In July 2009, Fenner Dunlop opened a A$70 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kwinana, Western Australia, specifically built for the production of steel cord belting. It represented the largest investment in conveyor belting manufacturer ever made in Australia by any company.
In 2013 another A$20 million was invested to install a second press line increasing production capacity and boosting the workforce by 30%.
The facility houses the world’s largest steel cord press, calender and related equipment. The plant has the capability to produce steel cord and rubber ply belting up to 3,200 mm wide and up to 50 mm thick with an annual production capacity of over 400,000 square metres, equating to approximately 130 km of 3,200 mm belt.
The manufacturing plant also incorporates an innovative testing and R&D laboratory to ensure product compliance with the strictest local, international and customer nominated standards.
The Kwinana branch is also home to the Mechanical Practical Training facility, designed for new Mechanical Technicians to undertake on-the-job conveyor belt maintenance training. “Having the skilled technicians on site is a priority for Fenner Dunlop with its continual improvement programs and commitment with the highest quality and safety standards.”
Since 2009 a lot has happened, by joining forces with its sister companies (Belle Banne Conveyor Services, JAF, ACE, Statewide Belting and CPA) Fenner Dunlop is a full conveyor solutions company, offering a complete range of engineering services, including field service, design, overhauls and refurbishment.
“For customers, this means they only require one point of contact for all of their conveyor needs. Fenner Dunlop is the only company in Australia to manufacture the complete range of conveyor belts for all mining applications locally.”
“The ability to manufacture in WA and be so close to mine sites offers speed to market and supply chain security for Fenner Dunlop’s customer base,” said Trevor Svenson, Fenner Dunlop’s General Manager, Sales and Marketing.
In March 2019, the Kwinana plant manufactured the largest fabric belts on record. The 580 m roll of UsFlex® D12 belt was sent to a customer in the Pilbara. The huge 2.8 m x 6 m belt reel was built by JAF.
”2019 is shaping up to be a big year for Fenner Dunlop, as the company continue to increase sales, Kwinana is currently working 24/7 to keep up with the order books. The success can be credited to the dedicated employees, with the goal since day one to always build quality products and give the best service and after-sales support.”