June 2011

Conplant hits half century

From fairly humble beginnings, operating from an old chicken incubatingshed on the outskirts of Sydney, Conplant has progressively grown anddeveloped over an extraordinary 50 years, into an important supplier tothe Australian civil construction industry.

Komatsu Hybrid released with understated confidence

It’s a Friday morning in Sydney and we’re on our way to an aircraft hanger somewhere in regional New South Wales to see a couple of excavators that have more than a few chins wagging. The HB205-1 and HB215LC-1 Komatsu Hybrid excavators are the first of their species to hit our shores, in fact, they are the first of their kind to be released as a commercial model by any manufacturer.

Randstad invests in Australia to fast track growth

Global specialist recruitment & HR services provider, Randstad, has announced the launch of an organic growth accelerator plan for the company and aims to recruit more than 500 consultants in various countries over the next 24 months, with a substantial proportion of these new consultants coming from Australia.

India-based company pays top dollar for Queensland port

June Cummings reports

Doosan rises to sixth place on CE ladder

Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment (DI CE), the global alliance of construction brands that includes Doosan, Bobcat and Doosan Moxy, has risen to 6th place in a newly published global league of the world’s leading construction equipment manufacturers.

bauma 2013 gets underway

bauma, the International Trade Fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, takes place from the 15th to the 21st of April, 2013, at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Light rail comes to surf city

The successful bid for the Gold Coast RapidTransit project a $1bn three-government funded on-ground light rail service for the Gold Coast has gone to the GoldLinQ. June Cummings reports.

IMAGINiT Technologies expands operations into new Australian regions

Autodesk have extended authorisation to IMAGINiT Technologies, who now support their range of manufacturing, architectural, engineering and construction products.

‘Women in Mining’ day announced for AIMEX 2011

Reed Exhibitions has announced a “Women in Mining” day to recognise and celebrate the increasing role of women in the Australian mining industry as part of AIMEX – Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition 2011, to be held in Sydney’s Olympic Park from September 6-9.

ARC wins big contract for unique Sydney project

 

WorkCover increases funding to help get people back into work

 

Report finds wicked problems need collaborative finesse

Complex projects with a high degree of ambiguity and unknown risk require highly skilled project managers accustomed to finessing “wicked” problems, according to a groundbreaking new research report into collaborative capability.

Conexpo – Las Vegas

“The Show” as it is universally known in the US, has just been and gone and a good one it was. 140,000 people made the pilgrimage, of which 25% –or 35,000 were from overseas. The show continues to grow and is now stretching the ability of the Las Vegas Convention Centre and surrounds to host it. We wouldn’t want it held anywhere else would we?

VALE Bert Thiess A.O., C.B.E., & son Neil

Late last year this father and son team had worked almost to the end, in the back yard of Bert’s home in Sunnybank, Queensland, on the incredible and valuable, historic Thiess Caterpillar tractor and plant collection. They both had a great and enduring love of the highway yellow tractors.

MTU Detroit Diesel Australia appoints new Regional Manager – Western Region

MTU Detroit Diesel Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Geoff Bailey –former Manager, Industrial Markets – to the role of Regional Manager, Western Region.

New Chief Executive for South Australia’s DTEI

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI)has appointed Rod Hook to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

On the road to success

Jason Paterson says the key to a successful business is to be forever on the lookout for the next opportunity, he practises what he preaches;and has seen his business PatAsh & Civil, grow from a one-man operation just six years ago to employing about 30 people today.

pitt & sherry join an elite group

By Rosemary Ann Ogilvie As winner of the 2010 BRW Client Choice Award (best consulting engineering firm with revenue under $50m), Tasmanian company pitt&sherry joins a select group of 15–Australia’s most customer-focused professional-services firms.

Innovative engineering safely lowers roof on new Rugby League stadium

As the crowds flock back to Newcastle Rugby League Club matches this year, they will have some new and better accommodation as a result of an innovative engineering project undertaken by John Holland Construction, with help from Coates Hire Industrial Services and Enerpac hydraulics.

Queensland natural disasters reconstruction report

The Premier and Reconstruction Minister, Anna Bligh, released the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s April monthly report which shows real headway in response to the biggest natural disasters in the state’s recorded history.

