Why delivery timing matters

The globalised mining industry is a competitive space. Operators are continually looking to achieve higher production rates by utilising more reliable equipment with higher performance capabilities. The mining industry is a punishing environment and equipment is subject to degradation from the moment it enters service. 

Total cost of ownership (or TCO) represents the total cost required to own and operate equipment and includes the purchase price plus all operating, service, maintenance and repair costs over the asset’s lifespan, including cost of disposal and residual value on disposal.  

Given all of these factors, a key question for maintenance and asset managers is when to replace equipment to minimise cost? The optimum replacement age of equipment is defined as the time at which the total cost is at its minimum value. To keep equipment operating past this point will increase total costs and result in negative economic consequences. 

TCO analysis helps decision makers justify equipment replacement on the basis of total costs over the equipment’s useful life and allows the maintenance manager to specify the optimal replacement date at the time of equipment purchase. 

The timing of retiring equipment assets and replacing with new equipment is carefully planned and there is a long lead time for decision-making. 

Failure to effect a change over as planned might have significant financial consequences as the operator might have to perform expensive maintenance and rebuilds that cannot be fully amortised by the time the equipment is replaced. 

Shermac are wise to this issue and understand the critical importance that maintenance and asset managers attach to delivery timing. 

Shermac has been providing customised, engineered-for-purpose service vehicles and water carts to the resource sector for two decades. Over this time, Shermac has evolved into a ‘one-stop shop’, that can see a project through from beginning to end, and supply everything needed to create a workable solution. 

Shermac’s in-house capabilities include design and engineering, procurement, complete fabrication capabilities including assembly, testing, hydraulic engineering, auto electric, blast/paint and commissioning, and extends to transport, delivery, operator training, after-sales support and parts. 

This end-to-end capability helps to optimise the performance and efficiency of the Shermac business by eliminating the middle-man and providing a much more predictable cost base with complete accountability for quality and project timelines. For customers, it means that Shermac has an unbroken line-of-sight from initial concepts through to final delivery that minimises delivery timing risk and supports total cost of ownership goals of maintenance and asset managers. 

Shermac has been providing customised, engineered-for-purpose service vehicles and water carts to the resource sector for two decades. Over this time, Shermac has evolved into a ‘one-stop shop’, and in this blog, we’d like to examine why this is important and how it benefits customers.

One-stop describes an end-to-end process that takes a service from beginning to end and delivers a complete functional solution. Shermac is a partner that can see a project through from beginning to end, and supply everything needed to create a workable solution.

Shermac’s in-house capabilities include design and engineering, procurement, complete fabrication capabilities including assembly, testing, hydraulic engineering, auto electric, blast/paint and commissioning, and extends to transport, delivery, operator training, after-sales support and parts.

From Shermac’s perspective, this end-to-end capability is the realisation of a philosophy that helps to optimise the performance and efficiency of the business by eliminating the middle-man and provides a much more predictable cost base with complete control over quality and improved management of project timelines.

From a customer perspective, it means that Shermac has a complete and unbroken line-of-sight from initial concepts through to final delivery and has full accountability for every aspect of the project.

While many contractors may argue they have one-stop capability, this often only applies to fabrication of standard, off-the-shelf products, and any level of customisation will require extensive use of third parties for design, sourcing and fabrication, with the resultant loss of control and breakdown of the accountability trail.

There are two key elements here. Customisation is the norm and is critical as vehicle design must reflect the specific operational needs for the unique environment of the customer. Customisation is not just tinkering with standard designs and configurations. It means ground-up design that reflects the specific operational needs and unique operating environment of the customer.  When it comes to service vehicles, one-size definitely does not fit all.

If, for example, a client’s operational needs demand a non-standard hydraulic system that required the services of a third-party contractor, and there was a subsequent issue with the system, it can be a nightmare for the client to identify and contact the contractor for documentation, servicing and repairs. With Shermac, all these processes are completed in-house by our team of specialists, meaning one point of call for the client if there are any queries down the track.

