PBE Group

MINING’S TRUSTED TURNKEY PROVIDER

PBE Group is renowned across Australia for its in-house power solutions and unfaltering cable services for the country’s mining industry. Managing Director, David Meyn, and Group Vice President, Steve Christie, tell us more

Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

As Australia’s one-stop shop for mining services, PBE Group (PBE) provides a diverse range of electrical products and solutions which cater for mining, tunnelling, and heavy industry and infrastructure projects. Due to the company’s strategic geographical location, PBE’s team specialises in delivering turnkey, high-voltage infrastructure, spanning a plethora of services including design, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning across the resources sector, heavy industry, and government activities.

Powering the Mining Industry – an exclusive Q&A with Australian Power Equipment

Can you give us an overview of Australian Power Equipment?

Australian Power Equipment: Certainly! Originally launched as AC2 Electrical by directors Andrew Cockbain and Abby Crawford in 2020 during the pandemic, we quickly grew into Australian Power Equipment in 2021. Our portfolio expanded to include top-tier agencies, and we began offering in-stock equipment refurbished to provide immediate solutions to distressed sites. We are backed by our trusted partners Üntel cables and B&D transformers, and our strong connections with suppliers and clients have earned us opportunities to collaborate with esteemed companies like Fortescue Metals, John Holland, Anglo American and Glencore.

What sets Australian Power Equipment apart from its competitors in the market?

Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and dedication to excellence make us stand out. We believe in building strong business relationships with trusted partners such as PBE Rutherford, to ensure that we only supply equipment that meets the highest industry standards. We are thankful for the opportunities to prove ourselves to our clients, and we always strive to provide the best-in-market equipment and service. Safety is paramount in the mining industry. How does Australian Power Equipment ensure its equipment meets the highest safety standards?

Safety is indeed our top priority. We collaborate exclusively with reputable suppliers for our new equipment, ensuring that all products undergo rigorous testing and meet Australian industry standards.

Additionally, our refurbished equipment is sent to qualified third-party certification organisations, such as PBE Rutherford, to guarantee safety and compliance before re-entering market.

What is Australian Power Equipment’s position on sustainability?

We are strongly committed to sustainability and actively focused on contributing to the circular economy. By repurposing stranded assets and refurbishing them, we positively impact the environment and help clients experiencing unplanned shutdowns to get back up and running quickly. Our Critical Sourcing services and in-stock equipment, which may undergo minimal modifications to be purpose-ready, reduce the need for new production, save resources, and minimise the transport footprint by removing international shipping. This approach complements our new equipment sales, creating a balanced and sustainable approach.

What is the vision of Australian Power Equipment for the future of the mining industry?

We envision being the go-to partner for the mining industry and OOEMs, providing innovative and sustainable solutions that enable seamless operations, reduce environmental impact, and drive overall growth. How can interested mining companies get in touch with Australian Power Equipment to explore your services?

It is easy! They can visit our website www. australianpowerequipment.com.au or reach out to us on 1300 040 500. We are always keen to provide personalised power solutions for every site’s unique requirements.

Any final message for the mining community from Australian Power Equipment?

We understand the critical role mining plays in Australia’s economy, and we are committed to empowering this industry with dependable, sustainable, and cost-effective power solutions. Partner with us for a more powerful and prosperous mining future.

Supplier of proven power equipment

Australian Power Equipment is a leading provider of low, medium, and high-voltage power equipment across the Power Generation, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and Resources sectors. As the agents for Üntel cables, B&D transformers, Leistung switchgear, CAB cable systems and WE Walter electrical systems, they can supply new equipment to specification. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the company also provides repurposed and refurbished equipment including substations, transformers, and switch rooms.

They can provide immediate solutions to unplanned outages with their in-stock equipment or critical sourcing solutions. Australian Power Equipment is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and electrical engineering support, ensuring businesses can make best-practice decisions for their operations.

