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Board of Directors

Dale Elphinstone, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Dale Elphinstone

Executive Chairman and Founder

Dale Elphinstone has never been afraid of a challenge. He often tells people “We did it because we didn’t know we couldn’t”.

Dale's relationship with Caterpillar began in 1966 at 15 as an apprentice with Victorian and Tasmanian Cat Dealer, William Adams. He then was employed as a Field Service Mechanic across Tasmanian and King Island mine sites and later worked for Canadian Cat Dealer, Finning for 2 years.

Now, just 40 years later, Dale has established Elphinstone as a recognised Cat OEM, manufacturing Haulmax 3900 series off-highway haul trucks, Railmax RMT15F road-rail excavators and Elphinstone underground support vehicles.

Kelly Elphinstone, Non-Executive Director

Kelly Elphinstone

Non-Executive Director

Kelly is an Executive Director of the Elphinstone Group, a private, family-owned global enterprise which today consists of ten operating businesses and substantial property and equity portfolios.

Involved with the Elphinstone Group for over 30 years, Kelly is either a Director or the Chair on the Boards of all operating businesses within her responsibility, including ASX-listed company Engenco Limited.

Kelly also maintains the Group’s Government relations.

Outside of the Elphinstone Group, Kelly is a Member of the Young President’s Organisation (YPO) and Chief Executive Women (CEW).

Kelly is also a Director of the Tasmanian Mining, Manufacturing and Energy Council and a member of the Tasmanian Defence Industry Advisory Committee (DIAC).

Warren Young, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Warren Young

Managing Director

Warren commenced his career with Dale B Elphinstone Pty Ltd (Underground Mining) in January 1989 as a cadet, combining on the job experience with Mechanical Engineering studies.

The company continued to expand globally as Warren worked extensively in research, development, and design, culminating in a Senior Management oversight role for several years prior to the sale of the business to Caterpillar Inc. in 2000.

Continuing with the Elphinstone Group, Warren was appointed the role of Managing Director at William Adams Caterpillar, combining considerable leadership experience and engineering knowledge in heavy equipment applications.

In February 2021, Warren was appointed Managing Director of Elphinstone Pty Ltd, overseeing the company’s product development, sales, and manufacturing activities. Warren holds several Elphinstone Group Directorships including the oversight of Phu Thai Cat, the Caterpillar Dealer in Vietnam.

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Defence

Elphinstone Defence Partnerships

Elphinstone Defence Partnerships

Building on our extensive history of quality, reliability and dependability in underground mining, Elphinstone is partnering with Defence OEMs on large-scale machine and structure fabrication and assembly projects.

Elphinstone is wholly Australian-owned.  We have operated in Burnie, Tasmania, since 1975 and are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and manufacturing equipment.  With a highly skilled and qualified workforce, a well-established supply chain, and daily direct freight routes to mainland Australia via Melbourne and Geelong, Elphinstone has the ability to meet the most stringent customer requirements.

Defence Projects

  • LAND400 Phase 2
    Elphinstone were an integral part of Team Sentinel as the potential manufacturer of the ST Kinetics Terrex 3 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle.  While Team Sentinel was unable to proceed to RMA, our participation in this project demonstrated Elphinstone’s capability to meet the needs of the defence force and provide sovereign manufacturing capability.
  • LAND8116
    In February 2022 Elphinstone entered a contract with Hanwha Defence Australia for the manufacturing of turret and hull structures for the Huntsman AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzers and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles. Main image: An RoK K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, the parent platform for the improved Australian AS9 Huntsman.
  • LAND400 Phase 3
    Elphinstone is teaming with Hanwha Defence Australia for the manufacture of hull structures for the Redback vehicle, which has been down selected for the Australian Army’s Infantry Fighting Vehicle requirement.

Global Presence

Elphinstone has serviced the global mining market for many years and has extensive working experience with international companies.  Being wholly Australian-owned, we can contribute significantly to AIC and ACE objectives.  We are able to compete on a global scale for cost and quality.  And due to our location in Tasmania, we use 100% net renewable energy.

Our Capabilities

Elphinstone has significant manufacturing capabilities including:

  • Large-scale complex metal fabrication– heavy, medium and light gauge, mild steel, hardened steel armoured plate, stainless steel.
  • 5 axis machining of workpieces up to 4.0m(H) x 4.5m(W) x 10.0m(L) and 50MT.
  • Plasma cutting and pressing (up to 1,000 MT).
  • Abrasive blasting and painting.
  • Non-destructive testing.
  • Machine assembly – powertrain, hydraulic and electrical systems.
  • Cab and vehicle body fit-out.
  • Electrical harness manufacture.

