Queensland IT industry pioneer Mincom started in 1979 when most mining companies didn’t even own a computer and tallied up their figures on accounting machines.
But within a decade, its annual turnover had reached $100 million, it had become the biggest mining industry software company it the world, and it had paved the way for Queensland’s growth and reputation as an IT hub.
Last night (July 28), Mincom was honoured with a place in the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame at the 2016 induction dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. (A digital story on Mincom can be viewed here)
It was one of six Queensland business icons chosen to join the Hall of Fame and presented with their awards by The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland.
Now in its eighth year, the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame is a joint initiative between the QUT Business School, State Library of Queensland and Queensland Library Foundation.
The 2016 inductees are Mincom, construction icon Sir Manuel Hornibrook, Australia’s first female stockbroker Margaret Mittelheuser AM, The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Ltd (NAPCO), insurance and banking giant Suncorp Group and leading company director Rod Wylie OBE.
Mincom (an abbreviation of ‘mining computing’) was founded in 1979 by David Merson and four partners with just $45,000 capital and one borrowed computer.
An employee-owned company, its innovative approach included fostering a culture of creativity and hiring staff who bought into the business and were well rewarded for their talents and loyalty.
Its products included the MIMS (Mincom Information Management Systems), later renamed ELLIPSE, which was regarded as the best open enterprise software in the world.
At the time of its sale in 2007 to Francisco Partners, Mincom had extended its reach and products from mining to utilities, transport, government and defence, serving customers in more than 40 countries and employing 1300 people.
Founder David Merson said people early on had often asked why the company was based in Brisbane and if they were planning to move to “more fertile climates” for an IT company.
“I was very much of the view that, no, Brisbane was a very good place to be,” he said.
“One of the reasons for that was that our universities were pouring out lots of skilled IT people and, because Brisbane was a branch office locality, there weren’t many large IT departments in Queensland.
“So in setting up in Brisbane we were able to attract the best talent from the local universities because we were the most exciting opportunity for an IT person in Brisbane – and there weren’t lots of competitors trying to steal our best people.
“We certainly encouraged innovation and boldness and having big ideas … we didn’t say ‘we’re just going to be a little, just operate in the Brisbane market place’ … We were saying that the only way we could succeed is if we tackle the global market place and became a leader.”
Professor Peter Little, QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships), is on the Hall of Fame’s governing committee which chose this year’s inductees.
“The inspiring business leaders inducted in 2016 have demonstrated the innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience that are typical Queensland traits,” he said.
“Their extraordinary stories of enterprise have helped shape the development of this great state and they will forever be valued and remembered.”
Digital stories on all the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame members can be viewed online at www.halloffame.slq.qld.gov.au.
State Librarian and CEO Sonia Cooper said the Hall of Fame ensured the businesses and individuals who had played vital roles in the state’s business landscape would be recognised and remembered.
“The Hall of Fame records, retells and celebrates their outstanding stories, and highlights the importance of documenting, collecting and preserving Queensland’s business heritage for future generations,” she said.
Last night’s induction dinner also included the presentation of the 2016 Queensland Business History Award to architecture firm Conrad Gargett by the Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business, Leeanne Enoch.
Release date: Friday, July 29, 2016
Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au or 07 3138 9449
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, media@qut.edu.au of 0407 585 901
** Biographies, high-res images and digital stories of this year’s inductees are available for media use.
TWITTER: Follow the event on the night - #qblhof
