PDF - SMS Equipment

2014, Issue 1
SOLUTIONS
magazine
Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine .....................
4
Teck ................................................................
8
Tybo Contracting .................................
12
GEMCO Construction ........................
15
Les Entreprises Forestières
Serge Bureau..........................................
18
smsequip.com
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Dear Valued Customers,
The latest employment picture shows a rise in the number of overall jobs and a
Bruce Knight
slight decline in the overall jobless rate to 6.6 percent. The lowest unemployment
rates come from Western Canada, led by Saskatchewan’s 4.3 percent and Alberta’s
4.6 percent. Alberta also leads in year-over-year gains with a 3.2 percent jobs-created
increase.
Unfortunately, construction unemployment remains nearly double the national
rate, due in part to residential figures that show total starts down 32 percent in terms
of square footage, despite dollar volume being up 2 percent. Institutional, commercial
and industrial sectors were all down in 2013, but CanaData Forecaster sees an
increase in all sectors this year, as well as in the next two years.
Two Langley, British Columbia, companies that have seen steady construction
growth are Tybo Contracting and GEMCO Construction. Tybo Contracting
Co-Owners Spencer Lauriente and Shane O’Donnell built their company from a
small business to one that completes complex heavy civil projects on time or ahead
of schedule. GEMCO Construction’s emphasis is on private-sector work, including
residential subdivisions and multifamily housing, as well as business parks. You can
read about these companies in this issue of your SMS Equipment Solutions Magazine.
Another feature spotlights Les Entreprises Forestières Serge Bureau. The
Stoneham, Quebec, company offers harvesting and transportation of wood to mills,
forestry road building, road maintenance and logging-camp management. Owner
Serge Bureau has built a solid company with a sterling reputation for quality work.
We also have articles on two of the largest mining operations in Canada – Teck
Resources and Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine. During the past decade, Taseko’s Gibraltar
Mine in British Columbia completed a three-phase plan that brought a previously
shut-down mine back to life in a big way. It’s now the second-largest open-pit copper
mine in Canada.
Vancouver-based Teck Resources produces copper, but its main resource is
coal. From five mines, Teck produced about 24 million tonnes of high-quality
metallurgical-grade coal last year and is the world’s second-largest exporter of
seaborne steelmaking coal.
We hope you enjoy reading about these companies and the equipment they use to
complete their work. As always, we invite you to call us or stop by any of our branch
locations to find out more about our wide range of products and services.
Sincerely,
Bruce Knight
President and CEO
SOLUTIONS
magazine
IN THIS ISSUE
TASEKO’S GIBRALTAR MINE
THE PRODUCTS PLUS
THE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!
Head Office
Acheson (Edmonton), AB
(780) 948-2200
Eastern Region
Regional Office
Montreal (Dorval), QC
(514) 780-4600
See how a three-phase plan built this British Columbia operation into Canada’s second-largest open-pit copper mine.
Baie-Comeau, QC
(418) 296-6671
TECK
Chibougamau, QC
(418) 748-7615
Read about this company’s steelmaking coal business unit, which leads
the way for Canada’s largest diversified-resource company.
Trois-Rivières, QC
(819) 375-9383
Val-d’Or, QC
(819) 874-3733
Fredericton, NB
(506) 457-5544
Chicoutimi, QC
(418) 549-0022
Moncton, NB
(506) 857-9513
Dorval, QC
(514) 636-4950
Goose Bay, NL
(709) 896-4904
Havre-St-Pierre, QC
(418) 538-1323
St. John’s (Paradise), NL
(709) 782-2151
Discover how expertise put this Langley, British Columbia, land development contractor in high demand.
Mirabel, QC
(450) 434-7206
Wabush, NL
(709) 282-3777
LES ENTREPRISES FORESTIÈRES
SERGE BUREAU
Quebec (St-Augustin), QC
(418) 870-1502
Timmins, ON
(705) 264-4300
TYBO CONTRACTING
Meet this growing British Columbia civil construction firm that continually pushes itself to the next level.
GEMCO CONSTRUCTION
Learn what this Quebec company is doing to ensure its future in the
forestry industry.
FIRST TIME KOMATSU BUYERS
Check out some SMS customers’ newest additions to their equipment fleets.
KRENTS
Looking to rent? Check out SMS Equipment’s rental arm for top machines and unrivalled support.
FEWER PASSES
St-Bruno, QC
(450) 441-1201
Western Region
Regional Office
Acheson, AB
(780) 948-2200
Acheson, AB
(780) 948-2200
Kamloops, BC
(250) 374-6961
Prince George, BC
(250) 564-8841
Port Coquitlam, BC
(604) 472-2650
Take a look at the new WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement with specially designed buckets to increase capacity and productivity.
Calgary, AB
(403) 569-1109
STRONG OPTIONS
Edmonton, AB
(780) 451-2630
Surrey, BC
(604) 888-9700
Fort McMurray (Town Site), AB
(780) 791-0616
Williams Lake, BC
(250) 305-1060
Fort McMurray (63N), AB
(780) 714-5300
Winnipeg, MB
(204) 487-1050
Find out how the new Komatsu PC170LC-10 excavator was designed to
provide greater lift capacity.
BRANCH EXPANSION
See how SMS expanded its Elkford branch to better serve its Elk Valley
mining customers.
TRANSWEST MONGOLIA
Visit SMS Equipment’s “Far East” subsidiary company, which it opened
to serve mining and construction customers in Mongolia.
Grande Prairie, AB
(780) 532-9410
Red Deer , AB
(403) 340-8343
Campbell River, BC
(250) 286-0694
Published by Construction Publications, Inc. for
www.smsequip.com
Printed in Canada
© 2014 Construction Publications, Inc.
Chetwynd, BC
(250) 788-7920
Elkford, BC
(250) 865-4651
Fort St. John, BC
(250) 785-8161
Houston, BC
(250) 845-7911
Yellowknife, NT
(867) 669-0738
Thunder Bay, ON
(807) 939-2262
Regina, SK
(306) 359-3121
Saskatoon, SK
(306) 931-0044
Whitehorse, YT
(867) 335-9742
TASEKO‘S GIBRALTAR MINE
A three-phase plan builds British Columbia operation
into Canada’s second-largest open-pit copper mine
F
For about 30 years, the Gibraltar mine in
south-central British Columbia generally
operated at its design capacity of 36,000 tonnes
of ore a day producing on average 60 million
pounds of copper annually. Commercial
production at the mine began in 1972, but by
1999, it was shut down due to low metal prices.
Dave Rouleau,
Taseko VP of
Operations
That’s when Taseko Mines acquired the
copper-molybdenum mine located at McLeese
Lake. For five years, it sat under the Taseko wing
with minimal activity at the site, but that changed
considerably in 2004.
“Copper prices began to rise, and we believed
that trend could be long-term, so Taseko began
putting resources back into production,”
explained Dave Rouleau, Vice President of
Operations for Taseko and General Manager of
Gibraltar. “Originally, the plan was for 40 months.
During that time frame, we put a considerable
amount of time and effort into defining the ore
body, which included extensive exploration. It
turns out, the property has about 900 million
tonnes of reserves, so we put a multiphase plan in
place for sustained operations.”
Located at McLeese
Lake, Taseko’s Gibraltar
Mine produces copper
and molybdenum. A
seven-year investment
increased production
capacity by nearly 50,000
tonnes per day and made
it Canada’s second-largest
open-pit copper mine.
4
The three-phase plan began in earnest with
construction of a 34-foot, semi-autogenous
grinding (SAG) mill; conversion of existing rod
mills to ball mills; replacement of the floatation
recovery system with modern float cells; and
additional mining equipment. Phase One
concluded in 2008, increasing the concentrator
capacity to 46,000 tonnes of ore per day.
A year later, Taseko commenced Phase Two: a
$224-million investment in a new in-pit crusher
and conveying system, an increased regrind
and cleaner floatation capacity, the installation
of a tailings pumping system, more mining
equipment, and a new coarse-ore stockpile and
SAG direct-feed system. The two-year phase
bumped capacity to 55,000 tonnes per day.
The final phase, completed in 2013, brought
a second independent crushing facility into the
mix, with a new concentrator and an even more
substantial upgrade of the mining fleet. With
the three-phase plan complete and a production
capacity of 85,000 tonnes per day, Taseko’s
Gibraltar Mine is now the second-largest open-pit
copper mine in Canada and the fourth-largest in
Taseko‘s Gibraltar Mine owns 18 320-tonne-capacity Komatsu 930E haul trucks. “Our haul involves trucks climbing a 10-percent grade while loaded, and the
Komatsu 930Es handle that without any problem with the AC drive, which provides excellent power,” said Kelly Parker, Manager, Mine Operations.
North America. Taseko’s total investment in the
mine upgrade topped $700 million.
“One of the goals was to lower risks involved
with up and down cycles of the markets,” said
Rouleau. “Adding the second mill helped with
this because with two we’ll never flat line, as
we now have the capability to produce much
more. We’re producing some of the best copper
concentrate in the global market. Customers like
it, so there’s a great demand, and we believe that
further sets us up for long-term success.”
Now
the region’s largest employer
Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine is now the largest
employer in the Cariboo Region with a staff
of about 670. During the seven-year process
of ramping up production, the mine added
about 500 people. Key mine personnel include
Manager, Mine Operations Kelly Parker; General
Superintendent, Mine Engineering Michael
Blusson; and General Foreman, Mine Operations
Bob Dunn.
It’s also a very safe one. “Our safety record is very
positive, and that’s due to a focus on making it our
highest priority,” said Rouleau. “We want to ensure
our workers are taken care of, and that they, in turn,
look out for each other. It has always been, and
remains the goal of Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine and of
our
workers to have zero lost-time accidents.”
