Ke e p i n g C r i t i c a l M i n i n g Assets Moving
Ke e p i n g C r i t i c a l M i n i With a growing reputation in component exchange, overhaul, and field services, UGL Transport is helping mining companies maximise asset reliability, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life across Australia’s major resource regions. We learn more with James McKewen, Area Business Manager Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold 2 | Mining Outlook Issue 16
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he Australian mining logistics sector remains a critical pillar of the national economy, continuously evolving and becoming increasingly competitive. This makes for a highly exciting operational environment due to the scale of projects across regions including the Bowen Basin, Hunter Valley, and Pilbara, compounded with ongoing fleet and infrastructure investment as well as growing
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ing Assets Moving opportunities to innovate in asset lifecycle management. At the same time, industry operators must overcome pressing challenges including ageing fleets, cost pressures, efficiency expectations, and supply chain complexity and disruption. “These dynamics require providers to evolve their offering and invest in next-generation capability to sustain growth,” James McKewen, Area
Business Manager of UGL Transport, says. In under 10 years, UGL Transport has grown its mining component solutions business into a strong, efficient, and competitive service. The company provides component exchange, overhaul, and field services for mining customers across Australia. Core capabilities include mechanical and electrical component overhaul, service exchange
programmes, reliability and asset management, and field service support for operations across Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. UGL Transport’s national delivery model is upheld by a large, dedicated workforce across the company’s mining components solutions business. “Backed by an AUD$20+ million service exchange core pool, the Mining Outlook Issue 16 | 3
business serves major mining operations across Australia’s key resource regions and is supported by both domestic and international supply chains,” James outlines.
POSITIONED FOR GROWTH UGL Transport was built on a foundation of delivering reliable, highquality engineering, maintenance, and infrastructure services to some of Australia’s most critical industries. “Over more than a century, the business has remained focused on 4 | Mining Outlook Issue 16
quality, safety, operational excellence, and delivering strong outcomes for customers,” states James. “In the mining sector, those principles translate into a strong focus on asset lifecycle management, technical capability, continuous improvement, and long-term customer partnerships.” In January 2026, Japan-based Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) acquired a 50 percent stake in UGL Transport, enabling the company to expand into new markets, strengthen global
supply chain capability, and scale operations through established international relationships. This reputable status means UGL Transport maintains a stronghold in the mining industry, providing clients with comprehensive component solutions, particularly in electric drive systems for haul trucks such as the Komatsu 830E and 930E. As the Australian contracting environment continues to evolve, the company stays ahead by monitoring fleet transitions, investing
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HOW DO UGL TRANSPORT’S THREE MINING COMPONENT SOLUTIONS FACILITIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA HELP SERVE THE NEEDS OF LARGE-SCALE PROGRAMMES FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY? James McKewen, Area Business Manager: “Our three core workshops across Australia enable us to directly support major mining regions, deliver highquality overhaul and repair services, and maintain consistent standards across all operations. “These facilities are equipped with heavy maintenance and machining capabilities, advanced diagnostic and testing equipment, and electrical overhaul infrastructure. “This ensures UGL Transport can deliver reliable and scalable support for large fleets whilst helping customers maximise equipment availability and minimise downtime.”
in next-generation capabilities, expanding into new markets early, and leveraging global partnerships and supply chains. “Continuous improvement in key metrics such as turnaround time, utilisation, and market share ensures our sustained competitiveness,” says James.
“OVER MORE THAN A CENTURY, THE BUSINESS HAS REMAINED FOCUSED ON QUALIT Y, S A F E T Y , O P E R AT I O N A L E X C E L L E N C E , A N D DELIVERING STRONG OUTCOMES FOR CUSTOMERS” – JAMES MCKEWEN, AREA BUSINESS MANAGER, UGL TRANSPORT
A PARTNER ACROSS THE ASSET LIFECYCLE Whilst UGL Transport maintains strong capabilities across the rail and transport sectors, its mining component solutions business has established a strong position in Australia’s resources industry through an integrated service offering spanning component overhaul, exchange programmes, reliability Mining Outlook Issue 16 | 5
UGL TRANSPORT ASIA PACIFIC
services, asset management, and field support. “Unlike many providers that focus on a single area, we support customers throughout the component lifecycle, from overhaul and service exchange through to field service and ongoing reliability improvement,” James says. Mining customers are increasingly seeking partners that can improve equipment availability whilst managing maintenance costs. “UGL Transport’s service exchange programmes, overhaul capability, and field support services provide customers with reliable, cost-effective alternatives that help maximise fleet performance and minimise operational downtime. “Our focus is not simply repairing components; it is helping customers achieve better long-term operational 6 | Mining Outlook Issue 16
A MAJOR MILESTONE UGL Transport recently completed its first 930-5-wheel motor overhaul – an achievement that reflects more than its technical capability. “It highlights the strength of our people, their commitment to continuous improvement, and their focus on delivering long-term value for our customers,” James says. The company is now building on this momentum, with the service exchange core recently reaching market availability, an important step in expanding UGL’s capability and effectively supporting customers. “Great outcomes are driven by great teams, and this achievement is the result of strong collaboration, ownership, and a shared commitment to raising the bar.”
UGL TRANSPORT ASIA PACIFIC
A Global Solution to a World of Parts Hypac Australia has specialised in sourcing quality parts for electric-drive haul trucks, mining equipment, and heavy machinery worldwide since 2009. We understand that equipment downtime results in lost productivity and revenue, which is why we prioritise fast RFQ response times, efficient procurement, and dependable delivery. Our experienced teams in Australia and the US carefully manage every stage of the process, from sourcing and quality inspections to customised packaging and in-house export and import documentation. At Hypac Australia, customer service is at the centre of everything we do. We work closely with our clients, including UGL Transport, to simplify complex sourcing challenges and provide cost-effective solutions that minimise delays and keep operations running efficiently. Through our extensive global supplier network, we deliver reliable parts solutions tailored to our customers’ operational requirements. Committed to quality, reliability, and innovation, Hypac Australia is a trusted global partner to the mining and heavy equipment industry.
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“ O U R F O C U S I S N O T S I M P LY R E PA I R I N G COMPONENTS; IT IS HELPING CUSTOMERS A C H I E V E B E T T E R L O N G -T E R M O P E R AT I O N A L O U T C O M E S T H R O U G H G R E AT E R R E L I A B I L I T Y AND ASSET PERFORMANCE” – JAMES MCKEWEN, AREA BUSINESS MANAGER, UGL TRANSPORT
outcomes through greater reliability and asset performance,” James sets out.
PIVOTING TOWARDS THE NEXT GENERATION UGL Transport’s strategic priorities focus on reinforcing its strong market position in Australia whilst building a platform for sustained international growth. “In the near term, the business is consolidating its position across
established fleets, securing longterm service agreements, and driving performance across its existing customer base,” James says. UGL is actively pivoting towards next-generation platforms, scaling its aftermarket capability to support evolving haul truck fleets, and ensuring it remains ahead of asset lifecycle transitions. “We are also pursuing targeted expansion into high-growth markets, particularly within the Asia Pacific
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region, where demand for reliable, cost-effective aftermarket solutions continues to increase. “This is complemented by an ongoing investment in capability, enabling UGL Transport to support a broader range of components and deliver more integrated solutions than many of its competitors,” James concludes. Looking ahead, UGL Transport seeks to further establish itself as a preferred global partner for mining aftermarket services, underpinned by a strong focus on reliability, operational performance, and sustainable value delivery in an increasingly competitive market.
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PRODUCED BY MINING OUTLOOK MAGAZINE