Fenner UK CEO Mark Abrahams officially opened the new extension at West Footscray, in Melbourne earlier this year. Apex Fenner is Australia’s only manufacturer of fabric-reinforced rubber conveyor belts, which can be up to two metres wide and are used primarily in the mining industry.

Apex Fenner managing director David Landgren said the driving force behind the extension was the need to meet increased demand for conveyor belting.

“Our existing capacity on wide belting was continuously over-extended, resulting in a need to work excessive overtime and lengthen delivery times for our customers,” said Landgren.

“Installation of a sixth Rotocure curing oven will allow the operation to improve delivery times to well below that of all imported competing products. This saves valuable production time for our mining customers and lowers their operating costs.”

Apex Fenner’s expansion program began in 2002 with construction of a new weaving plant, which was opened in March 2003. Later in 2003 the Apex Fenner plant received accreditation to ISO 9001, highlighting the importance of its new technical centre. A sophisticated laboratory in the centre carries out a range of tests on every belt the company makes, checking conformity to customer specifications and other standards.

In addition to Apex Fenner’s new technical centre, the company has also upgraded its repair and inspection facilities, installed new belt sanding equipment, and built a drive-through loading bay which allows for more efficient and safer loading, as well as easier entry and departure of trucks from the site.

Apex Fenner has a yearly turnover of around $100 million. Approximately 90% of its business is directed at the Australian domestic market and 10% for export. About 75% of its domestic business is aimed at the mining industry, with the remainder spread across quarrying, grain handling, cement, fertiliser and food production.

Published in Australia's Longwalls