From A Small Start......
McMahon Services has been in Port Pirie more than 20 years. The division had a low-key beginning when, in 1984, Steve Badman was sent to Broken Hill Associated Smelters, as it was then known, to break out concrete with a small excavator. The job was meant to last two weeks, but more work followed when the versatility of the machine and Steve’s expertise were realised. The projects grew to include labour and plant hire. We seized the opportunity as more work followed, and labour and equipment hire grew. Hydrojets and vactor units were introduced and a partnership was established with Industrial Vacuum Services which continues to this day.
Zinifex Port Pirie Smelter
During long plant shutdowns, McMahon Services is called on to supply up to 75 people and equipment. The work ranges from excavating the main blast furnace, internal cleaning of the two slag fumer furnaces, hydroblasting and vactoring, and general cleaning in the sinter plant requiring 10 people. In August 2003 Pasminco Port Pirie Smelter General Manager Ivan Cauley presented our management and employees with an award for “outstanding safety and hygiene performance”.
Hard Times
McMahon Services has known difficult times, particularly when the previous owners went into voluntary administration. Cost-saving measures undertaken with the new owner, Zinifex, resulted in savings of more than $1 million a year and established an even stronger relationship with Zinifex.
Increasing role with Zinifex
McMahon Services was invited recently to manage Zinifex Port Pirie Smelter’s miscellaneous service providers comprising about 20 individual businesses. This reflects the confi dence Zinifex has in our people and our safety and operating systems. Recently, McMahon Services took on an electrician and a plumber, both have an apprentice. This, plus the employment of boilermakers, has increased versatility on site at Zinifex and in the local domestic market.