Periodic shutdowns and planned maintenance events are always risky and expensive undertakings for companies in mining, metals, oil and gas, and other heavy industries. As COVID-19 restrictions ease and companies prioritise maintenance that was delayed or postponed, there’s an even greater need to deliver efficient and cost-effective shutdowns.
That’s where Coates, Australia’s leading equipment hire and solutions provider, comes to the fore. Coates’ specialist Industrial Solutions team successfully manages hundreds of shutdowns and maintenance events across the country each year, with on-site tool stores a vital component of most projects.
Stocked with tools, equipment and consumables, Coates tool stores are staffed by experienced personnel and powered with SiteIQ, the company’s next-generation asset management system. Recently, Coates has expanded its tool store offering to better support its customers to deliver shutdowns and maintenance events on time and on budget.
Consumables supply and management
Managing the supply, tracking and optimisation of consumables, such as gloves, safety glasses, screws and drill bits, is a costly and time-consuming part of major industrial projects.
In the past, Coates helped track and distribute customer-owned consumables via its asset management system. To help deliver greater efficiencies for customers, Coates now provides 24/7 shutdown consumables support, including procurement, sourcing and reporting on all consumable items.
“As part of our end-to-end shutdown solutions, we can now use Coates’ considerable purchasing power to supply customers with compatible, high-quality consumables too,” says Jimmy Cergovski, NSW Industrial Services Manager at Coates.
“This helps customers to reduce wastage, paying only for what that they need and use,” Jimmy continues. “And if a customer is running low on a particular consumable, it becomes our responsibility to source this item, freeing up customer time and personnel to enhance productivity in other ways.”
Pre-stocked tool trailers
For smaller maintenance events or construction projects, Coates has launched new custom-fitted tool trailers. Measuring 3m long x 2.4m wide x 2.6m high and pre-stocked with tools, the trailer can be quickly and easily deployed on site for as little or as long as required.
“Our trailers are a towable, scaled-down version of our tool stores,” says Jimmy. “We know that some of the smaller industrial and construction projects don’t need a managed tool store, so these customers can now hire a mobile, custom-fitted tool trailer decked out with everything they need to get their job done.”
“Tool trailers are well-suited to projects that require specialist equipment. They also work well on remote sites like railways with limited access for full-scale tool store solutions,” says Jimmy. “And while tool trailers are smaller than our tool stores, they can still accommodate hundreds of tools or up to 3 tonnes of rigging equipment.”
Battery-powered equipment
Improved battery technology means Coates is continuing to invest in new battery-powered tools and equipment, such as cordless battery-powered tensioning wrenches (or RAD guns) and electric forklifts.
Lighter and more efficient, the benefits of battery-powered tools and equipment include improved worker safety and increased convenience.
For example, cordless RAD guns perform the same tasks as traditional tensioning wrenches in a much safer and user-friendly way. As well as reducing electrical and trip hazards associated with electrical cords, they offer sufficient charge capacity to last whole shifts and can be used in locations with limited or no access to power.
“Coates recently introduced RAD guns to EnergyAustralia as part of the $80 million upgrade at Mt Piper power station in NSW,” Jimmy explains. “The results so far have been really positive.”
For more information about Coates Industrial Solutions, visit Coates today.
