BPE CONTRACTORS FOCUS ON HYBRID BENEFITS

BPE Contractors, based on the North Coast of NSW, Is one of the latest Australian contractors to purchase a Komatsu Hybrid excavator

Purchasing a HB215LC-1 in October for its combination of increased fuel efficiency and high-power electric slew?

"We purchased our new Hybrid to give us a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly earthmoving machine," said BPE Contractors owner Brad Pemberton.

"We really see that this is the future for the industry, as bids for government projects today require a strong focus on sustainability and the environment to be awarded a contract."

BPE's hybrid will be working on the Sapphire to Woolgoolga Pacific Highway upgrade, a 25 km, $705 million project under construction by a Leighton Fulton Hogan Joint Venture for the NSW and Federal Governments. It is due for completion in early 2014.

"The Hybrid is being used for batter trimming and catchment drain construction and because it's often working on a steep incline, the power of the Hybrid's electric slew makes its operation more efficient," Brad said.

"The other very beneficial aspect for us is the low fuel usage; as diesel prices fluctuate, it is very important to have a more fuel-efficient machine."

Brad established BPE Contractors in 1988, initially as an owner-operator, starting off with a crawler loader.

With the recession of the early 1990s, which saw many private sector developers and clients go out of business, the company had to change direction somewhat in order to survive, so he made the decision to focus more on government-funded works.

"We have continued this approach until today, and we are currently working on various road construction projects throughout northern NSW, stretching from Sydney to the Queensland border.

"Today, we have a fleet of 50 pieces of equipment ranging from low loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, side tippers and concrete agitators," he said.

"We purchased our first Komatsu excavator back in 2003. As the business was growing, we could see we needed to focus more on civil construction and it was the reliability and reputation of the Komatsu excavator that made us decide to purchase it."

Brad has also set up his company so it can continue as a family owned business.

Brad's son Tyler started in 2006 and is set to take on a broader role "His interest in plant and equipment has grown and he completed his heavy vehicle plant equipment apprenticeship a year ago, and now he's my maintenance coordinator," Brad said.

Tyler is very enthusiastic about his move into the business his father started.

"After I finished my trade last year, I'm now learning the ropes of how the family business is run," he said.

"It's an exciting time as there are so many different jobs that we do from day to day."