For Shermac, customisation is part of our DNA and the natural accompaniment to customisation is concept-to-delivery engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Not only does this ensure a product that is designed to perform as intended within defined parameters, it also ensures complete control over quality and project timelines while ensuring transparency and accountability that minimises buyer risk and minimises total cost of ownership.

Customisation 

Shermac has been building customised, engineered-for-purpose service trucks and other service vehicles for the resource sector for two decades. Customisation is not just tinkering with standard designs and configurations. It means ground-up design that reflects the specific operational needs and unique operating environment of the customer.  

Customisation requires a desire to understand the specific challenges faced by a customer, a deep-seated intellectual curiosity to look for ways to solve problems and do things better, and concept-to-delivery engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Our engineers and designers seek input from all stakeholders including operators, supervisors and maintenance staff to get a detailed understanding of performance objectives and operating environment. 

Innovation 

The mining support vehicle market is highly competitive and is congested with options for buyers. At Shermac we believe we cannot stand still, and so innovation is part of our DNA. 

We are focussed on supporting asset and maintenance managers and protecting them from the risk of unnecessary and costly downtime. We thrive on complexity as this is where the problems lie. Complexity helps us to surface all the issues and to apply our problem-solving and innovation skills to solve every potential challenge faced by our customers. 

Safety 

At Shermac we say, “safety is engineered in; hazards are engineered out”. An operator of a service vehicle will visit a number of different locations during the course of a shift and will perform a range of service tasks and Shermac are relentlessly driven to create safer operating systems and improved operator ergonomics. 

Operator ergonomics 

The most common task performed by an operator is refuelling and an operator might be required to access the hose reel up to 50 times per day.  While many service vehicles have hose reel access above shoulder height, Shermac position the hose reel as low as possible at an ergonomic height for handling and reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. 

On many service vehicles, filters are located behind the hose reels and operator access is difficult. Shermac service vehicles are designed to position pumps and filters away from hose reels and be accessible from the opposite side of the truck. The result is that operators performing routine maintenance tasks on their vehicles are no longer working in a confined space, improving task efficiency and reducing risk.  

Safe systems 

Grease is essential for lubricating heavy production machinery, but because of its high viscosity, grease injection systems operate under high pressure. Our optional remote-controlled grease pressure release system is a good example of system safety, as it allows the operator to immediately relieve pressure in the grease line and eliminate the risk of grease injection injuries. 

Lowest risk 

We look at risk through the eyes of our customers and we actively minimise design and engineering risk, delivery risk and performance risk. This means that customers get a custom designed and engineered product on-time, on-budget and as-specified, that is entirely fit-for-purpose and ready to do the job it is expected to do. The Shermac design process is fastidious and seeks inputs from all stakeholders, fabrication and testing is fully transparent, and documentation and handover is extremely comprehensive. At the time the asset is put into service, owners can be assured that the equipment is designed and fabricated in accordance with its required operating envelope.   

Lowest cost of ownership 

The total cost of ownership (or TCO) includes the purchase price of a particular asset plus all operating, service, maintenance and repair costs over the asset’s lifespan. With a long service life, the initial up-front cost of a product is often only a small part of TCO and purchasing managers know that while good procurement is achieving the right price, best value for money is the lowest lifetime cost. 

The most crucial factor in minimising TCO is to ensure that operating practices adhere absolutely to operations within the asset’s designed operating envelope. This highlights the critical importance of customisation to ensure that each asset is designed to perform a specific range of work and bound by a specific range of inputs and outputs. 

A second critical requirement is effective operator care. The operator plays a vital role in controlling total cost of ownership as properly maintained assets require less energy, can consistently maintain rated performance and generate near perfect product quality. Shermac design and engineer equipment to ensure that operator maintenance can be performed quickly and easily including ‘self-reporting’ products that alert the operator to maintenance needs. 

Finally, in conjunction with proper operation, effective asset care has a direct impact on total cost of ownership, including preventative maintenance, scheduled replacements and periodic rebuilds. Again, Shermac’s focus on details such as chassis selection, product selection and durability, ease of access and maintenance and availability of spare parts all contribute to effective asset care. 

