Management
Dale Elphinstone
Executive Chairman and Founder
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”.
Dale's relationship with Caterpillar began in 1966 at the age of 15 as an apprentice with Victorian and Tasmanian Cat Dealer, William Adams. He then went on to be employed as a Field Service Mechanic across Tasmanian and King Island mine sites and later worked for Canadian Cat Dealer, Finning for a period of 2 years.
Now, just 40 short 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
Managing Director
Kelly Elphinstone is the daughter of Dale and Cheryl Elphinstone, founding owners of the Elphinstone Group of companies. Her career began in 1993 at the age of 13, when she commenced working for her parents in their first business, Dale B Elphinstone Pty Ltd.
In 2014, Kelly accepted the position of Managing Director at Elphinstone Pty Ltd (formerly Haulmax). She is responsible for overseeing the consolidation of the Group’s Tasmanian manufacturing entities and the company’s return to the global underground mining industry.
Kelly is passionate about Australian manufacturing and the significant role Tasmania is able to play in growing this industry.
Ben Sandow
General Manager of Operations
Ben holds tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Business Management, and has over 20 years of experience in Operations Management, Project Management and Engineering across a range of industries. He has had broad experience with Lean methodologies, and the benefits these can bring to the wider business.
Ben joined Elphinstone in 2018 as General Manager of Operations, overseeing all operational aspects of the business.
Jason Whiteley
Product Development Manager - Surface Products
Jason is a trade qualified Fitter & Machinist, with 30 years experience. Since joining Elphinstone in 2009 as Product Manager, Jason has also fulfilled the role of NPI Manager.
In his current position as Product Development Manager - Surface Products, Jason took the Railmax hi-rail vehicle from concept stage right through to production. He has played a key role developing various surface and underground concepts into working prototype / test products.
Scott Hilder
Operations Manager – Wynyard
Scott holds a Masters of Business and is a 6 Sigma Blackbelt. He commenced with Dale B Elphinstone Pty Ltd in 1995 and continued with the company fulfilling various roles through the transition of ownership to Caterpillar.
In 2009 Scott commenced with Southern Prospect Pty Ltd joining a small team involved in servicing wind turbines in South Australia. Scott joined Specialised Vehicle Solutions Pty Ltd (now part of Elphinstone Pty Ltd) manufacturing specialised underground mining machinery servicing both local and international mining companies for a period of approximately 2 years commencing in 2011.
Returning to Southern Prospect Pty Ltd (now part of Elphinstone Pty Ltd) as the General Manager Operations in 2013, Scott has focused on successfully implementing a continuous improvement culture within the manufacturing business to improve safety, quality and reduce non value added waste.
Tania Smith
Finance & Administration Manager
Tania began her career in 1992 as the Receptionist with Dale B Elphinstone Pty Ltd. Tania joined Southern Prospect Pty Ltd, now part of Elphinstone Pty Ltd, when it commenced in 2006. In 2016 Tania was appointed as the Finance and Administration Manager for Elphinstone’s Tasmanian manufacturing entities.
Tania has a Bachelor Degree in Commerce. She has been a member of CPA Australia for over 10 years and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2016, Tania completed a Graduate Certificate in Lean Management Systems at the University of Tasmania.
Nigel Robotham
Operations Manager – Wivenhoe
Nigel Robotham started his working life in 1993 as an apprentice Fitter & Turner with Dale B. Elphinstone Pty Ltd (now Caterpillar Underground Mining). Nigel completed his apprenticeship and became a Team Leader of the machining process, implementing small CNC machines, then the large CNC floor type borer. Nigel then successfully completed his 6 Sigma Black Belt training and moved into a full time position as a 6 Sigma Black Belt managing projects.
In 2007 Nigel completed training in the Caterpillar Production System where he applied Lean manufacturing methodologies to complete major projects for a one-piece flow assembly line with sub-assemblies feeding the main line. In 2011 Nigel moved into a Group Manager’s role with Caterpillar Underground Mining in the assembly process, looking after more than 100 employees and the main assembly line. Nigel has a passion for Lean manufacturing and the Continuous Improvement process, discovering new ways of working more efficiently and “chasing waste” in every process.
Upon the closure of Caterpillar’s production facilities in Burnie, Tasmania and after 25 years of experience, Nigel returned to work for Elphinstone in April 2016. Since this time, Nigel has been responsible for overseeing the refurbishment of our world-class one-piece-flow manufacturing facility at Wivenhoe, of which Nigel is now the Operations Manager.
Mal Watkinson
Product Development and Operations Manager – Underground Support Vehicles
Mal began his career in 1987 with the Caterpillar Dealer for Victoria and Tasmania, William Adams Pty Ltd. Over the last 30 years Mal has continued his strong association with Caterpillar and the Elphinstone Group, successfully holding roles in product health/support, product development, manufacturing, marketing and management.
Before returning to Elphinstone in June 2016, Mal was 50% owner and Managing Director of a private business that designed, manufactured and marketed underground service vehicles, which now continue to form part of the Elphinstone Underground Support Vehicle product line today. In 2017 Mal took on the role of Product Development and Operations Manager - Underground Support Vehicles, responsible for the development and manufacture of our range of underground support vehicles..
