Over the last three years Seneca, renamed DBT Diesel, has developed a range of flameproof diesel-powered vehicles and mobile generators for the underground coal industry.

Heading the product range is the FBL-40, which is the largest shield hauler available to the underground coal industry, powered by a 305Hp engine and capable of lifting and transporting 55 tonne equipment.

With the 15t lift rating FBL-15 and the recently developed FBL-10, DBT Diesel will be able to supply a full compliment of equipment, transport equipment and associated attachments to the underground coal industry.

According to DBT, the company will be the only diesel equipment manufacturer with its own in-house developed and approved dry exhaust scrubber system.

DBT Diesel products will be marketed and supported worldwide with six machines already sold to the SiHe mine in China. Counties such as South Africa, United States and Russia have expressed interest in the equipment.

Whilst DBT Diesel will take on all export opportunities, the Australian market will be the core of the business. The local market has in excess of 300 operating LHDs in need of replacement with more powerful, lower-emission machines such as those supplied by DBT Diesel.

DBT Australia managing director Andrew Richmond said the support from the German parent company, DBT GmBH, in the purchase of Seneca demonstrated the company’s global strategy of long-term growth in supplying a complete solution to the underground coal industry.

Dr Dirk Vorsteher, the responsible director for manufacturing and technology of DBT Global, said: "The integration of the DBT Diesel range of equipment into the

recently acquired former Long-Airdox products has tremendous synergies. We can now also supply our customers a full set of equipment for installing and transporting their longwall equipment.

"The advance features of diesel engine emission management and drive train configuration will also be employed for other DBT Global product developments."

Previous Seneca owner Greg Venticinque has been employed as the general manager of DBT Diesel in order to carry on the tremendous product development and leadership role he has demonstrated with Seneca, DBT said.

DBT Diesel will be headquartered at the DBT Rathmines facility near Newcastle. This large office/workshop complex was previously occupied by the Jeffrey company.

Other key positions are Tim McKensey, workshop manager, and Ross Smith, training and commissioning.

DBT announced the purchase of Engineering Safety Services (ESS) at the same time.