Mato seeks to expand belt cleaning footprint

Prominent for its mechanical conveyor belt fastening systems, Mato has in recent years expanded its offering with a range of belt cleaners. To unlock the next growth wave, the company will unveil a range of new belt cleaners at Electra Mining Africa 2022 and also use the platform to highlight plans to expand its supply footprint.

Having been founded with a specific mandate to manufacture and supply mechanical conveyor belt fastening systems, Mato Products, a Multotec Group company, has become a household name in belt lacing equipment and clip fasteners. The two product ranges remain the company’s bread and butter, confirms managing director Benjamin Sibanda.

However, when Sibanda took the reins at Mato, initially as general manager back in 2015, one of his immediate tasks was to diversify the company’s offering, which prompted the move into belt cleaning systems. To mark its first foray into this market, the company displayed its first units at Electra Mining Africa 2016.

In 2019, Mato landed its first major contract to supply and maintain belt cleaners for a leading colliery in the South African coal region of Emalahleni. This was immediately followed by another major contract, this time at a Botswana colliery for both the plant and underground operations. Since then, the company’s belt cleaning range has gained significant momentum in the market, particularly in the coal sector.

Going forward, however, the focus is to further grow the supply footprint into other commodities beyond the mainstay market of coal. The plan has already been put into action with a recent contract to supply a gold mine in Gauteng, South Africa. Elsewhere, the company is due to sign a major belt cleaning contract with a Botswana-based diamond mine, which will represent its largest deal to date.

“We have traditionally enjoyed major success in the coal market, but we believe that now is the time to expand into other commodity areas such as gold, diamond, iron ore and platinum,” says Sibanda. “To achieve this, we will pivot Multotec’s existing footprint into areas we have never been before.”