Experience 

Established in 2002 and an Australian family-owned business, Shermac has unprecedented experience in custom-built, fit for purpose and lowest cost of ownership service vehicles for mining and civil environments.  

The Shermac team has a deep understanding of operating in remote areas of Australia, so we can relate to the tough conditions and environment customers deal with on a daily basis. 

With our global procurement network and concept-to-delivery engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we have the resources and expertise to design and build individual vehicles or entire fleets for any industry, operational requirement, or environment. We operate from our state-of-art manufacturing facility in Western Australia, and we are constantly updating our processes to keep up with the latest equipment and technological advances to maximise efficiency. 

The crucial part of our process is the ability to listen to our customers, build relationships, and design solutions that best suit our clients’ needs and requirements.  

That’s it. That’s why we’re successful. 

Total cost of ownership (or TCO) includes the purchase price of a particular asset plus all operating, service, maintenance and repair costs over the asset’s lifespan, including cost of disposal and residual value on disposal. 

Whole of life costs can be categorised into purchasing, operating and disposal, and might include the following: 

Purchasing 

Developing a business case, the tender process, purchase price of equipment, delivery costs, staff training and annual insurance.

Operating & Asset Care 

Maintenance and servicing, spare parts, repair costs and consumables.

Disposal 

Decommissioning, transport away from the worksite, fees for disposal of parts and money received on sale.

With a long service life, the initial up-front cost of a product is often only a small part of TCO and purchasing managers know that while good procurement is achieving the right price, best value for money is the lowest lifetime cost.

While minimising lifetime operating and asset care costs requires best practice by management, the manufacturer can make a significant contribution to TCO through quality design, engineering and product build. There are three critical factors in managing TCO to minimise the incurred cost of operations and maintenance. 

The most crucial factor in minimising TCO is to ensure that operating practices adhere absolutely to operations within the asset’s designed operating envelope. This highlights the critical importance of customisation to ensure that each asset is designed to perform a specific range of work and bound by a specific range of inputs and outputs. 

A second critical requirement is effective operator care. The operator plays a vital role in controlling total cost of ownership as properly maintained assets require less energy, can consistently maintain rated performance and generate near perfect product quality. Shermac design and engineer equipment to ensure that operator maintenance can be performed quickly and easily including ‘self-reporting’ products that alert the operator to maintenance needs. 

Finally, in conjunction with proper operation, effective asset care has a direct impact on total cost of ownership, including preventative maintenance, scheduled replacements and periodic rebuilds. Again, Shermac’s focus on details such as chassis selection, product selection and durability, ease of access and maintenance and availability of spare parts all contribute to effective asset care. 

The net result is predictable and low lifetime cost of ownership of Shermac equipment, and outstanding value for money. 

Weight distribution  

Shermac has been providing customised, engineered-for-purpose service trucks and other service vehicles to the resource sector for two decades. Customisation is critical as vehicle design must reflect the specific operational needs for the unique environment of the customer. When it comes to service vehicles, it is quite apparent that one-size definitely does not fit all. 

A good example of Shermac’s approach to customisation is the critical matter of weight distribution that can be summarised in the following schematic: 

Operating environment 

If the vehicle will be used on public highways, weights are limited by both the technical weight the vehicle can carry as specified by the manufacturer, and the legal restrictions as defined in the relevant road transport legislation. For instance, on the highway the allowable weight on a single front axle is seven tonnes but the vehicle’s technical weight limit might be twelve tonnes. Even though the truck is designed to carry the higher weight, it is illegal to do so on a public road. 

For exclusively off-road use, weights are limited solely by the manufacturers technical weight limit, and these will typically be higher than the on-road limits. For off-road applications, an understanding of site conditions is critical to determining chassis and configuration. 

Intended use 

The intended use of the vehicle will determine the number and type of tanks, the fluid volumes to be carried and the configuration of delivery systems. In addition, items such as roll-over protection, bull bars and tools all add weight that must be considered in load and distribution calculations.  

