*Before Reading: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website article may contain images of deceased persons in photographs.
Conplant and DEUTZ are a match made in heaven. Both are versatile, multi-talented, adventurous and passionate about the environment.
Established in 1961, Conplant is Australia’s largest compaction specialist, with a 1000-unit hire fleet. After a long association with DEUTZ, it recently became an official dealer.
Conplant Managing Director Ian Coleman joined the business, which is known for its distinctive bright yellow branding, in 1985 as an apprentice Plant Mechanic. Like DEUTZ, Conplant is passionate about safety and the environment.
It also supports charities and advocates for indigenous Australians through a partnership with Gear Select, an Aboriginal owned finance company.
“Several hundred of our new machines were funded through Gear Select,” Ian says. “Gear Select has a strong social focus providing pathways for young indigenous kids into the finance and construction sectors.”
Conplant has won awards for its service and maintains a 98 per cent customer satisfaction rating. It uses and develops the latest technology and is third party certified to ISO standards for quality, safety and the environment.
Conplant has used DEUTZ engines in its fleet for decades and been impressed with their reliability and quality. More recently, Conplant invested in hundreds of machines fitted with DEUTZ’s latest US EPA Tier 4 engines, which are delivering environmental benefits and significant fuel cost savings.
“We purchase new engines, parts, support and technical equipment as well as technical training,” Ian says. “They’ve always been reliable engines and fit for purpose. If you can save the environment while saving fuel and money, it’s not a difficult value proposition to sell.”
Ian says the DEUTZ partnership is a natural progression. “We chose DEUTZ US EPA Tier 4 engines for our recent investment to future proof our fleet,” he says.
“Our hire fleet assets are long-term assets and while Australian regulations do not require us to purchase Tier 4 machines, most government procurement policies are in line with world’s best practice.
“I’m proud that we are leading the way and promoting positive environmental change, coupled with fuel cost savings for our customers. It really is a win win.”
As a dealer, Conplant can better support customers with ‘bumper to bumper’ service. Its team trained for many weeks and some spent 10 days in Germany with DEUTZ.
One of them, National Service Manager Dary Samadi, worked for DEUTZ in Iran, early in his career.
Ian says DEUTZ is exceptional to deal with. “Our team that travelled to Germany were amazed by DEUTZ’s history and their passion, so it was clear to me that they were impressed,” he says. “Everything has been great so far.”
Before he joined Conplant, Ian played guitar in a band, supporting the likes of a Led Zeppelin tribute band called Gold Zeppelin and Johnny Diesel and the Injectors.
He now enjoys watching his four young boys play sport, flying planes and occasionally jumping out of them.
“I’m in the process of finishing my private pilot’s licence for fixed wing aircraft, so flying and studying also forms part of my spare time,” he says.
Life is busy, but Ian loves making time for new pursuits. He has skydived several times with his oldest sons Evan and Thomas, including once with their grandfather.
“We had three generations jump out of the same plane,” he says. “Pushing your personal boundaries and risk taking is an important part of development, life and business.”
