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Media Release
Fortescue awards supply contract to Aboriginal joint venture business
Perth 2 December 2015: Fortescue Metals Group Limited (Fortescue) is pleased to announce the award of a two year stationery and office supplies contract to Aboriginal owned joint venture business Muru Office Supplies (MOS). The contract is part of Fortescue's Billion Opportunities program, which has awarded $1.8 billion worth of contracts and sub-contracts to Aboriginal-owned businesses and joint ventures since 2011.
The value of the MOS contract is around $1 million over the initial term, covering supply of electrical and IT, furniture, janitorial supplies, paper, stationery, kitchen supplies and other items across the whole business.
MOS is a joint venture between Muru Group and Complete Office Supplies (COS), the largest Australian owned workplace supplies provider. Muru Group was founded in 2012 by Aboriginal businessman, now MOS Chief Executive Officer Mitchell Ross, focussing on the emerging opportunities for supplier diversity at that time.
Mr Ross believes the contract, which is the largest awarded to the joint venture to date, demonstrates the high level of capability and service delivery on offer from Aboriginal businesses in today's market.
'The signing of this agreement between Fortescue and the Muru Group and COS partnership is testament to the promising future of Muru Office Supplies (MOS). Following a stringent market test, competing head to head with global leaders in the contract office supplies space, we came out in front, proving that a best in class value and service delivery offering is truly on offer from a majority owned Indigenous business.'
'This contract will help catapult our business to a new level and we look forward to a long and successful partnership between MOS and Fortescue,' Mr Ross said.
Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Nev Power further commended the successful partnership.
'COS has been a long term Fortescue contractor and this joint venture is a great example of one of our contracting partners helping to build the capabilities of an Aboriginal business. It is these opportunities that are absolutely necessary to continue changing the economic landscape for Aboriginal people.'
The achievements in Aboriginal business development of both MOS and Fortescue were recognised in May this year at the prestigious Supply Nation Supplier Diversity Awards, where Muru Group and COS were jointly awarded the 'Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year Award' and Fortescue was named the 'Supplier Diversity Corporate Member and Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year'.
Fortescue Metals Group Limited ABN 57 002 594 872 ACN 002 594 872
ADDRESS Level 2, 87 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, Western Australia 6004
From left: Donna Patten (Manager Housing and Office Facilities, Fortescue), Peter Nicol (Category Specialist - Projects, Fortescue), Mitchell Ross (CEO, MOS), Maryann Gannon (Regional Sales Manager - West, COS), Mark Thomas (Group Manager Infrastructure, Fortescue), Brian Gannon (State Sales Manager - WA, COS), Heath Nelson (Community Development Manager, Fortescue).
Media Contact:
Jasmin Sleeman Mobile: 0439 754 679
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