SWIP Business Advisory Case StudyÂ
With Debbie Mackay – SWIP WA
About SWIP WA
SWIP delivers integrated piping infrastructure packages across Mining and Utilities — combining fabrication, piping, SMP and civil works into a single, accountable delivery model.
From workshop fabrication through to site installation and commissioning, SWIP provides practical, coordinated solutions that reduce interfaces, improve constructability and maintain control of project outcomes, all delivered under an ISO-certified business management system.
The business is owned and run by Debbie and Nathan Mackay.
Business Challenges
When day-to-day operations consume strategic thinking
When Debbie and Nathan Mackay purchased SWIP, they were new to running a business and wanted to get their structures set up correctly from the start. However, like many business owners, they quickly found the demands of day-to-day operations left little time to step back and consider the bigger picture.
More than that, they recognised the isolating nature of business ownership. Running a company meant making decisions largely on their own, with limited opportunity to test ideas with experienced advisors or connect with other business owners facing similar challenges.
They needed a way to regularly step out of the operational detail, gain external perspective, and feel supported in their decision-making.
Working with Brentnalls WA
Brentnalls WA was recommended to Debbie and Nathan by their business coach, and they engaged the team when they acquired SWIP. The first priority was for Brentnalls to establish their business structures correctly. From there, they implemented a regular Quarterly Business Review (QBR) process that has become central to how they run the business.
The QBRs provide a dedicated forum to step out of the day-to-day and review the business at a high level.
“As a business owner, you’re so focused on the day-to-day that you never get an opportunity to stop and look at what you’ve achieved. The QBR forces you to stop and review your company from a high level, and see where there are opportunities and problems and how we can address them. It’s a really good forum to stop and think.”Â
Alongside the structured QBR process, Debbie regularly uses the Brentnalls WA team as a sounding board for decisions, knowing she has expert advisors available when she needs to test ideas or navigate complex issues. This ongoing partnership and access to support has become invaluable in what can otherwise be an isolating role.
The support also extends to connection and community. Through Brentnalls WA’s Business Growth Network, Debbie and Nathan connect with other business owners facing similar challenges. The forum provides practical insights alongside the intangible but significant benefit of knowing they’re not alone in the ownership journey.
The QBRs have also kept Debbie and Nathan aligned on business direction. By bringing all the data together and reviewing it quarterly, they ensure both partners are on the same page. More recently, they’ve invited their operations manager into the meetings, valuing the broader perspective the team brings to strategic thinking.
Results
Working with Brentnalls WA has given SWIP greater clarity, stronger alignment, and access to the support and community that business ownership sometimes lacks.
The discipline of the QBR has shaped how Debbie and Nathan lead. The regular rhythm of stepping back to review numbers and strategy has become non-negotiable, helping them make decisions based on where the company actually is rather than reacting in the moment. When conditions are challenging, this perspective offers reassurance and clarity.
The value extends beyond quarterly meetings. Having a team they can call on for guidance, combined with access to a community of other business owners, has addressed the isolation that often accompanies ownership. For Debbie, this support structure is essential:
“It allows us to make strategic decisions based on where the company currently is. It’s just better, more effective decision-making.” ~ Debbie Mackay
