Wirtgen: Values driving quality

BA Road Services, through the use of Wirtgen Group machinery, is setting the standard for culture, sustainability and opportunity in the asphalt sector, with every aspect of the company driven by its proud First Nations heritage.

Traditionally, success in the asphalt sector has been measured in tonnes and dollars, with companies driving output and speed as the keys to sustainable success.

While these are important factors of BA Road Services’ operations, the company has taken a slightly different approach. By prioritising company culture and identity, Founder and Managing Director Brandon McRedmond set out to establish an enterprise that his workers – and customers – could be proud of.

BA Road Services’ team consists of a wide range of cultural backgrounds, which McRedmond says is a key component of the company’s growing success. 

“We’re a very culturally driven business,” he says. “When I say the word culture, it’s not just about where our employees are from. It’s about making sure that collectively, we can create a company where people are happy to come to work, in a positive environment.

“Part of our mission as a business is to employ unskilled people and build them into skilful team members, which is also a big part of our DNA.”

McRedmond adds that while culture is a key driver for the company, so is its ability to deliver high-quality outcomes for BA Roads clientele, which includes local and state government across civil and residential construction developments.

“If you don’t do a good job, you don’t get called back,” he says. “That’s why we pride ourselves on quality and safety.”

McRedmond says culture, safety and quality are just some of the aspects that differentiate BA Road Services from other providers in Victoria’s asphalt space. Another, is its use of reliable and “outstanding” equipment, manufactured by the Wirtgen Group.

BA Road Services has been using Wirtgen Group machinery since 2019. But McRedmond’s personal relationship with the manufacturer goes way back, having used Wirtgen Group equipment in previous roles.

McRedmond says that when it comes to first impressions, Wirtgen hit the mark, right from the start.

“One of the first things that really stood out was their technology,” he says. “Despite having so much technology, they’re still user-friendly. Some other machines have the technology but are complex as a result, whereas Wirtgen machinery is some of the easiest out there to operate.

“Wirtgen have always been right up there when it comes to technology.”

BA Roads now has 15 of the Wirtgen Group’s “sophisticated, yet straightforward” units, including profilers, rollers and pavers. Its asphalt suppliers are also using Wirtgen Group asphalt and batch plants.

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Milestones, together

Wirtgen is committed to helping BA Roads deliver on its promises to customers, as well as its own internal goals.

One area of concern and focus for BA Roads is sustainable project delivery, an aspect that Wirtgen is providing consultation around.

“We’ve got to be able to give a bit back to the environment,” McRedmond says. “We’re doing a few projects and programs that could see the use of recycled content, such as plastics, glass and rubber.

“Wirtgen is helping us in this space. Together, we’re having discussions and learning more about biofuels.”

To ensure it’s at the forefront of technology and processes, the BA Roads team frequently travels overseas, further aiding its exploration of sustainable methods.

These trips, along with discussions with the Wirtgen Group, has kept BA Roads well on pace, with McRedmond labelling every dialogue as advantageous.

“That growth and learning process is something that’s still evolving,” he says. “I’m big on shooting out ideas, to try and help them to make things easier and less complex.

“While working together, they’ve been open to ideas and suggestions that can lead to modifications. They take all of it onboard, which is great.”

Training and advice

Another cornerstone of BA Roads and the Wirtgen Group’s professional relationship has been ongoing training and support.

McRedmond says Wirtgen sent representatives to site to commission BA Roads’ new equipment. On top of the initial introduction, Wirtgen has also offered training programs, helping to increase the knowledge of operators around machinery features, buttons, and functionalities.

“It’s also a big thing for confidence,” McRedmond says. “There can be a lot that a newer operator wouldn’t know. But mostly, if you’re an experienced operator, Wirtgen machinery is pretty easy to get a hold of.”

Bigger and better

There’s already a bright future ahead for what is one of few Aboriginal-owned businesses in Australia’s road construction sector, with works slated for BA Roads on major projects in Melbourne and a number of additional projects in planning.

McRedmond says that with the company’s strong cultural diversity and high-quality work standards – coupled with the support of the Wirtgen Group – BA Roads has a positive outlook for 2025, despite ongoing industry challenges.

“There’s the old saying, that cancer spreads quickly. If you have one wrong aspect to your business, it could impact the whole lot,” he says. “That’s why culture will always be number one for us.”