After what has been a challenging year for the Australian mining industry Hedweld is optimistic about 2015. Hedweld, which has been in business for 35 years has just survived its fourth industry downturn and is now growing.

 

Hedweld has established itself as a world leader in the design and manufacture of mining and safety equipment, known for its Trilift range of component handling equipment and the Safe-Away range of access systems. Using the expertise and technology acquired in the mining sector, in 2014 Hedweld launched a new company Milbrotec to offer solutions for the agricultural sector. It is this innovation and diversification of our products and markets that will provide growth opportunities in the years ahead.

 

Managing Director Ian Hedley said “2015 will see great developments within our Milbrotec range. This is an exciting time for our newest business”.

Hedweld currently employ 88 full time staff. The week before Christmas Hedweld added seven new apprentices and now has 16 trainees and apprentices on the team. Since June 2014 Hedweld has also been in the position to recruit and employ four permanent staff and three casual staff.

 

Managing Director Ian Hedley said “I am very proud that in a time when other companies are still in the unfortunate position where they are having to lay off staff in order to survive, Hedweld (having restructured) are now in the position to grow our team.”

Although the mining industry has a long recovery ahead of it, Hedweld’s export sales have been growing to 72% of total sales this financial year. Hedweld entered three new markets in 2014 and now exports to 31 countries.

 

Hedweld’s global network of agents and distributors has delivered this growth and provided local product support internationally. Hedweld’s export market has seen them through the mining downturn and indications are that things are starting to look forward domestically.