Komatsu
930Es ramp up production
Even with the additional upgrades, one thing
hasn’t changed at Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine: the
way ore is mined. “We’re still a conventional
truck-and-shovel operation,” stated Kelly Parker,
Manager, Mine Operations. “Ore is loaded on
trucks in the mine and delivered to crushers. That’s
obviously equipment-intensive, so part of the
ramp-up efforts involved a considerable investment
in acquiring machinery that would meet the
challenge with maximum availability and the lowest
per-tonne costs.”
Kelly Parker,
Manager,
Mine Operations
Michael Blusson,
General
Superintendent,
Mine Engineering
Included in the mine’s equipment acquisition were
18 new Komatsu 930E electric mining trucks that
feature a 320-tonne payload capacity, augmenting a
fleet that already included 830Es.
“I came on board at Gibraltar about a year ago
from another mine that uses 930Es,” noted Parker.
“At the other mine, the haul involves trucks going
downhill loaded, whereas at Gibraltar, trucks have
an uphill climb on a 10-percent grade. The Komatsu
930Es handle both situations well, due in large part
to the AC-drive, which provides excellent power
Continued . . .
Go online or scan
this QR code using
an app on your
smart phone to
watch video of
Taseko’s Gibraltar
Mine machines
at work.
www.SMSSolutionsMagazine.com
“Growing capacity meant we had to make a
substantial push in hiring new people, but even
with adding that much new staff, our experience
level remains very high,” Rouleau pointed out.
“Our average age is about 42 years, so we believe
we have a very nice mix of veteran, intermediate
and less-experienced personnel, which sets us
up well for the present and the future. And, we
offer a great future by providing advancement
opportunities. Someone who’s starting as a
labourer could move into an operator’s position
or beyond, based on their desire. We also offer an
apprenticeship program. Taseko’s commitment
to advancement opportunity, along with a solid pay
structure, has helped us build the area’s strongest
and most dedicated work force.”
5
Equipment upgrades at Taseko mine boost production
. . . continued
for the climb. It also provides a comfortable ride
for the operators, and they really appreciate that.
At the same time, we appreciate the availability
we’re getting. It’s more than 90 percent, and that’s
outstanding.
Bob Dunn,
General Foreman,
Mine Operations
SMS Mining
Equipment Sales Rep
Jason McCleery works
closely with Taseko’s
Gibraltar Mine.
“Dynamic electric retarding is another standout
feature,” added Parker. “It saves brake wear and
tear, so the 930Es have an extended life compared
to mechanical-drive trucks, which use traditional
braking systems. That improves maintenance
costs considerably.”
Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine also runs Komatsu
WA700 and WA800 wheel loaders. “We’ve found
the loaders give us more flexibility and efficiency
compared to dozers, especially working the piles
that build up as shovels are pulling material from
the face,” Parker reported. “With a dozer, we can
only push a pile, and that can take considerable
movement and time. Using loaders, we can pick
up material and move it much more quickly. As
a result, the shovels have to move less, which saves
time and increases production.”
To improve its maintenance capabilities, Taseko’s
Gibraltar Mine built a new six-bay, state-of-the-art
shop big enough to service large mining
equipment, including the 930Es. The company
tracks hours and other critical machine data
through Komatsu’s KOMTRAX Plus, and works
closely with SMS Equipment personnel, including
Mining Equipment Sales Rep Jason McCleery,
Product Support Sales Representative Jamin Price
and Operations Manager Richard Roberts.
“SMS has provided terrific support every step
of the way, including modifications that meet
our specifications, and operator and technician
training,” said Rouleau. “They showed us how to
best utilize our resources so we’re getting the most
production and efficiency out of our equipment.
SMS has technicians dedicated to the mine, and
we continue to hold monthly meetings to talk
about anything that needs to be addressed. Part of
any equipment-buying decision is factoring in the
relationship with the dealer, and we’ve built one
with SMS Equipment that we believe is very solid,
and we’re very happy with it.”
Plans from start to finish
Part of the three-phase plan at Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine
included a huge investment in mining equipment and the
facilities to support it, incorporating a new state-of-the-art
shop to service its 930E haul trucks, and new processing
equipment, such as a secondary crusher.
Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine added 18 new 320-tonne-capacity Komatsu 930E haul trucks.”They
have the capacity to match our shovel and make the 10-percent grade climb during the
haul,” said Dave Rouleau, Vice President of Taseko and General Manager of Gibraltar. “They
provide the lowest cost per tonne, and our operators love the ride.”
The companies are currently testing
lighter-weight dump bodies on two 930E trucks
in an effort to maximize payload and reduce fuel
costs and tire wear. Rouleau notes it’s part of a
strategy to maximize long-term assets.
“Based on our history with Komatsu trucks and
an aggressive maintenance approach, as well as
a fleet-rotation plan, we expect them to be part
of our operations for a long time to come,” said
Parker. “The original 40-month plan for this mine
has been extended to an anticipated lifespan of
up to 25 years, so we have plenty of time and
production left at Gibraltar.”
“We’re still operating under the original permit
for the mine, so we’re updating with additional
environmental plans for air and water quality,”
added Rouleau. “The company has always
been very environmentally conscious, including
performing reclamation as we progress through
the mine. We already are developing plans for
capping areas as they’re closed for use, sloping the
ground and planting appropriate trees and grass.
We have plans for each new area of development
that takes it from start to finish.” n
6
WMH-D Multi Handler increases maintenance
safety, production time at Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine
W
When Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine added 18 Komatsu
930E trucks to its operations, one major consideration
was how to maintain the massive, 320-tonne-capacity
haulers both safely and efficiently. The company
is achieving both with the use of a WMH-D Multi
Handler, distributed by SMS Equipment and
manufactured by B&D Manufacturing.
“The WMH-D is purpose-built specifically for
930Es and functions as a work platform by mounting
directly onto the truck – after tire removal – using
the truck’s bolts,” SMS Equipment Product Support
Representative Jamin Price pointed out. “First and
foremost, it greatly reduces the risks associated with
component removal and installation. Because it’s
bolted on, there’s little chance of it tipping over or
falling down.
“The Multi Handler is self-propelled and heightadjustable, and service personnel can control it with a
wireless remote, so they can put it in place from a safe
distance, away from potential pinch points,” he added.
“Because it works similarly to scaffolding, once it’s
bolted on, it further reduces safety risks associated with
working from a ladder.”
The WMH-D is designed to make removal and
installation of components, such as front extensions
and spindles, hoist cylinders and rear suspensions,
much easier. Multi Handler accessories include a
pedestal boom, spreader bar and tools for removal of
front struts, brake hub spindles and rear wheel groups.
“About 200 truck components need to be changed
out every year, so having a tool such as this that’s both
safer and maximizes production time is essential,” said
Price. “The change-out of a wheel motor is a perfect
example of how the WMH-D can reduce maintenance
time and labour. Typically, that item would take four
technicians three days to complete. Using the WMH-D,
the number of people needed is cut in half, and they
can generally have it done in 12 to 16 hours.”
Price noted that the WMH-D Multi Handler at
Taseko’s Gibraltar Mine has a heavy-duty frame,
certified to hold 50 tonnes. “The WMH-D is a great
tool for mines looking to increase both production
time and safety. Other models are available from SMS
Equipment, and they come in AC or DC drive, as well
as diesel.” n
Jamin Price,
SMS Equipment
Product Support
Representative
WMH-D Multi Handlers are purpose-built specifically for Komatsu
930E mining trucks and function as a work platform by mounting
directly onto the truck. They reduce safety risks and increase
efficiency during installation and removal of components such as
front extensions and spindles, hoist cylinders and rear suspensions.
7
TECK
The steelmaking coal business unit leads the way for Canada’s largest diversified resource company
Bill Fleming,
VP, Engineering, Coal
Don Sander,
General Manager,
Greenhills Operations
W
With about 14,000 employees, Vancouverbased Teck is Canada’s largest, and one of
the world’s largest, diversified resources
companies. While copper, zinc and energy
business units are significant, coal is Teck’s
largest division. It employs over 4,500 people
and accounts for roughly half of the company’s
sales and profits.
Teck owns five coal mines located within
approximately 100 kilometres of each other
in southeastern British Columbia, plus one
in Alberta, west of Edmonton. In 2012, the
company had coal revenues of more than
$4.6 billion from about 24 million tonnes of
high-quality, metallurgical-grade coal used
to make steel. Unlike many coal producers
worldwide, Teck coal sales remain strong,
largely because of continued high demand
from Asian countries that use it in their steel
industries.
“More than 95 percent of our coal is
steelmaking coal and much of it is very
Teck is a large user of Komatsu mining trucks. Its Greenhills Operations in southeastern
British Columbia has 32 of the large haulers, including 18 new 930Es.
highly graded,” said Bill Fleming, Vice
President, Engineering, Projects and Business
Improvement, Coal. “Ours is the good stuff
that makes the best and strongest coke – a key
ingredient in making steel. Our goal is to work
with individual customers to deliver the coal
product they want and need.”
Teck’s coal is not necessarily the easiest to
get to. Depending on the mine and the specific
location within the mine, Teck operators may
have to move as much as 20 to 25 tonnes of rock
for every tonne of coal produced.
“I guess that would be the bad news,” said
Fleming. “The good news is that we have a
product that’s in demand and is worth going
after, and we have a lot of it here. We have
decades of proven reserves and billions of
tonnes of steelmaking coal here in the valley.
It’s literally one of the best coal-mining regions
in the world.”
With five mines in such close proximity, but
without a large population base nearby, finding
qualified workers is an ongoing challenge.
“We have an excellent training program and
a nice mix of new employees and veterans,
but we’re always on the lookout for good
workers,” said Fleming. “Because the mines
are so close together, one of the real benefits of
working here is that it’s easy for our employees
to visit our other properties to learn and share
techniques that make us all more efficient. It’s
also a big plus when we promote people. They
get a new and better job at a different Teck
mine, but they don’t have to move and uproot
their families. They can stay in the same house
and just take a different road to work.”