Jigs and fixtures are designed in-house and are extensively used to facilitate efficient, accurate and repeatable manufacturing processes.  We are certified to ISO9001:2015 and are able to meet all customer, Australian and International standards for fabrication processes.  Elphinstone also holds a DISP membership (entry-level).

The team at Elphinstone pride itself on maintaining direct and open communications with all of our stakeholders, and providing the highest levels of quality and reliability to our customers.

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Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Elphinstone Pty Ltd & Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO).

At Elphinstone, we care about our planet and support packaging recyclability. We are an active member of APCO.

What is APCO?

APCO is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. APCO works with governments, businesses and other organisations from across Australia’s large and complex packaging value chain to develop the insights, resources and programs that are needed to build a sustainable national packaging ecosystem.

To find out more about APCO, please visit apco.org.au/about-apco

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

  1. Maximising the collection and recycling of used packaging materials on our sites.
  2. Reducing the volume of non-recycled and non-recyclable packaging for our products.

Each year, we submit an APCO Annual Report and an APCO Action Plan. Please download our latest report via the link provided.

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Work Experience and Internships

Internships & Work Experience

Work Experience and Internships

Would you like to gain valuable experience working with the most successful name in Australian-produced underground mining equipment and add a well-respected reference to your resume?

Elphinstone provides internships for undergraduate students over the summer university break (December to February) in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Project Management.

Your time with us will see you using your skills in real-life situations, and give you access to experts in your field.

We also offer work experience to secondary school students from February through to November, with placements available in Fabrication, Assembly, Logistics and Warehousing, and Finance and Administration.

Elphinstone will provide you with a better understanding of our industry and our business, and help you choose your future career.

For Students and Parents

If interested in Work Experience please speak with your school coordinator. We will always endeavour to accommodate the selected dates (ensuring at least 1-month notice is given), but unfortunately, this may not be possible in some instances. We will work with your school on an alternative if this can be arranged.

Prior to starting you will need to complete (along with your parents and your school) any relevant paperwork and the online learning modules that will be sent to the email address you provide.

For Schools

  • Adequate timeframe - Elphinstone requires a minimum of 1 month's notice for all Work Experience (Work Placement) requests. Noting there is no guarantee on dates but we will definitely try and work a solution if the student's dates are unavailable.
  • Paperwork - All paperwork must be signed by the student, parents & the school before placement can be confirmed.
  • Insurance - To be placed in the Elphinstone Work Experience Program, students must be covered by the school's liability insurance. All schools are required to provide evidence of adequate insurance coverage before placement can be undertaken.

To find out more about our Work Experience and Internships, please call our Human Resources team on +61 3 6442 7777 or email careers@elphinstone.com

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is an equal-opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

Our History

The Elphinstone name is synonymous with underground mining

Dale Elphinstone has never been afraid of a challenge.  In fact he often tells people “we did it because we didn’t know we couldn’t”.

Since modifying Cat surface mining equipment to suit underground applications out of his Fathers shed on their Mooreville Road, Burnie farm in 1975, the Elphinstone name has been synonymous with underground mining.

Elphinstone’s first fully designed and manufactured underground mining product was a 13 tonne articulated dump truck, which was sold to Agnew Mining in 1983.  Three years later, in 1986, the first Elphinstone designed and manufactured underground load haul dump (LHD), the R1500, was sold.  One short year thereafter, in 1987, the Company exported its first machine overseas to the Henderson molybdenum mine in Clear Creek County, Colorado.

The Caterpillar OEM continued to develop and refine their underground mining equipment range, which led to their specialisation in LHDs and articulated dump and ejector trucks.   All products were built around Cat components and sold via Cat Dealers globally.

Between the years of 1975 and 1995, Elphinstone had delivered underground mining machines to over 50 locations around Australia and more than 35 global export sites across 5 continents.

Elphinstone’s success quickly drew the greater attention of Caterpillar and the two parties established a 50/50 joint venture in 1995, creating the business known as Caterpillar Elphinstone Pty Ltd.  Five short years later, Caterpillar exercised their option to purchase the remaining 50% of the business in 2000 and eventually replaced the Elphinstone name with the world famous Caterpillar trademark.

