The new website categorise nine key sectors which allows streamlined interaction with clients and provids a deeper window into Soto’s areas of specialisation.

The nine key sectors of SOTO are mining equipment, technology and services (METS), forensic engineering, advanced analysis, structural and statutory audits, bulk materials handling, civil and structural engineering, mechanical engineering and temporary works for construction engineering, plus research and development.

Soto Consulting Group managing director Frank Soto said the firm wanted the website to showcase its multi-disciplinary engineering services which offer high value within a responsive one-stop company.

“We look forward to assisting companies by providing a wide range of tailored and detailed engineering services that suit the requirements of future projects.” he said.

“The site reflects our wide-reaching value propositions for industry: our engineers are on the leading edge of technology and innovation for all industries – it’s vital to work as closely as possible with clients to maximise their outcomes.

“Mining companies, for instance, are finding industry conditions quite challenging so we are often engaged to find ways to improve productivity levels through technology, innovation and specialist services to get them back to where they need to be to retain market share.

“METS is our way to partner with mining’s supply chain to engineer for them new technologies, prototypes, products or solutions for a higher competitive edge in their specific areas of this huge and important sector.

“We are one of the few engineering companies that conduct our own R&D and product development, including prototypes because if we don’t think outside the square for Australian industry, extremely good ideas may not come to fruition.”

Soto Group’s website cites media examples and case studies highlighting its advanced analysis engineering, software and hardware systems, “thought leadership” in terms of rapid prototypes, “fast reactive” engineering solutions, engineering tools and attention to customer requirements.

Another of its significant capabilities is ‘forensic engineering’, which can be defined as failure analysis (often for litigation support).

The goal here, Soto said, was to positively identify the sequence of events leading to ultimate failure or injury to personnel or the public.

SOTO uses an integrated approach to assist companies by investigating why materials, equipment or structures have failed.

The advanced analysis group has specialised engineering capabilities and offers this to clients as a direct service and also as internal validation of other engineering functions within the SOTO Group.

SOTO compliance sector assists companies to comply with relevant industry and/or Australian Health and Safety Standards, offering certification where necessary.

Structural and statutory audits are essential for every plant/mine, Soto said.

“Audits can result in improved safety, protection of assets through identification of problem areas, and compliance to Australian safety and environmental regulations.

“With SOTO’s experience and power at an auditory level, the company comes in and deeply analyses new and existing projects at a component level to maximise output and save capital expenditure.

“Soto also goes a step ahead by providing companies with solutions to potential procedures to bring the problem areas up to standard.”

The bulk materials handling solutions department has an expert multidisciplinary team with experience in the analysis and design of bins, feeders, transfer chutes and conveyors.

SOTO has also now extended its service to the manufacture and installation of chutes and bins.

The civil and structural engineering group comprises specialist designers in steel, concrete and masonry construction with experience in commercial, mining and heavy industrial design.

“SOTO offers an integrated multi-disciplinary engineering and drafting team with state of the art computer aided design programs,” Soto said.

“SOTO’s mechanical engineers have extensive experience in the design and implementation of mine equipment and heavy industrial plant. This includes the design of process lines, mining equipment, machinery, rolling mills and piping systems.

“SOTO offers comprehensive temporary works and construction engineering services for major construction projects in the heavy civil, building and mining industries.”