PERFORMANCE, SERVICE AND BACKUP KEEPS BKM EQUIPMENT HIRE COMING BACK TO KOMATSU

BKM operates a fleet of earthmoving machines including six recently purchased Komatsu Premium Used HM400-2 articulated dump trucks throughout WA.

Clients it is currently providing equipment for include major mining sites Hope Downs (Rio Tinto), Roy Hill (Hancock Prospecting) and FMG, along with civil contractors Leighton Group, Brierty Ltd, Densford Civil, Carr Civil and Curnow Group. The types of work BKM provides equipment for covers civil construction, railway lines, camp construction and site earthworks.

BKM's current fleet includes its six low-hour HM400-2 articulated dump trucks, purchased through Komatsu Australia's Premium Used equipment option in late 2011, a WA320PZ-6 toolcarrier purchased new at the same time, a WA470-6 loader purchased new in 2007, and a PC14MR-3 excavator. Other equipment in its fleet includes tippers, water carts and rollers. All its equipment used on mine sites has been modified to comply with MineSpec requirements. Describing his business as "a hobby that I really love doing", Eddie started BKM in 2004. "I could see the boom was coming up, with high demand for quality machinery up in the north of Western Australia," he said. "I'm doing this for my grandchildren's future." He started with Komatsu in 2007, when he purchased a fleet of highhour used HM400-1 artics.

"They were very good quality machines and we had very few problems with them," Eddie said."When lwooking at what brand to buy, I looked around at what reputable hire companies, the likes of Brooks Hire, are buying, and I tend to go with them. "I've never regretted it," he said. "The support and service is very good. Luke Minotti, Komatsu's service supervisor in Newman, is excellent.

"Initially, we had a few minor issues with switches; he identified the problem, fast-tracked the parts and had them fixed straight away. "Certainly the service I get from Luke is up to expectations." Eddie said the Komatsu articulated dump trucks are preferred onsite by his dry hire clients.

"We find operators prefer to drive the Komatsu artics due to their ease of operation, comfort and sound levels, compared with the other brands that are on site.

"At Hope Downs, we have four of our Komatsu HM400-2 artics on site, amongst other brands. "The Komatsu truck's have been chosen by the site to have cab pressurisers fitted to clean up contaminated material because of their availability and good performance.

"My customer is very happy; they have told us these trucks are performing better than expected," he said. Eddie said that purchasing the trucks through Komatsu Premium Used gave him additional peace of mind. "The 12 months' warranty is excellent, they have good availability of machines, and they are low-houred. "With that warranty behind them, the year of manufacture really doesn't matter too much to me."

Eddie is also a great fan of Komatsu's KOMTRAX remote monitoring system. "I use it to get engine hours and reports, and to monitor fault codes," he said. "It is very handy for me being based in Perth and with my trucks on hire up north. It is really good to have. "For example, if an operator overrevs the engine I can go straight to the customer with the report." Eddie's two most recent trucks were financed through Komatsu Australia Corporation Finance (KACF). "I should have done more with them," he said. "From now on, I won't go to anyone else now for finance. John Meakins KACF's West Australia's account manager was very very good.

"The service is very handy and convenient."