Austin Engineering (ASX:ANG) has been selected by the Western Australian government under its Investment Attraction Fund (IAF) to receive a grant of up to $5 million to boost its advanced manufacturing program at its Perth-based operations in Kewdale.
The IAF seeks to bring further investment, jobs and economic diversity into WA, increasing demand for local goods and services, securing trade in new sectors and within new markets.
Austin, which is headquartered in Perth and has operations around the world, notes the grant will support greater automation and production efficiency in the company’s manufacturing facilities in Perth as part of the continued rollout of Austin’s global advanced manufacturing plan. The company launched the program in 2021 under the Austin 2.0 strategy to transform the business through increased efficiency and capability across its major mining equipment production facilities.
The program has involved upgrades to the mining services firm’s manufacturing equipment and processes in Perth using the latest technology and innovation to streamline and increase production and improve quality.
To date, the manufacturing program has allowed for a lift in output and product suite expansion. The company recently launched its WA-designed and manufactured, ultra-lightweight High Performance Truck Tray (HPT), which can carry additional ore tonnes per annum due to its lighter weight and increased volume efficiency.
Through the integration of the Mainetec business, Austin has expanded its manufacturing capacity space to produce and deliver Mainetec’s High Performance bucket range out of Perth as well.
Additionally, Austin is now offering equipment condition monitoring software on its excavator bucket range and is upgrading it for suitability on truck trays for more accurate monitoring of repair and replacement requirements.
The terms of the grant, including the timing of any funding, will not be clear until a definitive agreement and project plan are agreed.
“The grant will allow us to continue investment into advanced manufacturing and technology in our WA operations, to create more local jobs and deliver world class designed and engineered products to our mining customers”
Austin CEO and Managing Director David Singleton says: “We are very grateful to be selected by the Western Australian Government for funding under the Investment Attraction Fund. The grant will allow us to continue investment into advanced manufacturing and technology in our WA operations, to create more local jobs and deliver world class designed and engineered products to our mining customers.”
Austin is a global engineering company. For more than 50 years, Austin has partnered with mining companies, contractors, and original equipment manufacturers to create innovative engineering solutions that deliver productivity improvements to their operations.
Austin designs and manufactures loading and hauling solutions, including off-highway dump truck bodies, buckets, water tanks and related attachments, supporting both open-cut and underground operations. Complementing its proprietary product range are repair and maintenance services performed in our workshops and on clients’ mine sites, and spare parts.
Through Austin’s own design and engineering IP and range of tailored products, it delivers solutions for all commodity applications and drives increased efficiencies in productivity and safety in both open cut and underground mining operations.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Austin Engineering Ltd
