Impact Drilling, based in Melbourne, has been granted exclusive rights by MDL to sell its pioneering range of laser systems and become an authorised MDL service, calibration and repair centre carrying specialist testing equipment and spare parts.

MDL has been active in the Australian mining industry for more than 20 years through approved distributors, including Impact Drilling, and recent innovations, including the Cavity Auto-scanning Laser System (C-ALS) used for under-ground, remote surveys of subterranean voids and cavities and the Void Scanner 150 (VS150) have become increasingly popular.

Under the franchise agreement, which will cover Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, Impact Drilling will operate as MDL (Australia).

MDL, which is based in Aberdeen and York, and also has a base in Houston, Texas, has established the franchise as part of a wider strategy to develop its international presence and to provide consistent, high-quality after sales and technical service.

Impact Drilling, which was founded in 1999 is one of the largest providers of drilling, and a major provider of blasting and related services, to the quarrying and construction industries in Australia.

The company comprises Impact Drilling Pty Limited, Quarry Systems and Laser and Measurement Devices (LMD) which, until now, has been responsible for distributing MDL products.

MDL founder and managing director, Steve Ball, says: “Australia has been a key, and highly successful, area for our mining products for many years. Awarding Impact Drilling the franchise demonstrates our commitment to existing and new customers and our confidence that the Impact Drilling team will continue to do a great job for us.”

Impact Drilling general manager, Robert Snowden, says: “The franchise agreement will enable us to invest more time, money and resources into promoting MDL products and services.

“We believe that, with the full support of MDL in the UK, this agreement has the potential to corner the market in providing essential solutions to the main target sectors as well as giving customers the confidence that they have a direct link with the manufacturer of the highly-regarded MDL products.

“The Australian iron ore and coal industries have strong growth prospects and MDL products are ideally suited to benefit. An increase in awareness of health and safety regulations, and employee responsibilities, is also driving demand for these innovative technologies which can save lives as well as improve efficiency.”

MDL has four strategic business units for laser modules, handheld laser systems, laser systems and dynamic systems and generates 80 per cent of its sales outside the UK.

18/01/08 10:38am