As specialist earthmovers, Phil ‘Buck’ Milson and Stace Diamond – co-owners of Advanced Site Works – pride themselves on delivering quality service and results. To maintain that standard, the self-proclaimed ‘little company’ recently grew its fleet to four tip trucks with the addition of a new 6x4 FUSO HD FV2547.
After 20 years working together for other companies, Phil and Stace set up their joint enterprise six years ago. Operating across the greater Wellington region, Advanced Site Works carries out a broad range of earthmoving activities.
The new HD has been hard at work since arrival, joining a mixed fleet of two 3T tippers and an older ten-yarder. Being fitted with super singles means the front axle load can be maxed up to 7.2T, with the truck usually running a 11T load in its 7.5m3 Hardox tipper body (built by Belmont Engineering).
Whatever he’s got on the back, driver Matt Houlihan says he enjoys a comfortable ride in the saddle, thanks to the well laid-out cab and air-suspended Isringhausen seat. He’s also impressed with the truck’s 346kW turbo diesel engine.
“There’s plenty of power there and it pulls everywhere easily,” says Matt.
The 12-speed automated manual transmission has also proven a good fit for Matt, who opts in and out of manual depending on traffic and road type.
“I don’t have to worry about the gearbox at all,” he says.
The roads around Wellington’s suburbs can be pretty narrow, with access to sites sometimes tight; the 4,300mm wheelbase and 15m turning circle of the FV2547 means it’s compact enough to navigate most situations.
“It’s good as gold – I’ve got no complaints.”
Sound investment
When it came to investing in a new truck, Phil and Stace opted for FUSO with the confidence they would be getting “great value, backed by excellent service”.
“As a high-quality service provider, we look for the same level of excellence in our suppliers,” says Phil. “[First Commercials salesperson] Daniel Beavis has been great to deal with and we’ve found the support so far to be fantastic.”
Having a big truck that doesn’t sweat the small stuff means that Advanced Site Works can be the ‘little’ company that continues to think big. One key area of focus is health and safety – Phil and Stace have ensured they are right up to scratch on that front.
“Health and safety in the workplace is really important to us,” says Phil. “We have a dedicated Health and Safety Manager – Stace’s partner, Justine – to ensure we have all the right accreditations and that our staff are regularly trained in the correct procedures.
“It’s crucial for us to be up to speed in this area – even ahead of the curve – because not only does it mean our staff stay safe, it puts us at the forefront when it comes to tendering for bigger jobs.”
Notable projects include working on the demolition of Broderick Road Railway Bridge in Johnsonville and setting the foundations of the new 4,000m2 K-Mart in Lower Hutt.
“We’re working on some interesting jobs and our growth has been steady, but we’re happy with the size we’re at right now – we’ve got a great company culture,” says Stace, who with Phil has grown the business to a staff of 14.
He says the new HD helps strengthen their position in the market.
“We rely heavily on good gear to deliver the work we do at the standard our customers expect. We definitely made the right decision buying FUSO, and the service we’ve received from the start continues to support that.”
GVM/GCM: 24,000kg/55,000kg
Power/Torque: 346kW/2,227Nm
Transmission: 12-spd AMT
Wheelbase: 4,300mm
