November 16 2011
Laing O'Rourke has extended its reach into the mining and bulk materials handling sector by signing an exclusive cooperation agreement with German company Schade Lagertechnik for the supply and construction of Schade stackers, scraper reclaimers and rail wagon tipplers in Australia.
Schade is a world leader in the design and supply of bulk materials stockpile equipment. The 130-year-old company has an extensive international reference list for both indoor and outdoor applications and a strong reputation in bulk materials handling for and more than 60 years.
Infrastructure South General Manager Paul McNerney said the exclusive cooperation agreement meant Laing O'Rourke would have the sole use of Schade products within Australia.
"Schade is a preferred supplier for some of our key clients and by having the exclusive use of their products in Australia we will be able to engage with clients at the development stage of their projects," Paul said.
"With new projects due for tender now and into the future, this equipment will allow us to expand our opportunities within the coal mining industry - where we are already engaged in all activities from pit to port," he said.
"Assistance has already been provided for coal mine and port development studies in Queensland and New South Wales and for magnetite projects in Western Australia and South Australia."
Schade's equipment is commonly used in bulk materials applications including coal, magnetite, limestone, woodchip, bauxite, fertiliser, zinc and lead concentrates, but it can also be used in salt, sugar, grain and other applications.
Laing O'Rourke has been a key partner for Schade over many decades, installing a number of their machines particularly to service the east coast coal export chain. Laing O'Rourke held a similar exclusive deal with Schade in the ten years to 2002.
