Reid & Mitchell (R&M) and AC Hargreaves (ACH), a Brisbane-based repairer of industrial electrical equipment, have signed a representation agreement aimed at hastening ACH’s penetration of the Australian opencast coal-mining market as a supplier and repairer of electric motor components of draglines and off-highway dump trucks.
ACH is seeking to boost its market share with the help of R&M, which enjoys a worldwide reputation for its technical knowledge and experience of the motors and equipment used in both draglines and off-highway trucks.
“We make components to our own drawings and designs, which we have developed over the years as replacement components for the OEM machines. Our components have won widespread acceptance as they are equivalent and fully interchangeable with the original components,” said Mike Shaw, R&M’s Divisional CEO.
“In terms of the representation agreement, which came into effect in September last year, ACH’s scope of work is supply of components and engineering services to the repairs of draglines and off-highway vehicles. It authorises them to trade R&M’s products and provide technical support and repair services to customers under R&M’s guidance.
“Our intention is to supply consignment stock to enable them to achieve quick turnarounds in serving their customers. The components from R&M are cost-effective on a global scale, which gives ACH a significant advantage in their market,” Mike added.
The agreement’s initial focus is on draglines, with similar support for off-highway vehicles to be introduced in the near future.
“We see this as a huge opportunity for R&M and ACH to jointly open up a major market with significant growth potential. Australia, with over 70 draglines operating, is the second largest user of draglines in the world after the United States. However, for us the local market has dwindled, with only about a dozen machines still operating in South Africa,” Mike pointed out.
“This partnership venture with ACH therefore represents an exciting revival of what was formerly a major market for R&M and provides us with a golden opportunity to make good sales of our well-proven dragline products and services into a new market. We’re delighted to have established this relationship with ACH, which is a diligent company with very professional management and a strong reputation,” he remarked.
To date ACH has placed two orders with R&M under the agreement. The first, delivered early this year, was for the manufacture and supply of a set of six interpole coils, while the second order, placed in May, is for the manufacture and supply of a complete generator armature.
Joe Galdies, ACH’s Divisional Manager, Mining, said: “We look upon this partnership as a milestone in the development of AC Hargreaves and as providing huge opportunities for both Reid & Mitchell and ourselves. Strong synergies exist between the two companies that auger well for a long and fruitful partnership.”
In addition to the repair and support services ACH provides to the Australian opencast coal-mining market, it is well-established throughout Australasia as repairers and refurbishers of power generation equipment, transformers, traction motors and industrial rotating equipment.
