MINEPRO: EXPORTING OUR EXPERTISE AROUND THE WORLD

Our Minepro brand, which covers the underground mining sector, provides an interesting insight into how we have taken our "Ropes that Outperform" philosophy and built a growing business worldwide.

CANADA

WRI has always been very strong in the Canadian underground mining sector. Our customers have come to view us as a supplier able to deliver quality products supported by strong technical service. This reputation has been enhanced in recent years by the introduction of some exciting new products which demonstrate that we are not content to rest on our laurels, but that we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our customers' overall costs. One example would be Cushion 34 balance ropes. This plastic filled and jacketed rope provides tremendous protection in cases where ropes are used in highly corrosive environments and subject to external damage.

In Northern Ontario, ropes which used to last 3 years are now still in service after more than 5 years because of the benefits of the plastic. Also, the lubricant normally applied to the conventional ropes is no longer required. Another example is our patented TRI-PAC FS hoisting rope, which we recently sold to two mines in Quebec. The ropes are showing vertually no metallic area loss after 1 year in service and the mine's operators are delighted with this performance. It is not only in Canada where the benefits can be seen, however. Products like these open up many new opportunities worldwide.

ASIA

When we think of Asia, we normally think in terms of rope being imported into Canada. In our case, however, the tables were turned as WRI was shipping rope to Asia. The product was Cushion 34 Balance ropes. The customers were very impressed with the results of the Cushion 34 Balance rope at Canadian mines. Like many underground mines, they were experiencing problems with corrosion in the ropes and damage due to rock falls. Our Cushion 34 ropes have been in service for more than 5 years and have now become their standard rope.

EUROPE

The European market is known to be a very demanding mining market. Having products which can challenge the best, however, made us determined to look for niche opportunities where we could capitalize on our "Ropes that Outperform". Sweden has proven to be one of these opportunities. Sweden has one of the largest underground iron ore mine in the world. We are now in the second year of an exclusive three-year contract and our products are performing very well. For example, the previous average of the flattened strand ropes was 7.5 million tons. We have not only met the average, but our TRI-MAX FS ropes went to 9.5 million tons, a new mine record. We have also introduced our Cushion Balance ropes, which have been in service for 5 years and are still in operation. As a result of the reputation we are developing, our business is growing in Europe.

LATIN AMERICA

Following exploratory work done by Sales and Technical Services, the key players have been identified and visits initiated. The customers are looking for exactly those things which we are able to deliver, namely, outperforming products backed by the technical service which will allow them to use these products to their advantage. Orders have being placed already and we are optimistic that a stronger partnership can be developed in the future.

Our international success in the Minepro market is a result of the experience we have gained in Canada over many years. Investment in R&D provides us with the products needed to compete on the international stage. Investment in marketing gives us the tools necessary to take our experience abroad and grow our business. With this winning combination, our future success should be assured.

Steve Wood