MBE commenced business as McNally Bird Engg. Co. Ltd. in a serene township at Kumardhubi (near Dhanbad) as the Indian arm of McNally Pittsburg - USA. The American Company was at that time, one of the leading companies in the world engaged in the construction of coal washeries and Mineral Beneficiation plants with the erstwhile Bird & Company, a British Managing Agency acting as secretary and managers. The company started with expatriate Americans taking care of major Engineering, Design and Manufacturing functions. Over the years the company has developed new advanced technology with its own R&D activities besides technical collaboration with overseas technology suppliers.
MBE was a pioneer in the country in its initial areas of business, viz Coal Preparation, Mineral Beneficiation and Bulk Material Handling and there are several firsts attributed to MBE. Some of the major milestones in the history of MBE are:
MBE acquired the coal and mineral technology division of KHD Humboldt Wedag, Germany.
The first order for Balance of Plant (BoP) valued at Rs. 414 crores obtained from Ideal Energy Projects Ltd. for a 270 MW coal based power project for Nagpur .
The first Indian Company to manufacture and commission a 700L capacity Bucket Wheel Excavator.
Designed, manufactured and successfully commissioned the world’s largest Apron Conveyor for the Aluminium industry at Angul for Nalco.
Entered into a licensing agreement with Kone Cranes Heavy Lifting Corporation for technology transfer for design, engineering, manufacture, erection & commissioning of a range of Port Handling Equipment.
Acquired 100% control over Eroterv-Waagner-Biro, Hungary, now known as EWB Kornyezetvedelmi Kft., world leader in Pneumatic conveying Technology.
Obtained our first major order for Water Management in a joint venture project for combined water supply to 674 habitations in Tiruchirapally District, Tamil Nadu.
Projects and Products Divisions awarded ISO 9001 certification by RWTUV, Germany.
Entered into Open cast mining sector and secured an order for 20,000 TPH shiftable conveying system followed by orders for conveyors and Bucket wheel excavators, Spreaders etc from Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Tamil Nadu.
First indigenously designed Mineral Beneficiation Plant in India for beneficiation of fluorspar was built for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. at Kadipani, Gujarat.
First Carbon Paste Plant built indigenously, for Indian Aluminium.
A member of The Williamson Magor Group