History of HBS PNG
The owner of HBS Group has been a pivotal figure in Papua New Guinea's construction industry for over 50 years, arriving in 1969 and establishing a legacy of leadership in major civil engineering projects. His early career saw him in key roles with prominent companies involved in critical mining operations, from Bougainville Copper to Ok Tedi, Misima, and Porgera Mines. His expertise spans beyond mining, contributing to LNG exploration, civil infrastructure such as the Highlands Highway, significant port developments, and hydro projects.
With a specialization in equipment management, he directed the acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of machinery across PNG, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Cambodia, while also overseeing logistics operations that included a landing barge and light aircraft. In 1995, he moved to Brisbane and founded Repage Pacific, broadening his equipment business to global markets, including Bhutan, South America, and South Africa.
Identifying a gap in PNGโs machinery market in the early 2000s, he founded HBS Machinery Limited to focus on equipment hire, sales, and servicing. The company quickly secured exclusive brand partnerships and established a strong presence in the mining sector, contributing to major projects like the Lihir development, Wild Dog mining, and Harmony Gold Mine, generating over K100 million for shareholders. HBS became instrumental in projects such as Wafi Golpu, Simberi, Lihir, and Ok Tedi.
In 2010, HBS was selected by Exxon for the PNG LNG project, providing equipment and overseeing the disposal of over 2,000 machines and vehicles. The company also expanded into real estate, now hosting major businesses like Ela Motors and Brian Bell. With nearly 30 years of successful operations in PNG, HBS has managed over 20,000 equipment transactions and remains a significant force in the regionโs industrial landscape.