The Shanghai engineering technology centre provides additional engineering and drafting services for Sedgman projects globally – from the rich, established, Chinese and Australian coal fields to the new, remote areas in Mongolia and Mozambique.

Sedgman has more than 30 engineers in the Shanghai office spanning five disciplines: process, mechanical, structural, electrical and controls, with plans to increase to more than 40 engineers by the end of this year.

“The opening of our centre in Shanghai, our second office in China, is an important step for Sedgman as we continue to expand our engineering capability and offer flexibility in our service delivery for clients,” Sedgman Asia general manager Cameron Dorr said.

Sedgman has been delivering projects in Asia since the early 1990s.

The company opened an office in Beijing in 2008 to capitalise on the opportunities in the Asian market, particularly targeting the emerging coking coal region of Mongolia.

The move has paid dividends for Sedgman with the award of the engineering, procurement and construction contract of the Ukhaa Khudag (UHG) coal handling and preparation plant for the Mongolian Mining Corporation, according to the company.

Designed to process 15 million tonnes per annum, on completion the UHG CHPP will be one of the larger coking coal plants in the world.

“I am excited about Sedgman’s continued success in China and Mongolia and we appreciate the support from the Queensland government and in particular Queensland Trade and Commission,” Dorr said.

Sedgman’s expansion in China showed Queensland was not only exporting resources but also skills and expertise, Nicholls said.

“Sedgman is a prime example of the strength and resourcefulness of Queensland businesses, even in tough economic times,” he said.

“I congratulate Sedgman on its continued success and hope the company's story will inspire other Queensland businesses to expand internationally as we enter what will undoubtedly be the Asian century.”