By CASEY NEILL
WASTECH is growing in size and strength at a rapid rate.
The Hallam company is showing no signs that its transformation into a waste powerhouse is slowing.
In recent months it has acquired another business, opened a new service centre and imported new trucks from Germany.
They took home the Casey Cardinia Business of the Year Award as well as this year’s Manufacturing Award on 22 October.
Neil Bone accepted the honour. He and brother Paul started the business in 1993, having largely worked on trucks involved in the waste business during their time as diesel motor mechanics.
“Thank you to Paul for putting up with me for 23 years,” Neil said.
“It’s the people that stand with you every day – that’s what makes a difference.”
They continue to play a key role in Wastech, which designs, manufactures and provides equipment and services to the Australian waste and recycling industry.
The Bone brothers set up in Ordish Road, Dandenong, before moving to Redgum Drive, Capitol Drive and, in 2007, Wedgewood Road in Hallam.
The company recently added a $3 million purpose-built service centre in Technology Circuit, Hallam, to service more than 5000 equipment items throughout Australia.
Wastech marketing co-ordinator Catherine Gardner-Gaskin said it catered for 24-7 assistance so no site was ever left unattended.
In September the company acquired Tieman Field Service and Tieman Tail Lifts, increasing its workforce from 90 to 150-plus employees with 60 mobile service vehicles nationally servicing the waste, recycling, tail lift and materials handling industries.
“A key pillar in the Wastech strategic plan was to establish a wholly-owned nationwide service network to provide a complete aftersales product service offering to its customers,” CEO Brett Jones said.
“When Tieman Industries went into voluntary administration in August, this presented Wastech with the ideal opportunity.”
He said Wastech Field Service retained the Tieman Service staff, technicians, national fleet and tail lift sales team.
“Both brands are synonymous with quality, outstanding products and customer service – the natural synergies between the businesses are clearly evident,” Mr Jones said.
In October Wastech bought new FAUN vehicles from Germany – a Variopress Rear Loader and a Viajet 6 Street Sweeper.
Ms Gardner-Gaskin said the trucks were unique.
“These trucks are so quiet the garbage and street sweeper rounds can be done at any time without breaking noise restrictions, which will make garbage collection quicker and out of normal traffic hours earning great efficiencies for waste collection,” she said.
Mr Jones said FAUN was the industry’s largest European manufacturer and was a global leader at the forefront of innovation.
“The FAUN range is designed for fleet managers and councils Australia-wide,” he said.
“Boasting the world’s first fully hybrid garbage truck demonstrates FAUN’s commitment to innovation and the environment.”
Mr Jones said bedding down and integrating the new business was Wastech’s focus for the next 12 to 24 months.
“We will continue to develop and supply leading-edge waste management equipment to the Australian market and maintain the focus on providing outstanding customer service,” he said.
Success is nothing new for Wastech.
It won the Casey Business of the Year and Casey Manufacturer of the Year for 2013 and two titles at the Melbourne South East (MSE) Business Awards Business of the Year Overall Business Excellence award and Medium Enterprise category in May 2014.
It won the Manufacturing Award in March at the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Regional Business Awards, and in June was a finalist for the Medium Manufacturer of the Year title at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.
