Branch manager Michael Widt said 24 of Blackwoods’ major suppliers would be in attendance with the release of new products and to talk with end customers.

“Rockhampton has many businesses supplying to the mining and resource industry, but has been under-profiled. We want to raise Rockhampton’s profile and help grow local industry,” he said.

QREX event director Rick Palmer said Blackwoods was setting a great example for other business involved in the resource industries supply chain from Rockhampton and district.

“We expect to have at least 250 trade expo exhibitors and at that rate Blackwoods will provide almost one in 10 of the sites,” Palmer said.

Blackwoods’ Rockhampton branch has been operating for 18 years and employs 29 workers.