Not that Caterpillar has ever been far removed from the Elphinstone story.

Dale Elphinstone’s relationship with Caterpillar began in 1966 at the age of 15 as an apprentice with Victorian and Tasmanian Cat Dealer, William Adams. Following his trade qualification came employment as a Field Service Mechanic across Tasmanian and King Island mine sites, and for a period of two years, with Canadian Cat Dealer, Finning.

Some 20 years after commencing his apprenticeship with the Cat Dealer, Dale's progressive thinking and entrepreneurialism enabled him to realise his life long dream of becoming a Cat Dealer Principal - cemented with his 1987 purchase of the same Victorian and Tasmanian dealership, William Adams.

Now, just 45 short years later, Elphinstone is once again a recognised Cat OEM, manufacturing Haulmax 3900 series off highway haul trucks, Railmax RMT14D road-rail excavators and Elphinstone underground support vehicles.

Together, Elphinstone and Caterpillar have manufactured more than 5000 underground and surface mining vehicles from their collective facilities in Burnie over the past 40 years.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1975 - Dale commences working out of his dad's shed.
Above right: 1976 -  Dale's first house and workshop.

Elphnstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1977 - Dale B Elphinstone P/L first employee photo.
Above right: 1982 -  "Real engineering".

Elphinstone Pty Ltd History
Above left: 1983 - AD13/17 the first Elphinstone designed and manufactured underground articulated dump truck. Above right: 1986 - The R1500 LHD was the first Elphinstone designed and manufactured underground loader.

R2900 LHD
Above: R2900 LHD

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About Us

45 years in the mining industry

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is an authorised Caterpillar OEM and a leading manufacturer of quality products for the global underground and surface mining industries. The product range includes specialised underground support vehicles and surface mining solutions including extended distance off-highway haulage trucks and water tanks to suit Caterpillar articulated trucks.

The Elphinstone® range of Underground Mining Support Vehicles includes agitators, motor graders, personnel carriers, delivery trucks, service trucks, water cannons, water tanks, and other specialised support equipment.

The Haulmax® 3900 series truck is purpose-built for extended distances, off-highway, and surface mining applications and is available in three separate configurations: including ore haulage, service, or water cart applications. It can also be configured as a 160-tonne low-bed float.

The Elphinstone W35® Water Tank Module, designed to fit Caterpillar 740C, 745C and 745 articulated truck chassis, is utilised for dust suppression in the construction and mining industry. The tank has a capacity of 35,000 Litres with five fully adjustable and individually controlled spray heads, a water cannon, and many other features.

Based in Tasmania Australia, the company continues to support, and rely upon the specialised design, engineering, and manufacturing knowledge of the skilled local workforce. This highly competent and advanced manufacturing supply chain has steadily evolved over its 45-plus-year association with the global mining industry.

Our Values

Our people are talented and live our values in every action of the day. Despite our individual differences, we are one company united by these values, they define who we are as people. Elphinstone people understand our business model, have a passion for customer service, and put Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Customer Service, Excellence, Ownership and Initiative into action every day.

  • RESPECT - We value people and relationships.
  • TEAMWORK - We win by working safely together.
  • INTEGRITY - We do the right thing.
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE - We go the extra mile.
  • EXCELLENCE - We take pride in what we do and make.
  • OWNERSHIP - We are personally responsible for what we do.
  • INITIATIVE - We take the lead.

Elphinstone Group (Aust) Pty Ltd Corporate Profile

VIEW CORPORATE PROFILE

Building O (Ormsby Street) Facility: State of the art, single flow, multi model manufacturing facility for all of our CAT OEM products including our range of Elphinstone underground support vehicles, Haulmax 3900 off highway trucks and Railmax Road Rail Excavators.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Terra Nova Facility
Building O (Ormsby Street) Facility: State of the art, single flow, multi model manufacturing facility for all of our CAT OEM products including our range of Elphinstone underground support vehicles, Haulmax 3900 off highway trucks and Railmax Road Rail Excavators.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Wilson St Facility
Building W (Wilson Street) Facility: Research and New Product Development. Warehousing and Logistics.

Elphinstone Pty Ltd Terra Nova Facility
Building S and Building H (Terra Nova Drive) Facilities: Dedicated stainless steel manufacturing facilities.

Elphinstone and Caterpillar Testing Facility
Elphinstone/Caterpillar Burnie Proving Ground.