Metzke

For nearly five decades, Metzke operated from the same location, establishing itself as one of Australia’s most respected manufacturers of drilling sampling systems and equipment.

The company’s decision to relocate to a purpose-built 20,000 sqm facility within Rockingham’s Western Trade Coast precinct marked the largest strategic investment in its history. In addition to the operational implications, this move necessitated careful management of employee engagement, stakeholder confidence, executive communications, and public perception.

Acknowledging the importance of maintaining trust during a period of significant organisational change, Metzke engaged Gilligan Group to collaborate with its Board and Chairman to develop and implement a strategic communications programme.

Acting as an extension of the leadership team, Gilligan Group developed a comprehensive stakeholder communications framework designed to support both internal and external audiences throughout the transition.

Working closely with the Board and Chairman, we:

• Developed key messaging and narrative frameworks to ensure consistent communication across all stakeholder groups.
• Provided strategic communications counsel and executive support for leadership throughout the transition.
• Created town hall presentations, briefing materials and internal communications to ensure employees were informed, engaged and aligned ahead of public announcements.
• Developed stakeholder communications for customers, suppliers and industry partners.
• Delivered media relations, announcement materials and external communications to support the public launch of the relocation.
• Identified opportunities to communicate project milestones and positive business outcomes arising from the investment.
• The programme translated complex operational and strategic information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging while maintaining confidence across multiple stakeholder groups.

Metzke’s relocation was effectively framed as a long-term investment in the manufacturing capabilities of Western Australia, rather than simply a change of premises. The communications programme successfully generated positive media coverage across prominent Western Australian business and news publications, such as Business News and The West Australian, while also reinforcing stakeholder confidence in the organisation’s future direction.

Most importantly, the project demonstrated Gilligan Group’s ability to collaborate with boards, executives, and project leadership teams in navigating complex stakeholder environments, supporting organisational change, and achieving positive strategic communication outcomes during significant transformation periods.