HWE buys Aust Mine Services

The multi-national absorption of local mining services players continues this year with the Leighton Holdings Ltd purchase of Australian Mine Services Pty Ltd.

The deal between the parties, whose early negotiations were first revealed in WA Business News in September, was signed yesterday for an undisclosed sum, though industry sources suggested a price of $15-20 million could be in the ballpark.

AMS, which employs around 100 people, services the mining industry in a number of specialist engineering-related fields.

The company, a joint winner of the WA Business News Rising Star award last year, was founded in 2003 by Ms Smith-Massara and her husband, Ian Massara, growing strongly in the current environment to generate about $20 million a year in revenue.

Mr Massara has contracted to stay on with the business for four years, while Ms Smith-Massara plans to reduce her role with the company and study an arts-law degree.

The Bayswater-based AMS provides specialist engineering design and maintenance services to the mining sector, including heavy earthmoving fabrication and bucket and tray rebuilding and repair.

AMS will become part of Leighton's HWE operation, which is operated by Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd, which also owns Perth-based Broad Construction Services Pty Ltd.