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Origins

YBE began as a small brick making company at Yirrkala in 1968.

The Yirrkala Brickworks went on to supply Nabalco and Gove with well over 1,000,000 bricks and, when bricks were no longer required, the obvious determination, enthusiasm, commitment and skills of the local people certainly were.

Nabalco continued to provide YBE with contracts for labour, transport, vehicle and machinery hire, and the supply of topsoil, concrete and sand.

This led to the continued growth of the company until, today, it has diversified into a wide range of activities supplying a range of services. YBE is one of the biggest companies in the NT, ranked by turnover in 2000/2001.

Ownership

YBE is owned by the Yolngu people of north east Arnhem Land, and its Board of Directors are the 26 clan leaders (Dilaks). This has resulted in tremendous stability and a degree of continuity within operational and management processes that will allow the company to meet the targets of its new business plan, while remaining in a sound financial situation, for another thirty years and more.

Business Performance

YBE's three year business plan for the period 1999 to 2002 ended at June 2002. The directors at their Board Meeting in July 2002 reviewed the actual performance against financial targets and goals set in this plan.
 

Financial Targets	Achieved
Debt to equity ratio	Yes
Working capital ratio	Yes
Net profit % after tax	Yes
Financial Goals	Achieved
Modernise fleet	Yes
Purchase small capital items from cashflow	Yes
Sound financial position	Yes
Strong business relationship with Nabalco	Yes

The Board is proud of the company's performance and achievements during the past three years.

The Board approved a new three year plan and is keen to ensure a similar successful achievement of targets and goals.

Snapshot of Major Events Over the Last Three Years

1999

• Restructure of organisation completed to give clear ownership and Board composition.
• Review of financing arrangements Westpac agrees to provide significant credit facilities.
• Significant modernisation of machinery fleet - particularly Ore Haulage Trucks.
• Pond 7 constructed - $9 million

2000

• New two year EBA agreed.
• Extension to Pond 6 constructed - $7 million
• More modernisation of machinery fleet for residue disposal area and road maintenance.

2001

• Raising wall of Pond 6 constructed - $9 million
• Alliance with Alcan Gove signed signifying YBE to be a major business partner with YBE.
• YBE agrees to transfer annual training funds paid to them by Alcan Gove to jointly owned training school - YBE Nabalco Operator Training School ("YNOTS").

2002

• New three year EBA agreed.
• Completion of "first" three year business plan.
• Board approves business plan for period 2003 to 2005 

2003

• Established building team
• Won NT Government contract for maintenance of assets
• Upgrading airstrip on Bickerton Island
• Sealing of Dhupuma Road ($600,000)
• Landscaping of family flats ($600,000)