Ian’s company, Ian Tagget Earthmoving, carries out general contracting and plant hire works throughout the Tweed Coast region of northern NSW.
His Komatsu fleet includes a D85-15 and a D65-15 dozer, a PC300-7, four PC220s –two PC220-7s and two PC220-8s, which are his most recent purchases – a PC138-2 short-tail excavator, a GD555A-2 grader and a BR380JG-1 mobile crusher.
Before starting his own business in 1984, Ian worked for a local contractor when he decided to purchase his first machine – a Komatsu D65-7 dozer.
Within 12 months he’d also purchased a new D65E-8, and was also the first Australian owner of the new D65-EX dozer – which was featured on the cover of the Komatsu sales brochures for these machines.
Since then, he has purchased a further seven new Komatsu dozers – as well as moving into excavators in 1989.
Ian was one of the first Australian buyers of the then-new Dash 5 excavators, when he attended the release of the range at Yatala in Queensland in 1989.
The PC200-5 was the first excavator he owned and he has continued to purchase different Komatsu models, giving him a wide range of equipment with which to service his clients.
Ian has maintained a good name in the Tweed Coast area due to his quality of work and reliability, due to him upgrading his fleet on a regular basis and minimising his down time.
"I keep buying Komatsu because I get a pretty good run out of them," he said.
"The equipment is very good, and because I always buy new I get good reliability and performance."
The business is a family-run affair with Ian and his two sons doing the outside work, and his wife Rhonda and their two daughters running the office.
"By keeping it all family, it allows us to ensure a better relationship with our clients," said Ian.
The business carries out a wide range of work, from small backyard jobs to major subdivisions and highway projects for major contractors such as Abigroup.
Ian Tagget Earthmoving also keeps a number of machines on a stand-by basis for Tweed Shire Council, available for emergency or urgent works.
Another part of the company’s business is the quarry it leases, and from which it supplies the local area with gravel.
Ian also grows cane "as a hobby" but one which he has turned into a good financial return for his efforts.
"Over the years we’ve cemented a relationship with Komatsu that has benefited both of us.
"I feel now that with the opening of the new Komatsu Branch at Chinderah, the support we get from them will only get better, and should further benefit both companies," he said.