Greenhills Operations
Teck’s Greenhills Operations is one of its
five southeastern British Columbia mines.
8
Teck’s Greenhills Operations employs what it calls a “shotgun” or “side-by-side” loading technique whereby as one truck is being filled, another truck arrives
and is positioned so the shovel can load continuously. “We’ve found the new 930E to be a superior truck,” said Rob Foy, Greenhills’ General Foreman of
Operations. “It’s 25-percent larger, but equally important, we can run faster due to an excellent retarder system.”
It employs about 600 people and produces
16,000 tonnes of coal per day (nearly 5 million
tonnes annually). Greenhills’ steelmaking coal
is railed to Vancouver for shipment overseas.
“This is an excellent operation,” said
Don Sander, who has worked in various
positions at a number of Teck mines. He
came to Greenhills as General Manager
last year. “It’s certainly one of the most
productive operations. In fact, based on global
benchmarking standards, I would say our
productivity is ‘world-class.’
“But as good as the operation is, there’s
always opportunity for improvement,” he
acknowledged. “At Teck, we emphasize safety
and environmental values, as well as our
production goals. As we work together toward
common goals here at Greenhills, I believe we
can improve.”
“The goal of a safety system is to reduce risk
and harm to employees so everybody goes
home safe and healthy after every shift. A side
benefit is that it may also enable us to be more
productive. When you don’t have incidents,
activities can continue, and you achieve safe
production. A simple safety measure, such as
keeping a jobsite organized, will help lessen
the likelihood of an incident. We have high
standards and work with everyone to maintain
these standards. So yes, we firmly believe
that working safely goes hand-in-hand with
improved productivity.
“Similarly, managing our environmental
impacts, by reducing our carbon footprint,
improving water quality, reducing our spills
and reclaiming our operation quickly and
effectively, are necessary. Ultimately, we want
Continued . . .
Go online or scan
this QR code using
an app on your
smart phone to
watch video of
Teck machines at
work.
www.SMSSolutionsMagazine.com
There’s a common assumption that
emphasizing safety and concern for the
environment hinders productivity. Sander says
the opposite is true.
This Teck operator uses a Komatsu D475 to side-cut coal at the company’s Greenhills
mine. “We like Komatsu dozers for their power,” said Todd Kniert, Superintendent
of Operations. “We’re also working with Komatsu and SMS to customize the D475
specifically for our work. We appreciate having that kind of input.”
9
Greenhills mine uses Komatsu trucks
. . . continued
everyone working at Greenhills to take pride
in the contribution they make toward our
success.”
All in it together
Mike Thibeault,
General Foreman
of Maintenance
Sander is not alone among Greenhills
employees to support the company culture
promoting safety and more environmental
awareness.
“It’s important to Teck, and it’s important
to all of us who work here,” confirmed Todd
Kniert, Superintendent of Operations. “The
safety culture starts with the first day on the
job and continues to the last. Every manager
looks at every job with a critical eye, trying to
identify potential hazards and how to mitigate
them. We also stress to all employees that it’s
their responsibility to watch out for their fellow
employees.”
“We’ve seen many changes in the last five
years or so, and they’re all for the better,” added
Rob Foy, General Foreman of Operations. “The
mind-set used to be, ‘I’ll take care of myself.’
Now, everybody realizes, we’re all in it together,
and the best way to ensure that we go home
safely each day is to look out for one another.”
A Teck operator pushes coal using a Komatsu D375 dozer.
As for environmental commitment, Kniert
and Foy say it’s not just for today.
“Rob and I have both lived here all
our lives,” Kniert pointed out. “We’re
fourth-generation miners, and our kids will
probably be fifth-generation. These are good,
high-paying jobs. We want to do the right
things now to ensure that jobs will continue to
be here for years to come.”
“We’ve come a long way in a fairly short
time, and it makes me proud to be a part of
what we’re doing now,” Foy added.
Teck recently went to work on a five-year,
$600 million program to improve water
quality in and around its British Columbia
mines. The company is also about to begin
a concerted effort to reduce machine idling
as part of its environmental improvement
program.
“The main focus of our ‘Idle Free’ program
is to reduce emissions and thereby lessen
our carbon footprint,” said Fleming. “A
side benefit is that we’ll also save money.
We anticipate fuel savings of 3 percent to 5
percent. Because our annual consumption
of diesel fuel is about 250 million litres, that
would be a minimum of 7.5 million litres per
year. Multiply that times the price of fuel and
you see that the savings can be significant.”
Komatsu equipment and SMS support
To run a mine the size of Greenhills requires
a large equipment fleet. Teck turns to Komatsu
mining machines from SMS for a large chunk
of its equipment needs, including most of its
trucks and dozers.
The mine has 32 Komatsu haul trucks,
including 18 new 930Es purchased about a
year ago. The 930E is a 320-tonne A/C drive
electric truck that hauls 25-percent more
material than the 240-tonne Komatsu 830Es
that Greenhills had used previously.
“We up-sized in order to boost
productivity,” explained Kniert. ”But it’s not
just the size of the 930E that enables us to be
more productive – it’s also because the new
technology on the haul truck allows us to
safely operate with increased speeds.”
10
“The production factor in big trucks
is largely a function of braking/retarder
capability, and that’s much improved in the
930E,” added Foy. “Most of our hauls are
downhill with speeds reaching 60 kilometres
per hour, so braking is a huge factor. The
stronger retarder in the 930E allows us to
run faster with confidence that the truck will
slow and stop as needed, even with a larger
load. It’s a reliable system that gives us a
production advantage.”
“In these big trucks, service brakes are for
emergencies; the retarder is what the operator
needs to remain under control at all times,
and this system is very effective,” said Kniert.
In addition to the trucks, Greenhills has a
WA1200 wheel loader, which Maintenance
Foreman Mike Thibeault calls “bulletproof”
and has proven to be a very reliable machine.
The mine also leases Komatsu D475 dozers
from SMS.
“We like Komatsu dozers,” confirmed
Kniert. “They’re heavy and powerful. And
now we’re working with Komatsu and SMS to
make them even better for our specific needs,
with bigger idlers and a strengthened drive
system. We’re also changing the controller
to better suit our application of side-cutting
coal. SMS is customizing the machine to help
us do our jobs in the most effective manner.
We really appreciate providing input and
working with our dealer and OEM to improve
the product for our application.”
SMS team demonstrates their commitment
to us being successful. They do a good job of
taking steps to ensure that we are.”
Committed to growth
and preservation
Teck is the world’s second-largest exporter
of seaborne, steelmaking coal, and it foresees
continued strong demand for its products in
the years to come.
“Our intention is to grow, as necessary, to
meet that demand,” said Fleming.
“Of course, we’ll continue to work with
regulators and others to ensure that we mine
responsibly,” he added. “We’re currently
building our first water-treatment facility at
one of our mines to improve water quality
in the region. We have plans to build as
many as six treatment plants and will take
other steps as necessary to protect the water
resources in the valley. It’s not just about
being a good corporate citizen, although
that’s important to us, it’s because we live
here as well as work here. We’re committed
to not only preserving the environment, but
also preserving a way of life.” n
(L-R) SMS Sales Rep Larry Wakeford works closely with Greenhills Superintendent of
Operations Todd Kniert and General Foreman of Operations Rob Foy. “The support we get
from Larry and SMS is outstanding,” said Kniert.
To keep the equipment running, Greenhills
has 52 mechanics, 20 electricians and a dozen
welders. Numerous contracted support
personnel also work on site.
“SMS is an excellent partner to Teck and
Greenhills and has been for many years,”
reported Thibeault. “They are effective in
providing us with the parts and service we
need to support our equipment.”
“We use SMS for warranty work, in-depth
tear-downs and when we need additional
manpower,” said Kniert. “The support we
get from them is very much appreciated,
especially Sales Rep Larry Wakeford, who is
always available to answer our questions. The
11
TYBO CONTRACTING
This growing British Columbia civil construction firm continually pushes itself to the next level
I
Spencer Lauriente,
Co-Owner
Shane O’Donnell,
Co-Owner and
General Manager
In 1988, Spencer Lauriente started a small
landscaping business with little more than
a shovel, wheelbarrow and pickup truck.
A short time later, Spencer convinced his
brother Len to join him. Today, that company,
Canadian Lawn Care Services (CLCS), is
one of the leading commercial light-civil
contractors in Vancouver and Lower
Mainland area, British Columbia. In 2002, the
Laurientes expanded by opening a second
company, Tybo Contracting, whose specialty
is heavier civil projects. Today, Tybo has also
become a regional leader in its field.
“We do full site prep services including
excavation and underground utilities for
public and private customers throughout
southern British Columbia,” said Shane
O’Donnell, who joined the Lauriente brothers
as a co-owner and General Manager of Tybo
shortly after they founded it. “We do roads,
bridges, pipe work, subdivisions, commercial
properties and more. We also offer structural
and architectural concrete services.”
In the beginning, Tybo had a small handful
of employees. Today, the company, which
is headquartered in Langley, a suburb of
Vancouver, British Columbia, employs about
75 people.
“We’ve definitely grown, but I’d call it
controlled growth,” said O’Donnell. “We
started out doing fairly small jobs and got
good at that level, then moved on to larger
projects and mastered those. The objective is
to always be pushing ourselves to the next
level. We don’t bite off more than we can
chew, but our bites keep getting bigger.”
Some of Tybo’s current or recent projects
include site prep for the Hamilton Transit
Centre in Richmond, British Columbia;
12
doing preload work for the last stretch of
the South Fraser Perimeter Road through
the Golden Ears Connector; renovating
Vancouver’s historic Hastings Park, once the
site of Empire Stadium, which hosted the
1954 Commonwealth Games where Roger
Bannister became the first man to run a sub
4:00 minute mile; and building the overpass,
approaches and laying storm drain for a
major improvement of Highway 99 near the
Peace Arch at 16th Avenue in Surrey, British
Columbia.
