Plantman celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Founded by Michael Elliot in 1991, Plantman has become a staple provider to the Western Australian resource sector, servicing mining, earthmoving, construction and civil.
During this time, Plantman established itself as a leader in offering customised, high specification mobile earthmoving and mining equipment for sale and rental, together with maintenance, parts, engineering and fabrication services - building a reputation as pioneers of custom-built service fleets.
THE EARLY DAYS
Michael Elliot’s experience in sourcing world-class equipment started in his position at the Caterpillar dealership and held him in good stead to go out on his own.
In 1990 Michael started ‘Plantman’ with the business management support of Shaaron Whitton, first opening the head office and workshop in 1991 Perth, Western Australia.
“In the first five years we focused on importing equipment from Europe and North America for re-sale, which quickly developed into forming our own rental division for dry hire of machines with maintenance contracts Australia wide,” says Michael.
The resources boom saw a worldwide shortage of equipment, a pivotal time for Plantman who opened its doors to a workshop and service department to maintain its expanding rental fleet in the late 90s.
By the early 2000s, prices for commodities like iron ore, nickel, gold, oil and gas began rising, driven by increased demand from China and Plantman was ready to scale yet again in response.
Plantman’s success can be attributed to their ability to achieve a return on their investments. While competitors were having to replace end of life machinery more often, Michael followed Caterpillar’s second life philosophy of implementing high quality repairs and maintenance overhaul of equipment, resulting in lower operating cost per hour and longer life for expensive capital assets.
Series 6: P8000 Service Truck-Perth(2022)
INNOVATION PUTS PLANTMAN ON THE MAP
Plantman’s custom built Service fleet is what set them apart in the late 90s. Unique to the earthmoving industry at the time, the Plantman Service Truck was the first standardised and production-based service vehicle in development.
“We watched clients come up with makeshift solutions, such as drums and tanks of diesel and lubricant thrown on to the back of tray trucks. There was a range of issues around capacity, design, safety, and environment.”
Reorganising the inadequacy of this approach, in 1997 Plantman developed specialised service modules specifically designed for the maintenance of earthmoving fleets that would maximise efficiency and improve the quality of fuel and lubricant cleanliness during the storage, transport and transfer process.
Plantman produced its first P5000 Service truck, a multi-purpose on/off-road vehicle capable of carrying 5000 litres of diesel fuel and multiple types of grease and lubricants suitable to maintain a range of equipment, among other unique features.
This soon caught the attention of mine/maintenance managers.
“The high specification product far exceeded what was currently on the market… we had found our niche.”
This division flourishes today with more than 26 models designed and manufactured at the Bellevue facility including service trucks, diesel tankers, water trucks, crane trucks, and drill support trucks.
Business development manager Ashley Elliot and Sales manager Jotdan Elliot
30 YEARS ON
Fast forward to today and Plantman has 75 employees and a 200-strong rental fleet to support the mining, earthmoving, construction and civil industries, with strict upkeep policies to keep equipment current on a five-year replacement program.
Family remains at the core of its culture with both Michael's sons, Jordan and Ashley Elliot, who take on new responsibility and opportunities that come their way with 30 years of experience between them.
Through booms and busts, the entire Plantman team feel nostalgic to reach this milestone while dealing in and servicing an industry that is the backbone of Australian economy.
