Bunbury father-son duo land biggest contract in 35 years
Thirty five years ago Stan and David Haoust operated out of a Bunbury service station with a second-hand Toyota bus.
Today, the father-son duo run one of Australia’s biggest transport companies, with more than 300 vehicles and 200 staff.
And they have just landed their biggest contract yet.
Go West last month was awarded the contract to supply buses and drivers for BHP’s Pilbara operations for up to the next seven years. The company will service BHP’s Eastern Ridge, Whaleback, Jimblebar, Yandi and Area C mine sites.
The move will see their fleet and staff increase by 50 and the expansion of the company’s Newman, Karratha and Tom Price depots.
The first 30 vehicles — which have been custom manufactured by Irizar, BCI and Yutong to suit the remote Pilbara conditions — will be delivered next month.
Go West general manager David Haoust commended the team tendering for the contract and said they were “relieved, happy and excited” about the long-term prospects for the business.
“We are excited about the new contract with BHP which means Go West will invest further in regional communities throughout the State by hiring additional staff and procuring more local services to support our business.”
In 2008 the company invested in a $250,000 chartered management system which can track buses, monitor tyres and schedule maintenance, which Mr Haoust said had contributed to their success.
Mr Haoust said they had come a long way since 1990 and working with BHP was a career highlight for the family business.
“Over the years we have achieved some great milestones together, not without life’s challenges as a father and son team,” he said.
“However, we have overcome all hurdles to become one of Australia’s largest and formidable family bus companies, always with values of safety, innovation, frugality, family spirit and adaptivity to keep moving forward.”
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