HERA is well known for our research collaborations but maybe not so well for our role as a catalyst for collaboration amongst our members.

This is supported by our “About us” page on our website which states “HERA creates value through collaboration and being the industry stimulus for research, innovation and development. Delivering a trusted national centre for design, manufacturing technology and quality assurance.” It’s a role we take very seriously as a member driven association. That’s why I’m happy to share the news that I’ve been given the opportunity to meet with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Boral in Sydney on 22 February 2018. The meeting’s purpose is to discuss NZ participation in construction of a clinker plant in Geelong.

Feb122018
mike-lehan-chairman
HERA Chairman | General Manager Page Macrae.

I’ve worked with Boral previously, with my Page Macrae hat on. This time, I’ll be wearing my HERA one to promote our member companies’ capabilities more broadly which I hope will lead to greater collaboration between our member companies and Australian firms too.

Clinker plant project in a snapshot

Boral has applied to the Australian Environment Protection Authority for works approval to build a new clinker (rough part-made cement) grinding facility at North Shore, Geelong. The plant will produce up to 1.3 million tonnes each year. Clinker will be unloaded from ships and delivered to the site via covered belt conveyors from Lascelles Wharf.

The plant will also include the following facilities and equipment:

  • Gypsum storage
  • Limestone storage
  • Slag storage
  • Hoppers
  • Dosing bins
  • Conveyors
  • Bucket elevator
  • Dust collection
  • Slag dryer system
  • Screw conveyor
  • Ball milling 3800- 4500kw (100tph cement production)
  • Grinding circuit
  • Filters
  • Enclosed conveyors
  • Dust mitigation and/or filtration systems built into the clinker grinding technology
  • Water re-circulation
  • Truck washdown area
  • Rolls press
  • Water treatment and fire storage tanks
  • 6 x 3500 Tonne Loadout Silos

It’s a substantial project – with a lot of opportunity and scope for the successful bidder/s.

 

What does this mean for our membership?

HERA members have internationally competitive capabilities. But if we’re to win work on this global stage we need to work together to present a compelling offering to large project owners.

That’s why I’m looking forward to showcasing our capabilities and hopefully providing some business opportunities to our members as a result.

To do this, I plan to provide confidence to the Boral Project Manager that our member companies have the right skills and capabilities to deliver some of the key components for this project. Specifically, I believe we’d be competitive in delivering fabricated components.

“We can all win by being more collaborative in our approach to offshore opportunities such as this.”

Does this particular opportunity interest you?

Please contact me prior to this meeting so  I can represent your company’s specific capability’s, provide more information or take any input or feedback you’d like me to share.

You can reach me by email on mikel@page-macrae.co.nz or via phone +64 7 547 4321.

Update shared by our Chairman Mike Lehan