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Centurion hails interstate expansion progress

More Queensland sites under consideration as company eyes mining and infrastructure projects

 

Heavy haulage firm Centurion is consolidating its Queensland expansion, even as it settles into its South Australian entry.

The Western Australian-headquartered company is looking to add to its presence in the state and last year secured the services of former McAleese part-owner Keith Price as heavy haulage general manager to help bolster its growth push.

Centurion’s purchase of McAleese’s trailing equipment in November has supported that effort.

“Queensland has a similarly dispersed population to Western Australia and there is an increasing number of large mining and infrastructure projects in remote areas here,” Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci says.

“We know we can deliver heavy haulage for clients in these industries because we already have the experience. 

“It’s the first step for us that gives us other growth opportunities in new markets.”

Three sites already operating in Queensland and one in Adelaide. 

“While our main Queensland base will be at Rocklea, in Brisbane, we already have a strong team in place in Emerald and are building our presence in Mackay, with further sites under consideration,” Cardaci explains.

According to Price, the company’s Queensland client base is already growing quickly, just a few months after opening for business.

“We’ve been tendering for work in the Bowen Basin and we are starting to see a general pick-up,” he says.

“In the past few years, the whole of the mining sector has taken a hell of a slam but, in 2016-17, it’s been a lot better and I believe we’re about to see a very significant improvement in 2017-18.

“We’re concentrating on getting enough prime movers to our Queensland depots, plus the necessary back-up equipment, as quickly as possible.

“We need to ensure we have the trucks and equipment on the ground to capitalise on the upcoming opportunities.”

The company highlights its sourcing content locally to build value in the Queensland communities.

“Centurion has a track record of economic contribution to the regions through using local suppliers and employing local people,” Price says.

“An example of this has been sourcing all our PPE gear from a local business in Emerald rather than from the national supplier based in Perth.”

Meanwhile, Cardaci is happy to underline his firm’s eastern states ambitions.

“We’re here for the long haul and we intend to grow our east coast business,” he says.

“And Queensland is proving the perfect place for us to start.”

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