Chassis 

Once all the critical operating parameters are understood, the appropriate chassis can be determined. Off-road specifications vary greatly; for example, one 8 x 4 chassis may have double the carrying capacity of another, and this might be the difference between carrying 10,000L or 15,000L of fuel and result in significant changes in vehicle uptime and productivity. 

Custom Configuration 

A manufacturer of standard service vehicles has a severe disadvantage when it comes to weight distribution. Mounting a standard body on any given chassis eliminates the capability to optimise design and configuration, and ultimately this impacts compliance, productivity and utilisation, and, potentially, safety. 

Shermac engineers utilise technology that allows them to exactly measure vehicle load and to ensure that the load is properly distributed between the axles.  

Weight distribution and compliance is verified at several stages in the Shermac customisation process. An initial weight report is submitted at quotation, another is submitted at completion of detailed design and engineering, and a final weight report is submitted pre-delivery. This is a precise art as the smallest shift can move a service vehicle from compliance into non-compliance. 

In addition to weight distribution, Shermac engineers ensure that operator ergonomics, safety and productivity are all optimised ensuring the highest level of performance. 

Customisation requires an understanding of the specific challenges faced by any customer, a deep-seated intellectual curiosity to look for ways to solve problems and do things better, and concept-to-delivery engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

MINE SPEC Industries was established in April 2014 to provide maintenance solutions for mobile and fixed plant in the mining, industrial and transport industries. Services include transport and logistics, equipment procurement, wet and dry equipment hire and project management. 
 
MINE SPEC Industries will inspect, maintain, diagnose, repair and overhaul mobile and fixed plant and equipment such as work platforms, lighting towers, material handling equipment and on / off road vehicles of all types and descriptions. MINE SPEC personnel will perform these services at client facilities, on job sites or at one of its service centres. 

MINE SPEC has experienced tremendous growth since start-up and, in part, its success has been attributable to the decisions the company has made about the equipment it uses to service its customers, and a strong focus on achieving uptime, productivity and utilisation goals. 

When MINE SPEC wanted to procure a service vehicle for its rental fleet, they were introduced to Shermac through a business associate who invited them to inspect Shermac equipment that they owned. 

Jason Tatchell from MINE SPEC said “We were extremely impressed with our findings and while we investigated multiple options, it was the Shermac product that outshone the competition, and nothing came close to the customer service and build-quality that Shermac offered us” 

Shermac has been providing customised, engineered-for-purpose service vehicles to the resource sector for two decades. Customisation is critical as vehicle design must reflect the specific operational needs for the unique environment of the customer. MINE SPEC are no different and had specific customisation requirements, and Jason commented “Shermac communicated with us constantly and implemented any custom requirements that we needed with ease” 

The vehicle was delivered in-time and on-budget, and Jason noted, “the equipment successfully solved the specific challenges and business needs that MINE SPEC wanted to address” adding, “We have been involved with the hire industry since 1991 and the Shermac product is the best on the market in our opinion and in our experience thus far. We are now experiencing less downtime due to a superior product being used in harsh and hostile working environments. Nothing else comes close” 

Jason concluded, “Shermac were professional and instrumental in seeking a fast solution to the issue at hand. This support and service has ensured that Shermac are our preferred heavy vehicle and body provider for our operations here in South Australia” 

Shermac engineer safety in and hazards out

Bunding is a constructed retaining wall around an area where potentially polluting substances are handled, processed and stored for the purposes of containing any unintended escape of material from that area until such time as a remedial action can be taken. 

While service vehicles will carry large volumes of potentially polluting substances such as oils and diesel fuel, Australian standards for bunding were developed for static tanks and do not formally extend to mobile equipment such as mining service vehicles. 

Despite the lack of applicable standards, minimising unintended escape of potentially polluting substances and environmental responsibility are top-of-mind for Shermac engineers. 

