MALAGA-BASED Industrial Composite Contractors is hoping a government grant will help it to market its asset repair processes and technology around Australia and overseas.
MALAGA-BASED Industrial Composite Contractors is hoping a government grant will help it to market its asset repair processes and technology around Australia and overseas.
The federal government’s Commercialisation Australia grants have provided $13 million to 34 companies and businesses nation-wide.
Despite Western Australia’s mining boom, Malaga-based ICC was the only company in the state to receive a grant.
ICC develops composites and processes that strengthen and repair large-scale steel and concrete structures affected by corrosion.
ICC corporate services manager Jason LeCoultre has been with the company since its inception and said the $450,000 grant would assist it in getting its products more widely accepted.
“The grant is a real business maker because it’s always difficult to get any local technology accepted by local industry, which always seems more comfortable accepting a product from overseas,” Mr LeCoultre told WA Business News.
“It enables us to build the validation of our products for the market.”
ICC started in 2006 and was primarily focused on research and development until the past 18 months.
Today, the company works closely with its clients in the resources, industrial and infrastructure sectors to identify the causes of asset deterioration and rectify them.
ICC chief executive officer Michael Mansell comes from a science and business administration background and joined the company in 2009.
Mr Mansell said common issues such as the corrosion of steel and concrete cancer could result in costly unscheduled shutdowns and pose considerable occupational health and safety risks.
“Composites allow us to deliver solutions that have unmatched durability, as they don’t corrode. Our engineering solution utilises processes that allow us to remedy structural assets in the most cost effective, timely and safe manner,” he said.
“I would say we have a unique offering in terms of an integrated engineering, procurement and construction management approach using composite solutions. Mostly, our competitors would be contractors supplying traditional methods, around concrete and steel.”
The company has established its leading products and processes with clients including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Main Roads WA.
Mr Mansell hopes the company will continue to expand as it did during the past 12 months, with employee numbers rising from six to 16.
“Over the next couple of years we expect strong growth to continue by increasing our offering to the market and growing our geographical foot print on the east coast and in South-East Asia, that will allow us to achieve the desired scale for the business,” he said.
