Johannesburg-based exploration drilling equipment manufacturer HUD Mining Supplies, which will exhibit at the 2015 Investing in African Mining Indaba, has been increasing its market share outside Africa over the past two years.

HUD director and GM Ian Omand tells Mining Weekly that the company sold products across South America, including in Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru and Chile, as well as in Myanmar, Asia. During the same period, the company also registered growth in its market reach in south-east Europe’s Balkan States.

“However, Africa remains our main market focus, despite conditions having been extremely tough in surface and underground drilling markets for more than two years. “We have also focused on HUD Mining’s internal structures, following years of rapid growth. “This involved upskilling our employees and improving our manufacturing operations, as well as renewing our focus on the world- class quality levels of all our products,” he explains.

HUD MD and founder David Huddy adds that the fall in commodity prices throughout 2014, compounded by the past two-and-a- half years of slowdown in projects, has also negatively impacted on the company’s business. Still, Huddy is sure that the situation will improve, as mineral exploration is cyclical.

“HUD will emerge a stronger and better company, focused on excellent products and service, as always,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Omand highlights that HUD Mining Supplies will exhibit its range of diamond drill bits, which remains the business’s core product range, as well as its underground diamond drill range, at the Mining Indaba.

He states that the company is developing a new range of drills that are currently in the prototype phase. Omand says these will be launched as soon as they are tested and ready.

This year will be HUD Mining Supplies’ second visit to the indaba, after last year’s debut. “We met a wide range of interesting contacts in a very short time at last year’s indaba and our main goal then, as it is now, was to build the HUD brand and make it visible,” highlights Omand.

The company manufactures and stocks more than 6 000 line items associated with the exploration drilling industry.

“It is important for us that the mining industry recognises us as a world-class operation with access to the rest of Africa. We also want the mining industry to know that we are selling our products, and servicing markets globally,” says Omand.

He tells Mining Weekly that HUD Mining recently renovated its 9 000 m2 state-of-the-art factory and office to further enable the company to adhere to high-quality standards.

HUD Mining Supplies was established in 2005, emerging out of the heritage of global diamond drilling solutions manufacturer Huddy Group, which was founded in 1944 by Huddy’s grandfather, and sold in 2004.

The Investing in African Mining Indaba will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and run from February 9 to 12.