“The Highway 99 project was a complex,
fast-track job, and I think some people were
skeptical as to whether we could do it,”
said O’Donnell. “Successfully completing
it gave us a lot of confidence, and I think it
established us as one of the premier highway
and bridge contractors in the Vancouver and
Lower Mainland area, British Columbia.
“And that’s just the most recent job we’ve
done on Highway 99,” he added. “Over the
years, we’ve done many projects, probably
totalling 12 kilometres worth of upgrades
from Vancouver to South Surrey. Our crews
consider that to be ‘OUR’ highway. We drive
up and down it with a lot of pride.”
Field leadership is key
You can’t do jobs like Tybo’s recent Highway
99 work without a strong work force. Despite its
relative youth, Tybo has what it considers one
of the top construction teams in the region.
“You need skilled staff at all positions – office,
field supervisors, operators and labourers,” said
O’Donnell. “We try to attract and retain the best
people by treating them well and keeping them
busy throughout the year. Rarely do any of our
guys have to sit. We try to keep the work coming
in so they always have a paycheck, and they
appreciate that.
Superintendent Jordan Leck operates one of Tybo’s three Komatsu excavators. “We like how smooth our Komatsu excavators are.
I’m always impressed with how quickly they react to commands. It’s like you’re one with the machine.”
“I think our leadership team in the field is a
real key to the success we’ve experienced,” he
added. “They’re the guys who keep projects
moving forward – on time and on budget –
and that’s what we’re all about. We do quality
work for a fair price, and we finish on time.
That’s why we have some regular customers
who call us first, in addition to our hard-bid
jobs.”
Together with the Laurientes and
O’Donnell, Tybo’s key personnel include
Senior Project Manager Mike Klotz, Lead
Estimator Ryan Borghesi and General
Superintendents Ryan Watson, Jason Kennett,
Jordan Leck and Geordie Smyth.
Komatsu excavators: “Like you’re
one with the machine”
In addition to people, equipment is a
crucial aspect of Tybo’s success. Recently, the
company has turned to SMS for Komatsu
hydraulic excavators.
“We were using other brands and decided
maybe we should look around and see what
else was out there,” said O’Donnell. “Komatsu
is a trusted name and industry feedback on their
equipment is very good. We also saw a lot of
our successful competitors running Komatsu
machines. We wanted to try Komatsu, so we got
a PC360LC-10 excavator two years ago. It was an
instant success with our operators. They loved it,
and so did we because of the productivity.”
Continued . . .
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“Ryan’s been with us from the start,” said
O’Donnell. “Jason and Jordan are both young
guys, who, like Spencer, Len and myself, started
as labourers and worked their way up. So our
guys tend to be relatively young but also highly
experienced, and they have the drive you need
to be successful in this business.”
Tybo Contracting purchased its first Komatsu PC360 two years ago. “It was an instant
success with our operators,” said Co-Owner and General Manager Shane O’Donnell. “They
loved it, and so did we because of the productivity.”
13
Expanded services offer growth opportunities
. . . continued
Today, Tybo has two Komatsu PC360LC-10s
(40-tonnes), a PC240LC-10 (about 27 tonnes),
a PC228USLC-8 and two Hamm 3412 rollers.
“We like how smooth our Komatsu
excavators are and how much more power
they have than comparably sized competitive
units,” said Superintendent Jordan Leck.
“I don’t get to operate as much as I once
did, but when I do get on a Komatsu, I’m
always impressed with how quickly it reacts
to commands. When you pull, it pulls with
you. When you twist, it twists with you. With
many other excavators, there’s a pause where
you’re waiting for it to react. With Komatsu,
it’s immediate. It’s like you’re one with the
machine.”
Equally important is the support that Tybo
gets from SMS Equipment and Sales Rep
Bruce Herdman.
“With the Komatsu CARE program, SMS
Equipment does all the service intervals
on our Dash-10 excavators for us,” said
O’Donnell. “That’s huge. KOMTRAX is also
SMS Equipment Sales Rep Bruce Herdman (right) works closely with Shane O’Donnell
on equipment matters for Tybo Contracting. “The service is very fast and efficient,” said
O’Donnell. “Time is money. If we’re not swinging, we’re not making anything. They work
quickly, which keeps our downtime to a minimum.”
great because we can view fuel consumption
and see if we have excessive idling. We like
the fact that Komatsu and SMS Equipment
are also keeping an eye on the machines and
contacting us if they notice anything unusual.
It’s really a hassle-free service arrangement,
and we appreciate that.”
“The service is very fast and efficient,”
added Leck. “In this business, time is money.
If we’re not swinging, we’re not making
anything. SMS Equipment lets us know
when they’re coming out. The technician
gets here as scheduled. If our operator has
noticed something, he can talk it over with
the technician, who is able to check it out
right then and there. They also work quickly,
which keeps our downtime to a minimum.”
Building a Legacy Despite a challenging economy, Tybo
Contracting has grown steadily over the last 10
years. O’Donnell says the plan is to continue to
grow even more in the years to come.
“Each year we hire more people, and each
year we do bigger jobs,” said O’Donnell.
“We’re now entering into heavy civil
infrastructure work and already have a
few of those projects under our belt. As we
move forward, I think the next step is heavy
earthmoving and projects that incorporate
a concrete aspect, such as water reservoirs,
hydroelectric dams, and wastewater
treatment plants. That’s what we’ve got our
sights set on, but we don’t want to lose focus
of what’s gotten us to where we are, so we’ll
continue to do smaller, local infrastructure
projects as well.
“Our company motto is, ‘Building a Legacy
in your Community,’ and that’s important to
Spencer, Len and me,” said O’Donnell. “We
all grew up around here. We’re proud of the
area and want to leave our mark. We’re all still
pretty young, but we think long-term – and by
long-term, I don’t mean 10, 20 or 30 years. Our
goal is for this company to still be around 100
years from now, and still doing the work that
makes communities throughout Vancouver
and the Lower Mainland, British Columbia,
better places to live.” n
14
A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER
GEMCO CONSTRUCTION
Expertise puts Langley, British Columbia, land development contractor in high demand
N
Not many companies can say they have
more bid opportunities than they can handle,
but for many years, this has been the case for
Langley, British Columbia-based GEMCO
Construction.
“I believe the reason we’re so in demand
is two-fold,” said Doug Bloomfield, who
became President and CFO of GEMCO about
two years ago. “We have solid relationships
with the developers we work for. Generally,
consulting engineers have a list of contractors
they recommend to their clients, or the
clients have a list of contractors they rely on.
Fortunately, we’re on most of those lists. Also,
we’re willing to take on a wide range of project
sizes, from $50,000 up to multimillion-dollar
projects.”
Many of GEMCO’s relationships go back
to 1986 when the company was founded
as a land development and municipal
infrastructure contractor. Still, 27 years later,
that remains the focus, but now the emphasis
is toward private sector work that includes
residential subdivisions and multifamily
housing, as well as business parks.
metro Vancouver, the north shore and the
Fraser Valley, and our staff can basically go
anywhere within that range and tell you what
types of soils they will encounter. That’s a
huge advantage because we already know the
best practices for efficiency and production
before we ever bid on a project.”
Excellent staff mix
GEMCO Construction generally has six
to eight projects in progress at any one time.
During the past two years, the company
has been working on a 179-lot subdivision
development on Burke Mountain in
Coquitlam. GEMCO provides stripping,
cut-and-fill operations and utility installation.
“Working on the side of a mountain is
challenging,” Bloomfield pointed out. “There
are creeks running through the area and the
Doug Bloomfield,
President/CFO
Continued . . .
GEMCO Construction has several pieces of Komatsu equipment, including this D61PX dozer.
“We’ve found that Komatsu offers us the best value in terms of price, production, efficiency
and reliability,” said Lead Operator Pat Gibson. “Our history shows that we can put 10,000
hours on a Komatsu machine with minimal or no costs other than routine maintenance.”
“Our list of services is extensive, starting
with mass excavation and including cut and
fill operations,” said Bloomfield. “We perform
road building, pad construction, underground
utility installation, sidewalks and other
associated work. Customers appreciate that
they can turn to one company to handle a large
portion of their project, knowing that we’ll
deliver on time and budget.
“They also appreciate our experience in
dealing with varying soil conditions in the
Lower Mainland,” he added. “We have
worked in almost all the municipalities in
15
Production higher, costs lower with Komatsu
. . . continued
soils are easily erodible. The area also gets a lot
more rain than Langley or Surrey. To overcome
these conditions requires a lot of erosion
and sediment control work, such as siltation
control ponds, rock-lined ditches and straw
and poly on slopes and spoil piles.”
Pat Gibson,
Lead Operator
Robin Kirby,
Dispatcher/Purchasing
Because the site is so steep, it needed more
than 6,000 square metres of retaining walls and
a special drainage system in the boulevards.
The system is a series of perforated drains
and dams to better handle the rainwater so it
doesn’t overload the storm sewer system.
On other projects, GEMCO recently
removed contaminated soil and imported
about 25,000 tonnes of gravel fill as part of a
road for a new apartment complex, along with
relocating more than 250 metres of 1,500 mm
diameter storm sewer. It also completed about
a kilometre-and-a-half of water and sanitary
SMS Equipment Sales Rep
Dave LaRiviere (left) meets
with GEMCO Construction
President/CFO Doug Bloomfield
at GEMCO’s office in Langley,
British Columbia. “SMS has
always taken very good
care of us,” said Bloomfield.
“Komatsu, Dave and SMS
believe in building long-term
relationships, and we have
good ones with them.”
