An Unanderra electro-mechanical engineering and manufacturing company is marking its 35th anniversary with the production of its 20,000th isolation switch that is improving mine safety around the globe.
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The family owned company doing business around the world is renowned for the design and production of a visual field isolation switch that protects the lives of workers performing installation or maintenance work on electrically powered equipment.
The C & C Industries life-saving switch even allows operators to easily view the state of the switch contacts before doing anything.
The business founded in 1984 by the late Colin Koenig has serviced the heavy industrial and mining sectors in many ways. And has survived and grown by being innovative and remaining at the cutting edge.
General manager John Koenig said the visual field isolation switch proudly displays the family name and is commonly known as the KOENIG Isolation Switch.
Mr Koenig said from humble beginnings the home grown company now sells to major companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Boral, BlueScope, Fortescue Metals Group, South 32, Newcrest, Xstrata, Boddington Gold, Cadia Mine (Newcrest) and Yancoal.
"Essentially the business was born in mum and dad's garage. To get C&C Industries up and running, they borrowed money against a credit card and now three addresses later we are at 42-44 Doyle Ave, Unanderra," he said.
From that location C & C Industries and its team of 15 export to Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and USA.
"Most of this expansion has come from engineers previous experience with the quality of our KOENIG Isolation Switch so when they move to another site or project we are called upon again," Mr Koenig said.
"Some of the world's biggest miners have put their trust in us protecting their workers by specifying KOENIG Visual Field Isolators on their preferred customer lists."
With the level of interest in their products,
C&C Industries has added to its global reputation and interest in its products by adding value for their clients.
It has done that by designing its own enclosures, updating machinery and employing more technical personnel to produce what C & C Industries had to buy before.
Mr Koenig said out of that process came KOENIG's IP66 Enclosures which are a whole new product range of standard and custom size Enclosures in 316 Stainless Steel.
He said advancements and improvements continue with the company recently investing in a CNC waterjet cutting machine to give lights-out-manufacturing-capability.
That effectively means a job can be started on Friday and be finished on Monday without any operator present.
And results in significantly increased productivity.
Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) executive officer Bianca Perry was present for the unveiling of the 20,000th KOENIG Isolation Switch.
Ms Perry said C&C Industries was long time member of i3net and an example of the capability of world class industry in the Illawarra.
"With so many demands on businesses, it's important to take a moment and reflect on achievements accomplished. This is a milestone worth marking and celebrating," she said.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
