Set on a family farm with more than a century and a half of history, Bairnsdale Quarries has evolved into an efficient regional supplier of construction and landscaping materials.
Built from the ground up over the past 14 years, the East Gippsland-based operation reflects a balance of resource management, market awareness and, critically, the strategic use of equipment to drive productivity.
At the centre of that philosophy is a long-standing partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment, supported by dealer CJD Equipment — a relationship that continues to shape the quarry’s operational performance.
Bairnsdale Quarries produces materials tailored to local and metropolitan markets. Its core outputs include red-based gravel products for civil construction, gold decorative landscaping pebbles distributed across Victoria and beyond, and a distinctive coloured concrete aggregate known as “Golden Beach,” used in exposed aggregate applications.
While many quarries operate within tightly defined local supply chains, Bairnsdale Quarries has carved out a wider footprint. Its customer base spans local and state government projects, concrete plants, and garden supply businesses stretching from regional Victoria through to metropolitan Melbourne, and even into southern New South Wales.
This diversity in product and market reach places unique demands on the operation, particularly in maintaining consistent production volumes and quality across varying material types.
We spoke to Bairnsdale Quarries owner Richard Brownlow about how the business carries out its projects from face to finished product.
Operational priorities
Like most quarrying operations, productivity at Bairnsdale hinges on a flow of material through several critical stages.
Richard said machines on site are tasked with:
- Face work: Excavators handle primary extraction, working the quarry face to recover raw material efficiently and safely;
- loading: Wheel loaders play a central role in feeding processing plants and loading trucks for dispatch; and
- stockpiling: Material is sorted and stacked into consistent, accessible stockpiles for different product lines.
“Each of these applications must be tightly coordinated. Delays or inefficiencies in one stage can quickly ripple across the entire operation, impacting output and delivery schedules,” he said.
For a quarry of this scale, operational priorities are clear: production consistency, machine uptime, and fuel efficiency.
“Consistency is essential not only for meeting customer demand but also for maintaining product quality, particularly in decorative and concrete aggregates where uniformity is vital,” Richard said.
“Equally important is uptime. With a relatively lean fleet, every machine plays a vital role. Unexpected downtime can halt production entirely, making reliability a non-negotiable requirement. Fuel efficiency is another key consideration. Quarry equipment operates for long hours under heavy loads, meaning marginal gains in efficiency can translate into significant cost savings over time.”
Versatile Volvo
The quarry’s workflow is designed around maximising machine utilisation throughout the day.
Equipment is selected and deployed to ensure continuous material flow from extraction to stockpile, minimal idle time between tasks, and flexibility to handle multiple roles where needed.
“We have adopted a strategy of running slightly larger machines than might be typical for operations of our size,” Richard said.
“This approach allows individual units to perform multiple tasks, effectively delivering economies of scale and reducing the need for additional equipment.”
As we speak, Richard was taking delivery of a fresh-from-the-factory Volvo EC360F excavator, the latest addition to a fleet which already boasts three other Volvo models.
Each plays a defined role in the daily operations.
- ECR18E compact excavator: Used for smaller-scale tasks, detailed work and site maintenance.
- L220H wheel loader: The primary production and sales loader, responsible for loading trucks and managing stockpiles.
- EC250D excavator: A long-serving machine handling face work and bulk material movement.
“These machines form the backbone of the quarry’s workflow,” Richard said.
“The L220H is central to maintaining throughput, while the EC250D has proven its value over more than a decade of reliable service.
“This combination of compact, mid-size and heavy equipment ensures the quarry can handle a wide range of tasks without compromising efficiency.”
For Bairnsdale Quarries, the addition of the EC360F represents not just a replacement, but an upgrade in capability, one that is expected to boost overall site efficiency.
Delivering the new excavator was Adrian Kinghorn, CJD Equipment’s Regional Sales Manager for South East Victoria.
“Bairnsdale Quarries’ existing fleet’s operator comfort, efficiencies, and reliability have set the stage for the new EC360F, replacing the EC250D with upgrades like the new D8 engine for better fuel economy, larger hydraulic pumps, and a redesigned cab,” he said.
Its electro-hydraulic system optimises engine speed and flow for dramatic fuel savings, while Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology (V-ACT) boosts efficiency via high-pressure injectors, turbocharging, and electronic controls. Bigger screens, more cameras and improved cab comfort will aid precision in dusty, high-volume digging, directly supporting crushers and loaders for consistent output.
Richard said it marked an important step forward for the operation.
The EC360F will take on primary face work duties, bringing increased capacity and efficiency.
“Its key benefit is improved fuel efficiency, supported by the new-generation engine,” Richard said.
“The fuel performance is achieved through a low RPM-operating environment where these machines are not screaming, and not chewing fuel.
“I also like the enhanced hydraulic performance, enabling faster and more precise operation.
“In general, this will lead to greater productivity, particularly in bulk excavation tasks.”
Adrian said operators valued machines that were comfortable, smooth, quiet and intuitive for full shifts.
“Volvo delivers with spacious cabs, low noise and easy hydraulic adjustments. These guys spend a lot of time every day in these pieces of plant, so ergonomics need to be prioritised for sustained focus,” he said.
Richard echoes the sentiment.
“Given the long hours spent in the cab, the Volvo features such as low noise levels, smooth controls, and ergonomic design are valued for maintaining productivity and reducing fatigue,” he said.
“From an operator’s perspective, a good machine is one that delivers comfort, control and consistency over a full shift.
“These features not only improve the day-to-day experience for operators, but also contribute to sustained productivity and reduced fatigue.”
One of the standout characteristics of the Volvo fleet at Bairnsdale Quarries has been its reliability.
“The machines on site have consistently delivered strong performance with minimal major breakdowns,” Richard said.
“This reliability reduces the need for reactive maintenance, and allows the team to focus on production rather than repairs.”
Longevity is another key factor. Equipment is treated as a long-term investment, with an emphasis on extracting maximum usable life.
Beyond the purchase price
When selecting machinery, the quarry places strong emphasis on total cost of ownership (TCO).
This includes purchase price, fuel consumption, maintenance and service costs, and longevity and resale value.
Performance and fuel efficiency remain critical, but they are considered within the broader context of life cycle value.
Machines that deliver consistent output, low operating costs and long service life are prioritised.
Dealer support
In a production environment like quarrying, uptime is everything. Even short periods of downtime can disrupt the entire workflow and impact delivery commitments.
This makes dealer support a crucial component of the operation. Through its partnership with CJD Equipment, Adrian said that Bairnsdale Quarries benefits from responsive parts supply, on-site servicing and maintenance, and access to mobile technicians for rapid support.
While the reliability of the machines means major interventions are rare, having dependable backup provides an added layer of confidence.
“We’ve got mobile service techs running around the state. We’re able to come out on site, perform servicing, any breakdown repairs if needed,” Adrian said.
The relationship between Bairnsdale Quarries and CJD Equipment has developed steadily over time, beginning with a chance introduction during the quarry’s early planning stages.
“Since then, it has grown into a strong and reliable partnership, encompassing machine supply, servicing and ongoing support,” Adrian said.
“Importantly, the consistency of both the equipment and the support network has reinforced the quarry’s decision to remain aligned with Volvo.
“As new technology and machinery continue to emerge, the focus remains on solutions that deliver long-term value and operational efficiency.”
Richard praised the robust equipment, strong parts/service backup, and value that keeps Bairnsdale Quarries loyal.
“As long as they keep producing great quality earthmoving equipment, we’ll keep coming back,” he said.
Building Victoria one load at a time
