An Aboriginal-owned civil construction contractor is turning to artificial intelligence to supercharge its growth, targeting a major revenue milestone and an aggressive expansion from its West Australian base to the eastern states.
Garli Group's Strategic Growth and AI Partnership
Garli Group, a majority Aboriginal owned and operated business launched in 2018 by co-founders Michael Barlow and Darren Lundberg, is embracing cutting-edge technology to scale its operations. The company, which now employs 150 people including labour hire workers, operates across project management, civil construction, green energy, medical services, marine infrastructure and mining.
This financial year, Garli is aiming for $50 million in revenue, driven largely by WA's booming resources sector and State Government projects. While Western Australia remains its core market, the contractor is already generating 10 per cent of its income from Queensland and northern New South Wales, signalling a successful initial foray east.
Harnessing AI for Competitive Edge in Tenders
To accelerate this expansion, Garli has become the first Aboriginal business in Australia to adopt software from AutogenAI, a UK-founded, New York-based firm that specialises in generative AI for contract bid writing. The technology, which launched globally in 2022 and arrived in Australia in late 2023, is designed to streamline the time-consuming process of preparing tender submissions.
The move comes as Garli reports a significant pipeline of opportunity, having received invitations to bid for more than 100 tenders worth a combined $370 million. In the past financial year alone, it submitted proposals valued at $80 million.
Director Darren Lundberg, a former WA ministerial chief of staff and Main Roads engineer, highlighted the efficiency gains. "As a small team, we wanted to save time and become more efficient," Mr Lundberg said. "To be able to pull relevant data in a matter of seconds, rather than taking a month or two months in some cases, to create more accurate submissions will lead to more successful bids and fast track our growth aims."
Broader Ambitions: Defence, Energy, and South-East Asia
Garli's ambitions extend beyond civil construction. The company is actively looking to accelerate its entry into the defence and oil and gas industries, diversifying its service offerings.
Furthermore, the AutogenAI software is seen as a key tool for international growth. Garli plans to use it to support the expansion of its Garli Medi Tech business into markets across South-East Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
The potential impact of the AI tool is underscored by data from AutogenAI, which reports that its users saw an average of 12.4 per cent revenue growth between the 2023 and 2024 financial years. For Garli Group, this technological partnership represents a strategic investment to secure its future as a national and international player, built on a foundation of Indigenous ownership and operational excellence.
