OptionX Group is expanding its presence beyond Australia with a clear focus on trenchless innovation, and New Zealand is a key part of that strategy.
Leading the charge is Karl Dewstow, a well-known figure in the trenchless industry with more than 20 years of experience across New Zealand, Australia, India, and Southeast Asia.
Dewstow has worked in everything from directional drilling to trenchless project consulting and equipment training.
He was previously with Vermeer as a pipeline applications specialist and also worked as a consultant across Asia-Pacific.
Now representing OptionX Group in New Zealand, he brings deep technical knowledge and firsthand experience in the field, which is proving valuable as the company introduces its technology to new markets.
He said trenchless work in New Zealand is currently slightly slower than usual, but that is expected to change.
“There’s a lot of work coming up in the future. I see a good amount of work on the horizon,” he said.
“It’s a combination of multiple works including drilling and microtunnelling, and there’s demand for both in the market at the moment.”
OptionX Group’s approach is centred around technology that can deliver accuracy, speed, and cleaner results on-site.
Its flagship laser guided boring system, AdaptX, built and developed in Australia, has already been used successfully in local markets and the technology is now making its way into projects in New Zealand, the Middle East, and North America.
“Our innovative new technology is opening doors to new markets that haven’t been available before,” Dewstow said.
“Now, we can look at opportunities with councils and others that we couldn’t consider previously.”
He said the key difference in the AdaptX as a laser guided boring unit is the integration of several advanced systems.
“The real innovation with the AdaptX is its high degree of accuracy, especially the laser guidance systems,” he said. “That’s completely new here. While other machines have some of these features, the combination with the vacuum-loaded system allows us to work very quickly and efficiently.”
The company’s focus is not just on delivering machines but also supporting customers through education and training. Dewstow has played a significant role in that across multiple regions.
“I was very involved with the OptionX Group machines currently being released, which are revised versions of the original unit that Stuart (Harrison) designed and built,” he said. “I sold the first AXIS machine here in New Zealand and provided all the training. I was also involved in training for units sent to India, the Middle East, Singapore, and the Philippines.
“Education and training are a big part of it, making sure people understand how to use the system properly is the most important thing.”
As OptionX Group continues to expand its reach into global markets, it is combining Australian-designed equipment with hands-on support, aiming to fill a gap in the trenchless sector for high-accuracy, easy-to-operate systems.
With people like Dewstow on the ground, the company is positioning itself to not only deliver the technology but to make sure it is being used to its full potential around the world.
“It’s about delivering smarter, faster, cleaner solutions,” he said. “And making sure our customers are set up for long-term success.”
No-Dig Down Under 2025. Image: Prime Creative Media
Good news keeps flowing
At last month’s No-Dig Down Under conference in Melbourne, OptionX Group successfully exhibited its latest technologies at a bumper stand that included an AdaptX Mini, patented drill rods, custom backreamers and Riteline centralisers.
At the ASTT Gala night that followed the conference, CEO Stuart Harrison was announced as the ASTT Menno Henneveld Person of the Year.
Harrison said he was humbled by the award, and while he has been a transformative leader in trenchless technology for nearly 30 years, he is the first to say his achievements are the result of a team effort.
“I really feel like this should be a Company of the Year award, not recognising me as an individual,” Harrison said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been backed by an amazing team and had the privilege to work alongside the industry’s best.”
Harrison and his team are known for pioneering innovations like the Vermeer AXIS guided boring system and its evolution, AdaptX – the only system handling all ground conditions with vacuum extraction.
As founder of Edge Underground, the microtunnelling contracting arm of OptionX Group, Harrison has built a team of forward-thinking workers who thrive on using the Group’s new technology. It is a culture that values innovation, but equally the hard work, problem-solving and determination needed to get the job done. This was reflected at the ASTT Awards, where Edge Underground team member Nugraha Angga Fadillah was recognised as a finalist in the Jeff Pace Young Person of the Year category.
Harrison’s hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to local manufacturing have redefined trenchless capabilities, making his award an incredibly well-deserved win.
For more information, visit optionxgroup.com.au