Civenex hits a sweet spot

Despite a depressed market in recent years there are continued signs of growth and opportunity across the civil sector and Trade shows helpto illustrate the level of enthusiasm bubbling away under the surface of most stony faced contractors.

Position Partners launchesnew roadshow trailer

Position Partners used this year’s Civenex exhibition in Sydney to launch its new roadshow trailer. At 12m in length, the trailer is towed by a separate prime mover and allows Position Partners to transport, display and demonstrate a wide range of Topcon machine control, surveying and laser equipment, as well as other products and services offered by the company.

Plugging in to bright ideas

When it comes to sustainable, innovative product development and ergonomics, compaction equipment from Dynapac is at the forefront of the industry, the company now presents the first completely battery driven roller of its type, the conceptual CC900E.

Soil testing offers valuable insight

Compaction testing requires constant problem solving but this is exactly what FMG Engineering Laboratory Manager Gary Turnbull, who heads up the engineering company’s soil testing laboratory –FMG Research House, loves about his job.

Vibratory plate delivers same power as 7tonne roller

Wacker Neuson recently launched its DPU 130, the world’s most powerful and modern vibratory plate, the remote-controlled plate –which was nominated for the bauma innovation prize in 2010–delivers enough compaction performance to replace small and medium-size compaction rollers weighing up to seven tons.

Conserve by minimising compaction train

The compaction process generally consists of three phases: breakdown, intermediate and finish. However, you do not necessarily have to use three compactors to accomplish the three phases. In some cases where requirements and specifications permit, proper planning can allow two compactors to do the work normally assigned to three.

Earthmoving Rentals uses excavators to carve their business a niche

With over 60 different items available for hire in its specialized rental fleet, Earthmoving Rentals is filling unique gaps in the industry to help contractors contain equipment costs on their projects.

Rental option can often be the best says Delta

One of the real success stories in the world of plant hire is Delta Rent. Built off the back of a solid business with a broad and large profile in the civil construction industry – the Delta Group – they have consolidated their strong growth into expansion of their rental fleet and haven’t looked back.

Getting the gang back together at Shore Hire

A team of highly experienced experts in the hire of shoring, support props, traffic barriers and steel plates has rejoined forces in the Sydney-based Shore Hire to offer a complete range of specialised services to the NSW market.

Thinking of getting out on your own?

If you need to be more mobile or even if you’re thinking of starting a business, there’s a wealth of choice available to help you relocate your compact equipment.

The more (axle lines) the better

Transporters from SCHEUERLE are recognised across the world for their advanced technology and product quality, offering equipment owner’s reliability in daily use, high load capacity and a long service life, becoming a very important component of modern logistical operations.

Bobcat Australia announces the new Bobcat E50excavator

As one of a number of model releases in the compact market sector this month, the Bobcat E50 excavator proves that things are heating up, with increasing competition from a more capable group of light-weight contenders.

Kobelco mini punches above its weight

There has been a lot of activity in the mini excavator market this year with a number of manufacturers releasing new and updated models in an attempt to capture overall market share, or fill operating niches within the construction industry.

Gatewing UAS aerial mapping system touches down in Australia

Position Partners is to introduce the new Gatewing X100 unmanned aerial system (UAS) mapping technology to the Australian market, having signed an agreement as the Australian distributor for the company.

Komatsu’s new 35tonne class flagship

Komatsu Australia has released what is the new “flagship” construction model of its Dash 8 excavator range – the 35.6 tonnePC350LC-8 excavator – developed for Australian conditions to suit the changing demands of this market.

Manitou to debut CH10cylinder handler attachment

Since Manitou first developed the hydraulic excavator cylinder handler in South Africa –in 2001–the challenge to continually improve on this innovation has led to the introduction of the latest Manitou Cylinder Handler the CH10.

Operators saddle up for 2011Case Rodeo

Case operators and customers from across Europe are honing their skills at the controls of their machines, in preparation for the return of the Case Rodeo operator competition.

Time to get your BOOTS ON!!

The much anticipated return of Komatsu’s BOOTS ON events took place during May –after an absence of several years –in the sleepy little hamlet of Cessnock, New South Wales.

Global leader Enerpac’s programmes reduce risk and downtime

The world’s leading specialist in high pressure hydraulic tools, Enerpac,is launching into Australia a series of safety audits, correct maintenanceprogrammes, and staff training programmes, designed to minimise riskand downtime while maximising safety and tool availability.