While Geraldton-based civil construction and contractor Red Dust Holdings (RDH) has an incredible business growth story, it is also a shining example of how embedding an ESG strategy and sense of community into its team has strengthened outcomes delivered both on and off the tools. Part 2 of 2.
Founded in the Mid-West capital by Directors Josh and Tanya Johnson in 2010, RDH has grown to employ more than 180 personnel and operates across regional WA.
Overseeing this growth hasn’t detracted remaining embedded within their Mid-West community, participating in many charitable and community focussed initiatives, including on occasions in partnership with WesTrac.
Fiercely loyal and committed to encouraging a workplace culture of giving back to community, Tanya says RDH actively promotes three key pillars as part of its ESG strategy – employee care, community care and environmental care – throughout its team.
“We’re heavily focused on community involvement, whether it’s making donations or helping underdog projects get off the ground, to making sandwiches for local school kids who might otherwise go hungry,” she says.
“When our people go to work around regional WA, they are always on the lookout for who in the community needs a hand."
“We really like to put back into the communities from a social and economic perspective – it’s a rare opportunity to be able to have achieved what we have as a business, so we feel it is our responsibility to give back.”
That includes prioritising local suppliers and sub-contractors in the communities RDH operates, as well as supporting local organisations and causes to the tune of $150,000 per year.
And if it isn’t supporting by way of sponsorship to local sporting clubs and community organisations, donations to charities or leading fundraising events, the Johnsons and their team are just as happy to roll up their sleeves to lend a hand.
Long-term WesTrac Account Manager Greg Pike, who has worked directly with RDH since the business was born almost 15 years ago, says the Johnson’s commitment and generosity to the community is very admirable.
“Tanya is into just about anything to do with fundraising or donating her time around town, and Josh is often down there, hands on, doing things to help out,” Greg says.
Some community activity has been delivered in partnership with WesTrac, with Greg pointing out many of the objectives in RDH’s ESG strategy align with WesTrac’s Building Better Together sustainability plan.
Initiatives include teaming up every Wednesday to participate in corporate lawn bowls at the local club and making annual contributions to the community-led Beach Price Markets as part of the Mid West region’s signature Shore Leave Festival.
“For us regional people, we live and breathe our work in our community."
Josh says while a lot of time goes into community from RDH’s team, giving back remains a high priority.
“When you are part of your local community, you know the people and groups within that community who need a bit of help. In our community, we lift each other up and help each other out when we can – and that means giving back,” he says.
“Our business isn’t just about building roads. We like going into the community and finding out who or what groups need attention or support – it's part of our businesses culture.”
