The company, a subsidiary of US company Longwall Associates, was established in Mackay in Queensland more than three years ago.

 

During the first years of operation the company won numerous orders in the overhaul and repair of longwall equipment, but recently the original equipment (OE) side of the business has taken off. China in particular is proving to be a big market for the company with around two thirds of current OE business for Asian customers.

 

The company is currently building a tailgate and maingate for a Queensland mine site; and is building a tailgate and maingate for the Chinese mining group, Huainan Coal Mining Group. Longwall Associates just completed the first Australian-made crawler-mounted boot-end, destined for the Daning mine in China.

 

"This is a great achievement - and it shows a real commitment to working hard and developing a strong reputation within the industry,” State Development and Innovation minister Tony McGrady said.

 

"This kind of growth can have significant flow-on effects to the community through more jobs and an increase in economic growth."

 

A total of 45 people are currently employed by the company but this could grow by up to 15 new staff in the next 12 months, including two new apprentices.

 

Longwall managing director Peter Van Iersel said the grant had come at an important time for the company's development.

 

"We have been growing so quickly that without spending the time on planning for the future we may not have been able to manage our workload as effectively," he said.

 

"With State Government support we are now on track and able to employ a consultant to help us develop the next stage of our business - we're committed to world's best practice in manufacturing."