GEMCO Construction recently added two Tier 4 Interim Komatsu excavators, including a
PC360LC-10 used to backfill a storm line. “The cycle times are faster compared to the older
models, so our production is higher,” said Lead Operator Pat Gibson. “The engines are more
efficient, so our fuel costs are lower.”
sewer for another subdivision, and it put in
curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and utilities as part of
redevelopment of Guildford Mall in Surrey.
To complete its projects on time and budget,
GEMCO employs a base staff of about 50
people, but increases to near 75 during peak
construction season. Key individuals include
General Manager Chris Charlton, Chief
Estimator Skip Singel, Estimators Bernie Hoyer
and Dave Simpson, Dispatcher/Purchasing
Robin Kirby and Superintendents Ray
Amundson and George Hammerstein.
“Our staff ranges from people who have 30
or more years of experience to those with just a
few years,” said Bloomfield. “We believe that’s
an excellent mix because it sets GEMCO up
for the future. The older staff members train
the younger. That’s a cycle that’s perpetuated
itself in the past and will continue in the future.
All of our people take great pride in providing
quality work, which in turn has led to a long list
of repeat customers. Our employees deserve a
great deal of credit for GEMCO’s success.”
Komatsu provides best value
Because GEMCO Construction’s work
varies from massive earthmoving projects to
small utility installations, the company has a
diverse equipment fleet. Bloomfield estimates
that about 80 percent of it is comprised
of Komatsu pieces, the bulk of which
are excavators used for everything from
earthwork to utility trenching to sidewalk
preparation. Recent acquisitions include
Tier 4 Interim PC360LC-10 and PC490LC-10
excavators purchased with the help of SMS
Sales Rep Dave LaRiviere.
“About 10 years ago, we purchased our
first pieces of Komatsu equipment. We
bought a package of excavators, including
PC200, PC300 and PC400 sizes, which are our
mainline machines,” said Lead Operator Pat
Gibson. “We’ve since added several pieces,
including tight tail swing models, which are
great for working in areas with limited space.
The smaller PC138 is used quite a lot for our
sidewalk work.
“The Tier 4 Interim excavators upped the
ante,” he added. “The cycle times are faster
than the older models, so our production is
16
Operator Ken Ahner digs with a Komatsu PC490LC-10 excavator at the Burke Mountain project in Coquitlam.
“It has a lot of power and good digging force, so I can move a lot of dirt very quickly,” said Ahner.
higher. The engines are more efficient, so our
fuel costs are lower. Factor in that routine
service on the Tier 4 Interim machines is
covered through Komatsu CARE for the first
2,000 hours, and our overall owning and
operating costs are down.”
GEMCO Construction has various size
dozers as well and an HM300 articulated haul
truck. “We’ve found that Komatsu offers us
the best value in terms of price, production,
efficiency and reliability,” said Gibson. “Our
history shows that we can put 10,000 hours
on a Komatsu machine with minimal or no
costs other than routine maintenance.”
“We were already impressed with the
machinery and support Komatsu and SMS
provide, but the Komatsu CARE program is
added value,” said Bloomfield. “We’ve also
found value in financing through Komatsu
Financial. Komatsu, Dave and SMS believe
in building long-term relationships, and they
have always taken very good care of us.”
GEMCO Construction is providing stripping, cut-and-fill operations and utility installation
for this 179-lot suddivision development, Wesbild‘s Smiling Creek, on Burke Mountain in
Coquitlam.
Plans for expansion
Bloomfield predicted that GEMCO’s
bidding opportunities will remain strong,
which could lead to growth for the company.
“Land development looks to be solid in this
area for quite some time,” said Bloomfield.
“We have long-range plans in place, and we
are hopeful that during the next five years, the
business will expand by 25 percent.” n
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Under the Komatsu CARE program,
SMS Equipment provides complimentary
service on the PC360LC-10 and PC490LC-10
excavators. SMS tracks the machines through
KOMTRAX, contacts GEMCO and sets up the
service at a convenient time.
17
LES ENTREPRISES FORESTIÈRES
SERGE BUREAU
Looking to the future of forestry – stability is key
L
Les Entreprises Forestières Serge Bureau
(EFSB) specializes in full-service contracts
including building forestry roads, harvesting
and transporting wood to mills, four-season road
maintenance and logging camp management.
“EFSB’s reputation is based on the quality of our
work, and I’m proud of it,” said Owner Serge
Bureau.
standards board (Bureau de normalisation du
Québec).
The company works with several
subcontractors in the forestry industry, under the
supervision of Logging and Road Supervisors
Jocelyn Tanguay, Carl Belzile, Alexandre
Guillemette and Simon Vallières, the latter
with Forestier Bureau. During the last two
years, Scierie Leduc, Université Laval, Gestofor,
Scierie Dion, Domtar (Windsor) and Séminaire
du Québec have joined EFSB’s customer list.
Logging contracts are primarily for shortwood –
with an additional, limited volume of hardwood
for the pulp industry.
In 1989, he took the helm of his father’s company,
which employed four people and produced about
2,500 cubic metres of wood per year.
Under the leadership of Johanne Blouin and
Controller Steve Whalen, and with the close
collaboration of the supervisors in all business
operations, the company is working toward
its CEAF forestry management certification
(Certification des entreprises d’aménagement
forestier) awarded by the BNQ, Quebec’s
Owner Serge
Bureau and his
wife Johanne
Blouin (left)
are with their
daughter Julie
Bureau.
From woodcutter to entrepreneur
Serge Bureau started working full-time in
forestry at the age of 16. He was logging with a
chainsaw and used a skidder to haul timber out of
the woods.
In 2000, Serge Bureau established Forestier
Bureau as a distinct company, regrouping all
shortwood-logging activities that use shortwood
harvesters and wheeled forwarders.
Now 48, Serge Bureau and his wife, Johanne
Blouin, 47, lead a team of 90 employees and
subcontractors and manage an equipment fleet
of more than 150 machines, including 12 forestry
machines specifically used for harvesting. In
2012-2013, they harvested a total volume of
300,000 cubic metres of wood, built approximately
40 kilometres of forest road, and housed and fed
more than 70 workers in two camps managed
by the company. Both camps are in the Réserve
faunique des Laurentides, one at Saint-Raymond
de Portneuf and one in Launière.
Today EFSB is a family business 25 years in the
making. Serge Bureau manages both EFSB and
Forestier Bureau, while Johanne Blouin continues
to manage all administrative services as she has
from the beginning. Their children have now
joined the company and continue to help it grow.
Growth and diversification
Having acquired a general contracting license in
2006, the company diversified into snow-removal
services on municipal roads, residential and
commercial excavation, septic-system installation
and bulk transport. These new sources of business
18
and revenue ensured steady work for the team,
supervised by Dany Pageau, who believes in the
EFSB quality-work ethic.
Adding to the company’s activities is the recent
acquisition of a sand mill, located in Stoneham,
now operating as Sablière Serge Bureau. EFSB
can now sell sand and sifted soil, as well as fill its
own material needs.
“We aren’t afraid of challenges, and we go
about our business in our own way,” mentioned
Johanne Blouin. “During the last two years,
our company has installed a new management
system using FTI-PGSCF software developed by
a company in Rimouski, Quebec. We can now
manage all of our activities with precision, thanks
to the planning tools that allow us to evaluate
production, revenues, and operating, labour and
equipment costs. It goes without saying that it
took a lot of time, energy and training for several
system users, all while maintaining our regular
day-to-day business.”
Among EFSB construction division’s
achievements was the completion of a half-pipe
snowboard course at Stoneham for a World Cup
snowboarding event held each January, as well as
the rehabilitation of the banks of the Saint-Charles
river near Québec City to combat erosion.
High-performing and well-maintained
equipment = higher productivity
The maintenance and repairs on such a large
equipment fleet require meticulous planning to
ensure the maximum availability of machines.
The company takes care of 90 percent of
mechanical needs in its two divisions, as well as
provides training for mechanics through various
specialized-learning programs. “In forestry,
for example, we do a visual inspection of each
machine during the daily lubrication, as well as a
complete tune-up each week,” explained Simon
Vallières. “We keep maintenance records for each
individual machine allowing us to plan parts
and attachment purchases in a timely way. The
implementation of maintenance-management
software should be coming soon.”
EFSB has an excellent safety record because it
takes prevention, security and safe work-practice
regulations very seriously. The company is a
member of a pulp and paper safety association,
the ASSIFQ (Association de la santé et de la
EFSB acquired this Komatsu PC228USLC-8 excavator for its construction and civil
engineering division to execute grading and trenching work. It can also be adapted for
extra workloads in the forestry division, such as forestry road building contracts. The
excavator can be fitted with a wire cage and hoses that enable the quick installation of a
clam bunk to meet forestry equipment needs.
sécurité des pâtes et papiers). Serge Bureau presides
over the safety meetings with the supervisors
and workers at the start of each new contract.
The company also offers training for workers
throughout the year on prevention and best
practices to ensure that all our activities are safe.
What’s more, any report of issues that are not up to
code on any given day are discussed during safety
meetings.”
A family undertaking
Although it might be too soon to talk about
handing over the reins, with Johanne and Serge still
rather young and very active in the company, their
children Julie and Alexandre showed an interest
early on for following in their parents’ footsteps.
Steve Whalen
joined the company
in January 2013
as Controller. His
enthusiasm and
dynamic personality
have quickly
made him a highly
appreciated colleague.
Julie Bureau, who is 22, works as Administrative
Assistant, while her brother, Alexandre Bureau, now
18, learned about the forestry business working for
the company during summer vacations. In January
this year, he began studying for a degree in Forest
Management Practices, at l’École de foresterie et de
la technologie du bois de Duchesnay, near Québec
City. He wants to explore all types of activity related
to the family business in order to take the helm with
Julie one day.