As such, its in-house capabilities shine through as the company’s defining differentiator in the saturated landscape of Australian mining services. Additionally, PBE prides itself on its ability to simply get the job done efficiently and quickly, through close collaboration with clients.

“We often enter into a partnership arrangement with our clients to ensure that we both go in the same direction with the project and get the required results,” opens Group Vice President of PBE, Steve Christie.

MAINTAINING GROWTH

PBE as a group consists of three subsectors that cover the needs of the entire mining industry, from generators to communications. A division of the group, PBE Rutherford (Rutherford) was first acquired by PBE in 2018 to expand the entity’s capabilities.

Previously, Rutherford had been an active part of the Australian mining

landscape for approximately 30 years. Initially starting with cable repairs, the division flourished with its cable services before expanding into manufacturing with greater projects.

Today, PBE is riding on a wave of prosperity as the nation’s mining industry enjoys a current boom after taking a dip in previous years.

“I’ve been in this industry for three decades and it’s the busiest I’ve ever seen it,” Managing Director, David Meyn tells us.

PBE’S APPROACH

LONG-TERM VALUE

ORIENTATION – PBE wishes to drive its long-term shareholder value through larger acquisitions, growth opportunities, and organic investments.

DISCIPLINED ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL – PBE only invests in opportunities that make sense, determined through a disciplined, intellectual, and robust evaluation process. The company believes that efficiency and responsibility are the necessary components to long-term business value.

OPERATIONAL FOCUS – PBE maintains that sustained success in business is the result of highquality operations which form the basis for a long-term competitive advantage and growth. This is achieved by operationally-minded investors who are looking to build proficient businesses with marketleading competitive positions.

Specialists in Electrical Cable and Mining Connectors

CMI QLD-Brisbane (07) 3863 0749 32 Duntroon St Brendale. QLD. 4500 southqldsales@cmielectrical.com.au

CMI QLD-Rockhampton (07) 4921 0978 Shop 3 at 76 Hollingsworth Street, North Rockhampton Qld 4701 northqldsales@cmielectrical.com.au

CMI VIC (03) 9532 1233 3 Dissik Street, Cheltenham VIC 3192 vicsales@cmielectrical.com.au

CMI Head Office NSW (02) 9807 6155 F3 3-29 Birnie Avenue, Lidcombe NSW 2141 nswsales@cmielectrical.com.au

CMI WA (08) 9358 1788 36 Division Street, Welshpool WA 6106 wasales@cmielectrical.com.au

PH: 1800 264 222 www.cmielectrical.com.au

HUNTER ENGINEERING SALES

Heavy Industry Electrical Equipment Solutions

Hunter Engineering Sales distributes, stocks and supplies an extensive range of high quality, reliable products and services to mining and multiple market sectors. We can provide engineering support, programming and document certification to support the products we sell.

At HES, we are committed to deliver turnkey solutions to you, our customer, on time every time.

Ph: 02 4952 8533

info@hesales.com.au www.hesales.com.au

Expertise and precision is our purpose. CMI Electrical Products are specialists in the manufacture and distribution of electrical cables and associated components for industrial, mining, infrastructure, commercial, petrochemical and information technology applications throughout Southeast Asia and Oceania.

“PBE IS A TURNKEY SOLUTIONS PROVIDER –WHATEVER THE NEED IS, WE HAVE EXPERTS ARRIVE ON-SITE AND PROVIDE THE FULL SOLUTION”

– STEVE CHRISTIE, GROUP VICE PRESIDENT, PBE GROUP

www.apacoutlookmag.com/work-with-us

As a testament to the frequency of the company’s projects and operations, PBE has branched out into other industries in the last year, including the closure of a power station, which further involved a bypass and switch-out installation.

This was a highly significant operation as it meant the company could transition into the energy market, with the first 330 kilovolt

(kV) project to be completed by PBE.

“The fact that the closure was outside of the coal industry is a gamechanger for our organisation, as it opens us up to the energy market,” Meyn adds.

