In the competitive world of RC drilling in Western Australia, OreEx Drilling’s meteoric rise is a success story that inspires envy and admiration from their competitors. Starting out from his home in Subiaco with one RC rig and a handful of drillers, owner-operator, and drilling industry veteran of over 20 years, Grant Ingram, managed to triple the size of his fleet in 12 months - an incredible trajectory for any business, let alone in today’s business environment.So how did he do it? What is Grant’s secret to success as a first-time owner-operator? Discover OreEx’s commitment to sample quality, and how they’re innovating in the face of uncertainty in this customer story.

A philosophy rooted in quality

Where many drillers focus on getting the most metres, the OreEx team decided to do things a little bit differently to stand out in a competitive market. Grant could see a need for an RC driller that emphasised genuine partnership to deliver quality chip samples above all else.
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And this meticulous attention to sample quality throughout all aspects of the drilling process would be what sets OreEx Drilling apart from the competition.

“We want every client on every job to be able to see that our sample quality is unparalleled and how easy we are to work with. We hire experienced people to get the job done, we use the best tools - and we never sacrifice on sample quality” says Grant.

Building an advantage through digital

From years of working with digital systems at previous drilling companies, Grant knew he wanted to be digital from the very beginning. Running a lean business, Grant wanted to make sure that he was available to meet with his clients and assist his drilling team as much as possible.

"It was really important to me that I was able to minimise how much time I'd be spending on paperwork. And whilst it's good for us, it's also what clients want. They want to see the data."

Grant Ingram, Owner & Director

Using CorePlan, Grant is able to provide his clients with real-time metrics like cost per hole and metres and cost per shift, delighting his clients and making for more productive meetings around performance, not costs. “Our clients love it. The end of the month couldn’t be easier for them, or for us. Invoicing is really straightforward because they’ve already seen the data and approved it.”

"The tough part was finding a system that was able to cater to the specific needs of RC, whilst still being affordable for a startup driller... And based on this criteria, CorePlan was the obvious choice."

Grant Ingram, Owner & Director

Transparency and trust

OreEx are building a reputation as a reliable and transparent drilling partner by simplifying invoicing, fostering productive meetings and importantly - showcasing their commitment to sample quality and innovation.

“Our relationships with our clients are based on trust and transparency. Not only do our clients see costs and performance daily, but they also see that our drillers take care to make time for things like cleaning the cyclone and clearing the drill system correctly between samples. Unfortunately, something that is overlooked in the industry and OreEx take these small steps and that makes a big difference in sample quality. It’s one of the ways we show our clients every day that we’re committed to sampling their future. It’s not just what we say - it’s the actions we take.”

The power of the little things

Grant understood that exceptional client service goes hand in hand with a happy drilling team. By equipping his team with the right tools like the user-friendly CorePlan mobile app, OreEx’s drillers are empowered to focus on doing their best work without the distractions of paperwork.

But it’s not just about what happens during working hours. “We take care of our team. We put our drillers up in towns when we can and make sure they have everything they need like fast and reliable internet to stay in touch with home. It’s the little things like that which make a big difference on the job.”

‍Making a mark on the industry

Off the back of a growing reputation for quality, in June of 2023, Grant was able to purchase two more RC rigs, sign a major contract and is officially ready to take OreEx Drilling to the next level.

By combining an unwavering commitment to sample quality, embracing cutting-edge technology, fostering transparency and caring for the team, OreEx has been fast-tracked to success despite tough market conditions.

Are you ready to harness the power of innovation like OreEx? Make your mark on the drilling industry as the next digital drill contractor. Go digital with CorePlan today so you can focus on the metrics that matter to your clients.