In September 2009, BASF’s MEYCO Equipment unit and Sandvik Mining and Construction signed an agreement on a global co-operation in the field of tunneling and mining. As agreed Sandvik has since then taken over the service and maintenance for MEYCO’s concrete spraying equipment in most regions of the world. Training of Sandvik’s technicians is now nearly complete and spare parts management is proceeding as planned. Both parties are jointly approaching customers when and were possible.

Tom Kurth, General Manager at MEYCO Equipment, commented: “the partnership between our two companies is working very well. It allows MEYCO to guarantee first rate service and support to our customers around the world. Sandvik’s extensive front line organisation makes our customers’ every day lives easier and more productive. Both parties have begun to see the potential in the coo-peration. We are now at the stage where we are jointly approaching customers.”

Jarmo Manninen, Aftermarket Offering & Projects Manager at Sandvik, said “the reason for the co-operation is to make our customers’ every day lives easier and more productive as well as to further strengthen the market position our two world leading companies within tunnelling and mining.

“Sandvik will be able to more fully serve its customers throughout the entire mining and tunneling value chain. As Sandvik and MEYCO are not direct competitors, it was natural for the two companies to get closer and utilise synergies. Our customers as well as our staff have been positive to the co-operation and our local teams have been moving quickly in order to ensure that the customer receives the service and maintenance that they need. Our local teams in Norway illustrate this very well as Sandvik is now servicing MEYCO equipment at 13 sites where we already have equipment”.

The agreement is long term and further steps to expand the co-operation are being looked at continuously through a joint committee. Any such expansion will be announced in due course.