PRESS RELEASE–West Australian based CAPS Australia (CAPS) has reinforced its position as a leading supplier of industrial compressors and pneumatic tools, with the news it has been chosen as the sole distributor of Ingersoll-Rand products in Australia. The arrangement takes effect 1 January 2006.

CAPS supplies a wide range of industrial products to manufacturing, mining and oil and gas clients throughout Australia, and has been distributing Ingersoll-Rand products in the Australian market for 25 years. Ingersoll-Rand is the world’s number two-ranked manufacturer of air compressors.

CAPS Managing Director Bob McIntyre said the new arrangement was a natural extension of the strong relationship that existed between the two companies, and would provide CAPS with significant new revenue opportunities in 2006.

“This arrangement is probably the single most important event in the history of CAPS,” Mr McIntyre said. “Ingersoll-Rand has chosen us as the only distribution channel to market their industrial compressors and pneumatic tools in Australia. It’s a watershed moment for us as a company.

“The arrangement with Ingersoll-Rand will continue to fuel what has been a period of considerable growth for CAPS. A steady stream of new contracts has lifted our revenue and profit and increased our market share and staff numbers across Australia. This arrangement will add to that growth and continue the trend of 20 per cent increases in revenue that we have enjoyed over the past three years.”

To accommodate the growth, CAPS will open new sales and servicing facilities in at least two major regional centres in Australia as well as recruit additional staff. It currently has 18 contracts worth more than $10 million being processed through its Welshpool (WA) manufacturing facility.

In addition, the company is constructing a new $2 million head office, warehouse and manufacturing facility in Welshpool and its Adelaide branch has recently moved into new purpose built premises.

“The new arrangement will be better for Ingersoll-Rand end users providing them with a simpler and more focused offering,” Mr McIntyre said. “The professionalism and service excellence that we have delivered for the past 25 years will continue to be a hallmark of our business going forward.

“It’s both an exciting and challenging time for the company and we’re determined to make this new arrangement work for CAPS, Ingersoll-Rand and our growing list of resources and industrial customers.”

Current CAPS Australia Contracts

• NSW Fire Brigade – CAPS recently commissioned and installed generators at two locations where reliable power supply is critical

• KAZ Sydney Data Centre (Telstra) – new generator for headquarters in CBD

• Visypak at King’s Park Sydney – CAPS recently delivered the second of two 1100 horsepower air compressors which feed air to moulding machines that produce soft drink and fruit juice bottles

• Fosterville Gold Mine near Bendigo, Victoria – CAPS supplied five industrial blowers including three large blowers custom-designed and manufactured at its Welshpool premises

• BHP Billiton’s Ravensthorpe Nickel Project – three large flotation blowers

• Bogoso gold mine – CAPS is building six 2000 horsepower blowers for the world’s biggest bacterial leaching plant, located in Ghana

CAPS Australia Background

CAPS Australia Pty Ltd is a privately owned West Australian company that began operations in 1980.

CAPS has built its business and reputation on its ability to custom design, manufacture, supply and service a wide range of compressed air, gas and power generation technology. 

It has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, Perth (Welshpool) and Kalgoorlie.

Ingersoll-Rand Background

Ingersoll-Rand is a diversified global company with leading industrial and commercial brands in a variety of markets including compact equipment, golf cars, refrigeration equipment, industrial and construction equipment, locks and temperature controlled transport equipment.

The company employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide and opened its first Australian office in 1897.

For more information please contact:

Bob McIntyre       Peter Knight
Managing Director     Account Manager
CAPS Australia     Professional Public Relations
Phone:  08 9355 1247    Phone:  08 9388 0944
Mobile:  0419 925 330    Mobile:  0412 422 636