Mr Doheny made a special trip from the USA to launch the extension to the Southern Highlands site, which makes specialist equipment for the Australian and international mining industries.

“This is a significant event for our business down-under,” Mr Doheny said.

“We employ over 650 people in Australia and about 400 of them work at our head office operation at Moss Vale.”

The extension at Moss Vale is the first stage of a planned $13 million expansion to the site.

The extra capacity will increase the company’s output and service to its customers. Building the extension has also brought work to local companies.

Mr Doheny said Joy’s major investment in the Moss Vale site during extremely tough economic times was a measure of the company’s deep commitment to its Australian operation.

He told workers at a lunchtime meeting on Wednesday that he would be back in four to six months when the expansion was finished.

“This expansion at Moss Vale is a big deal for us and important for our customers,” Mr Doheny said.

“I want to be there personally to see it up and running.”

As Joy Mining president, Mr Doheny heads a global business worth approximately $2 billion, with 6500 employees worldwide.

Joy’s Australian business turnover this year is expected to exceed $400 million.

The company manufactures specialist underground mining equipment in Australia for major companies such as BHP, Anglo Coal, Xstrata and others.

It exports to the United Kingdom, USA, South Africa, China, India and Russia.