A major acquisition has expanded MATO’s global portfolio, providing Australian operators with greater choice in conveyor belt fastening and maintenance.
Until now, MATO has been best known in Australia for its heavy-duty underground mining fasteners and belt cleaners.
However, following a major acquisition, the company is poised to grow in sectors that demand medium-duty fastening.
“The reality is that not every site requires a heavy-duty underground solution,” MATO Australia general manager David Gilbert said.
“Conveyors operating in quarries, agriculture, construction, and recycling need a fastener system designed specifically for their conditions. The medium-duty range fills that gap.”
MATO Australia has launched its medium-duty belt fastener range after it acquired Conveyor Accessories Inc. (CAI), a US manufacturer with more than 40 years of expertise.
CAI was founded more than four decades ago, building a reputation as a specialist in mechanical fasteners, installation tools, and accessories. Its focus has been on designing fastening systems that reduce downtime, improve safety, and extend belt life – principles that align with MATO’s mission.
For MATO, the acquisition strengthens its ability to serve customers globally with a more complete and flexible product line. For Australian bulk handling operators, it means access to a fastener system proven in thousands of operations worldwide, now backed by MATO’s established service, training, and distribution network in Australia.
Gilbert said that bringing CAI into the MATO family is about more than adding products. It’s about combining two legacies to create a stronger global supply chain.
“The medium-duty range is already trusted in markets like North America, and by integrating it into our offering here, we’re delivering solutions that meet the needs of a much broader cross-section of industries,” he said.
“Australian operators now get proven US-engineered products with local service and support.
“It’s the best of both worlds: international legacy and expertise, combined with the responsiveness and reliability of MATO Australia.”
A comprehensive suite
The medium-duty fastener range includes a full line of splicing and installation solutions, including:
- Plategrip fasteners: versatile fasteners for belts of any width or thickness. Offered in a wide variety of metals, they provide long life, corrosion resistance, and tolerance to abrasive materials.
- Hinged plategrip fasteners: ideal where belts are separated or rejoined frequently, such as in mines, quarries, and construction sites. The bolt-secured-hinge design offers strong holding power while enabling quick installation and separation.
- Connecting pins: available in stainless chromium and special steel.
- Rivet fasteners: designed for high-strength belts with small pulleys, common in construction, agriculture, wood products, and mining. The R-2 and R-3 models streamline installation, saving time, labour, and materials
- Custom-engineered installation tools to make splicing efficient and reliable, whether by hand or power-assisted application.
- Accessories from belt skivers to lacing sets to provide a complete toolkit for safe and effective belt maintenance.
Meeting Australian market needs
Australia has around hundreds of active quarries, and resource recovery facilities, along with dozens of transfer stations and sorting centres. In addition, there are also thousands of agricultural processing and packing sites, all of which depend on conveyors.
With this breadth of demand, MATO is positioned to deliver fastening solutions, backed by local service and support, across Australian industries.
“Every period of downtime has a cost – up to $75,000 per hour in mining, as an example,” Gilbert said. “By introducing a fastener system that’s quicker to install and proven in abrasive conditions, we’re helping sites get back online faster and keep conveyors moving longer.”
Heavy-duty fasteners, such as the U40 series, are already well-established in underground mining, while Australian-made belt cleaners deliver efficiency and shorter lead times to the local market.
“With this launch, MATO is bridging the gap between heavy-duty and light-duty fastening, giving our customers a complete, fit-for-purpose range,” Gilbert said. “Whether you’re an underground mine or a quarry, there’s now a MATO fastener designed for your needs.”
For Australian customers, the key advantage lies in combining CAI’s product heritage with MATO’s local footprint. With a dedicated team based in Thornton, New South Wales, and Mackay, Queensland, plus decades of experience supporting mining and industrial operations across the country, MATO provides technical expertise, on-site support, and training to ensure maximum system performance.
“This is more than just adding new products. It’s about strengthening our ability to serve customers across industries,” Gilbert said. The medium-duty range brings flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, all backed by MATO’s commitment to keeping technology in motion.”