Defence OEM Partnerships

Elphinstone Defence Partnerships

Large-scale fabrication and assembly projects

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.

Wholly Australian-owned, Elphinstone has operated in Burnie, Tasmania, since 1975 and is 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 can meet the most stringent customer requirements.

Elphinstone is a member of the Australian Industry and Defence Network, a highly reputed advocate and collaborator across the defence industry.

Defence Projects

  • LAND400 Phase 2

    Elphinstone was 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.

Contact Information

Australian Industry and Defence Network

Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN)


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:

  • Maximising the collection and recycling of used packaging materials on our sites.
  • 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.


Battery Electric Vehicle Project (BEV)

The image is for example purposes only. 

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) for Underground Hard Rock Mining

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is pleased to announce the commencement of a project to develop a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) for underground hard rock mining to address the increasing decarbonisation efforts and expectations of our global customer base. The project will require a significant research and development investment by the company in addition to the recently awarded Australian Federal Government Grant. Leveraging its existing portfolio of underground support vehicles, Elphinstone will develop the Battery Electric Vehicle in collaboration with our customers and supply chain partners and produce these in existing product development and manufacturing facilities in Burnie, Tasmania.

Encouraging Critical Skills Development

The Battery Electric Underground Support Vehicle (BEV) project will build Australian sovereign capability and international export potential, encourage critical skills development required for the future growth of domestic manufacturing, and ensure Australia remains a global market leader in Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS). The project scope will encompass end-to-end research, design, development, testing, validation, manufacturing and market commercialisation of an industry-leading battery electric powertrain integrated into a common base platform from the existing range of Elphinstone E15 support vehicles.

Present and Future Employment Opportunities

Technology projects of this calibre provide growth in highly valued skill sets across the country and will continue to provide jobs in the future. Elphinstone expects the project will create 15 highly-skilled positions to complete the development of both machine prototypes. The positions will include a highly experienced Project Manager with a mechanical or mechatronics engineering background, a lead design engineer and associate electrical designer and mechanical designer, a software development technician, a dedicated mechatronics engineer, a dedicated literature technician, and two product development technicians to oversee a crew of highly skilled auto-electricians and heavy machinery fitters.

Growth Opportunities

Elphinstone envisages that the Battery Electric Vehicle project will also create further opportunities and growth in the state and local communities, something Elphinstone has proudly supported for many years.
Elphinstone is currently engaging with strategic partners who have indicated their interest in working closely with Elphinstone on this development project. The vision is to provide a Battery Electric Vehicle solution at the forefront of technology whilst maintaining a reputation for high quality, premium and reliable products which are well-positioned and recognised globally in the underground hard rock mining industry.

The battery electric products are still in the development phase, but Elphinstone plans to have them commercially available in 2026.

For more information or expressions of interest please direct your enquiries to:-

Brett Cumming
BEV Project Manager
bcumming@elphinstone.com


Ezi Boot Solutions

Elphinstone Ezi Boots

Elphinstone EZI Boots provide a professional looking and finishing touch for your Deutsch (Deutsch is now TE Connectivity) connectors. Elphinstone EZI Boots are manufactured from a high quality plastisol formulation.

They are intended to protect the cable harness at the connector termination point from elements such as dust, mud, dirt and paint. EZI Boots also provide support for the wiring as well as additional support for pressure washing and steam cleaning.

Elphinstone produce a wide range of Boots to suit Deutsch Series Connectors. Download the product information brochure for more details.


Elphinstone Electrical Harnesses

Electrical Harness Solutions

Elphinstone Electrical Harnesses

Elphinstone Electrical Harnesses

Elphinstone Pty Ltd is a producer of cable assemblies and components for Underground and Surface Mobile Equipment used in the Mining and Explosive industries.

Wire processing and identification are achieved via a Komax Z633 Wire processing unit. This is capable of processing 36 different wires simultaneously with wire sizes ranging from 0.22mm² up to 6mm². Wire identification in contrasting colours via inkjet printing. The wire is currently sourced to meet MIL-W-81044 and MIL-C-27500.

