Published in September 2006 Australian Longwall Magazine

Melco was established in 1970 and focuses solely on conveyor idlers and pulleys, marketing its products into 60 countries. Its South African headquarters has the capacity to manufacture more than 5000 idlers and 1500 metres of conveyor structure per day.

Melco’s Derek Cohen told Australian Longwall Magazine it had chosen Ellton as its Australian supplier because the group had the “right profile, people and experience and fits in with our company”.

Ellton managing director Mark Elliott said the deal was right for Ellton as it complimented the group’s other services and products.

“These days our client base is becoming increasingly globalised so it sits well for companies to have global supply solutions,” Elliott said.

He said there was significant demand for Melco products in Australia and Ellton had experienced immediate success with the brand. Ellton had already supplied idlers to Anglo’s Dawson operation and had supplied a number of coal preparation plants with the Melco pulleys and idlers.

Elliott said Ellton had also recently secured contracts for underground structures in a Bowen Basin longwall.

Elliott said one of the big advantages of the Melco product was the short lead time – despite the products being sourced from South Africa. The two groups have got the lead time down to 8 weeks.

Melco said it can build any roller from a diameter of 60mm to 219mm, a shaft diameter of 25mm to 60mm and belt widths from 200mm to 3 metres.

This versatility has been added to Ellton Group’s current line-up of products and services including longwall face chain inspection, assembly, parts and service (Ellton Longwall); belt conveyor analysis, components or system supply (Ellton Conveyors); onsite service, maintenance, safety and project management systems (Ellton Mine Services); and Kuplex lifting chain systems and forged steel mining parts (Ellton Industries).