Western Plant Hire is a solution-focused plant hire and fully maintained fleet provider, structured to be flexible and intent on meeting clients changing needs. Western Plant Hire prides itself on delivering modern, reliable, high quality equipment and support to our clients.

Western Plant Hire (WPH) has built an industry reputation as a dependable and highly responsive supplier, satisfying clients’ requirements with innovative, timely and cost-effective solutions. At WPH we pride ourselves on delivering late model, low hour, reliable and high quality equipment, backed up by responsive and experienced maintenance and support.

In the business’ 20th year of operation, Executive GM Luke Mateljan and CFO Malcolm Azzopardi, who have both held senior positions since 2010, teamed up with private equity led by Peter Hutchinson to effect a management buyout. The 2020 acquisition has relaunched the business with a renewed plan for growth and continued success.

With integrity in all of its business dealings and the tenacity to always deliver tangible results, WPH always strives to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships with everyone it works with.

We are enormously proud of the Barrooghumba WPH JV, created in 2013. Barrooghumba WPH JV is a fully incorporated 50:50 joint venture between Western Plant Hire (WPH) and Nyiyaparli Engineering and Mine Maintenance Services (NEMMS). Through close collaboration with traditional owners and their communities, Barrooghumba WPH JV is able to assist clients aiming to deliver opportunities to Indigenous Australians.

WPH’s focus on the quality of its equipment and exceptional customer service is fundamental to the business, and this is reflected in the way we operate every day.

We are preferred suppliers throughout Australia providing equipment and support services for:

WPH is represented by a dedicated and engaged senior management group who form strong relationships with their clients in order to provide tailored solutions that meet their needs.

Mr Hutchinson (FAICD FCPA) has managed at the most senior level a diverse portfolio of industrial investments over a 30-year period.

He was the founding director of ASX listed Forge Group Ltd, floated in 2007 with a market capitalisation of $12m and reaching over $450 million at the time of Mr Hutchinson’s resignation as CEO and final sell down in July 2012. 

He also chaired ASX listed company Resource Equipment Ltd and was the founding shareholder and Chairman of Mareterram Ltd, both the subject of successful takeover bids at significant premiums to market prices.

Mr Hutchinson currently also chairs ASX listed Vysarn Ltd.

Mr Azzopardi has over 15 years experience in the mining services sector and has held the role of CFO at Western Plant Hire since 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA).

Mr Azzopardi is a key member of Western Plant Hire’s executive leadership team, responsible for formulating and implementing strategic initiatives to enable the company to profitably achieve its growth objectives. He leads the finance, procurement, human resources, HSE, IT and administration functions. Mr Azzopardi is also a Director and Company Secretary of the Barrooghumba WPH JV.

Mr Mateljan has over 15 years experience in senior management roles in the mining services sector and has been in the role of Executive General Manager since 2012 in Western Plant Hire. The key focus of Mr Mateljan’s role has been to formulate and lead the execution of the business’s strategic plans and secure new business opportunities. Mr Mateljan is also a Director of the Barrooghumba WPH JV.

Mr Cullen is a Chartered Accountant who has been the CEO of Pacific Energy Ltd since 2015. Prior to this he ran two ASX listed resource service companies, PCH Group Ltd and Resource Equipment Ltd, both of which commenced as microcaps and then grew significantly before being acquired under formal takeover offers.

Executive Director, founder and the major shareholder of the ASX listed Mader Group Ltd. Luke is trade qualified with 20 years experience in the mining services industry. He has built the Mader Group to over 1400 employees. Luke has forged an impressive reputation across major mining regions of Australia and now throughout the world.

NEMMS was established in 2011 by Senior Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners from the East Pilbara Region of WA, primarily to capitalise on opportunities in the mining industry, for the benefit of all indigenous people. All three owners are Nyiyaparli people, and Bruce Bung is a recognised elder.

WPH partners with NEMMS to deliver proven project performance with a culturally and environmentally sensitive approach to business. Through close collaboration with traditional owners and their communities, Barrooghumba WPH JV is able to assist clients aiming to deliver opportunities to indigenous Australians.

Our vision is to turn Barrooghumba WPH JV into a leading, West Australian, Indigenous, solution-focused plant hire and fully maintained fleet provider. Our success will deliver value to all stakeholders, and enduring benefit to the community.

A safe and healthy workplace for our employees is essential to the continued success of our business. We aim to conduct business in an efficient and environmentally responsible way that meets the expectations of government and the community.

We recognise that environmental responsibilities go beyond those required under statutory regulations and include social obligations, leadership in sustainable development and minimising environmental impacts.

We seek to adopt a practical continuous improvement approach to the systemic management of health, safety and the environment. In doing this we cooperate fully with our client systems as required.

All requirements for Company or site specific management of health, safety and the environment are identified and considered using a risk management approach. This enables us to identify the key activities, the associated hazards, and appropriate control measures.

Ensuring all employees and contractors work in a healthy and safe environment is achieved through the effective implementation, monitoring and review of our policies, system and supporting procedures and elements by our dedicated management and safety professionals.

Our performance is measured by agreed Key Performance Indicators which include both lead and lag indicators. Our leadership teams are accountable for our performance.

Our focus is to continue to improve our performance whilst maintaining a practical approach.

We are proud to have implemented a HSE Improvement Suggestion Program where all members of the workforce are encouraged to have input into how we can improve our health, safety and environment management.

Our Health, Safety and Environment Policy states the intentions, commitment and principles of Western Plant Hire.

Western Plant Hire seeks to balance economic, social and environmental considerations across all parts of its business. This is achieved by making sustainable development considerations an integral part of our business plans and decision-making processes. It is the expectation of our shareholders, our clients and the community in general that we do our bit to reduce emissions and offset those that we cannot – and so our journey began.

With the assistance of Carbon Neutral, Western Plant Hire had our carbon footprint measured and a report produced to show us what our impact on the environment was from an emissions perspective. With this information in hand we were able to focus our attention on reductions and have started investigating ways to reduce our highest impact areas such as Diesel and Power use , and look at what we can do to offset our impact in the meantime.

Our commitment to our stakeholders is to continue to monitor our environmental impact and offset any carbon produced with similar programs in the future.