BTP - formerly Best Tractor Parts - has served the Australian mining industry for the past 35 years but over the past decade has transitioned from a used equipment and parts dealer to a full mining services business.

Perth-based General Manager Greg Lawson explains that BTP can now offer OEM equivalent components and equipment rebuilds as well as site-based services to assist with the maintenance of clients' fleets.

"BTP offers service exchange and aftermarket components for a wide range of Caterpillar mining equipment as well as being able to undertake full machine rebuilds.  We also have more than 110 major mining assets available for hire and BTP supports this with a Field Service Division currently based in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, a service which is scheduled to expand to New South Wales and Queensland," Lawson said.

BTP has three major branches in WA (Hazelmere), Queensland (Mackay) and New South Wales (Mt Thorley) and a depot in Newman where the Field Service team is based. These branches are strategically located to provide support to the major mining hubs across Australia.

"We have invested heavily into the WA facilities having just acquired a 12-bay workshop which has become the centrepiece of our rebuild capability," Lawson said.

"We also have hydraulic and engineering workshops which provide one-stop-shops for clients. We have increased our component rebuild capacity to 27 bays dedicated to engines and transmissions, and we are expanding our New South Wales and Queensland operations to meet increasing demands for equipment rebuilds and component refurbishment that provides both quality and value to our customers. 

BTP's growing workforce of 230 employees and 50 contractors means that retention is a huge priority for the business. "Our focus has been on maintaining our workforce and the employees we have by offering flexible work hours which include RDO's as well as a four-day working week.  This has proven to be an extremely popular option and provides our employees with the ability to work on their terms while minimising any impact to our productivity," Lawson says.

Customer service is paramount at BTP.  Lawson says: "We aim to create enduring value and certainty for our clients by delivering on what we commit to and provide cost-effective, quality services that give our clients the flexibility and dependability they are seeking."

Like the rest of the industry, parts and labour are the critical areas that are in the highest demand, which is driven in part by the increased demand for commodities as well as many clients extending their assets beyond the traditional life cycle ceilings. This has increased the demand for components to support earlier-model equipment not widely supported by OEM.

In summary, Lawson puts it like this: "Our vision for BTP is to build a business that is a trusted and reliable mining services partner, delivering best-value solutions for all our stakeholders.  In a world where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, we will continue to invest in products and services that provide efficient solutions for our key stakeholders.  This includes our employees, where I would like to ensure BTP is regarded as an employer of choice."