MacLean Engineering 50th Anniversary
Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson, Don Maclean – Chairman – Maclean Engineering. In 2014, Don MacLean was inducted into the International Mining Hall of Fame.
60 Second Headline Video: A Collingwood success story, MacLean Engineering, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Long-time miner, entrepreneur and professional Mining Engineer, Don MacLean, founded the company in 1973. From modest beginnings retrofitting farm tractors out of an apple orchard barn in Thornbury, MacLean Engineering has grown to become a global force for hard rock mining innovation on the back of flagship, industry-changing products, notably the Series 900 Scissor Bolter and the remote-controlled Blockholer Drill.
Fifty years of hard work and innovation has seen MacLean Engineering take its place as the world’s largest Canadian-based underground mining vehicle manufacturer. The company employees in excess of 1,100 employees globally.
Company Chairman Don MacLean talked about how it all came together for him on a company video that can been viewed on the MacLean Engineering website. “Even from a small kid I always liked to play with things in the sand box” he said. “You have to have the right marketing, and the marketing is to know what you’re going to make next, and the right engineering, and with those two things, you should be able to get it done” MacLean added.
Don MacLean, MPP Brian Saunderson, Stuart Lister – Vice-President Marketing & Communications, Plant Manager Bob Purvis
In 2015, Maclean Engineering turned its product development attention towards designing a battery powered fleet that would respond to the mining industry’s growing need for cost containment through energy and mine design efficiencies, along with improving underground air quality for miners.
With 50 years in the books, MacLean Engineering shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, quite the opposite is taking place. The company continues to look for new opportunities to expand. Their website celebrates the past and looks to the future. “MacLean is now taking its ‘EV-proven, EV-ready’ message to the mining world – for production support mining vehicles, considering the benefits of incremental battery electric vehicle introduction to allow for workforce training and supporting operator buy-in, which will pave the way for broader fleet electrification down the road.”
MacLean Engineering is a true Canadian success story, a family business known world-wide. We are so very fortunate to have the operation based in Collingwood here in Simcoe-Grey. Congratulations on 50 years, and here’s to many more!
Learn more about MacLean Engineering by visiting the company website: CLICK HERE