Reorganisation pays off for Austin with $30m contract wins

The reorganisation and diversification of Perth mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering under its new CEO, former shipbuilder and Austal boss David Singleton is paying off with the award of a contract to construct five underground mine chute structures (pictured) for PT Freeport Indonesia

The work is part of $30 million in contract wins in August by the Perth manufacturer which makes mining dump truck bodies, buckets, water tanks, tyre handlers, engineering solutions and other ancillary equipment used in the mining industry.

While the company booked 27 orders for its bread and butter mine truck body products with KGMH in Chile, NRW Civil and Mining and Perenti Global, the $4.5 million in orders for mine chutes are the early fruit of the company broadening its product offerings following a strategic review of the business.

In recent months, Austin has moved its headquarters to Perth, invested in its Perth and Batam, Indonesia factories and reorganised its South American manufacturing businesses.

The chutes will be manufactured in Batam with work already underway and scheduled to complete later this year.

Meanwhile truck bodies and other equipment fort NRW and Perenti will be manufactured at Kewdale in Perth.

Singleton said: “We are buoyed to have recorded such a strong month of contract wins around the globe, including a new customer in NRW Holdings.

“The mine chute structure contract with Freeport Indonesia reflects Austin’s increasing focus on new products and adjacent value streams.

“This is in line with our global strategy to employ more innovation and technology-led design solutions for our customers, and to add further products to our suite.”

Austin reported a bullish outlook for its Asia Pacific markets but weakness in North America.

Picture: Austin Engineering

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