Mining company back in business a year after closing down

AFTER going into receivership and closing down more than a year ago, staff didn’t see a future at Rockhampton's Mining Equipment Maintenance.

HARD WORK: Mining Equipment Maintenance fitters Jimmy Drennan and Joel Maanen check over a D11 cake dwarfed by a huge D11 Dozer, their most recently completed project. Picture: Contributed

AFTER going into receivership and closing down more than a year ago, staff didn't see a future at Rockhampton's Mining Equipment Maintenance.

But after being repurchased by original owner and founder Paul Waardyk the company is celebrating their first year back, going from strength to strength despite the downturn in the mining industry.

MEM design draftsman Drew Wickerson said their success came from doing everything to the best possible standard with the highest quality, from the training of staff to the materials.

"Business is in a downturn, although I think people did get a bit spoilt when it was boom time and work was everywhere, that was a different time," he said.

"Now it's much more competitive, there's not as much work as there was five years ago.

"If you don't lose sight of that mission, that is to do everything to the highest quality, I think that will get you through."

Mr Waardyk sold the company about seven years ago but bought it back after the new owners went into receivership.

Mr Wickerson said in the last year since he's returned they've worked hard to build the reputation of the company back up.

"You've got to look at jobs from the viewpoint of the customer, and the rewards will come from that," he said.

"The bulk of our business is large machines, and companies don't want those big machines out of action for too long.

"You've got to complete them as quick as possible without compromising quality."

Mr Wickerson said there are a lot of global pressures in the industry at the moment with coal prices dropping, but with their location in Rockhampton they're looking at ways to take advantage of new projects like the recently approved Galilee Basin.

"Anything that increases the whole coal industry feeds on to the various service groups that look after their equipment is a good thing," he said.

"Within three to four hours of Rockhampton are some of the biggest coalfields in the state

Mr Wickerson said Mr Waardyk has really changed the attitude of staff by setting a standard of excellent quality service.

"He's passionate about the business," he said.

"Any sort of good leader in business has to set the standard for themselves, and staff aspire to that.

Originally published as Mining company back in business a year after closing down