Tom Di Francesco General Manager B&D MANUFACTURING
Can you provide an overview of B&D Manufacturing?
We contribute significantly to the surface mining sector, producing safety maintenance tools for industry giants like Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr, Epiroc, MacLean, and Sandvik. Notably, innovations like our remote-control EJ200 jack for lifting 400-ton trucks and the multi-handler for versatile component removal of mining haul trucks underscore our commitment to safety and productivity. Additionally, our range includes work platforms for both surface and underground equipment, exemplified by rear access platforms and fabricated aluminum products like wheel chocks and ramps—all engineered for stringent safety standards. The ongoing pursuit of innovative solutions, such as a remote-controlled belly pan removal tool, reflects our dedication to enhancing efficiency and safety in the mining industry. What are the main challenges you have faced recently?
Inflation is a significant concern for us, leading to major price increases in raw materials and components over the past 18 months. We have witnessed extended lead times, with some vendors going from 14-week to 48-week delivery. To manage this, we maintain a substantial inventory to meet customer demand. Despite these challenges, B&D Manufacturing is fortunate to be debt-free, relying on our own capital for funding. Have you noticed any trends in the demand for your services and products, particularly given the focus on underground mining in Sudbury?
Demand for our machining services has surged, because of strategic investments in cutting-edge technology and equipment, including two boring mills and five-axis CNC machines. Our emphasis on bolstering fabrication capabilities, especially in aluminum welding, has significantly enhanced speed and efficiency. As the upward trend continues, we have directed capital expenditure over the past five years to meet the escalating demand.
It is crucial to highlight that our sales extend beyond direct transactions; we operate through an extensive dealer network covering both Canadian and global markets.
Andrew Guiducci President DOMITE WEAR TECHNOLOGY
Can you introduce Domite Wear Technology to our audience?
Domie Wear Technology (Domite) is a Canadian-owned manufacturer of wear products for the mining industry. Our products include fixed plant equipment such as apron feeders, crushers, chutes, as well as mobile plant products such as bucket protection.
Domite’s wear parts are differentiated in that they comprise white iron which is characterized by its hardness and abrasion resistance. The issue is that white iron is brittle and can crack easily when welded to steel. Thus, our diffusion bonding process allows the white iron to be bonded with ductile, mild steel which is easy to weld and can flex and bend without cracking. The final composite material is then used to make wear parts, of which 80% are destined for use in the mining sector. Can you expand on your current facility expansion?
The industry has historically used chemicals to hold molds together in the manufacturing process. Domite upgraded to use the ‘vacuum process’ to hold molds together, forgoing the need for chemicals, which is great from an environmental perspective while also increasing productivity. We have made many such upgrades to our manufacturing processes over the years and increased production, so that we have outgrown our current facility. To overcome this, we are currently building a 25,000 sq ft facility that will house additional heat treatment, machining, fabrication, inspection, as well as offices. How have recent trends in the mining sector impacted demand for your products?
Firstly, as mines have been getting deeper and larger, mine operators increasingly want to increase the interval between maintenance. Although Domite’s products are more expensive than conventional products, they last far longer and can increase maintenance intervals significantly.
A second trend is the increased focus on supply chain resilience, particularly since the Covid pandemic. Our mining clients are increasingly attracted to our products because they are made 100% locally at our facility in Paris, Ontario.