Mt Isa Milestone the Cat's whiskers for Hastings Deering

Celebrations for a 40th anniversary for Hastings Deering’s Mt Isa operation will kick off this week thanks to a happenstance look at a plaque outside the building.

Hastings Deering’s Hastings Deering Executive Manager - Mining Steve Dick Area said former Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter Snr opened the centre in 1977 and with Hastings Deering celebrating a number of anniversaries this year it got staff thinking about how long work has been running the ‘the Isa’. 

“We don’t stand on formality here,” Mr Dick said, “Our focus is getting on with the job and doing the best we can for our customers, but a quick look at the plaque outside confirmed we are officially 40. In today’s business landscape companies come and go – so 40 years is certainly a good run and something to be celebrated.”

This time Honorable Bob Katter Jnr will oversee tomorrow’s celebrations. 

Hastings Deering’s Grant Sampson is the company’s longest serving employee in the area, joining the firm in 1978 in Brisbane and spending the last 27 years working in Mt Isa covering over 75,000kms a year to service his clients. Conversely newcomer Kia Burke is chalking up 40 days with the company on this celebratory day. 

Hastings Deering chalks up a record 85 years as a company this year: 70 years ago they started the first Caterpillar dealership in Alice Springs.

Mr Dick said Mt Isa operation was critical to Hastings Deering’s ongoing business structure and commitment to servicing both the mining and construction sectors.

“While both sectors can be cyclical, as an employer we believe continuing with apprenticeships is critical to avoid a skills shortage in the future, “ he said, “Every year we provide opportunities for apprenticeship training in Mt Isa. We also respect the remoteness of this region along with how far and wide it is and have a commitment to offer unparalleled service to the business who choose to live and work here.

“Today we have about 55 employees in Mt Isa, including four apprentices, with two more apprentices set to start next year.  This is a great opportunity to applaud the work our team here undertakes every day of the week.” 

Media are invited to a BBQ Lunch at Hastings Deering at  Mt Isa, Kalkadoon Industrial Estate, 5 Kolongo Cres, Mt Isa at TIME.

About Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd. Headquartered in Brisbane, Hastings Deering is the market leader in construction and mining equipment, having exclusive distribution rights for the sale and rental of Caterpillar heavy equipment, parts and service support in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands. Employing approximately 3,000 people, Hastings Deering operates through a network of 23 business centres. www.HastingsDeering.com.au