PRESS RELEASE: The long-term arrangement will see Fenner Dunlop service all the conveyors at Cape Lambert and Dampier Port, which together represent a significant portion of conveyors in the country.

To better support the customer, a new Fenner Dunlop branch will be opening in Karratha, forming a strong, long-term business in the region.

Fenner Dunlop chief operating officer Steve Abbott said that the contract is expected to create more than 40 full-time jobs.

"The award of this contract is directly attributed to our focus on total conveyor performance, our leadership and training programmes, and the excellent team we have in Western Australia. Rio Tinto and Fenner Dunlop see this as a longstanding partnership," he added.

Fenner Dunlop, now part of the Michelin Group of Companies, has manufacturing plants in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and 16 branches nationally offering a complete range of products and services from the design and supply of complete conveyor solutions through to service, installation, maintenance and diagnostics services.