Out in the vast Pilbara region of WA, a Karratha civil construction business is using Cat® Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) to help maximise uptime, increase peace of mind and deliver lower operational costs through the lifecycle of their machines.
For Dayne and Beau Corps, two of the four brothers behind Corps Group, the sprawling red dust of the Pilbara is more than just a worksite; it’s home.
From mine sites and asphalt plants to grader fleets and community sponsorships, their family business is powering forward across Western Australia’s northwest. They’re doing it with the support of Cat Customer Value Agreements (CVAs).
A Cat CVA is a hassle-free ownership plan that helps to ensure Cat machines are kept in top working order for maximum productivity. For Corps Group, it means they can spend more time focusing on their business and less time worrying about machine maintenance and repairs.
It’s vital for them to know that, wherever their machines are, they’re operating in optimal condition.
“We’ve got machines spread across the Pilbara. And when you’re working inland with limited reception, it’s critical to know your gear is healthy,” Dayne said, speaking from the group’s multi-use Karratha facility at Gap Ridge.
“Our CVAs give us clarity. Every 250 hours, the machines are serviced, checked, and we get a condition report from WesTrac.
“This all means that our gear is running efficiently without pulling it off-site for extended periods of time.”
Corps Group runs multiple branches in Western Australia, but has dual branches out of Karratha and Broome, servicing large-scale infrastructure and resource projects like roads, stacker-reclaimer replacements, and mine access facilities.
For Corps Group, unplanned downtime is costly and detrimental to business operations and their bottom line.
That’s where the CVAs, delivered through trained Cat technicians at WesTrac Karratha, provide value.
“The CVAs bring four key benefits: condition monitoring, VisionLink® telematics, scheduled oil sampling and machine inspections,” Beau explained.
Corps Group’s local Cat dealer, WesTrac, plays a pivotal role.
“We’ve got over 20 Cat trained mechanics in Karratha alone,” said Brad Eckert, WesTrac’s branch supervisor.
“From Exmouth to Tom Price and Whim Creek, we’re boots on the ground, doing everything from quick services to long-term on-site rebuilds,” he said.
This hands-on support is backed by data insights. WesTrac Customer Support Manager, Erica Stringer, said the FitFleet® Premium CVA used by Corps Group means problems can be sorted out before they become failures.
“If we detect high iron in an oil sample or a fault code pops up, our condition monitoring team is on the phone to the customer straight away,” she said.
Corps Group’s experience offers a clear message: with the right technology, dealer support, and data-driven maintenance/insights through a Cat Customer Value Agreement, users don’t just get uptime; they get a whole new level of control and peace of mind.
There’s a Cat CVA to suit any business or application and you have the freedom to structure the agreement that suits you, to help maximise uptime and control costs.
To find the Cat CVA that’s right for you, speak to your local Cat dealer or visit cat.com/cva-au
THE FOUR KEY VALUE
AREAS OF A CAT® CVA
Condition monitoring – proactive support that helps maximise uptime
Condition monitoring provides early detection so that machine faults can be repaired before failure. It enables you to set up effective, comprehensive maintenance and repair plans from your local dealer.
Dedicated Condition Monitoring Analysts analyse data from inspections, fluid analysis and equipment history, to help accurately assess the health and provide recommendations to maintain peak operating condition of your Cat machines.
VisionLink® – the full fleet management solution
VisionLink® gives you the data and insights you need to help you reduce fuel burn and idle time, optimise utilisation and track your machine.
Since it’s cloud-based, it’s easy to access from your desktop, tablet or mobile. Depending on the subscription type, there are easy-to-use dashboards, allowing for asset management by groups and geofences*.
With VisionLink® you can stay on top of the metrics for each Cat machine to keep them running at their peak and that’s vital for a high-performing operation.
*Subscription fees may apply.
Scheduled Oil Sampling (S•O•SSM) – an essential test for machine health
With the S•O•SSM fluid analysis program, your dealer conducts a lab analysis on machine fluids to ensure there is no contamination and abnormal wear taking place. If there are any urgent issues, you’ll be alerted immediately with advice on next steps.
Caterpillar’s worldwide testing standards help ensure consistent quality so you receive accurate, detailed results every time. This can lead to big savings by fixing issues before failure, while helping you to optimise operations.
Machine inspections – an important part of preventative maintenance
In inspecting your machines, Cat Certified Dealer Technicians use the latest Cat Inspect App technology to help ensure they don’t miss a thing. The more often a machine is inspected, the sooner any potential issues can be identified and rectified.
Your Cat dealer will immediately recommend any repairs or maintenance that may be needed based on the Cat Inspect reports.
Scan the code to find out more.
