In 1982, Swantrax began supplying quality earthmoving and construction equipment and spare parts to the contracting, farming and mining sectors in Australia and abroad from its base in the Upper Swan Valley north of Perth.

Swantrax has capitalised on the industrial boom in Australia over the past few years and has grown substantially. In 1998, Swantrax moved to a larger 7 acre property in the Perth industrial suburb of Hazelmere.

“The growth in the construction and mining industry the country has meant that quality used equipment can be difficult to find in Australia,” says David Jones, Managing Director of Swantrax.

“Swantrax imports and exports machinery worldwide, and our customers look for the leading construction equipment brands,’ says Jones.

“We needed to secure a reliable supplier of used equipment to meet demand. While paging through some international construction magazines, I read about IronPlanet and took a look at their website.”

IronPlanet is an online auction company for used heavy equipment. IronPlanet features a variety of used heavy equipment from leading manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo, Deere, Case, Hitachi, Ingersoll-Rand, Bobcat and Dynapac.

“IronPlanet offered a wide range of equipment, and its twice monthly auctions meant I was able to access good quality stock on a regular basis,” says Jones.

“Since registering on the site, I have purchased a number of items, including machinery attachments and spare parts,” explains Jones.

Equipment featured on the IronPlanet website includes dozers, excavators, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, compactors, graders, scrapers, off-highway trucks, skid steer loaders and more.

“I have found the IronPlanet auction and payment process to be very professionally organised, and because of the guaranteed inspection reports I know what I see is what I get,” says Jones.

IronPlanet’s IronClad Assurance policy features highly detailed inspection reports prepared by experts.

Each inspection report includes a detailed description of the equipment’s condition including inspector comments and ratings, photographs, wear-related measurements, and when appropriate, lab test results of oil/fluid samples.

“The relationship Swantrax has built with IronPlanet has assisted in our continued growth,” says Jones.

“Swantrax now has onsite quarantine facilities to cater for AQIS regulations for interstate and international movement of equipment.”

“I was pleased to hear that IronPlanet will be opening operations in Australia and will definitely be utilising the website.”

Jones believes that it will definitely have value for the Australian market, particularly because of the geographical mismatch between the population of equipment and the demand for that equipment.

IronPlanet is gearing up for an Australian launch in the last quarter of 2007. It will be the first new international territory for the US company in its seven year history.

Australia has been earmarked for its strong mining and resources sector and heavy plant is expected to play a key role in the inventory.