Can you provide an overview of Haver & Boecker Niagara (HBN)’s performance in 2023 and your expectations for 2024?

In 2023, Haver & Boecker Niagara experienced growth in the Andean Region, recovering and slightly surpassing pre-pandemic revenue levels. Although 2024 has started well, we expect moderate growth, mainly due to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in our main markets, Chile and Peru. We anticipate a growth rate of 10-12% compared to the previous year. What were Haver & Boecker Niagara's most significant projects in 2023?

In 2023, for the Andean Region we closed a three-year contract for the major refurbishment of vibrating screens for Chile's leading iron ore producer. During the third quarter of 2023, we completed the first refurbishment of a piece of equipment under this contract, and we are currently refurbishing three additional units at our workshop in Santiago.

Another major success in 2023 was the replacement of two large pieces of equipment serving the crushing operations at an underground mine operated by the world's leading copper producer. Can you provide insights into the inauguration of your new subsidiary in Peru?

We have a lot of equipment operating in the Peruvian market, including some 40-year-old units at the old Cerro Verde plant. We took the step of establishing a subsidiary in Peru, and although the process was delayed by the pandemic, in January 2024, we managed to legally establish our company in Peru and set up a physical office and a service hub in Arequipa. This will allow us to be closer to Peruvian customers, to have critical spare parts stock, and to provide better after-sales service. How does your Niagara rebuild program contribute to the circular economy?

Our Niagara rebuild program was initiated to deliver cost savings to our clients. It focused on reusing or repairing components in suitable conditions, only replacing those beyond repair. While vibrating screens have coatings made of materials like rubber and polyurethane, their steel structure offers infinite recyclability. Our goal is to refurbish or reuse these steel components before resorting to steel recycling plants, which consume substantial energy. Beyond yielding customer savings of 30-50% compared to new screens, this initiative facilitated our entry into the realm of circular economy, which is now essential for us, our clients, and the broader mining sector. What are the origins of the Niagara T-Class vibrating screen and how does this technology improve efficiency and productivity?

This vibrating screen, renowned for its simple but efficient design, was recently updated by our subsidiary in Canada. The update included improvements and features used in other models of screens from our brand, such as the F-Class and XL-Class. However, the T-Class maintains its original sizes and weights, allowing our customers to upgrade their plants without the need for structural or civil work. What are the benefits of Haver’s Pulse Condition Monitoring (Pulse CM) technology for vibrating screens?

Pulse CM is equivalent to having a 24/7 service engineer in the plant, continuously monitoring vibrating screens. With Pulse CM, sensors installed on the equipment continually transmit data to the cloud. Our software then analyzes this information in real-time using advanced algorithms and a vast historical database. This not only provides insights into current operations but also allows a comprehensive understanding of the past and forecasts equipment performance for up to four weeks.

This predictive capability allows customers to schedule plant shutdowns for necessary repairs, avoiding financial losses and production disruptions due to unplanned shutdowns. Moreover, the algorithm automatically generates reports and alerts when a problem is detected. What are Haver & Boecker Niagara's goals for the coming years?

Our objective in Chile is to consolidate our major refurbishment business model by conducting repairs for both existing clients and individual orders. Our objective is to establish two concurrent contracts to strengthen this business model within the country. Regarding the Andean region, we expect the Pulse CM system to be very successful. This powerful tool does not require much sales effort since customers understand its value when they see it. Our focus lies on our subsidiary in Peru and establishing a service hub in the southern region. We strive to provide high-quality and personalized after-sales support to customers and to mirror our achievements in Brazil and Chile.