SPOTLIGHT ON THE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2025

19 Dec

Written By NCCI

EAST PILBARA MAINTENANCE

Interview with Hayley Gamble, founder and Managing Director at EPM

*EPM founders and directors; Hayley & Nathan with their daughter Amelia*

Hayley, congratulations on your Business of the Year award, such an achievement!

What does this award represent for you and the team?

How do you measure success in your business?

This was my first time applying for an award here in Newman, in fact, for any of our business ventures, so receiving the Business of the Year award was incredibly special.

It represents not just recognition of East Pilbara Maintenance as a company, but of the dedication, resilience, and hard work our entire team brings to the table every day.

Over the past year, we’ve faced enormous challenges, including a full-scale relocation of our operations to Willis Street and the growth of our home and garden centre, Laver Street Collective.

We also adopted several new technologies to improve productivity, which required our team to adapt quickly and embrace change. Their willingness to do that with such professionalism and positivity has been a huge achievement in itself.

This award is a moment to pause and acknowledge just how far we’ve come. It reflects the strength of our people and their commitment to serving the East Pilbara community. Having a team that believes in your vision and invests in it wholeheartedly means everything. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together; this recognition truly belongs to every one of them.

Our next step is to further strengthen East Pilbara Maintenance by integrating more technology into our daily operations and growing our skilled workforce. We’re focused on enhancing efficiency, brand recognition, and communication across all parts of the business so we can provide even better service to our clients throughout East Pilbara and Mid-West.

We are also ongoing in our efforts to recruit more qualified tradespeople to meet the increasing demand for skilled services in the region. Investing in our people and the tools they need to do their jobs well is vital for maintaining our quality standards and supporting sustainable growth.

For us, it’s not just about expansion; it’s about building a business that’s efficient, adaptable, and continues to create local opportunities while delivering the highest level of service to our community.

Introduction to EPM and what inspired the founders to start here, in Newman

East Pilbara Maintenance began in 2021, following a recognition of the challenges faced by residents and businesses in the East Pilbara region, as well as the need for reliable trade services. Having lived in Newman for over 22 years, Hayley Gamble, Managing Director, has come to understand the challenges the Newman community faces, from skills shortages to housing issues.

Together with Partner and Director, Nathan Spearing, who has also called Newman home for 8 years, they wanted to create a business that provided quality, consistent services while supporting local employment.

EPM is now a multi-trade service provider offering a range of services, including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, cabinetry, HVAC, tiling, freight and transport, printing, signage, and property maintenance. Our goal has always been simple: to deliver dependable services across the region while creating local opportunities and long-term stability for our team and our clients.

Tell us more about your operations and your team here at EPM.

Our strength lies in our diverse team of skilled tradespeople and support staff, all dedicated to delivering high-quality work. We have electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, HVAC technicians, and property maintenance crews, supported by logistics and management. Serving over 260 clients in the East Pilbara and Mid-West, we offer a range of services including plumbing, electrical, building maintenance, freight, signage, and property care.

Many staff live locally; others are supported with flexible rosters and housing. We focus on safety, teamwork, and growth, fostering a positive culture. Every project we deliver is a reflection of our team’s commitment to quality and community. Whether we’re fixing a leaky pipe, fitting out a new office, or managing large-scale maintenance for a mine site, we approach every job with the same goal: to do it right and to support the people who call this region home.

What challenges do you face operating in the Pilbara, and how do you overcome them?

Operating in East Pilbara presents challenges, including limited access to skilled trades and high housing costs, which make it difficult to attract and retain qualified workers.

At East Pilbara Maintenance, we address these issues with flexible FIFO schedules, employee incentives, and diverse housing options, which help us attract long-term tradespeople.

We also invest in technology to boost productivity and communication, ensuring we deliver quality service across the region. While running a business here requires resilience and innovation, we see these challenges as opportunities to improve and support our community.

Congratulations again to East Pilbara Maintenance on winning Business of the Year 2025, what an achievement!