Our HunterNet member in the spotlight this week is BMT WBM. A lot of people would have noticed the big blue sign on the corner of nine ways at Broadmeadow, however how many people are aware of what this company does and how they have safe guarded the environment and equipment that has been utilised in the Hunter Valley for many years.
They are a success story in our region. Starting with three Engineers in 1969, they were the WBM of the name. They joined with BMT in 2006 and now employ 140 people with 11 offices around the world. The workforce at BMT WBM is highly skilled professional people. They employ people with skills that cover, scientific, environmental, technical and engineering capabilities.
Capitalising on the skills in the region and in line with best practice traditionally associated with our mining, equipment, and technical services (METS) sector, they have designed and produced everything from a robotic wagon vibrator for release of coal from wagons’ self-propelled, remotely controlled vehicles for transporting pipeline segments; to portable, numerically controlled grinding machinery for dragline slew bearings and for rotary breakers.
Operation of the vibrators is monitored remotely by a single operator, located in an acoustically-treated, air-conditioned control room.
The vibrator’s control system incorporates a comprehensive system of self-diagnosis to facilitate the rapid resolution of equipment problems. The system is also connected to an integrated with site SCADA networks to permit remote interrogation and the logging of vibrator performance.
Does that sound complicated? It probably is, however the crew at BMT WBM make it sound as simple as shovelling coal out of a wagon and putting it on a vehicle that drives itself. The team at BMT WBM are a fine example of the advanced technologies that are being developed here in our region to maintain our global reputation as a world leader in innovative ideas and creative solutions.
Senior Mechanical Engineer at BMT WBM, Richard Douchkov said that’s why clients come to the business.
“Our clients come to us because they know we tailor our systems for them, our team enjoys getting dirty and relish the challenges that we sometimes get thrown. It’s the machines that our clients utilise that keeps them in business. If we don’t ensure they are working, we are not working,” Richard said.
The ingenious minds that make our life safe, secure and environmentally sustainable in our industries are abundant in our region and should always be celebrated.
IMAGE |HunterNet Member in focus, BMT WBM.
