HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
REDEFIN
2 | APAC Outlook issue 53
MINING
CONSTRUCTION
We speak to Eric Green, General Manager of Mining at Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, about the company’s mission, values and business developments Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
APAC Outlook issue 53 | 3
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA The industry has evolved over the years. Looking back to the mining contracting space in the 1980s, the largest piece of equipment you would work with was around a 50-tonne truck along with a matching excavator or shovel. Today, the sector in Australia has ramped up tremendously.” For Eric Green, General Manager of Mining at Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA), the growth of the country’s mining equipment and contracting space has matched, and in many cases led, the fast pace of globalisation over the past four decades. HCA is a subsidiary of the globally renowned Hitachi Construction Machinery (Hitachi), in turn part of the internationally spanning Hitachi Group. For 20 years, HCA has been at the centre of facilitating mining
4 | APAC Outlook issue 53
operations across Australia, providing customers with high quality mining, earthmoving, material handling equipment and aftersales product support, having built a reputation founded on the reliability of Hitachi products. “This supportive maintenance and ongoing product support is a key aspect of HCA,” Green tells us. “We have a national network of 23 company-owned branches, equipped with service and parts facilities. Across these branches, our factory-trained technicians provide maintenance, repair work and field service for onsite support. “For decades, we have serviced the mining, construction, recycling, forestry and quarrying industries, providing solutions underpinned by reliability and our overarching vision of ‘total customer satisfaction’.”
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY – EXPERTISE AT THE CORE Over eight years ago, Hitachi established a training and development department, where all technical training is developed and delivered by in-house trainers. Hitachi invested further to provide online training modules by employing instructional designers, through which some 80 percent of online training is developed in-house. As well as participating in the Hitachi Global Technician Competition programme, HCA facilitates staff recognition through appraisal programmes, service recognition milestones and a company bonus structure.
Penske and mtu Delivering excellence for Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Penske Australia’s long-standing relationship with Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia is underpinned by a mutual goal of delivering excellence. Through our range of highly efficient and powerful mtu engines, we power Hitachi equipment that delivers superior performance with marketleading reliability and low cost of ownership. penske.com.au
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA HCA embodies a safety-first culture in which the welfare of staff, customers and the end-users of machinery takes priority over everything else. “We keep promises and aim to be an industry leader, providing true value to our customers,” Green says. “Our goal is to strive for and achieve total customer satisfaction; our promise is to be the best solutions partner.”
LEADING THE WAY HCA has grown since Green joined in 2001. At that time, the company had a total of around 700 staff, a number that has risen to 1,250 across the whole country today. “We are based in every major city and territory in Australia. Additionally, we operate three parts distribution centres and customers are also
APAC OUTLOOK: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PRIORITISATION OF SAFETY ACROSS YOUR BUSINESS? Rick Moledo, Director of HCA Product Support: “Safety is an integral part of HCA and the wider group, and we are really proud of our dedication to it. “The nature of work in our industry with it the potential for harm. We deal with large machines with multiple components, heavy material handling, special tooling and stored energy; there is a myriad of practical aspects of the business that could go wrong for those manually handling equipment, working on customer sites or in one of our own parts, workshop or office facilities. “In light of this, we embarked on an even stronger safety strategy with ongoing reviews that has seen the company make major improvements to our injury rate since 2018. This change has not only been consultative in its implementation, but also ingrained into our business culture from the top down and bottom up to ensure the maximum and proper safety at all levels of the company, supported by every single employee. “We have 20 years of history, and with that comes the wisdom and teachings of experience. Anyone who operates in the industry knows that when a bad thing occurs, it can happen in a dramatic way and impacts many lives. So, this notion of safety taking priority above everything else, is about a commitment to gauging risk every single day and following proper guidance and instructions to make the difference. “We coined the phrase ‘See You Tomorrow’ to underpin this safety journey.”
SureLift Crane Hire SureLift Crane Hire, established in 2006, is an expanding crane hire company servicing Moranbah & surrounding areas. Our fleet of cranes range in various capacities from 20T to 300T, this includes four non-slew cranes, five slew cranes & one recently acquired crawler crane. An additional service our company offers is transport for site equipment and machinery. SureLift Crane Hire supplies on an ad hoc basis to current and new customers. However, we are available for long term projects upon request and rates can be negotiated to suit the length and scope of work for the project. At Surelift Crane Hire, safety and customer satisfaction is key. Our team of qualified and experienced riggers, operators and supervisors provide an exceptional standard of service, in turn building sustainable company relationships. Working on different scopes of work, our team tailors customer requirements to ensure safety, efficiency and quality. Regardless of the job, our multi-skilled crew thrive on customer satisfaction & challenges thrown their way. We are best known for our company appearance, as maintenance and presentation of equipment is one of our key priorities. Above all, we are committed to the wellbeing and safety of our team and those we interact with, this commitment is supported by our “Safety First” attitude and culture. Our company culture has been built over the years, our team is our foundation & company ethics and morals have been set in their ways. Senior personnel within our company that have witnessed the company grow over the years, guiding the team to be at its best potential. With the best team in the basin, our vision is to be the industry leader and specialist in lifting and cranage.
www.surelift.com.au
6 | APAC Outlook issue 53
Website Phone Number Email Address Postal
www.surelift.com.au 0418 184 057 admin@surelift.com.au Site – Shed 3/12 O’Neill Street, Moranbah, QLD, 4744 11 Wickham Street, Moranbah, QLD, 4744
Taking you to new heights in crane hire. SERVICES: Non-Slew Cranes (20T, 25T & 40T) Slew Cranes (60T, 100T, 140T, 220T & 300T) Crawler Cranes (280T) Haulage fleet consisting of: step deck widener, step deck extendable & super tilt trailers. Capable of B-double & road train combinations. Tilt tray services.
