New name for UPD Group of Companies

The UPD Group of Companies is changing its name to Quest Exploration Drilling (QED) as it seeks to grow further in the Asia Pacific region, with focus on delivery of on time on budget projects, utilizing state of the art technology, a strong, stable workforce, and proactive safety culture.
The company’s core technical capability is in diamond core, reverse circulation and geotechnical drilling.
The origins of the group trace back some 40 years in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and over the years it has developed long term relationships with Rio Tinto, Placer Pacific, Ok Tedi and MIM before expanding into Fiji, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In the year 2000 the Philippine business, with a small aging nine rig fleet,  was acquired by the current management team who have grown this to a 60-plus modern rig operation under business units – United Philippines Drilling, PT UPD Indonesia, Natdrill Limited (in PNG) and UPD Solomons Limited.
QED’s managing director Alan Blackley explains, “Throughout the Asia Pacific there are many growth prospects and opportunities to diversify our client portfolio.
“We work closely and to the high standards required with major companies in the region such as Barrick, Xstrata an Anglo American, and a number of local mining companies and juniors, including Red 5, Royalco Resources and Philex Mining.
“Our aim is to further develop and grow our business. We emerged from the global financial crisis in good shape with our existing clients and are seeking to establish a presence in other areas of Asia Pacific and diversify our client base.
“It is not just a matter of satisfying clients’ immediate needs. We share their vision for the future; find out where they want to be in five years and help them to get there.
“As part of the relationship development process we are conservative with our pricing, while not compromising on our ability to get the job done. In addition understanding the region, country, local community levels and logistical aspects of operations are important aspects of our expertise, assisting clients well beyond producing core.
“Our strategies incorporate our past performance with technological advancements and great people to broaden regional focus. It allows us to say this is what we have done before and this is what we can and will do going forward.”
“Recently though what we have been missing is a single identifying brand name that binds our businesses and culture together. So we feel it is timely as we move into our second decade and one of more growth, we have found a name and acronym appropriate for our business, Quest Exploration Drilling, QED.
“From a client perspective in searching for that elusive deposit and our desire to provide excellence in drilling services, the new name of QED, or in Latin Quod Erat Demonstrandum (that which was to be demonstrated), reinforces the proof that QED, as the preferred contractor, delivers to and indeed beyond expectations.
“We certainly see this name change as a logical progression in our dynamic and growing business and look forward to the next decade and beyond together with the continued support of our clients, employees, communities and supporters,” Alan Blackley concludes.

| More...