Their parents (both having grown up in forestry
families) taught their children how to live in the
forest and to know and appreciate the flora, fauna
and natural surroundings while learning how to
manage forestry resources in an ecologically and
financially responsible way.
Although the Bureaus like getting away to
sunnier climates now and then, Serge and Johanne
Continued . . .
19
Training is a priority at EFSB
. . . continued
truly love the forest, hunting and fishing. Most of
their free time is spent in the woods with friends
and family.
Entrepreneurial pride
During our visits, we asked everyone we met,
including entrepreneurs and supervisors, to
give us their suggestions on forestry-operations
management. Here are their suggestions:
• Improve operator training with a program
providing credit to entrepreneurs to allow for
on-site training in the forest in addition to classroom training;
• Raise awareness in the community and
promote a balance between forest wildlife/
recreation management and natural-resource
development.
With these factors in mind, Serge Bureau sits
on the board of the Quebec forestry entrepreneur
association, AQETAF (Association québécoise
des entrepreneurs en travaux d’aménagement
forestier) and participates actively in political and
professional events linked to this economic sector.
Serge Bureau is very proud of the path he has
taken and the reputation enjoyed by his two
forestry companies. “I have always favoured a
no-nonsense, mentoring-type management style,”
he said. “I am proud of the variety of activities my
companies have been able to develop. They have
allowed me to build solid working teams and move
forward with them in the construction and forestry
industries.
Forestier Bureau’s new Komatsu 860.4 wheeled forwarder.
(L-R) SMS Equipment Representative Donald Tessier, Serge Bureau’s son Alexandre
Bureau and Forestier Bureau Supervisor Simon Vallières.
“My teams have earned an excellent reputation
due to the quality and dependability of their work,
and they have earned our long-term customers’
loyalty,” he added. “They have also maintained
privileged relationships with their product and
service suppliers who, in return, give them
unfailing support.” n
Dany Pageau (left) has been part of the EFSB team since
1994. Working as a Supervisor in the Construction Division,
he also promotes the company’s services and is in charge
of sales and personnel management for his division.
He is pictured here with Pierre Fortin, the operator of
EFSB’s new Komatsu PC228USLC-8 excavator. Pierre is
well-known for his expert handling of this machine.
20
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
FROM START TO FINISH
DEPENDABLE AND COMMITTED PARTNERS
RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST
Several entrepreneurs take part in the forestry operations
of Les Entreprises Forestières Serge Bureau, with two actively
contributing to its success for several years now. These are
Exploitation Forestière Daniel Cloutier, Inc. and Multicoupe
Willard, Inc.
Five more contractors also teamed up with Les Entreprises
Forestières Serge Bureau and Forestier Bureau, namely:
A Komatsu 931.1 Wheeled Harvester is used to harvest lumber
damaged by the hemlock looper epidemic.
• The Komatsu 931.1 Wheeled Harvester, the first of its kind with
a Tier 4 engine in Canada, belongs to Les Entreprises Forestières
Serge Bureau. Based on numerous expert reports, and thanks to
Serge Bureau’s determination to prove that this was the best
machine for the job, his company was contracted to harvest
wood from trees affected by the hemlock looper epidemic that
appeared in the area in 2011. This type of epidemic usually lasts
three years. In 2012, approximately 16,000 cubic metres of
timber was harvested; in 2013 it was 32,000 cubic metres; and
2014 will be just as busy, since the 12,000-cubic-metre mark has
already been attained. All affected timber must be harvested
within 12 months of initial discovery.
• Serge Bureau studied the issue, considered different methods of
proceeding and concluded that the Komatsu 931.1 would meet
all the criteria for this purpose, given its low-ground-impact
rating, its size and its flexibility.
• Entreprise GMS
• Entreprises Forestières FG Brochu
• Foresterie Jeannot Bouchard
• Multi LC
• Opérations Forestières LM Gilbert
These business partnerships work successfully, due to
their high level of reciprocity based on mutual respect and
understanding. “It is very important for all involved to feel
highly considered, and with this quality of entrepreneurship,
we can ensure the stability of forestry management,” stated
Serge Bureau.
“Our partnerships with our suppliers are equally
important,” he added. “Considering that there is no room
for wasted time, our equipment supplier must understand
our operations and be quick to respond. Mutual trust is at
the forefront of the relationship with SMS Equipment, which
began more than 15 years ago.”
“It is one more ace up our sleeve,” agreed Johanne Blouin
and Serge Bureau.
Exploitation Forestière
Daniel Cloutier
• According to Patrick Pineault, Forestry Engineer and
Coordinator of Forestry Operations for Université Laval’s
Montmorency forestry school, the reason why the 931.1 was
chosen was mostly due to Mr. Bureau’s determination.
• This machine, equipped with a Komatsu 360.2 harvester head,
made a spectacular debut. It performed perfectly and on
schedule to the entire satisfaction of the many specialists on
hand the day of our visit for the final inspection and evaluation
of the work.
• After submitting the winning bid for the contract, Les
Entreprises Forestières Serge Bureau was awarded a five-year
mandate for harvesting 35,000 cubic metres per year on the
Montmorency forest territory, which is the teaching grounds for
Université Laval.
• Patrick Pineault believes that the Komatsu 931.1 will help them
take a great step forward in their forestry activities during
the next five years, due to its low-ground-impact rating, which
enhances its harvesting potential and its Maxi A management
system. This system allows users to input price lists from
sawmills, a feature that helps minimize losses, maximize each
piece of timber and increase the value of each tree to obtain the
best possible market price. It also allows for advance estimates
of the return on each piece of timber.
• Proper jobsite planning combined with the 931.1’s flexibility
allows for zero visual impact. This helps protect the
recreational aspect of the area that is so important to the public.
Daniel and Mathieu Cloutier
committed to investing in
Valmet/Komatsu equipment
for their timber transport needs
several years ago. To support
their company’s growth,
they chose the reliability and
performance capability of the
Valmet 860.3 to complete their
various projects.
To keep up with the volume produced by two harvesters, they
needed to extract the logs at a steady rate to the haul-truck loading
area. For this reason, they chose the Komatsu 890.3 forwarder.
“We needed equipment with a high load capacity that could
make its way on uneven terrain and was energy efficient, as well as
strong and powerful,“ stated Mathieu Cloutier, who is the machine’s
main operator. “The technical support provided by SMS is a great
added-value.”
Éric Willard was looking
for peace-of-mind and a
manufacturer with an excellent
reputation, which is why he
selected the Komatsu 840.4
forwarder. Pleased with his
investment, he said that he could
count on the equipment getting
the job done. “The traction capacity, combined with the smooth
performance of the Komatsu Comfort Bogie drive system, makes
this machine quite enjoyable to operate,” he said. Les Entreprises
Forestières Serge Bureau has benefited from the expert work
performed by Multicoupe Willard Inc. for some time now. The fact
that both companies can count on reliable equipment ensures their
long-lasting association.
Multicoupe Willard Inc.
21
FIRST TIME KOMATSU BUYERS
Chicoutimi
Jonquière
Pellex Inc.
Dany Pelletier (right), owner of
Pellex Inc., worked with SMS
Equipment Sales Representative
Pascal Charest to acquire his
PC210LC-10 excavator equipped
with a brush-cutter. Pellex
Inc. works in residential and
commercial grading as well as
land clearing.
Excavation Jocelyn Claveau
Dany appreciates his Komatsu’s
speed and smooth operation
compared to the other brands
he has used in the past. Among
the biggest advantages of his
new machine is its excellent fuel
economy.
Entreprise Michael Maltais Inc.
Entreprise Michael Maltais is a
young company making its mark
in the Saguenay. They specialize
in residential excavation and
offer competitive prices with no
hidden charges or nasty surprises.
Michael (right), pictured with SMS
Equipment Sales Representative
Pascal Charest, recently invested
in a PC210LC-10, which impressed
him with its fuel economy. This
young entrepreneur has a bright
future ahead since he has earned
the trust of the people he works
with and has an obvious talent for
administration.
Well known in the Saguenay region as a
machine operator who does quality work
with precision execution, Jocelyn Claveau
used to work in the family business providing
excavation services until he branched out on
his own. After thoroughly comparing all the
brands on the market, he took the advice of
friends who are SMS Equipment clients and
purchased a brand new Komatsu PC228USLC-8.
This excavator runs on PANOLIN mineral oil,
which allows him to work on jobsites ruled by
strict environmental norms. Jocelyn appreciates
the precision and speed built into his Komatsu
PC228USLC-8 excavator.
Hébertville
Éco-Luzerne
Denis Riverin (right), a manager at Éco-Luzerne,
the only alfalfa supplier east of Niagara and
for all of Eastern Canada, is pictured with SMS
Equipment Sales Representative Pascal Charest.
Denis purchased his WA150 wheel loader with
large-capacity bucket last summer. He uses it to
supply the plant with alfalfa and sawdust, and he
and his team are very pleased with its reliability and
high-performance capability, which are required
in their plant because the pace and production
deadlines are very demanding.
22
Your short-term
rental solution
provider
Komatsu Rents, a division of SMS Equipment Inc. has
changed its name to KRents, a division of SMS Equipment
Inc. – simply known and pronounced as ‘K Rents.’ The
name change reflects an expansion on diversified options
toward providing you solutions to your short term rental
needs. KRents will continue to take equipment rental to
a whole new level of service performance and reliability
that you have come to know.
select locations only
Come to KRents for
all your construction
equipment rental needs.
We take renting equipment
to a whole new level of
service, performance and
reliability. We offer a full
line of Komatsu built
equipment that is current,
efficient and well maintained,
including Excavators, Dozers,
Wheel Loaders and Articulated
Trucks. We also offer Hamm soil
compaction machines, specialty
equipment and attachments. As a
division of SMS Equipment, we are
your connection to a full spectrum
of knowledge at branches located
throughout Western Canada.
