The agreement covering mutual product sales and support was announced at the inauguration of MacLean Engineering's new production facility in Querétaro, Mexico - its first plant outside of Canada.

With the addition of GHH's product lines, which include underground loaders, dump trucks, mixers and scaler vehicles, the Ontario-based company said it could now offer a "complete" range of products.

MacLean is already known for manufacturing and supporting underground mining mobile equipment in the ground support, ore flow and utility vehicle product categories.

The initial focus of the strategic partnership will be on the North American, Eastern European and Central Asian mining, tunnelling, and construction markets.

Through the collaboration, GHH will specifically have better access to the US, Canada and Mexico; and, in return, it can introduce MacLean products to countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and India.

"More and more customers want manageable supply chains to reduce costs. This is not only about the main product, but also about logistics, maintenance and safety," MacLean Engineering president Kevin MacLean said.

GHH managing director Dr Jan Petzold also underlined the increasing importance of the supplier's position in the target group. "Being able to offer everything from a single source is a key factor and more relevant to success than ever," he said.

GHH's holding company Schmidt Kranz Group also comprises other mining specialists such as Mine Master and Hazemag.