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Second Fleet Win – Stockton Mine

18 May 10

The Gough Group has secured winning the second fleet of equipment required to complete the heavy equipment fleet for the Stockton Alliance.

The second fleet, which includes a significant Civil fleet of equipment, amounts to an additional 52 machines valued at more than $60 million. Together with the successful winning of the first mining fleet to Stockton Mine, Goughs and Caterpillar have now secured and will supply 95 machines to the mine, valued in excess of $120 million in total.

"These contracts represent the largest single orders for Caterpillar equipment in our 81 year history in New Zealand, and are testament to our collective efforts to offer a highly productive new Mining and Civil fleet, as well as the technical and “can do” attitude we have brought to the table for our customer, Solid Energy" said Gough Group CEO Karl Smith.

"I would like to personally acknowledge the extensive efforts of all those involved in assembling, testing and commissioning the flagship fleet on behalf of Solid Energy and the Stockton Alliance. We have ongoing a large amount of work to complete the commissioning and delivery of the full fleet over the next 7-8 months and we should all be proud of being part of this significant chapter in the Gough Group legacy and history" said Mr Smith.

GMH Cements Partnership with KiwiRail

14 May 10

Gough Materials Handling (GMH) and KiwiRail have cemented a long-term partnership with the supply of a full nationwide fleet of new HYSTER 48 tonne container handling forklifts.

The new HYSTER fleet, which will be active across KiwiRail’s national operation, are capable of lifting containers up to 40 tonnes and stacking up to 4 containers high for both 20 foot and 40 foot.

GMH General Manager Darren Allen says the partnership has formalised a long-term relationship with the operators of New Zealand’s rail network.

“The foundation of our partnership is the unparalleled back-up and 24-hour support that our national branch and mobile service network provides alongside the quality of the HYSTER product” says Darren.

“Quality equipment and quality support is nothing new to our relationship with KiwiRail. We’ve proven ourselves in both aspects over many years. All credit must go to the GMH support team, who continue to set high-standards, are adaptable and consistently professional.”

“The HYSTER brand has clearly established itself as market leader particularly in the container handling market” says Darren.

“They are highly evolved and extremely user-friendly. This brings significant operational and safety benefits – a priority for KiwiRail and the nations sea-ports where HYSTER is prevalent.”

The new HYSTER machines are fully equipped with state of the art safety features with fully automatic speed control and load control systems. The cab design has been likened to driving a late model luxury vehicle with features including an air suspension seat and full air conditioning. fingertip joystick control allows easy operation of all functions with overall visibility second to none.

Pictured: KiwiRail and GMH staff celebrate the commissioning of the HYSTER 40 tonne container forklifts

Equipment Group Meeting the Challenge

1 May 10

While the general New Zealand marketplace continues to be challenging for us all it is great to be able to report on the success story that is Stockton.

During the past month or so we have received, assembled and despatched the first batch of 6 x 740 Articulated Dump Trucks to the Stockton mine and are currently working on the 777Fs, 773s and D10s. We have had a full contingent of our team from right around the country helping out so a special thanks to all those who have been involved.

Some interesting facts and figures about the Stockton delivery include the fact we will spend more than 14,000 hours receiving, assembling, welding, delivering and commissioning the 43 units. It will take more than 95 separate truck movements to deliver them on site and all that has to happen between now and the end of May.

A special thanks also to those who have taken up the challenge in the branches while some of their colleagues have been in Christchurch helping with Stockton. Exceptional customer service to all our customers has always been a hallmark of the Goughs offer and it is great to see we have been able to keep all areas of the business going during this busy time.

Despite the tough economic conditions, we have continued to invest in the business and are pleased to advise that our new branch in New Plymouth was opened on 25th March. It's a co-share site with our transport cousins from TWL who will certainly improve their visibility with an impressive showroom. It's a great facility that will increase our efficiency and productivity in the Taranaki area. We will have a high focus on Contamination Control and know that Michael Normanton and his team will ensure that the new branch helps to deliver exceptional quality to our local customers.

February saw the latest intake of 11 apprentices. Spread around the country they will work through their apprenticeships over the next four years and emerge CAT qualified Heavy Diesel Technicians. As well as block courses they will have opportunities to work on a diverse range of equipment from engine rebuilds in our spec shops to general construction equipment and large mining equipment on site at Macraes Mine in Palmerston or the Stockton Alliance mine on the West Coast.

There's plenty going on at Goughs with many more initiatives currently being planned to improve our ability to serve our customers. Keep an eye out for the next Gough Times to find out what some of these actions will be at a Goughs branch near you.

Thanks and best regards

Geoff McCabe
General Manager - Equipment Group

Transport Group on Target

1 May 10

The last 12 months have been tough for all the markets where the Gough Transport Group operates. We have faced significant drops in truck and trailer registrations combined with lower freight volumes and lower kilometres travelled, all impacting our industry and, therefore, our sales.

On top of this we have had to deal with a general market squeeze on capital investment, new law changes, strong competition and a number of customers going under as a result of the slow economic conditions.

Despite these challenges the entire Transport Group is on target to meet our budgets and we are kilometres ahead of our previous year's performance. It is particularly pleasing to see significant performance improvements in Gough Transport Solutions from Australia and Gough Materials Handling; both now profitable and ahead of budget. Gough Materials Handling is having a very strong year in large truck sales combined with re-securing the Toll, KiwiRail and Tegel North Island business. This business, along with the reengineering project undertaken over the last 12 months, has ensured that Gough Materials Handling is in good shape and will finish the financial year well ahead of budget.

Transport Wholesale has enjoyed a gradual increase in average daily sales fuelled by the market swing to maintain and repair existing plant rather than replace the older equipment in their fleets. Transport Wholesale recently supplied Fonterra with a large order of wheel nut indicators as an important health and safety initiative to allow a simple visual check to avoid loose nuts causing expensive downtime and parts replacement or worse, catastrophic wheel detachment resulting in injury or death.

Transpecs have been very active in the new trailer market and even though this market has been soft this effort has resulted in major increases in market share for our principle brands including SAF, WABCO, EDBRO, ALCOA and RINGFEDER. This market share growth has been the result of promotions, success on major projects and renewed partnership with key OEM trailer builders. Transpecs have some exciting new developments and offers ahead.

Palfinger NZ too has suffered from the downturn in the construction industry, significantly reducing the number of cranes sold. Even though the volumes are down, market share has increased, cementing Palfinger as the number one choice for truck mounted mobile cranes in New Zealand. Palfinger NZ is currently enjoying some good success in the Hookloader market and excellent feedback and acceptance of its recently released MBB range of tail lifts.

I would like to thank the entire Transport Group Team for a great effort in difficult times.

Glenn Stapleton
General Manager - Gough Transport Group

Goughs Open Day a Success

1 May 10

Almost 1000 people enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate Goughs' single biggest machinery order in its history when they attended an open day at the company's Hornby base on March 13.

The $63 million contract means 43 pieces of Caterpillar mining equipment are being supplied to Solid Energy for its Stockton Opencast Mine on the West Coast.

Families and staff from both companies were able to inspect some of the machinery on display, including Caterpillar 777F and 773F dump trucks, excavators and Cat D10T dozers. Guests at the open day included Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.

On the Friday night Goughs hosted Canterbury members of the NZCF and Institute of Quarrying as part of the activities.

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