Fenner has been named the winner of the Operational Excellence category at Rio Tinto’s 2026 Supplier Recognition Awards, highlighting its performance on a major conveyor belt project in Western Australia.
The award recognises suppliers that “go above and beyond to tackle obstacles and deliver results safely, enhancing productivity” across Rio Tinto’s operations.
Fenner was one of several category winners selected from around 230 nominations and 18 finalists across the state’s mining supply chain.
According to project details shared by Fenner Conveyors, the recognition followed the delivery of a first-of-its-kind conveyor belt changeout at a Pilbara port facility.
The company said the project removed the need for a traditional jack-up barge, instead deploying an alternative methodology that reduced costs, shortened turnaround times and improved safety outcomes.
“This achievement is a direct result of the outstanding work delivered by our WA service team,” Fenner said in a statement on LinkedIn.
Industry stakeholders also pointed to the role of collaboration in achieving the outcome.
A Rio Tinto contract representative involved in the project said the partnership “evolved well beyond contract delivery”, contributing to improvements in belt handling methodology and operational performance.
The Supplier Recognition Awards form part of Rio Tinto’s broader engagement with Western Australian contractors, with the company reporting A$12 billion in annual spend with suppliers in the state.