When Reiplant talks about machinery, it doesn’t just mean iron, engines or production cycles. It’s more about relationships — the long-term kind that are built on reliability, honesty and plenty of hours in the dirt. That philosophy goes right back to the company’s roots.
Reiplant was born in 2013, when husband-and-wife team Mike and Liz Reilly took the momentum of their fast-growing contracting business, Reilly Contractors, and channelled it into a dedicated plant-hire operation for the civil, construction and mining sectors.
Their first business — established in 2010 — specialised in supplying and installing in-ground services for new subdivisions across Western Australia. It grew rapidly, built on trusted people and meticulous work, and was eventually acquired by RJV in 2018. But the couple weren’t done yet.
Reiplant continued on, supplying modern, well-maintained machinery for wet and dry hire across WA, supporting both their long-term clients and an expanding roster of new ones.
With more than 50 years of combined experience behind them and a growing fleet, Reiplant has become a quiet achiever in WA’s plant-hire landscape — dependable, nimble and focused on service.
And through every chapter of that story, one name has never left the fleet: Hitachi.
A fleet built on trust
Reiplant Managing Director Mike Reilly said that today, the company operates a fleet ranging from Hitachi 1.7-tonne excavators to 49t heavy hitters, plus loaders, tipper trucks, water carts and a growing collection of attachments.
“The company provides both wet and dry hire, ensuring contractors can tailor solutions to suit everything from tight urban subdivision work to major infrastructure, rail and remote mining projects,” he said.
Across Reilly Contractors and Reiplant combined, the Reillys have purchased more than 80 machines in their history, but Hitachis have made up the bulk. Looking around the Reiplant equipment yard, visitors can’t help but notice the orange machines standing out.
Some of the main Hitachi machines include:
- One 49t excavator (ZX490)
- Three 36t excavators (ZX360LC) — the backbone for heavy rock work, especially when paired with Erkat and Kemroc rockwheels
- Three Hitachi loaders: a 180 (ZW180) and two 220s (ZW220).
The fleet will be bolstered in the next few months with the addition of a new 27.5t excavator, a Hitachi ZX225USLC-7, one of the standout machines in Hitachi’s ZAXIS-7 series.
“What really sets this model apart is its ultra-short tail swing radius of about 1.68 metres,” Mike said.
“It’s built for working confidently in tight streets, alongside structures or on busy, space-starved jobsites, making it popular with many of our clients who work in such conditions.
“It offers an excellent blend of power, precision, economy and compactness. For contractors or fleet owners who want a premium mid-size excavator that delivers real performance gains and a genuinely better operator experience, it’s a hard machine to go past.”
The ZX225USLC-7 will be the 50th Hitachi that Reiplant has acquired for the business, continuing a legacy that began 15 years ago.
“Our very first machines back in 2010 were 20t and 24t Hitachi diggers — and both machines are still out there working today. If there’s ever been a testament to reliability, it’s that,” Mike said.
Why Hitachi?
For Reiplant, top-quality machinery isn’t a luxury; it’s the backbone of the company’s reputation.
“Our clients expect uptime, consistency, safety and performance — and that requires equipment that won’t miss a beat,” Mike said. “Hitachi fits that brief perfectly.”
He said the company values machines that offer:
- Low fuel consumption
- Smooth, precise operation
- Advanced onboard technology
- Outstanding reliability in tough conditions
- Operator-friendly design
- Consistent performance across long shifts and hard ground.
“Pair those qualities with the demands of WA’s rock excavation, subdivision works and large-scale civil infrastructure projects, and the fit becomes even tighter,” Mike said. “Clients love the machines, operators trust them and project managers appreciate the consistent productivity.”
Service game
Mike said that even the best machine is only as good as the support behind it.
“Reiplant has always taken maintenance seriously, first with our own in-house fitters during the Reilly Contractors days, and now through trusted partners like Walkers Plant Maintenance,” he said.
“With Hitachi field service technicians never more than a phone call away and access to fast parts supply, the company is able to maintain peak fleet performance with minimal downtime.
“For Reiplant, good service is more than convenience — it’s a crucial part of delivering the reliability our clients depend on.”
Growing the fleet and vision
As Reiplant expands its footprint across WA — from metropolitan subdivisions to large projects in the Pilbara, Wheatbelt and the South West — the business continues to invest in the right machinery and people for the job.
“That growth includes bringing on seasoned industry professional Craig Warnes as Operations Manager,” Mike said.
“His experience has strengthened fleet expansion into new areas like water carts and tippers, further reinforcing Reiplant’s commitment to delivering complete solutions rather than simply supplying machines.
“And the company has no plans to slow down. With demand increasing and projects spreading further across the state, Reiplant fully intends to keep adding Hitachis to the fleet.
“When you’ve relied on a brand for over a decade — from your very first machine to your 50th — sticking with the formula just makes sense.
“We’ve built great relationships and relied on Hitachi for years. It’s the kind of support you want when you’re growing. And we’re still growing.”
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