Preplab Testing Services Pty Ltd was established in the 20 May 1990 and began operations from rented premises in South Rockhampton. At that time, PTS was the only coal testing facility between Gladstone and Mackay and it seized on an opportunity to fill a void to service the ever expanding coal industry to the west of Rockhampton. This area was destined to become one of the most significant coal basins in the world.

The first clients of PTS were from mining operations in the Blackwater area.  Overnight advice was provided on basic coal quality to one operator.   Density separation and sample preparation services were performed on an exploration chip sample program from another major local mining operation.

Since those early days, PTS has expanded its client base to perform testwork on exploration borecores from all the major Queensland mining companies.  Local Clients such as Queensland Magnesia, Queensland Rail , Tey’s Bros and Yarraboldy Briquettes have also added to the client base.

During February 1995, with business growth continuing, PTS moved to an expanded purpose built facility in the Parkhurst Industrial Estate in North Rockhampton. 

As the business continued to expand, additional services were added to meet the needs of our clients. 

PTS was involved in the initial coal quality evaluation of a major exploration project for a number of years in the original greenfield evaluation of the deposit.  This work has continued till the present time.

Additional project work was performed for another Company on the coal quality evaluation of a number of major tailings dam projects in Central Queensland. 
PTS has provided a number of major mining companies with the complete management of the testing program for various sizes of core samples involving all the physical test procedures and the associated detailed analysis.

In March 2011, PTS acquired Independent Australian Laboratories which had laboratory operations in Gladstone and Dalby.   This increases the capacity of the PTS Group to satisfy client’s needs.

PTS is owned and managed by Duncan Welsh and is assisted by a team of dedicated employees who all aspire to promoting the Company’s Vision Statement -   Committed to Quality and Customer Service.