In all Shermac small service vehicles and trailers, the individual storage tanks sit in a chassis-mounted collective bund with a capacity of 110% of the largest single tank. Larger mining service vehicles may have 15,000L to 20,000L of diesel fuel on board, and a 110% bund would significantly increase empty weight and would result in a 50% reduction in the amount of fuel that the vehicle could carry with a commensurate reduction in operational effectiveness. 

The risk of storage tank leakage is remote, and any spillage is more likely to occur at the delivery system – pumps, hoses and filters. Shermac optimise plumbing configurations so that pump and reel compartments have bunds of approximately 1,000L to catch potential leaks in the event of component failure. In addition to bunds, all Shermac’s service vehicles and trailers have a dedicated filter bin and all replaced filters are placed in the filter bin to drain oil into the waste oil tank. 

This is of particular significance to businesses that service equipment on construction sites where operators might be tempted to service equipment using oil drums, funnels and collection trays, and the risk of oil spills are much higher. The use of purpose-built service equipment with specialised delivery and collection systems affords a massive reduction in the risk of spills and the likelihood of public scrutiny. 

These examples illustrate Shermac’s commitment to environmental responsibility and engineering safety in and hazards out and to maximise operator wellbeing, vehicle uptime and productivity with predictable lifetime cost. 

Shermac engineer safety in and hazards out 

An operator of a service vehicle will visit a number of different locations during the course of a shift and will perform a range of repetitive service tasks. The most common task is refueling, and the link between the service vehicle and the equipment to be refueled is the fuel hose, and an operator might be required to access the hose reel up to 50 times per day. 

Because refueling volumes are large, they need high capacity delivery systems and fuel hoses are often heavy and large hoses that may be 15 metres or more in length. The challenge of handling heavy hoses increases when working in hilly terrain or on soft surfaces that are common on mines sites. 

The constant need to roll-out and rewind the hose reels present a potential ergonomic risk to the operator of repetitive strain injury. The process is further exacerbated by the need to keep the discharge nozzle clean to prevent contaminants entering the fuel tank. 

To minimise the risk of repetitive strain injuries, Shermac actively optimises operator ergonomics on all its vehicles. 

While many service vehicles have hose reel access higher than shoulder height, Shermac position the hose reel as low as possible,at an ergonomic height for handling and reducing the risk of shoulder injuries. 

Lightweight hoses might have a spring rewind system, but this is not suitable for fuel hoses as the spring tension required to rewind a long, heavy hose increases the effort required for an operator to pull out.  

The typical Shermac fuel hose has a manual roll-out and hydraulic or pneumatic assisted rewind. On roll-out, the hose clutch is disengaged and the reel free-wheels for easy delivery, and the powered rewind does all the rewind work. 

Once refuelling is finished, the operator has to walk back to the service vehicle holding the nozzle-end of the hose off the ground to prevent it getting dirty and leaving a loop of hose on the ground. Once at the vehicle, the operator activates the rewind switch and manages the rewind while all the time keeping the nozzle off the ground and clean. 

While this is an ergonomic solution, there is a better option available from Shermac. Once refueling is finished, the operator can activate the rewind via a remote rewind switch on a wrist-band and simply walks the hose reel back to the service vehicle. 

Continuous improvement is part of Shermac DNA, and future fuel delivery developments potentially include the use of fuel booms with short flexible hose lengths to further improve operator ergonomics and optimise productivity. 

These examples illustrate Shermac’s commitment to engineering safety in and hazards out and to maximise operator well being, vehicle up-time and productivity with predictable lifetime cost. 

On mining and civil sites, service vehicles are constantly in motion. They support critical equipment, respond to breakdowns, and keep operations running across large and often remote environments. The people operating these vehicles play a direct role in maintaining uptime, safety and productivity.

Yet the design of a service vehicle can either support the operator or work against them. Small engineering decisions influence how efficiently tasks are completed, how safely equipment is accessed, and how consistently performance is maintained across long shifts.

Understanding what operator ergonomics really means, and how it shapes day-to-day performance, is the first step toward building safer, more capable heavy equipment support vehicles.

