J&S Schmitz was established in 1993 by Joe Schmitz and his wife, Sylvia, when the uranium mines in nearby Elliot Lake were winding down operations. Joe, who worked as a mechanic at Denison Mines, built a successful business remanufacturing loaders, scissor lifts, boom trucks, jumbos and anfo loaders, primarily for mining contractors and other remanufacturers too busy to handle the work themselves.
The company also manufactured underground mining equipment for Tamrock before it was acquired by Sandvik.
J&S Schmitz equipment has been put to work as far away as Central America and Russia. Other manufacturing projects have included bridges, barges, solid steel grizzlies, chutes and headers.
“They’ve done quite well over the years and now that we have partnered up with them, we’re hoping to continue growing together,” said Walden Equipment’s Paul Ferguson.
Sudbury-based Walden Equipment recently added a new 7,200-square foot building to its property to move more aggressively into the remanufacturing business. Until now, Walden Equipment has focused primarily on the rental and supply of winches, tuggers and tensioners. Some remanufacturing was done in house, but a lot of work was sub-contracted to other companies, including J&S Schmitz.
“We’ve been working together for a number of years and had a good relationship,” said Ferguson.
J&S Schmitz will continue to operate under its own name for several years and both Joe and Sylvia will remain on board to manage the operation.
“They have a good name in the industry and a proven product,” said Ferguson.
Both companies strip down used and abandoned mining equipment that have been sitting in “boneyards” for 10 or 20 years, adding new axles, transmissions, engine and other parts to suit the customer’s needs. Cores are sourced from mining companies and contractors all over the U.S. and Canada.
Remanufacturers are doing a booming business as mining companies expand to meet global demand, and long lead times required by new equipment manufacturers force mining companies and contractors to look for alternatives.
