Scott Technology is scaling up the North American footprint of its Rocklabs business unit, a global leader in sample preparation equipment and automation solutions for mining and mineral laboratories. This move it says responds to increasing industry demand for faster service, advanced automation, and stronger local OEM support.
“The needs of the mining industry are evolving rapidly, and so are we,” said Mike Christman, CEO of Scott Technology. “As automation and proactive maintenance become increasingly critical for mining operations, our North American expansion ensures Rocklabs can provide faster service, stronger OEM support, and cutting-edge automation solutions. This scale-up is not only a response to market demand but also highlights the world-class innovation driven by our New Zealand-based teams, who are committed to developing technologies that support our customers’ long-term success.”
Rocklabs already serves major mining, mineral testing, and commercial laboratories across North America, with key customers including ALS, SGS, BV, Rio Tinto, Kinross Gold, Freeport, and MSA Labs. To strengthen its regional presence, Rocklabs is expanding into Scott Technology’s existing manufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, establishing a dedicated stockholding and service hub.
This move enables Rocklabs to significantly improve parts availability, accelerate response times, and enhance OEM support for mining and mineral laboratories across North America. Additionally, the business unit is hiring key account managers near major mining regions and has initiated plans for a Canadian office, further reinforcing its commitment to regional support.
The expansion builds on Rocklabs’ proven hybrid approach, successfully implemented in Australia eight years ago. This model – which combines direct OEM service, strategic distributor partnerships, and local sales teams – it says has delivered faster support, greater customer satisfaction, and seamless automation integration. It has also led to partnership-driven solutions for leading companies such as Rio Tinto and MinRes.
“The mining industry is facing a growing shortage of skilled technical staff, which is increasing the need for automation and OEM-backed preventative maintenance,” said Casey Jenkins, President of Mining at Scott Technology. “By expanding our North American presence, we are responding to these industry challenges with enhanced service programs, automation-driven solutions, and smarter data integration. Our goal is to help mining operations improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure they have direct access to the expertise and technology they need to stay competitive.”