Call 1 855-4KRENTS (457-3687) today for all
your construction equipment rental needs.
[email protected]
smsequip.com
Looking to rent? Check out SMS Equipment’s
rental arm for top machines and unrivalled support
E
Equipment rentals are on the rise. It may
be because some contractors are still a little
leery of the economy and prefer renting
over the long-term financial commitment
of ownership. For others, renting is their
business model, and it’s what works best for
them.
Dan Fesciuc,
General Manager
Whatever the reason, KRents, SMS
Equipment’s rental division, has geared up
to meet the increased demand. Serving all of
Western Canada, the KRents fleet has grown
from just over 100 machines in 2009 to more
than 320 machines today. KRents machines
are available through each of SMS’s 23
Western Canada branch locations.
“Our KRents personnel are located in
Edmonton and Surrey and are able to take
care of our customers over the phone and/or
KRents personnel are located at branches in Surrey (below) and Edmonton, but machines
can be obtained through any SMS branch in Western Canada.
electronically,” said Dan Fesciuc, General
Manager, Rental Operations. “If you don’t
know the model number or size of the machine
you need, our rental professionals will help
you figure it out. They will do the same with
attachments. Our goal is to put you in a
machine that will allow you to complete your
job in the most efficient and most cost-effective
manner.”
KRents machines are strictly rent-to-rent (no
rental purchases) at daily, weekly or monthly
rates. Machines include hydraulic excavators
ranging from the compact PC18 to a near
100-tonne PC800, including long reach from
50 to 65 feet; wheel loaders from the WA80
to the WA500; dozers from the D31 to the
D155, including pipe layers; 30- and 40-tonne
articulated haul trucks; Hamm soil compactors
and more.
“What separates us from many other rental
houses is our equipment,” said Fesciuc. “If
you rent from us, you know you’re getting
top quality, low-hour, current model Komatsu
and Hamm machines with all the bells and
whistles. If you go somewhere else, you may
end up with whatever brand they were able to
get a deal on.
“Beyond that, when you rent from KRents,
you’re getting the full SMS package,” he added.
“That means parts support, shop and field
technicians, service from our financial team
and technical support from the manufacturer.
We’re a ‘value-added’ rental proposition with
all the resources of SMS Equipment behind us.”
“You’re awesome and your
machines are awesome”
In addition to Fesciuc, the KRents team
includes Manager, Fleet Maintenance,
24
The KRents fleet consists of 320 machines including wheel loaders, dozers, excavators, haul trucks and Hamm soil compactors available for daily, weekly or
monthly rental. “Two things separate us from many other rental operations,” said General Manager Dan Fesciuc. “One is quality equipment. The other is the
full gamut of SMS support including parts, service and financing.”
Greg Wiens, Rental Sales Reps Andy Crowder,
Steve Anderlini and Barry Brownson, and
Rental Coordinator Megan Gatzke.
“Typically a customer calls us and has a
general idea of what he wants to rent,” said
Crowder. “We talk to him to be sure he gets the
right size machine with the proper bucket or
attachment. We have many regular customers
who call us often because they know they
will get a good machine and great service in a
timely manner.”
“We had a new customer who was nervous
about the entire process,” recalled Gatzke.
“He kept asking, ‘Are you sure you’ll get here
on time and that the machine will work? Are
you 99 percent sure or 100 percent sure?’ I
reassured him that we’d get it done – and we
did. Afterward, he called back, thanked me
and said, ‘I’m going to call you guys again
because you’re awesome and your machines
are awesome.’ ”
“Rarely do we have an issue with one of our
rentals, but when we do, SMS has 23 service
departments with technicians throughout
Western Canada that I can call to take care of
any issue that might arise,” said Wiens. “If we
can’t get a machine back up and running right
away, we’ll swap it out for a different one. We
strive for same-day or next-day service, even
for customers who are working in remote
regions. I’ve heard stories of competitors
telling customers that it could be three weeks
before they could get anybody out. That
doesn’t happen at KRents.”
Greg Wiens,
Manager,
Fleet Maintenance
Rental Sales Rep Andy Crowder and Rental Coordinator
Megan Gatzke.
The best – not the cheapest
Fesciuc says that KRents is still growing and
will take the steps necessary to meet increased
rental demand.
“Our goal is to be the preferred big-equipment
rental house in Western Canada, and we plan to get
there by providing quality machines and unrivalled
support. Frankly, if you’re just digging a hole for a
day and looking for the rock-bottom lowest price,
that’s probably not going to be us. But if you want
a site-specific piece of equipment backed up by
an organization that will treat you as if you were
buying that machine, then KRents is the one to call.”
To contact KRents for a machine or to inquire
about rental rates, e-mail [email protected],
call direct at 1 855-4KRENTS (457-3687) or
contact your SMS Sales Rep or the branch
location nearest you. n
25
A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER
FEWER PASSES
New WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement with specially designed buckets increase capacity, productivity
W
Whether loading trucks, stockpiling or
charging hoppers, you want to move material
as quickly as possible. Komatsu designed
its new WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement
with specific features that provide increased
productivity for applications involving
re-handled or loose material.
Rob McMahon,
Product Manager,
Wheel Loaders
“Right away, users notice the larger, flat-floor
buckets that keep more material inside. These
buckets also significantly increase capacity
and decrease the number of passes needed
Brief Specs on the WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement
Model
Net Horsepower WA500-7 Yard Loader
260 kW (353 hp)
Operating Weight
Bucket Capacity
35,907-36,120 kg (79,162-79,630 lbs.) 6.3-7.5 m3 (8.2-9.8 cu. yd.)
Komatsu’s new WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement features larger, flat-floor buckets that
increase capacity and productivity for applications involving re-handled or loose material. It’s
designed to load 24-tonne to 26-tonne on-highway trucks in fewer passes.
to load 24-tonne and 26-tonne on-highway
trucks,” said Rob McMahon, Product Manager,
Wheel Loaders, noting that both 7-cubic-metre
(9.1-cubic-yard) and 7.5-cubic-metre
(9.8-cubic-yard) buckets are available. “These
buckets offer several other advantages as well,
such as reduced abrasion wear of the floor, less
force to penetrate a pile and a wear package
that’s lightweight and highly effective.”
Komatsu also added a larger-diameter
bucket cylinder for increased bucket forces
and additional counterweight for better
stability and tipping loads.
“The counterweight’s unique shape
provides more ground clearance for
stockpiling materials, which is a distinct
advantage over competitive machines,” said
McMahon. “Other standout features include
74-centimetre (29-inch) rims and low-profile
tires for increased stability; a brake cooling
system (front and rear), which maximizes
brake life in extended-carry and high-speed
applications; and full rear fenders for
enhanced protection from debris and thrown
material.”
The WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement
features a Tier 4 Interim engine and is
backed by Komatsu CARE, which provides
complimentary scheduled maintenance for
the first three years or 2,000 hours, whichever
comes first.
“The WA500-7 Yard Loader Arrangement
has many of the same great features as our
base WA500-7, and it offers even greater
productivity,” said McMahon. “I encourage
anyone who wants that combination to try
one in their construction and/or quarry
operations.” ■
26
STRONG OPTIONS
Find out how the new Komatsu PC170LC-10 excavator was designed to provide greater lift capacity
W
Whether you prefer a lighter, more mobile
unit or the heavier piece with added lift capacity,
Komatsu’s new PC170LC-10 excavator can
provide exactly what you need.
The new PC170LC-10 is available with two
counterweight options, both of which are heavier
and provide added lift capacity compared to the
counterweight on the PC160LC-8 model that
it replaces. The heavy counterweight option is
630 grams (1,389 pounds) heavier with 15-percent
more lift capacity, and the lighter option adds
140 grams (309 pounds) and 5-percent more lift.
“Making the choice really depends on the
user’s preferences and applications,” said Rob
Orlowski, Product Manager, Excavators. “An
advantage of choosing the lighter counterweight
is mobility. In that configuration, the PC170LC-10
can be hauled with a bucket on a 18,144-kilogram
(40,000-pound) tag-along trailer. That’s beneficial
to contractors who rely on a powerful excavator in
a small package for applications such as residential
or non-residential construction, while customers
looking for still more lifting power can find it
in the PC170LC-10 equipped with the heavy
counterweight.”
“No particulate filter equates to less maintenance over
the life of the excavator. Of course, because it’s a Tier
4 Interim machine, Komatsu covers the scheduled
maintenance for the first three years or 2,000 hours
through the Komatsu CARE program.”
Orlowski said the closed-centred hydraulics and
harmony of systems give the PC170LC-10 the smooth
feel and control that makes Komatsu excavators
famous.
Rob Orlowski,
Product Manager,
Excavators
“The PC170LC-10 offers more capability at a lower
cost, which is what every contractor wants,” said
Orlowski. “The machine offers a solution to customers
with a variety of needs.” n
* Includes heavy-counterweight bucket, thumb and coupler combo
Brief Specs on the Komatsu PC170LC-10
Model
Net Hp Operating Weight
Bucket Capacity
PC170LC-10 85 kW (115 hp) 17,282-18,869* kg (38,100-41,600* lbs.) .37-.95 m3 (0.48-1.24 cu yds.)
Komatsu’s new PC170LC-10 comes with two counterweight options, both of which
provide greater lift capacity compared to the previous PC160LC-8, and the PC170LC-10
is up to 10-percent more fuel efficient.
More fuel efficient
The PC170LC-10 has the same power as its
predecessor, but it is up to 10-percent more
fuel efficient, depending on the application
and conditions. Efficiency comes in part from a
variable-flow turbocharger that provides optimal
airflow under all speeds and load conditions. It
also has a Komatsu Diesel Oxidation Catalyst
(KDOC) that does not have a scheduled
replacement interval as would be required for a
unit with a diesel particulate filter.