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
8 | APAC Outlook issue 53
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA supported by our 24/7 Customer Support Centre, specialising in parts ordering and processing,” Green informs us. “To further support our customer base, we operate three re-manufacturing facilities to recycle components, providing customers with an exchange service. All components are remanufactured to OEM specification and the scope of work is supported by warranty. This gives our customers product confidence at a reduced cost compared to new replacement. With our stock holding, it is an almost instant replacement option.” HCA has in excess of 200 field service staff who venture out to customer sites tasked with
diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining equipment. This efficiency and support sits at the heart of HCA, alongside its innovative nature as a company that utilises the latest technology in the field. HCA makes use of the Wenco International Mining Systems’ (Wenco) fleet management system, a product designed to redefine mine standards of productivity and efficiency, through managing hauling, loading, tracking progress and providing an insight to help users realise the value of an operation. Wenco is a Canadian based technology company that manufactures, develops, and distributes computer systems to
AT A GLANCE HCA AFTERSALES SUPPORT FUNCTIONS SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE HCA takes pride in ensuring customer equipment performs to the highest possible standard, maximising productivity, reducing costs, extending machine life and ultimately increasing return on investment. Hitachi has 23 purpose-built workshops nationally, as well as factory-trained technicians, field service crews and specialists who are dedicated to supporting service and maintenance requirements. REMAN (CERTIFIED COMPONENT REMANUFACTURE) For over a decade, HCA has been remanufacturing components to meet OEM factory specifications. The company’s fixed price programme provides quality components for less than the price of new replacements, with the added environmental benefit of recycling parts for reuse. Each remanufactured part is backed by the company’s national parts warranty. The purpose-built Reman facilities in the West and East of Australia offer remanufactured components for many Hitachi and Bell models. HCA’s extensive range of products include hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pumps, swing motors, track adjusters, idlers, drive tumblers, final drives, oil coolers, intercoolers, radiators, alternators, wheel motors, blower motors, and more. 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTRE Hitachi established a 24/7 Customer Support Centre in 2013 and is available around the clock to help provide support to customers.
Total Fire Solutions Deploy. Protect. Escape – That’s a Total Fire Solution Reliability and speed are essential to fire safety systems, which is why Hitachi partner with Total Fire Solutions, who own, manufacture and service Ingstrom Escape Chutes. We thank Hitachi for fitting Ingstrom Escape Chutes as a standard product, to their series 7 Mega Class excavators. The chute’s Deploy, Protect, Escape system offers operators protection from falling, flame and heat within seconds. Total Fire also fit fire suppression systems on Hitachi’s Australian mining equipment. For over 20 years, Total Fire Solutions have specialised in safety solutions for mining and heavy industry.
totalfire.com.au
Schlam Schlam builds lightweight Hercules dump bodies for Hitachi’s range of dump trucks, including EH3500AC-3, EH4000AC-3, EH4500AC-11, and EH5000AC-3. The unique curved design of the Hercules body reduces stress throughout the truck and means that the body is lighter and can carry a greater payload while maintaining structural integrity. The Hercules body is fitted to Hitachi trucks across Australia and is used by end-users such as Roy Hill, Whitehaven Coal, Goldings, Peabody, Batchfire, and more. Schlam has a transparent working relationship with Hitachi and has used the company’s feedback to refine future versions of the Hercules.
The centre specialises in parts order processing, parts interpreting, service bookings and fleet management services. www.schlam.com
10 | APAC Outlook issue 53
CONSTRUCTION
The total safety partner for Hitachi fit Ingstrom Escape Chutes to all their Mega Class excavators, for export globally. Ingstrom Escape chutes has undergone extensive testing with Hitachi engineers to withstand vibrations and all weather conditions around the world. As a proud Hitachi partner, Total Fire Solutions owns and operates Ingstrom Escape Chutes. For total fire solutions you can rely on, talk to us.