Current cable assemblies are sleeved in Conduit, Spiral Wrap, Cloth tape, or Varflo sleeve which conforms to MIL-I-23053, or over braided via our Herzog harness braiding machines. Elphinstone has 2 braiding units - the KB 1/48 100 which covers a range of 8-20mm the KB 1/24-100 which covers a range of 25-40mm.

Elphinstone currently produces over 1500 variants and over 15,000 pieces per year for all existing customers with an on-time delivery performance of greater than 98%.

Quality testing

Elphinstone Electrical Harnesses operates the latest in modern technology at each stage of the manufacturing process. Our range of finishing equipment allows us to fully customise your products.

100% of all harness assemblies are tested for correct circuit continuity prior to delivery to the end-user along with visual inspections to ensure compliance with supplied prints. We have 2 x Cablescan 90 S32 PC based Testers capable of 0.1 ohms to 50 Kohms at 500 points per second.

Finishing options include:

  • Nylon braiding.
  • Split and unsplit corrugated tube.
  • PVC tube and Varflo fibreglass sleeve.
  • Heat shrink.
  • Spiral wrap.
  • Cloth tape.
  • Inkjet printing and hot foil stamp wire printing.

Additional solutions and services Include:

  • CAD 2D and 3D drawing and design.
  • Full assembly of dashboards, complex control assemblies, and other custom wiring harness solutions.
  • Specialist testing for unique wiring applications.
  • Full electronic point to point testing using Cablescan 90-S32 PC based tester, with diode, resistor, and capacitance capability.
  • After-market component sales, with more than 14,000 in stock.
  • 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, and 6 AWG wire – cross-linked polyethylene insulation in GXL and SXL.
  • Wire printing using Komax Zeta 663 laser inkjet cut print, strip, pin and bundle machine
  • Deutsch, Amphenol, Milspec, and sure seal connectors.
  • Harnesses can be sheathed in a range of options from Varflo (braided fibreglass coated with polyvinyl chloride resin), to cloth tape, spiral wrap, shrink wrap, and Nylon braided yarn.
  • Herzog harness braiders with the capacity to over braid single wires up to wire bundles of 45mm.



For more information make an enquiry and a member of our highly skilled team will contact you as soon as possible.


Part Sales

Genuine Elphinstone Parts and Sales

Elphinstone is a total parts & service solution provider for your Elphinstone machine. We provide Genuine Elphinstone Parts distribution via the Worldwide Caterpillar Dealer Network and the knowledge and support of our expert Product Support Managers and Representatives.

Please call between the hours of 8:00am - 4:30pm (AEST). If you contact us outside of these hours we will return your call or email as soon as possible the following day.


Machine Sales

Tim Mitchell, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Tim Mitchell

Global Sales and Marketing Manager

Nick Furmage, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Nick Furmage

Regional Sales and Support Manager
Canada, Nth America, PNG, Australia (QLD, NSW & NT)

Kyle Allen, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Kyle Allen

Sales and Support Representative
Africa, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia (VIC & TAS)

Jonathan Van der Schyff, Elphinstone Pty Ltd Western Australia, South Australia and Eurasia

Jonathan Van der Schyff

Regional Sales and Support Manager
Eurasia, Australia (WA & SA)

Santiago Guillermo, Elphinstone Pty Ltd, Latin America

Santiago Guillermo

Regional Sales and Support Manager
Latin America


Product Support

Mal Watkinson, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Mal Watkinson

Operations and Support Manager

Kendal McCreadie, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Kendal McCreadie

Product Support Supervisor

Ryan Seaman, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Ryan Seaman

Product Support Representative

Andrew Faber, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Andrew Faber

Product Support Representative

Luke Skvaril, Elphinstone Pty Ltd

Luke Skvaril

Product Support Representative

Position Vacant

Product Support Supervisor