Sandvik Mining and Construction have announced that it will soon open a manufacturing, assembly, research and development, and distribution centre near Newcastle.
This new centre is designed to replace the six facilities, at Tomago, Mayfield, Caves Beach, Redhead and the two at Hexham.
Known as the Hunter Valley Site (HVS), it will be the third integrated facility to open on Australia’s eastern seaboard in the past three and half years.
Built at Heatherbrae, it will reportedly be one of the largest Sandvik facilities in the world.
Construction of the HVS started at the end of 2010, and is scheduled for completion in early November.
It will employ around 600 staff and contractors.
Features of the site include:
- Substantial workshop and related office areas hosting an aftermarket service centre, manufacturing, assembly and distribution centre
- A main office, hosting sales, R&D, management and shared services for the region as well as a customer meeting area with advanced audio/visual technology
- Additional amenities and auxiliary buildings, including an industry-leading training facility for both Sandvik staff and customers
- A modern test track which allows Sandvik to trial and assess new products in prototype, as well as testing new and reconditioned machines before delivery to customers
- A 132 kW solar system – equivalent to 90 average-sized domestic solar systems. This system will save around 185 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, equivalent to taking 109 cars off the road annually
- An advanced digital signage system, with large LCD screens located across the site for key communications on safety, company updates and other information for employees
[Images courtesy Sandvik.]