“With the KDOC there is no active regeneration
required; it’s 100-percent passive,” said Orlowski.
27
A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER
BRANCH EXPANSION
SMS expands Elkford branch to better serve
Elk Valley mining customers
S
Brent Raddysh,
SMS General Manager
of British Columbia
and Yukon Operations
SMS first opened a facility in Elkford,
British Columbia, back in the 1980s. As
mining in the Elk Valley has grown over the
years, so has SMS’s presence. Today, SMS
has more than 160 employees based out of
Elkford. About 140 people, including shop
and field technicians, work on the service
side, and another 20 or so people work in
parts.
To better accommodate more employees
and allow them to do their jobs more
effectively for customers, SMS recently
added a 4,645-square-metre (50,000square-foot) addition to the original branch
(L-R) CFO Eric Dempster,
President and CEO Bruce
Knight and EVP, Western
Region Operations, Mike
Granger celebrated
the new Elkford
branch addition with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony
at the Grand Opening,
held on October 3, 2013.
The event was open
to family, friends,
colleagues and
customers.
The new 4,645-square-metre (50,000-square-foot) addition to the Elkford branch sits on
a fully developed 4-hectare (10-acre) lot and is equipped with various beneficial features
such as 12-metre (40-foot) side Mega doors to fit nearly any size equipment for service.
building. A daylong Grand Opening event
was celebrated on October 3rd with a
pancake breakfast and barbecue lunch.
Customers who attended the event were also
given a tour of the facility.
“These mines have become some of the
biggest customers in all of Canada for SMS,”
said Brent Raddysh, SMS’s General Manager
of British Columbia and Yukon Operations.
“We’ve put close to a hundred large-haul
trucks, as well as a number of other mining
machines, into the valley in the last few
years alone. We had run out of space in the
old building and needed this improvement
to be able to meet the needs and expectations
of our customers.”
Among the highlights of the new building:
•A 1,394-square-metre (15,000-square-foot)
parts warehouse that’s more than twice the
size of the old one;
•A new, larger shop with one 100-tonne and three 40-tonne overhead cranes;
•And state-of-the-art lighting throughout the building to improve productivity
and safety.
More replacement parts
The additional warehouse space means all
replacement parts and components will now
be under one roof.
“In the past, we had to store some parts
outside, which in the winter, meant in the
snow,” said Elkford Parts Manager Keith
Ward. “Now, we have everything inside. We
also have an automated picking system that
gives us better and quicker access to parts. In
addition, because of the extra space, we carry
28
The Elkford branch parts department moved from a
604-square-metre (6,500-square-foot) building to a new
state-of-the-art 1,394-square-metre (15,000-square-foot)
warehouse, which is able to house over 10,000
replacement parts and components, ranging from small
parts to Komatsu 930E haul truck drive motors.
more replacement parts and components
here at the branch, which has increased the
likelihood that we have what our customer
needs right here on site.
“As a parts department, when you
don’t have what the customer needs, he
understandably gets upset,” Ward noted.
“That’s probably especially true at mines
where the machines are big, expensive and
interdependent, and where downtime is a dirty
word. Throughout SMS, and certainly here at
Elkford, our parts department wants to be the
reason people buy our products – not the reason
they don’t. That means we’ve got to do a better
job of supplying parts than our competition.
This new facility has helped us do that.”
SMS’s Elkford branch has a new, larger shop with one 100-tonne crane and three
40-tonne cranes as well as many others.
24/7 operation
Raddysh says that Elkford employees are
customer-driven and pleased to have the new
branch where they can do their jobs even
better.
“This branch has a fantastic crew of
highly-trained professionals. They understand
the importance of customer service to the
mines in this region. It is a 24/7 operation.
You can call anytime of the day or night, and
you’re going to get a quick response with one
goal in mind – take care of the customer’s
problem. I think they all believe they’ll be able
to do a better job of that with the additional
resources this new branch brings.
Keith Ward,
Parts Manager,
Elkford Branch
Paul Knott,
Service Manager,
Elk Valley
Jim Prince,
Operation Manager,
Elk Valley
“And down the road, I believe the new
building will help us attract more top
employees to this branch,” he added.
“Good people like to be in an environment
where they can perform at their best. And
that’s what this new building does. It gives
good people the tools to do their jobs more
effectively, and we think our customers will
notice the difference.” n
29
TRANSWEST MONGOLIA
SMS opens a “Far East” subsidiary company to serve mining and construction customers in Mongolia
I
David Turnbull,
Exective Director
Paul Dunwoody,
Director
Operations
Ron Kusters,
VP Business
Development
(now retired)
An instructor at
the SMS-sponsored
Transwest Mongolia
Training Institute
teaches engine
repair to Mongolian
national students.
30
It’s a major undertaking and commitment for
an equipment distributor to open a subsidiary in
another country. In a foreign culture, with a foreign
language and little to no infrastructure, the level of
complexity increases dramatically. That’s exactly
what SMS faced when setting up Transwest
Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar and the South Gobi
Desert.
First, some background. Why would SMS
want to be involved with equipment distribution
in Mongolia – a landlocked, Asian country
surrounded by China to the east, south and west,
and Russia to the north? Answer: the Oyu Tolgoi
(OT) mine. When fully operational, OT, owned by
Rio Tinto and the Mongolian government, will be
one of the largest copper mines in the world.
Transwest Mongolia was established in
July of 2009 with minimal personnel. Ron
Kusters, then VP Business Development, was
initially dispatched to start-up the subsidiary
distribution company and initiate relations with
the Mongolian government and customers.
Ultimately, Kusters was tasked with establishing
a training facility and attaining business. Within
the initial year, both David Turnbull and Paul
Dunwoody were added to work on the Oyu
Tolgoi bid. If successful, the team of three would
also need to recruit the right people, expatriates
and nationals, to support customers.
Transwest Mongolia was the successful bidder
and received the contract to supply most of the
equipment for the OT Mining site. There are 75
Komatsu machines at the mine including 28 930E
haul trucks, two WA1200 wheel loaders, five D475
dozers and a PC2000 hydraulic excavator, as well
as dozens of smaller units. Part of the agreement
was also a maintenance and service contract,
which is why the branch was necessary.
“We started with three people in 2010 and
have about 350 employees now, with almost
half working at OT,” said Dunwoody. “The
vast majority of our employees today are native
Mongolians.”
Mongolian national work force
More than 300 Mongolian nationals now
work at Transwest, a number that will continue
to increase until virtually all personnel are
Mongolian nationals.
“That’s the goal,” said Gerelmaa
Lkhagrassuren, who is in charge of recruiting
Mongolian nationals. “I’m looking for people
with a good attitude and work ethic as well as
a solid skill set, which will be key to our success
in the future. Finding nationals for office and
administrative jobs is easy because the Mongolian
work force is highly educated, but we don’t
have many tradesmen -- mechanics, electricians
and welders. That’s why Transwest started the
Mongolia Training Institute, which is a 10-month,
hands-on apprenticeship where students learn the
actual skills they need to assemble, maintain and
repair equipment.”
Angaragsaikhan Ganbold was one of the
original 30 mechanics brought onboard in January
2011 to start the Transwest training program to
learn to assemble 930E haul trucks at the OT
At the Oyu Tolgoi
(OT) Mine, an operator
uses a Komatsu
WA1200-3 to load a
320-tonne Komatsu
930E haul truck.
mine. “We went through the training program
and then went on site. There were challenges,
including weather extremes and a language
barrier that made communication difficult. But,
we overcame, and we’ve continued to learn and
advance. Today, I think we’re very good. We offer
top-notch service to the customer. I’m proud of
what I do and what we do as a team. We work so
closely together that a bond develops among crew
members. We become like brothers.”
The very first Mongolian hired by Transwest
was Enkhbaatar Dashbaladan, who today serves
as Safety Manager. “One of my big challenges is
the lack of a safety culture in Mongolia. There’s
always been a mind-set here that safety is for the
weak, so workers simply accept risk as part of
any job. Now, thanks in large part to Transwest,
that attitude is changing. The government and
the people are beginning to understand and
appreciate the importance and necessity of
working safely at all times.”
Another challenge with running the Transwest
Mongolia branch is the geographical isolation
of the country, which makes planning ahead
absolutely essential. “If we have to special order
a part, it can take months to arrive,” said Parts
Manager Aynabek Khavduali. “That’s why we
do our best to have as many replacement parts
as possible in stock at our branch warehouse.
We want to keep customers’ downtime to a
minimum.”
Long term project
Transwest’s OT Project Manager Stephen
Goodchild says Transwest has come a long way
in a relatively short time.
“When Paul Dunwoody, Service Manager
Brett Hogg and I first met with OT back in 2011,
we wanted to know where we would assemble
the equipment – in what facility. We were in the
middle of the Gobi Desert, where there was nothing
but dust, and they told us, ‘You’re standing on it.’
So we started at Ground Zero and built a temporary
fabrication shop. In the end, we succeeded in putting
together 55 pieces of equipment in a 12-month
period. It’s a real credit to the people involved,
especially the nationals. They learned quickly and got
good at it. To me, it was a world-class achievement.”
This crew of Mongolian
nationals helped fabricate
and assemble 55 pieces
of equipment, including
930E haul trucks, in about
one year’s time in order
to get the OT mine up
and running.
“I’d say we did and are doing a very good job at
OT,” said Turnbull. “In fact, they tell us we’re the
best supplier they have. Our present challenge is to
increase revenues from other sources such as other
mines as well as construction-related contractors in
the country. That means beefing up our branch sales
and support teams.
“Long-term, our goal is to grow the Mongolian end
of the work force and expand it to top management,”
he added. “Again, it’s not going to happen overnight,
but that has to be our direction. I suspect we’ll
eventually take on a Mongolian partner, which
should help us win additional business going
forward.” n
Stephen Goodchild,
Manager,
OT Project
31
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