Weir Expands Integrated Ore-processing Platform for Mining Markets
The Weir Group PLC (“Weir”) is expanding its market leading presence in mining and minerals markets through a number of agreements which significantly enhance its platform for growth in the comminution segment of minerals processing, a c.£3bn global market for crushing, grinding and screening equipment and services.
Exclusive agreement for the design, manufacture and distribution of grinding equipment
Weir has signed an exclusive and perpetual licence with KHD, giving direct control over the design, manufacture and distribution of High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) in minerals processing applications using KHD technology. KHD will receive royalty payments on equipment sales. Several KHD technical staff focused on HPGR use in minerals processing will be offered employment with Weir.
Over the past three years Weir has acted as KHD’s agent for the marketing of HPGRs in the minerals sector, operating on a commission only basis. Over 2011 and 2012, KHD s order intake from this agreement averaged €25m a year.
Entry to cone crushers market and development of high capacity models
Entry to the crushers market has been secured through a partnership with Minyu Machinery Corporation (Minyu), a long established Taiwanese designer and manufacturer of crushing equipment. Minyu cone crushers have gained a strong reputation in their core aggregates market as superior, safe, dependable and efficient products.
Weir has entered into an agreement to sell Minyu s existing range of cone crushers to Weir Minerals customers. This distribution agreement comes into effect immediately. The two parties have also formed a joint venture, majority owned and operated by Weir, to develop higher capacity machines suitable for use in larger mine site applications. It is expected that the new, larger cone crushers will be launched within three years.
Acquisition of innovative centrifuge technology
Weir has completed the acquisition of Aspir, a small Australia-based centrifuge producer with innovative technology. Combined with Weir’s existing screens and hydrocyclones portfolio, Aspir centrifuges enable Weir to provide packaged minerals classification solutions.
The combined upfront cost of these agreements is £7m with a similar amount expected to be invested over the next three years.
Weir Chief Executive, Keith Cochrane, said, “These agreements will extend our addressable market by around £750m and represent the logical next steps in our growth strategy in minerals processing, providing access to attractive markets that we know well and can benefit from our capabilities and technology. With comminution products exposed to the same attractive aftermarket trends as our existing mill circuit portfolio, the Group can leverage its unrivalled service network as we provide customers with market leading innovative solutions.”
Source: The Weir Group PLC