Furthermore, this particular project signified a step towards renewable energy for PBE, as the coal-fired power station is set to become a renewable energies hub and pave

the way for other sustainable and environmentally-friendly projects. Greater expansion is also evident in the development of its manufacturing workshop, which has resulted in substantial contractual partnerships with some notable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of mining machinery, including Sandvick Mining and many other key players.

Via L. Einaudi, 8 -36040 Brendola (VI) Italy

TOP-QUALITY TURNKEY SOLUTIONS

PBE goes above and beyond to ensure that each project exceeds client expectations and further bolsters its reputation with in-house, industry-leading mining and engineering capabilities.

“PBE is a turnkey solutions provider – whatever the need is, we have experts arrive on-site and provide the full solution from design, supply, construction, and conditioning, through to ongoing maintenance,” highlights Meyn.

“We pride ourselves on getting things right, as we support our products in the market and are not scared to address any issues that arise, which is one of the many reasons why we have lots of return business,” Christie proudly tells us.

One particular project is Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri mine, in which PBE partnered with Narrabri Coal Operations to design, install and construct a 66kV switching station

as part of an upgrade to the existing facility. Thanks to PBE’s diligent and comprehensive services, the mine entry point now has greater protection and a consistent supply to the existing underground longwall face.

Even though the overall timeline for the Narrabri mine occasionally proved challenging, the project was completed to the utmost health and safety standards, achieving no hazards, equipment damage, or injuries throughout.

Moreover, the design and installation process was completed to the highest standard and within a good timeframe, subsequently having attentive and efficient follow-ups and maintenance services conducted by the PBE team.

GOING GREEN

As the company looks ahead to 2024, the Australian renewable energy sector is a great priority. Already, PBE is very conscious of its environmental

“WE OPERATE A ‘CRADLE-TOGRAVE’ MODEL, WHERE WE ENSURE THE SUSTAINED EFFICIENCY OF A CABLE WE HAVE SUPPLIED, RIGHT THROUGH ITS LIFECYCLE, TO THE POINT WHERE IT CAN’T BE REPAIRED”

– DAVID MEYN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PBE GROUP

footprint, as it is a proactive player within the corporate government model for larger businesses that encapsulates environmental monitoring of waste output and recycling.

“We operate a ‘cradle-to-grave’ model, where we ensure the sustained efficiency of a cable we have supplied, right through its lifecycle, to the point where it can’t be repaired.

“Subsequently, we recycle our cables in a specialised facility, where the different metals are processed, rather than going through a runof-the-mill processing plant,” Meyn explains.

“There is currently a major focus on energy sustainability, as the Australian power network is stretched due to outdated and aging infrastructure. Therefore, the government is encouraging entry into the green engineering

THE FIVE APPROACHES OF PBE

SITE ELECTRIFICATION – Servicing site-based electrical infrastructure that supplies all the necessities for a complete turnkey high-voltage power system solution.

SITE SERVICES – PBE’s on-site articulation division, delivering a range of bespoke and responsive lifecycle services.

MANUFACTURING AND OVERHAULS – Manufacturing large-scale, high-voltage equipment such as coal mine-related electrical substations and distribution boards.

CABLE SERVICES AND COUPLERS – Catering to open-cut and underground mining, such as power cables for drag lines and electric rope shovels, as well as underground power articulation and development cables, including shuttle car cables, continuous miners, and bolters.

EQUIPMENT HIRE – Providing critical equipment for hire as well as offering a complete, turnkey power system. PBE also has the added benefit of an international shipping hub which can fast track the delivery of equipment.

space,” Christie informs us.

As the company begins to plan for next year, PBE’s priority is to provide a secure supply of power to its customers across the nation, which can be achieved with a quality service offering as seen in its ability to design, build, deliver, and install critical solutions.

PBE GROUP

Tel: +61 (0) 2 4961 9619

contact@pberutherford.com pbegrp.com