Fenner Conveyors was honoured to welcome the Western Australian Premier Roger Cook to explore its Kwinana fabrication facilities alongside several members of our executive leadership team, including the Kwinana Materials Innovation Hub (K-MIX), which opened earlier this year.
The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate how Fenner is contributing to Western Australia’s (WA) economic and industrial future through local manufacturing, sustainable innovation, and workforce development.
Throughout the tour, the company focused on the initiatives that matter most to WA, including strengthening sovereign manufacturing capability, advancing circularity in mining, and creating long-term employment opportunities within the state.
Advancing Sustainable Belting in WA
A key focus of the Premier’s visit was Fenner’s leadership in sustainable conveyor belting, developed and manufactured here in Western Australia.
In partnership with Tyrecycle, whose recycling facility is located just minutes from our Kwinana operations, Fenner is producing the INFINITY SERIES. This range of conveyor belts incorporates locally recycled rubber, supporting a closed-loop solution that keeps valuable materials in WA and out of landfill.
Showcasing this capability to the Premier highlighted how Western Australian industry can lead the transition to more sustainable mining practices.
By reprocessing end-of-life belts into new products, Fenner is reducing waste, lowering environmental impact, and reinforcing WA’s position at the forefront of circular economy innovation.
Fenner Conveyors Managing Director Jen Green reinforced the importance of this shift.
“It’s no longer the end for end-of-life conveyor belts. We are transforming these belts into new solutions that continue to deliver value to the industry,” he said.
The K-MIX Materials Innovation Hub
The Premier’s visit also centred on the K-MIX facility itself, a significant $40 million investment in Western Australian manufacturing announced in 2023.
Located in Kwinana alongside Fenner’s steel cord conveyor belt plant, K-MIX strengthens local supply chains, reduces reliance on imported materials, and supports the decarbonisation of rubber production. The facility is a clear demonstration of how investment in WA delivers both economic and environmental outcomes.
For the Premier, K-MIX represents the type of advanced manufacturing capability needed to support the state’s resources sector into the future.
It creates skilled local jobs, enhances production efficiency, and aligns with broader sustainability goals under the Michelin Group.
During the tour, the Premier also experienced the K-MIX Reconciliation Mural. Spanning over 900 square metres and rising more than 30 metres, the mural reflects Fenner’s commitment to cultural inclusion and connection to Noongar heritage.
It stands as a visible symbol of how industrial development in WA can also respect and celebrate local culture.
Creating Opportunities for WA
A central theme of the Premier’s visit was employment and skills development within WA.
Fenner Conveyors continues to invest in building a highly skilled local workforce, supporting both new entrants and experienced tradespeople through structured career pathways delivered here in the state.
As a Registered Training Organisation since 2007, Fenner has delivered more than 1400 Belt Splicing qualifications nationwide, with a strong focus on training and upskilling Western Australians to meet the demands of the state’s mining and resources sector.
By showcasing these initiatives to the Premier, we reinforced Fenner’s role in developing the next generation of industry professionals while ensuring WA retains its technical expertise and capability.
Our Mechanical Technician pathway, culminating in a Certificate II in Process Manufacturing, is a key example of how we are creating sustainable long-term careers within the state.
After the tour, the Premier said that:
“My Government is backing companies like Fenner Conveyors because Made in WA means local jobs and greater self-reliance, and by diversifying Western Australia’s economy, we will ensure it remains the strongest in the nation,” Cook said.
Through continued investment in people, infrastructure, and innovation, Fenner Conveyors is helping to secure WA’s position as a global leader in mining and advanced manufacturing.
