Specialty mining equipment manufacturer Austin Engineering has been recognised by The Australian Financial Review (AFR) as one of Australia and New Zealand’s Most Innovative Companies of 2019 for its unique two-piece excavator bucket.
In the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category of the annual AFR / Boss Magazine Most Innovative Companies listing, the Brisbane-based mining equipment designer and manufacturer ranked second out of more than 800 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Compilation and ranking of the annual list by a panel of expert judges is based on a rigorous assessment process. And, for the first time in 2019, organisations were ranked directly against their peers.
The assessment process measures a unique innovation implemented in the past 12 months. Specifically, the judges look at how valuable the problem is that the innovation is solving, the quality and uniqueness of the solution, and the level of impact that the innovation has had. Cultural aspects of the company that demonstrate a sustainable and repeatable approach to innovation, including strategies, resources and process, are also part of the assessment process.
Designed and manufactured in Australia by Austin Engineering, the two-piece bucket features well-defined reusable upper and consumable lower structures, designed for quick and safe bucket change-outs during scheduled maintenance intervals. The reusable upper section has been designed to maintain overall structural integrity of the assembly for a predetermined service life through multiple change-outs of the lower, consumable, section.
Both sections of the bucket are fabricated with combinations of high-strength steel for maximum fatigue resistance and durability. According to Austin Engineering, typical baseline service life for the upper section service will be in the vicinity of 30,000 hours – approximately four to five years based on industry expectations of conventional one-piece buckets of similar size and capacities.
“This is a prestigious award and we are honoured to be a recipient,” said Peter Forsyth, Managing Director at Austin Engineering. “Our commitment to the mining industry, our industry, has been one of innovation and our product range reflects that commitment. We are committed to developing and manufacturing the reliable equipment our customers demand to maintain productivity and profitability. And we are not about to change our approach.”