What operator ergonomics means in heavy equipment operations

Operator ergonomics in heavy equipment refers to how a vehicle is designed to support the physical demands of daily servicing tasks. In mine-spec service trucks, operators spend extended hours driving between locations, accessing compartments, handling equipment and completing repetitive maintenance activities.

Practical ergonomics focuses on key design elements:

• Reach zones: How far an operator must extend to access controls, hoses or components.
• Control placement: How naturally tasks can be performed without twisting or overreaching.
• Visibility: Clear sightlines around machinery, personnel and the service area.
• Vibration management: Reducing long-term physical strain during operation and travel.
• Safe access systems: Minimising unnecessary handling when entering, exiting or working on the deck.
• Environmental factors: Conditions within and around the vehicle that influence overall usability.

When these elements are poorly considered, risk increases and performance suffers.

How poor operator ergonomics increases fatigue and injury risk

In heavy equipment servicing, small inefficiencies compound over time. Operators repeat the same movements across long shifts in mining and remote conditions. They open and close compartments, handle hoses, access tools and move between ground level and the service deck.

When vehicle design does not support these tasks, operators are exposed to:

• Awkward postures when reaching into poorly positioned compartments
• Repetitive actions that increase cumulative strain
• Musculoskeletal stress from constant bending, twisting and climbing
• Reduced concentration as physical fatigue builds
• Higher error risk when working around live machinery

Across extended shifts, the body’s ability to reduce strain diminishes. Fatigue increases. Focus declines. In high-risk environments, that combination directly impacts safety, servicing accuracy and overall site performance.

Engineering ergonomic improvements into daily workflows

At Shermac, operator ergonomics is engineered into every service vehicle from the initial design stage. Each build is shaped around real servicing conditions on mining and civil sites, where operators repeat tasks throughout long shifts in demanding environments.

Below are several examples of how this approach is applied across our mine-spec service trucks.

Lighter service doors that reduce repetitive strain

Service vehicle doors are opened and closed dozens of times per shift. In traditional builds, steel doors combined with gas struts require force to close, especially after repeated use.

That repetitive motion increases operator fatigue over time.

Shermac manufactures service doors from lightweight aluminium, reducing weight by approximately 66 percent compared to steel alternatives. The benefit is practical:

• Less force required to close doors
• Reduced repetitive strain across the shift
• Lower cumulative fatigue
• Improved operator comfort

A simple material change, engineered for long-term usability in harsh conditions.

Repositioned pumps and filters to eliminate awkward postures

In many service trucks, pumps and filters are positioned behind hose reels. Operators must reach into confined spaces to complete routine maintenance.

That layout creates:

• Awkward postures
• Overreaching
• Increased musculoskeletal stress
• Slower servicing workflows

Shermac separates pumps and filters from hose reel assemblies and positions them on the opposite side of the truck. This redesign delivers:

• Reach minimisation
• Clearer access to service components
• Reduced confined access risk
• Improved workflow efficiency

Operators can complete routine checks and maintenance in a more natural working position.

Permanent walk-in access that improves safety

Fold-down steps require repeated handling and introduce additional movement at every stop. In dusty or uneven site conditions, entry and exit risks increase.

Shermac incorporates a permanent walk-in access configuration designed to support safer access to the service deck.

This approach provides:

• Stable entry and exit points
• Better three points of contact alignment
• Reduced repetitive handling
• Safer access in dusty environments

The result is consistent, controlled deck access throughout long shifts on remote sites.

Environmental factors that affect operator comfort on site

Mining and civil environments introduce additional physical stress that directly affects operator ergonomics. Key environmental factors include:

• Dust and air quality: Fine particles entering cabins or compartments increase discomfort and distraction.
• Heat and air conditioning performance: High ambient temperatures elevate fatigue without effective cooling systems.
• Noise exposure: Constant equipment noise contributes to mental and physical strain.
• Vibration: Rough terrain and heavy equipment movement increase cumulative fatigue over long shifts.
• Remote site conditions: Extended travel distances and limited recovery time amplify physical demand.

