occurred on May 23 and cemented Focus’ status as a significant regional producer.  “We have come a long way since our first gold pours back in April 2008 and it is a credit to everyone involved with Focus that this milestone has been achieved,” said Mr Baird.  “The first year of production for any project is inevitably the hardest in terms of maximising recoveries and running at optimal efficiencies, but I think we have now laid the foundations for a very bright future.”  

Mr Baird said the Company was aiming to achieve significantly increased gold production in the coming years, with the A$17 million refurbishment and recommissioning of the 1.2 million tonne per annum Three Mile Hill processing plant to underpin production of 80,000 ounces in 2010 and +100,000 ounces from 2011 onwards.  

“Como Engineers has recently commenced refurbishment of the plant and it will be ready to process its first ore later this year,” said Mr Baird.  “Three Mile Hill will be the catalyst for us to deliver a much higher level of production which would not have been possible under the current toll treating agreement with the Greenfields Plant.  To ensure that a long-term production profile can be sustained, Focus plans to recommence exploration at the Coolgardie Gold Project in June. The Company will be concentrating on the delineation of further high-grade deposits in the region, which it considers underexplored by modern standards, especially at depths below 200m.

www.focusminerals.com.au


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