Austin Engineering has achieved a major milestone in its growth strategy with the export of its high-performance Armadillo dipper bucket, which has been shipped to a leading US copper miner and is set to arrive on schedule this month.
David Singleton, CEO and managing director of Austin Engineering, emphasised the importance of this shipment, stating, “The Armadillo bucket was designed in Australia, manufactured at our Batam facility in Indonesia, and is en route to a large US copper mine, supported by our Casper operations. This demonstrates the full integration and global capabilities of the Austin business model.”
According to the ASX-listed company, the Armadillo dipper bucket, weighing between 80 and 90 tonnes, is lighter than earlier models due to a design that requires less steel in its construction.
This approach allows for higher payloads and improved fill rates compared to equivalent OEM units, thereby providing significant performance enhancements and return on investment for customers.
“By leveraging advanced design techniques, we have created a product that not only reduces weight but also maximises efficiency and productivity,” Singleton added.
“We are very pleased to have marked the first international shipment of an Austin dipper bucket.”
This export is Austin’s fourth dipper bucket order following the company’s acquisition of Australian bucket specialist Mainetec in 2022.
The company has already delivered two dipper buckets to Australian customers, with a third currently being manufactured at Austin’s facility in Chile for a South American client.
The Armadillo dipper bucket features Austin’s proprietary iTrip door latching and control system, which has undergone extensive testing to minimise maintenance intervals and extend the mean time between maintenance and overhaul.
This innovation enhances throughput while lowering maintenance costs, making the bucket a valuable investment for operators.
With prices ranging from approximately US$1.5 million to US$2.5 million (A$2.2 million to A$3.7 million) per bucket, Austin said it recognises the market potential for its products in North and Central/South America.
Singleton noted, “[We] see North and South America providing a large opportunity for further dipper bucket sales, and also for rebuilds at our US and Chile facilities. We are well set up to build market share in these markets.”
According to Austin, its recent initiatives to broaden its bucket offerings and enhance global sales have resulted in a 17 per cent increase in group bucket sales year-on-year for FY24 and approximately a 130 per cent rise over the last two financial years.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the company has redeployed much of its tray manufacturing to expanded facilities in Batam, Indonesia, which has freed up capacity in Australia for increased bucket builds and rebuild services.
Western Australia reported a 51 per cent increase in sales year-on-year, contributing $53.6 million to group revenue.
Austin’s Chilean operations have also been busy, manufacturing an 86-tonne full Cat 7495 dipper bucket for a local customer and completing 18 dipper bucket rebuilds this calendar year, reflecting an uptick in bucket segment activity compared to previous years.
