Nick Lazarevski and the team at Victoria-based Tonga Excavations have built their achievements on a decade-long commitment to CASE Construction Equipment, supported by trusted dealer CASE Victoria.
Specialising in basement construction, the business carries out complex projects that require accuracy from start to finish, from retention systems and bulk excavation to final detailed works. In this environment, machinery performance is critical. That’s why CASE has remained the backbone of Tonga’s fleet for the past 15 years.
CASE Victoria Territory Manager Nick Colbert has worked closely with Tonga for more than a decade and has seen the business evolve in that time.
“I’ve had a relationship with Nick at Tonga for a good part of the 12 years I’ve been with CASE Victoria,” he said.
“We’ve supported his growth from being a single owner-operator through to running a fleet of about 18 excavators. Our focus has been on keeping his machines up and running.”
That growth has been underpinned by a shared understanding between CASE, CASE Victoria, and Tonga that uptime matters. Through responsive parts supply, on-site service, and sales support, CASE Victoria plays a vital role in ensuring Tonga’s fleet is always ready for work.
“Tonga continues to choose CASE Victoria and CASE excavators because the product looks after him, and we continue to support and back his business,” Nick Colbert said.
“The reliability, fuel efficiency, and consistent service support have all helped drive Tonga’s growth over the past 15 to 20 years.”
At the heart of Tonga’s current fleet are the CASE 15-tonne CX145C SR and 25t CASE CX235C SR excavators — short radius machines purpose-built for tight, demanding job sites like inner-city basements.
Nick Lazarevski said the short radius design of the excavators, combined with their integrated blades and zero-tail swings, proves ideal for the projects Tonga works on.
“The zero-swing enables me to bulk the ramp out and load trucks at the same time. I can turn around and not damage the back end of the machine in tight access environments. This factor is critical to me, making those machines essential in my fleet,” he said.
This compact yet powerful design allows Tonga to operate in confined spaces while maintaining productivity and safety — a key requirement when working in built-up urban environments.
Beyond performance, operating costs are another consideration when managing a large fleet. With up to 18 machines working across multiple sites, fuel efficiency has an impact on the bottom line.
“CASE’s fuel consumption, compared to other brands, is second to none,” Nick Lazarevski said. “Across a week of operation with 18 machines, those fuel savings make a difference.”
Equally important to Tonga’s loyalty to the brand is the level of service and relationship behind the machines. CASE Victoria’s statewide support ensures help is close at hand, no matter where the job is located.
“Customer service and relationships with the people you deal with every day play a big part in who I choose to buy machines from,” Nick Lazarevski said.
“The good thing with CASE Victoria is that regardless of where I’m located, because my machines are all around the state, I can make one phone call and get answers straight away.”
That responsiveness has been a defining factor in Tonga’s long-term trust in the brand.
“At the end of the day, my business is governed by having good, reliable excavators,” Nick Lazarevski said. “And I’ve had nothing but that with CASE for the past 15 to 20 years.”