Astec Industries has recently handed over its 100th paver to Fulton Hogan, signifying a milestone in the ever-growing and strengthening partnership between the two companies.
Astec Industries and Fulton Hogan are two names that are synonymous with infrastructure and construction works across Australia and New Zealand.
Not only have both companies elevated themselves in their own right to the status of leaders of construction machinery and infrastructure development respectively, they have also helped to elevate each other through a strong professional relationship.
Astec Industries recently celebrated its 100th paver handover to Fulton Hogan, hosting senior representatives from the infrastructure provider to commemorate the milestone at its head office at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane.
John White, General Manager, Group Asset Management – Fulton Hogan, was one of the representatives present at the event. He says the milestone represents a long history of success, as well as collaboration between both enterprises.
“It’s been a long, enduring relationship because the supplier understands what the customer requires and vice versa,” he says. “They understand the objectives that we’re trying to reach and again and again they’ve come to the party to ensure that those aspects are sorted.
“It was great to catch up with the Astec team, to celebrate, sit down and discuss the relationship in terms of how it’s been as well as what it looks like in terms of the future.”
These objectives relate to the machinery requirements of Fulton Hogan, which is tasked with delivering some of the largest infrastructure works in the country’s history.
“We have a big focus and a need for machinery that has lower operating costs, together with a low frequency for repairs and maintenance and a premium backup service that ensures that if anything goes wrong, we can get everything sorted,” White says.
“It’s a relationship that’s based on honesty and being open. They value what we’re trying to achieve, that’s been really evident between both parties. We’re straight up with each other, if there’s any issues, we can talk to them to sort it. We don’t hide anything and neither do they.”
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Jorge Boil, Astec Business Line Manager – Infrastructure, says the longevity of the relationship between both companies is emblematic of the value of trust and understanding what’s required.
“Astec and Fulton Hogan have had an established relationship in Australia for a very long time. In terms of our involvement in Australia, they’re our largest customer in the Infrastructure sector,” Boil says.
Boil says the relationship goes beyond just machinery purchases and trials. As is the Astec way, the company frequently receives and implements feedback to alter machinery for the better, to ensure it can satisfy and excel industry requirements.
“We’ve partnered with them in a number of areas. When we’re developing new units and machines, we frequently get feedback from them on how we can make these models better,” he says. “Whatever the new unit is, we usually bring it in to them to go over and check, just to see what their thoughts are.”
White says these conversations don’t just stop at product development. Instead, it’s an on-going discourse to ensure that both machinery and operation are performing at their optimum.
“That’s happening all the time,” he says. “We’re always in an open dialogue around improvements, from the small stuff to the larger features on the pavers. A lot of those changes are made straightaway, or if we needed to get something done, it’ll be done in the workshop before delivery.
“They’ve always been willing to listen and action changes that we’ve discussed, which is great. It’s a key reason why Astec pavers make up the largest proportion of our paving fleet. That includes our push around reducing emissions, fuel consumption and other aspects.”
This relationship covers much more than just pavers as well.
“It’s not just the pavers, they’re also one of our largest customers and owners of the material transfer vehicles or shuttle buggies,” Boil says.
“They’ve also got a number of our profiling machines. These are complemented by a large number of fixed and mobile asphalt plants in New Zealand and Australia, which is fantastic. They were also among the first to receive our new, latest generation BG Series of Asphalt Batch plants.”
When it comes to aggregates, Fulton Hogan also owns and uses Astec’s crushing equipment.
While the volume and type of Astec machinery in Fulton Hogan’s fleet may have changed over time, that personal touch from Astec has been ever-present.
“I haven’t really seen Astec’s service change. It’s always been consistent and the door’s always been open,” White says.
“The expectation is that we’ll maintain the relationship we already have and grow from there. They’ve been a part of our journey, and so have we for them. Astec gear is crucial for us to meet our future objectives and works.”
Boil says both companies will continue to shape each other’s future, with key projects and machinery developments in the slate for 2024 and beyond.
“Moving forward, we want to improve the partnership and make sure it continues being beneficial for both parties. They have a number of contracts on-going and upcoming around the country and we look forward to servicing their future needs,” he says.
This article was originally published in the April edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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