A small start yields a big payday

Bob Cameron grew up in the western Sydney. He went to the Hunter Valley to run a coalmining company, Coal & Allied after finishing a mining engineering degree. In 1989, he paid $2 million to his employer for a Gunnedah mine and started Preston Coal. He ran the mining company from the back veranda of his house in Maitland. Two decades later, the business, known as Centennial Coal, is about to be taken over by Thai miner, Banpu in a transaction that values it at $2.45 billion.

Banpu owns a very reputable coalmining company and has a nearly similar culture to Coal $ Allied collieries. Shareholders were responding positively towards this plan as it helps to enhance their share values. Besides, Cameron pointed out that the employees are safe in their current positions in this take-over process. Despite prices of domestic and export coal being at parity, Cameron's strategy was to grow exports and reduce dependence on domestic supply as domestic sales contribute less to earnings. Cameron says that over the 21 years he built up Centennial, it's not just the growth of the now Sydney-based company that he is proud of, the emphasis is put on safety, environmental standards, community relations in the operation areas and strict corporate governance. With the Banpu bid not 100 per cent certain, Cameron says he has not allowed himself to think of what comes next, but focused on running the business day-by-day.

Comment:

Here is an example of a great man performing successfully in his life. We should take him as a role model to accomplish our own-set target. With great determination and desire, nothing is impossible. So, believe in ourselves, and strive hard for the coming challenges. Nothing can beat us down. Appreciate and learn from what we are having, what we have gone through and what we are given. =)