The company recently upgraded its Queensland operations, moving from its 1700 square metre facility in Paget, Mackay to its new 3000sq.m premises, also in Mackay. Operations at the company’s new facility have been up and running since January and the premises, which are designed to service the company’s Bowen Basin clients, will be officially opened at a ceremony in early March.
In New South Wales, Jennmar’s bolt manufacturing premises in Wetherill Park, Sydney is set to close up shop in August and another new facility will open in Smeaton Grange, Narellan, south of Sydney. The new facilities are expected to allow the company to expand capacity by 60%.
Part of the US-based Jennmar Corp, Jennmar Australia specialises in industry roof and ground control products for the mining and tunnelling industries.
The company is best known for its production of steel mine roof bolts, and in addition to making noise about its new digs, the company has grand plans for new product lines with a fresh line of bolts and plans to manufacture its own resin to be ready for the Australian market next year.
Jennmar Australia general manager Peter Roberts told Australia’s Mining Monthly that the opening of the new Mackay facility was a reflection of increased demand.
“It’s very exciting, but well and truly overdue in that we’ve outgrown our premises. Moving to new premises will allow us to operate in an environment where we can look at further expansion,” he said.
Roberts said the larger facility would allow the company to gain a greater market share and to continue to supply the rising demand of the resources boom. The company declined to comment on whether it would be entering the hard rock market.
As well as an indication of increased demand, Roberts said the company’s expansion was a reflection of increased technological advancements.
Part of the new product line, the mining favourite, galvanised cable bolt is a revamped version of the super strand cable bolt and has significant corrosion-resistant properties. Made from individual galvanised strands, the bolt is manufactured in Australia from wire rope imported from Japan.
Production of the new 22mm plastic covered Plasbolt is on schedule for late 2007 and trials are continuing on a prototype self-drilling rib bolt.
Jennmar also has plans to get right with its J-LOK brand of resin.
The company said the resin – to be manufactured at Jennmar’s US facilities – would provide the mining industry a market alternative, as there is currently only one source of resin in Australia.
Roberts said the launch of the resin product did not reflect any dissatisfaction with what was presently available but it would offer greater market choice.
Jennmar said manufacture of the resin is to begin in April and should be commercially available by 2008.
Roberts said new developments were an ongoing commitment for the company.
“While we’re particularly strong with cable bolts and headed bolts, new products are continually being introduced to the market and we’re looking forward to a busy 2007,” he said.
Jennmar has significant supply links to the coal industry and first began manufacturing in Australia in 1997. The company expanded to the Chinese market in 2005.
