Bradken (BKN)

Shares / Stock Code

BKN

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

Bradken (BKN) is a holding company engaged in the manufacture and supply of mining, construction and railroad industry equipment. The Company serves resources and freight rail industries and employs over 2,800 people. Its manufacturing facilities are spread across Australia, US, New Zealand and the UK. The Company’s products consist of ground-engaging tools, crawler systems, mill and crusher liners, freight wagons, rail bogies and engineered products. BKN listed on the ASX on 18th August, 2004. BKN is organized into five divisions. The Mining division is a supplier of ground engaging tools, wear plate and block products, crawler systems, and related refurbishment and maintenance services. The Mineral Processing segment is involved in the design and manufacturing of customized mill liners, crusher liners and related engineered products. Its Rail division focuses on the design, manufacturing and sale of rail freight rolling stock, cast and general spares, as well as the provision of rolling stock maintenance and refurbishment services. Its Industrial division makes iron and steel cast products, mostly consumables and markets them directly to end users for use in their manufacturing plants. Its Power and Cement division, designs and manufactures grinding elements, mill liners and other associated products. In September 2007, BKN took over Roll Neck Rings Limited. It took over 75% Of Cast Metal Services Pty Limited in November 2007.

BKN uses latest 3D Solids Modelling with sophisticated dynamic and static analysis software, along with AFS Solidification Analysis for the design of its products. The company has associations with major global companies, comprising American Steel Foundries for the sale of rail components and ESCO for mining components.

Bradken History

In 1920, Alloy Steel Syndicate was founded to set up a steel foundry in Sydney. BKN signed ASF & GSI railway equipment licences in 1926. It purchased the Cast Armour Plant from the Government, known as No.2 Plant in 1948 and listed on the Stock Exchange. During the 1950-60s, the Company commissioned a number of plants comprising Adelaide Plant, Fremantle Plant, Wodonga Plan, Port Augusta Plant, Runcorn Plant, Griffin Wheel Plant and Port Hedland Plant. It commissioned Bradken Malaysia 45% joint venture foundry in 1971.

Bradken acquired Ascot Iron Foundry, Sydney in 1973 and Steel Company of Australia (SCOA), Melbourne in 1974. It bought McKelvey’s Bankstown Foundry and Silverwater Plant Hire during 1976. During 1977, its Singapore Steel 40% joint venture foundry started operations. In 1982, ANI acquired BKN. In 1990, the Company shifted its office to Newcastle. In 2000, Smorgon purchased ANI. Smorgon sold BKN to CHAMP/ESCO management consortium in 2001 and became privatised. The Company was relisted on the ASX in April 2004. In 2005, it took over Roche Castings Foundry. It acquired Firth Rixson in 2006. The Company also took over Boogan Implement Company in Innisfail, Queensland on March 30, 2007.