Multotec delivers the Australian edge

Multotec has invested in local manufacturing to improve support for the Australian quarrying sector.

Multotec’s Australian manufacturing operation reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting the quarrying sector through local capability, innovation and customer-focused solutions.

Operating from its facility in Berrinba, Queensland, Multotec manufactures a wide range of screening media, wear solutions and process equipment components using advanced polyurethane, rubber and steel fabrication technologies.

The site incorporates injection moulding presses, polyurethane casting facility, rubber compression and injection moulding equipment and specialised fabrication capabilities.

This investment provides customers with shorter lead times, greater flexibility and improved responsiveness compared with traditional offshore manufacturing models.

“We are a highly customer-focused business. Our goal is to understand each customer’s challenges and provide practical solutions that help improve their operation,” Multotec Australia group operations manager Jaco van Lelyveld told Quarry.

“That is why local manufacturing is so important. It allows us to work closely with customers, understand their requirements and rapidly develop solutions that are tailored to their specific application. It also gives us the flexibility to support bespoke products, hold inventory where required and scale production as demand grows.”

Local manufacturing enables Multotec to respond quickly to changing customer requirements while providing a level of supply chain resilience that has become increasingly important in recent years.

Reduced dependence on international freight networks helps minimise lead times and ensures customers receive critical products when they need them.

Supporting this capability is a highly experienced team of engineers, product specialists, field technicians and business development professionals who regularly visit customer sites across Australia. These interactions provide valuable insights into operational performance, wear patterns, maintenance challenges and opportunities for process improvement.

The information gathered in the field plays a critical role in driving product development and continuous improvement.

Whether supporting standard screen media applications or developing specialised wear protection solutions for challenging operating environments, customer feedback remains central to the design process.

“Our engineering and technical teams work closely with customers to evaluate requirements, develop designs and ensure solutions are thoroughly tested before entering service,” van Lelyveld said.

“One of our greatest strengths is the experience within our business. We are focused on transferring that knowledge to the next generation, ensuring we continue to build local manufacturing capability and technical expertise here in Australia.”

Developing future manufacturing capability remains a key focus for the business.

By investing in training, mentoring and knowledge transfer, Multotec is helping preserve valuable technical expertise while creating career opportunities for the next generation of Australian manufacturing professionals.

Quality assurance forms an integral part of every stage of the manufacturing process.

Rather than relying solely on final inspections, Multotec embeds quality controls throughout production through its Multotec Excellence Program, which drives continuous improvement across safety, quality, people, delivery, cost and innovation.

“Quality is not something you add into a product at the end of the process. It must be built into every step of manufacturing,” van Lelyveld said.

“Every person in our operation plays a role in delivering quality. In addition to in-process controls, our quality team conducts inspections and testing to verify that products meet our standards before they reach the customer. We also undertake extensive laboratory, mechanical and wear testing to ensure our products perform reliably in Australian operating conditions.

“Manufacturing locally gives us the ability to validate performance and improve our products based on real-world feedback.”

The company’s testing capabilities provide customers with confidence that solutions will perform in demanding quarry and mining environments across Australia while creating a faster feedback loop between product performance and future product development.

Sustainability is another area where Multotec continues to focus its efforts.

Initiatives include the use of recycled materials in suitable applications, ongoing design optimisation to reduce raw material consumption and manufacturing improvements that extend product life and reduce waste.

For Multotec, sustainability and operational performance often go hand in hand, helping customers reduce maintenance requirements, improve equipment availability and lower total operating costs.

“We are constantly looking for ways to create value for our customers,” he said.

“Success for us is measured by the success of our customers. If we can help them improve productivity, reduce costs and remain competitive, then we have achieved our objective.”