Deals on Wheels, Farm Trader, CAM
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
DigMax Equipment Limited have been supplying earthmoving attachments to New Zealand since 2017, with company owner and managing director, James Maunsell using his rural work and previous job knowledge as a litmus test to evaluate the numerous pieces of equipment the business now supplies to the local and overseas markets.
With a farming background in Tākaka, Golden Bay, James has been around equipment all his life. An initial eight-year career in forest harvesting with cable yarders/haulers in Nelson and Australia was followed by a 20-year career in sales and management of heavy machinery. This included eight years with Gough Cat in New Zealand, and then it was off to Asia for five years, establishing and managing heavy equipment dealerships before returning to New Zealand in 2015.
“A significant part of my role in Asia was dedicated to sourcing various heavy machinery products. It required extensive research and travel throughout China, which has a mammoth scale of manufacturing. With the right manufacturer, materials, and workmanship, a quality product can be supplied at a very fair price point,” says James.
The experience enabled James to confidently select the right manufacturing partners in China. That on-the-job training combined with the DigMax business model that has low overheads and direct-to-market business strategies, allows the company to deliver products to their customers that can represent exceptional value.
“Initially, we had a bit of caution/ resistance to Chinese-supplied products from the New Zealand market, but now seven years in, our products are well established as being solid and durable. The steel grades have the equivalent specifications of Japanese, the US, British, and European steel,” says James.
Buckets, attachments, and custom builds
James says DigMax continually strives for innovation, incorporating input from New Zealand contractors, with prime examples being the double ram grab buckets (double pumpers), double arm grab rakes (double humpers), 360-degree rotation buckets, low stick wide buckets, and tilt buckets.
“Custom builds are a large part of the business. Initial designs are developed according to clients’ requirements, with a relatively quick turnaround time, at reasonable prices,” says James.
Abex rock breakers
Abex rock breakers are manufactured in South Korea and designed to provide the highest quality for performance and durability. The Abex population now exceeds 150 units (1.7- to 60-tonne class) throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, says James.
DigMax says they are further expanding with patented specialist products soon arriving to be trialled and then released for mass production.
“My experience enables me to take a consultive-type approach to offering solutions, rather than trying to sell a product simply because we have it,” says James.
For more information, contact James 027 345 3318 or visit digmax.com.