So confident, in fact, that Murphy Pipe and Civil recently bolstered its fleet of six ploughs by a further four machines to ensure the construction company continues to increase its competitive edge over conventional HDPE pipeline installers.
Murphy Pipe and Civil Managing Director Jim Campbell said the decision to increase the company’s plough fleet was based on three key factors – safety, installation efficiency and decreased environmental impact.
“Our company has invested considerable energy into re-designing the original German-made Fockersperger ploughs to specifically meet the needs of the coal seam gas (CSG) sector,” Mr Campbell said.
“Since the introduction of our ploughs into Australia, they have rapidly become the HDPE pipeline installation method of choice with some of the CSG industry’s key players.
“Our purpose-built ploughs, which enable our company to install HDPE pipeline up to five times faster, without open trenches and with reduced construction corridors, resonates well with many of the CSG companies currently developing projects throughout Australia.
“This valuable balance of safety and productivity has been key to our successful foray into the Surat Basin’s CSG sector, and one of the main drivers behind our positive contract negotiations with other Australian CSG companies who are equally keen to secure our unique services,” he said.
Mr Campbell said having access to the purpose-built plough, and having a close working relationship with the plough’s German manufacturer, had put the company in an enviable position, but was quick to point out that ploughs were just one piece in the Murphy Pipe and Civil puzzle.
“There is no doubt the ploughs give us a lead over our competitors, but we are very conscious of the fact that this advantage could quickly diminish if it is not backed up with robust project management experience – a commodity that’s often hard to come by, particularly in today’s exhausted Australian labour market.
“We are fortunate to be able to tap into a talent pool of more than 65 years of national and international pipeline expertise, either through our energetic and innovativeBrisbane-based company, or through the support that we can call on thanks to our business ties with J. Murphy and Sons in the UK.
“It’s a very positive business model – we can draw on the experience of one of the largest civil construction companies in the UK, but also take advantage of an Australian team that has quickly earned an industry reputation for finding new and better ways to deliver positive project outcomes for clients.
“Our introduction of the ploughs to the CSG industry is testament to our company’s commitment to improving the pipeline installation industry – but it doesn’t just end there.
“Our company tagline is “÷innovation in action’, but it’s more than just a marketing tagline – it’s a core value of our company.
“We actively encourage our employees to look “÷outside the trench’ for positive industry innovations or safer ways to operate, and this has ensured our company is always leading, never following.”
Mr Campbell said the future of Murphy Pipe and Civil certainly looked positive, and very busy.
“We have secured a number of large-scale contracts in HDPE and steel pipeline across Australia, and are in the final stages of negotiations on a series of other projects due to come online in the not too distant future.
“Our company’s growth in the last five years has certainly been swift, but in line with this expansion, our key executive and senior management teams have also been enhanced to ensure we are equipped with the right people to successfully manage company growth and continue to deliver on our project commitments to clients.”
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