1800 807 740 • totalfire.com.au
MEET THE NEW HERCULES HX. LIGHTWEIGHT MEANS MORE PAYLOAD, EVERY TRIP. The Schlam Hercules continues to revolutionise the payload capacity of all classes of haul trucks. Now it comes with genuine Hardox® wear-resistant steel providing extra strength and durability. Hardox® wear-resistant steel means your Hercules HX is even lighter, potentially improving fuel economy and enabling you to carry more payload each trip. Every Hercules HX carries the certified Hardox® In My Body mark, guaranteeing that you are using genuine Hardox® wear plate and not an imitation. schlam.com
PO-0067_Schlam Hercules HX Half Page Ad APAC Outlook_160x97mm_FA.indd 1
26/11/21 2:19 pm
APAC Outlook issue 53 | 11
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
“WE KEEP PROMISES AND AIM TO BE AN INDUSTRY LEADER, PROVIDING TRUE VALUE TO OUR CUSTOMERS” - ERIC GREEN, GENERAL MANAGER OF MINING, HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA manage and control surface mining equipment. They are a provider of fleet management, asset health, machine guidance, and industrial safety technology to the mining sector. “Wenco helps us gain the maximum benefit and utilisation out of our operations,” Green tells us. “They have also helped us branch further into the realm of data management regarding machine health. The capture and use of data, and ability to analyse such data, has become an invaluable aspect of our business. “And on top of this, Wenco is vital in Hitachi’s movement towards autonomous haul truck systems.” 12 | APAC Outlook issue 53
WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY Where reliability and innovation stand as two key pillars of the company, the third core component of HCA’s mission exists beyond the business itself. Corporate social responsibility is a key principle in the wider Hitachi Group’s operating strategy, to enhance the synergy between society and business. “We are proud to be actively involved in the communities that we share in our national network, making a difference through our support in healthcare, education and societal connectedness,” Green
continues. “We commit to enriching communities toward improved and sustainable futures though our support of The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, Roy Hill Community Foundation, Clontarf Foundation and Beyond Blue, Cancer Research as well as university internships.” The Humpty Dumpty Foundation provides a means for hospitals to donate much needed medical equipment to paediatric wards across Australia. HCA is proud to partner with The Humpty Dumpty Foundation and provide positive contributions to the communities in which it operates. Since 2012, HCA has had the privilege of donating more than 142 pieces of equipment valued at over $800,000 to paediatric units nationally, to help improve the lives and outcomes of children in hospital and their families. Western Australia’s Pilbara Region shares a great business mining partnership with Hitachi, which Hitachi extends to support
CONSTRUCTION
Outlook Creative Services
Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising its extensive production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.
Auto Electrical specialists with extensive knowledge and experience across Queensland CUSTOMER FOCUSED QUALITY WORKMANSHIP INNOVATIVE RELIABLE
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services
gtbautoelectrics@hotmail.com +61 429 526 380 Mackay, QLD
APAC Outlook issue 53 | 13
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA its community. In 2015, Hitachi proudly became one of The Roy Hill Community Foundation Inaugural Partners, whose mission is to provide lasting outcomes for indigenous communities through delivering technology in medical care, better futures through education and mentoring, and supporting indigenous arts and culture.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT Hitachi is also committed to reducing
the environmental impact of its dayto-day business activities, to help leave the world in a better place. This includes steps to decrease energy usage, minimise the burden on landfill, increase the fuel efficiency of its machines and offset the effects of company emissions. For almost 10 years, Hitachi has been investing inbiodiversification initiatives, offsetting over 38,000 tonnes of CO2 produced from its fleet vehicles, business travel and national energy consumption.
“Our branch facilities are fitted with energy efficient installations including LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and solar power at selected sites,” Green states proudly. “The introduction of fuel-efficient vehicles ensures that our fleet runs with minimal emissions. Additionally, improved waste management and recycling practices together help reduce our carbon footprint. “Our Reman facilities offer cost saving options on quality components. With the added benefit
“OUR GOAL IS TO STRIVE FOR AND ACHIEVE TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. OUR PROMISE IS TO BE THE BEST SOLUTIONS PARTNER” - ERIC GREEN, GENERAL MANAGER OF MINING, HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA 14 | APAC Outlook issue 53
CONSTRUCTION
of saving on materials, production resources and environmental burden, Hitachi’s Reman facilities have the capability to remanufacture used components to OEM specifications. Collectively, HCA’s policies and initiatives contribute to ensure we leave the world a better place for future generations.”
GREEN PLANS Looking ahead to the future, HCA is focusing on two main areas of development. The first is to continue prioritising the safety and wellbeing of its employees, and working on the efficiencies within the company to provide total customer satisfaction. Secondly, HCA is working on new
product development, including the increasingly expanding area of alternative and renewable energy. Highlighting its own recognition of the mining industry’s impact on the environment, electric vehicles (EVs) and trucks fuelled by batteries are an aspect of operation that is on the cards for the company. “That reality is an area of development for our mining market,” says Green. “Hitachi is well aware of environmental concerns and is driven to help limit negative impacts. We are currently working with multiple partners to facilitate an electrified future.” Fuelled by this recognition of a need for sustainable means of
operation, HCA exists as a key leader in making the mining industry of Australia more environmentally friendly. While it holds these aims, the core of the company will remain focused and unwavering in its dedication to reliability, innovation and safety above all else.
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA www.hitachicm.com.au
APAC Outlook issue 53 | 15
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA www.hitachicm.com.au
PRODUCED BY APAC OUTLOOK MAGAZINE