Wirtgen equipment has become a strong support for All Ash Asphalt and its operations across Melbourne.
EVERYTHING ASPHALT FAMILY IS AS SYNONYMOUS WITH ALL ASH ASPHALT AS WIRTGEN GROUP EQUIPMENT, WITH THE SMALL FAMILY OPERATION’S MACHINERY PROWESS AND RENOWNED REPUTATION CONTRIBUTING TO ITS SUCCESS IN SECURING WORKS ON VICTORIA’S LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
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ll Ash Asphalt, or ‘All Ash’ as it’s well known, has carved its own path in what is a highly competitive segment of the industry. Asphalt contractors are plentiful throughout Melbourne, but few can comfortably punch above their weight, as All Ash has been able to achieve since day one. Founded 15 years ago, what started as a local council and small business-focused company has evolved into an organisation capable of delivering large-scale infrastructure works. Director Steve Galea believes it begins with attitude and culture, aspects that he says have influenced the company’s success in winning works on the North East Link and Transurban project programs. “I think that’s a big difference. We all care. The crew cares. We all take pride in what we do,” he says. Galea admits that at the end of the day, a contractor is ultimately only as good as the tools they use. It’s why, a few years back, the company decided to make a change to its machinery fleet. “We’re always trying to evolve and get better, that includes better technology and moving with the times, not being stuck in our ways. We want to always be open to learning and trying things differently,” he says.
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER All Ash made the switch to Wirtgen Group equipment three years ago, with the strength of the manufacturers’ after-sales support emerging as a significant benefit, namely the support of Paul Ridgeway, Applications Support Manager, Road Technologies – Wirtgen Australia. Direct access to Ridgeway rather than going through a generic service centre immediately stood out, so did the fast response times and a willingness to help – even after hours – to keep paving jobs running. All Ash’s first Wirtgen unit was the VÖGELE Super 1703-3, an eight-foot, wheeled class paver regarded as an all rounder. Beyond the strong after-sales support provided, another aspect that drew All Ash in was the technological capabilities of the VÖGELE range – more advanced control systems, including sonic level sensors provided great potential. But first the All Ash team wanted to learn how to optimise each feature. To assist in this cause, Wirtgen Australia offered specialist training hosted at VÖGELE’s headquarters in Europe. “We did a week-long training course in Germany with other customers, to make sure we knew more about their machine,” Galea says. “We learnt more about the