Mine-spec vehicles must be engineered to manage these conditions through durable construction, effective sealing and well-designed enclosed compartments.

Removing high-pressure hazards through engineered design

Grease systems are essential for maintaining heavy equipment, but they operate under extremely high pressure. If a grease nipple becomes blocked, pressure can build in the line, increasing the risk of injection injuries when disconnecting the gun.

Shermac offers an optional remote-controlled grease pressure release system that allows operators to safely relieve line pressure before disconnection. This design eliminates unnecessary exposure to high-pressure hazards and reduces the risk of serious injury.

By engineering risk out of routine servicing tasks, operators are better protected, unplanned incidents are reduced, and downtime linked to injury or equipment damage is minimised. It also supports site WHS expectations around safe servicing practices.

Designing for safety, compliance and long-term uptime

Operator ergonomics directly affects how safely and efficiently your team can service equipment. When vehicles are engineered around real site conditions, tasks are completed with less strain and fewer delays.

Shermac mine-spec service trucks are designed to meet strict site requirements while supporting practical, operator-focused layouts. Every Shermac build follows ISO9001:2015 quality processes and is engineered for durability in harsh Australian conditions.

If you are reviewing your fleet or planning a new service vehicle, speak with our team.

THE PROBLEM 

Many mining companies require the service and ancillary support vehicles working on their sites to be customised for particular tasks, conditions or needs. But this can become problematic when the company’s need is short term and it doesn’t wish to buy the vehicle outright. Or, it may not have the budget for capital expenditure, but has funds from an operational budget available for hiring a vehicle. However, finding one that exactly suits the company’s needs but doesn’t have to be added to the permanent fleet can be difficult. 

THE SOLUTION 

The solution to these dilemmas, for many mining companies, is to hire the vehicles they require instead of buying them. But given these are not run-of-the-mill vehicles that can be picked up at just any hire company, assistance from a specialised hire firm is needed.  

One such company is Western Plant Hire, based near Perth. With 50 staff and more than 15 years’ experience, WPH specialises in renting service vehicles and equipment to mining and civil companies across WA and beyond. As it has grown, so has the demand for vehicles that suit the specific needs of its customers. 

 Five years ago WPH began sourcing customised vehicles from Australia’s leading manufacturer of customised mining vehicles, Shermac, also based in WA. It now regularly uses Shermac’s customised service trucks and water trucks to supply its clients with rental vehicles. Currently it has 15 Shermac vehicles in its fleet with more on order. 

Executive general manager Luke Mateljan says the company uses Shermac for several reasons including quality, turnaround time, support levels and personal integrity. He says, ‘Shermac design vehicles differently. They have a knack for being able to reconfigure a truck so that, for example, where additional fuel tank capacity but less oil might be needed, they can come up with a design that provides this.’  

Luke also praises the speed at which Shermac responds to quote requests. ‘They make the purchasing process easy with quotes back very quickly. Sometimes we can confirm a price back to our client and secure an order all within a few hours,’ he says.   

Because Shermac are experienced in the supply of custom vehicles to the mining industry, they know the mine site compliance and design requirements of WPH’s customers. The end product we receive is always 100% work ready and within the design limits of the vehicle.  

For instance, when a client requested a drill support truck with water, fuel, oil and grease on a 4×4 chassis, care needed to be taken to ensure that the vehicle was not overloaded but still had the required quantities of fluids on board. Standard, readily available 4×4 trucks would have been overloaded when the vehicle was full, however Shermac were able to source a custom Scania truck option with increased capacity to meet the requirements of both the client and the manufacturer. 

No matter how high the quality of a vehicle, there is always going to be a need for repair and maintenance support. Again, Shermac excels with what Luke Mateljan describes as, ‘back up second to none’ with fast response to repair needs. He says when a problem is presented, Shermac is very quick to resolve the issue, focusing on resolution, not blame. 

As well, WPH says Shermac will pull out all the stops if a customised vehicle is needed within a shorter timeframe than is usual.  All these reasons make Shermac the ideal partner for firms hiring customised service vehicles to heavy industry customers.