About us

About us

The PHC Group provides a wide range of products and services. We offer customers a complete one-stop solution for all Conveyor, Rubber & Ceramic Lining, Blasting & Painting, Fabrication, Machining, and Preventative & Breakdown Maintenance Services. Our knowledge and experience span more than three decades of partnering with Mining, Utilities, Industrial, Food, and General Manufacturing Industries.

Located in Newcastle, with two well-equipped workshops of over 1000 square metres each and 150 employees, we are well-resourced supported by a large team of specialists and trades people. One group of our welders is Part 5 Qualified, and the company is approved for AS/NZS 4801 OH&S Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and ISO9001 Quality Management Systems.

We have a strong track record for undertaking work in metropolitan, regional, and remote locations throughout Australia and beyond. Our teams are efficient and reliable and are ready to go to your sites on short notice 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Our Vision

The Port Hunter Group is a proud, family orientated company that commenced trading in September 1985. The locally owned and managed company has grown and expanded with strength and stability, a practical positive outlook, and complete dedication to our customers’ requirements. Our vision is to continue to be the most professional, reliable organisation with impeccable operating standards and a high level of service that exceeds industry requirements and customer expectations.

We strive:

  • To have a safe workforce both in our workshop and on our customers’ sites.
  • To improve organizational alignment and culture
  • To stay relevant
  • To lead with purpose
  • To live a more meaningful work life
  • To continue with ongoing training to keep up with Industry changes and trends
  • To make a difference in Newcastle, the Hunter region, and beyond.
  • To be the one-stop-shop of choice by customers for Conveyors, Fabrication/Mechanical, and Rubber & Ceramic Lining
  • To ensure the planning of all work processes considers the protection of the environment

Our History

Carol Campbell commenced Port Hunter Belting, in a very male-dominated industry, from a backyard shed in Mayfield NSW in 1985 with only two employees. A combination of her tenacity, work ethics, and diligence saw the operation thrive. It soon outgrew its humble beginnings and had to be relocated to Wickham where it operated for many years under the new name of Port Hunter Conveyors.

Under Carol’s leadership, the company continued to grow and expand with strength and stability. It now employs over 150 tradesmen, labourers, managers, and office workers and is successfully trading as the PHC Group located in the Steel River Estate, Mayfield West.

Carol is still the owner of the company but is less actively involved. She is supported by a loyal team of very passionate and supportive people from the shop floor through to our management team who have the same ideals and enthusiastic drive and passion to grow the business and create new opportunities for the future.

Environment

The PHC Group is accredited to Environmental Management Systems ISO 14001:2015 and is wholly committed to compliance with current legislation and regulations. The rules governing environmental protection are straightforward. In general, there should be minimal disturbance to the eco system, and due care and diligence should be exercised at all times.

We, at the PHC Group, care about the planet and are dedicated to improving our ecological performance. We aim to promote sustainability in our operations and aspire to leaving a positive footprint on the environment. Our managers and supervisors ensure the planning of all work processes consider protection of the environment. They strive to limit our impact and will continue to identify aspects of the operation where such protection can be improved and take steps to implement those changes.

In 2016 we installed a one-hundred-kilowatt Solar System to the roof of our main building in Mayfield West. The system is geared, not only to substantially decrease CO2 emissions thereby reducing our carbon imprint, but it also has the added advantage of significant savings in our energy bills for the company.

Quality

With over three decades of operation, the PHC Group has consistently demonstrated our superior products, workmanship, and services. We have a quality management system that permeates all aspects of the business. Our prime objective is to provide a safe, superior, and sustainable level of service with quality products that exceed industry standards, meet statutory and regulatory requirements, and align with the needs and expectations of our customers.

Accredited to quality management systems ISO9001:2015, the PHC Group’s reputation for excellence comes from its first-rate workmanship, experienced and conscientious staff, and its reliability.

To meet industry demands, the PHC Group ensures our systems are regularly reviewed and monitored. Through comprehensive internal and external audits and feedback from customers we constantly strive to identify areas of improvement. The PHC Group’s documented non-conformance procedure utilising corrective and preventative actions has a proven track record for continuous improvement.

Our Team

  • Our management team has enthusiastic drive and passion together with a practical and positive outlook and complete dedication to our customers’ requirements, they are eager to grow the business and create new opportunities for the future.

Mary McGill

Chief Executive Officer

Mary McGill

Chief Executive Officer

Our Chief Executive Officer, Mary McGill has an extensive background in industrial relations, business development, budgets and financial control, and corporate management. She won the Business Woman in Management Award in 1991 out of 1300 nominated candidates, and was the first female President of the Trades Hall Council in one-hundred and twelve years. By invitation, Mary has presented papers to the International Metals Federation in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and North America where she spoke and advised on employer/employee relations.

After fifteen years’ service as Manager Northern Region for NSW State Government, Mary came highly recommended to the PHC Group in 2013. Since that time, she has seen the expansion of the Mechanical Division with a new 1000 square metre workshop and has been instrumental in securing new contracts for the company and in developing the growth of the PHC Group as a whole. She is energetic and enthusiastic and is committed to making the PHC Group an effective and sustainable organisation by providing quality service, products, workmanship, and advice in any location 24/7.

Brian Sanderson

Rubber & Ceramics Manager

Brian Sanderson

Rubber & Ceramics Manager

Our Rubber & Ceramics Manager, Brian Sanderson joined the PHC Group in 2005. With over thirty years’ experience in the Abrasion & Corrosion industry he has a wealth of knowledge and skills that are both comprehensive and reliable.

With a dedication to customer service, operational success, and business development, he draws on his analytical and communication skills to achieve best practice while also keeping in mind the need to consider protection of the environment and the health and safety of our workers.

Brian is adept at overseeing a wide variety of responsibilities and enjoys a good challenge. He is committed to providing outstanding customer service twenty-four/seven, and to optimizing financial performance across a variety of Abrasion & Corrosion Lining applications.

Dino Della-Bianca

Works Manager Conveyors

Dino Della-Bianca

Works Manager Conveyors

Our Works Manager, Dino Della-Bianca was employed by owner, Carol Campbell in 1996 as foreman to 10 employees. As one of our longest serving employees, he has witnessed numerous changes, seen many people come and go, and conquered many challenges.

Dino oversees the everyday operations within our Conveyor Division in conjunction with our Branch Manager. With thirty plus years’ experience in the industry, his knowledge and skills are extensive and reliable. He has a pro-active approach and has been involved in some major belt projects and contracts at coalmines, both on the surface and underground, and at the Port of Newcastle. Some memorable projects are PWCS belts from 600mm wide up to 3.2 metres, NCIG CV21 1500mtr x 2500mm belt insert, spliced and rolled into one large 106ton length, and changing out both drift conveyors at Cooranbong and the Delta Link.

Since its inception the company has also undergone two name changes and two location shifts to accommodate its evolution. Dino attributes its growth and success to a team of enthusiastic and driven personnel, and to living by and upholding, Carol’s motto, ‘Be open and honest with all my customers.’ He believes this approach of honesty and integrity by all, from the shop floor to senior management, has been a major contributor to the company’s development which has expanded to include 150 employees and to establishing the PHC Group as one of the leading contenders in the industry.

Andrew Cooper

Branch Manager Conveyors

Andrew Cooper

Branch Manager Conveyors

Andrew Cooper has been Branch Manager at the PHC Group for a period of sixteen years. He liaises with clients, oversees major contracts and projects, and calculates tenders. He is enthusiastic and committed to developing concrete and lasting relationships with our customers.

With a total of 33 years’ experience in the mining industry, Andrew’s knowledge on conveyor service and maintenance is sound and dependable. He has adopted a ‘hands-on’ approach and manages the everyday operations within our Conveyor Division in conjunction with our Works Manager.

Over the years, Andrew has developed a broad and diverse understanding of what is required to complete a project from start to finish. When analysing costings, he endeavours to provide fair and competitive estimates to make the PHC Group a real and vital contender within the mining industry

Tony Rae

Workshop Manager Mechanical

Tony Rae

Workshop Manager Mechanical

Our Mechanical Workshop Manager, Tony Rae, has a wealth of experience in the manufacturing industry. He began his working career as an apprentice Fabricator in the rail manufacturing industry. During his eighteen years building rail cars, he broadened his knowledge and skills and progressed to Supervisor, he then spent ten years as a Production Planner before moving on to Production Manager.

Tony is a valuable member of the PHC Group who oversees the everyday operations in our Mechanical Division. He is enthusiastic and committed to delivering a first-class service and product with an overall emphasis on work, health, and safety.

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