Elphinstone Group is an Australian private industrial conglomerate specialising in the design and manufacture of underground mining equipment, heavy vehicles, and defence components. Headquartered in Burnie, Tasmania, the group is one of the state's largest private employers.[1] Historically known for its long-term partnership and joint venture with Caterpillar, the company re-established itself as an independent original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in 2016 and has since diversified into the Australian defence industry.
Elphinstone Group was founded in 1975 by engineer Dale Elphinstone in Burnie, on Tasmania’s north-west coast. The company initially focused on modifying surface mining equipment for underground use, responding to the operational demands of hard-rock mining environments where standard surface machinery was unsuitable.[2]
During the late 1970s and 1980s, Elphinstone expanded from equipment modification into the design and manufacture of purpose-built underground mining vehicles. This included the development of articulated dump trucks and specialised underground support equipment tailored to operate in confined and hazardous conditions. The company’s growth during this period coincided with increased global demand for mechanised underground mining solutions.[3]
By the early 1990s, Elphinstone had established a reputation as a specialist manufacturer of underground mining equipment, supplying both domestic and international markets.[3]
Caterpillar joint venture (1995–2015)
In 1995, Elphinstone entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Caterpillar, forming Caterpillar Elphinstone Pty Ltd. Under this arrangement, the company's Burnie facilities manufactured underground hard-rock mining equipment for global distribution through Caterpillar’s international dealer network. The partnership significantly increased export volumes and manufacturing scale.[3]
Caterpillar underground mining equipment assembly in Burnie in 2012
In 2000, Caterpillar exercised its option to acquire the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture. Following the acquisition, the manufacturing operations in Burnie were fully integrated into Caterpillar's global supply chain, and the products rebranded under the Caterpillar name. While the manufacturing assets and specific mining product intellectual property were transferred to Caterpillar, the Elphinstone Group parent entity remained an independent Tasmanian company, continuing to manage separate business interests, including its Caterpillar dealership (William Adams) and other industrial investments.[4]
In April 2015, Caterpillar announced it would transition its hard-rock underground manufacturing from Burnie to a new facility in Rayong, Thailand.[5] The move, completed in 2016, resulted in the loss of approximately 280 local jobs and the departure of the Caterpillar brand from the Burnie manufacturing site. This withdrawal created the opportunity for Elphinstone Group to re-occupy the facilities and relaunch as an independent original equipment manufacturer (OEM).[5]
A Haulmax 3900 underground dump truck in Burnie in 2015
Return to independent manufacturing (2016–present)
Following Caterpillar’s withdrawal, Elphinstone Group re-established itself as an independent original equipment manufacturer (OEM). From 2016, the company invested in refurbishing former manufacturing facilities in north-west Tasmania and recommenced production of underground mining equipment under the Elphinstone brand.[3]
The post-2016 period saw Elphinstone develop a new generation of modular underground support vehicles, rebuilding its manufacturing capability while leveraging existing engineering expertise and international distribution relationships. This phase marked the company’s transition from a long-standing joint-venture partner to an independent manufacturer with a diversified industrial focus.
Since the early 2020s, Elphinstone has expanded beyond mining into defence manufacturing and other heavy-engineering activities, positioning the group as a significant contributor to advanced manufacturing in regional Tasmania.[6]
Mining equipment manufacturing
Elphinstone Group designs and manufactures a range of underground mining equipment and support vehicles for hard-rock mining operations. Industry publications describe the company as a specialist OEM focused on modular vehicle platforms adaptable to multiple underground applications, including service, transport and materials-handling roles.[7]
Following its return to independent manufacturing, Elphinstone developed a new generation of underground support vehicles, including concrete agitators, service trucks, graders and water-handling units. Manufacturing and assembly are based primarily in Tasmania, with international distribution supported through the Caterpillar dealer network.[3]
The company has also produced off-highway haulage vehicles and specialist mining equipment for remote operations. Independent reporting has characterised Elphinstone’s design approach as prioritising durability, rebuildability and long service life in harsh underground conditions.[2]
Defence manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities in north-west Tasmania, including those later operated by Elphinstone Group, have a history of heavy-vehicle and defence-related production dating back to their operation under Caterpillar ownership. During this period, defence manufacturing activity undertaken at the Burnie facility contributed to the development and retention of specialised fabrication and engineering capability in the region.[8]
In 2022, Elphinstone secured its first major defence manufacturing contract as part of the Australian Army’s acquisition of the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer under the LAND 8116 program. Under the contract, the company was engaged to manufacture 45 turret and hull assemblies at its Wynyard facility in north-west Tasmania, undertaking steel fabrication, machining and painting before shipment to Hanwha Defence Australia in Geelong for final vehicle assembly.[9]
The contract was reported to support the creation of approximately 55 new manufacturing jobs in north-west Tasmania and marked Elphinstone’s diversification from mining equipment manufacturing into defence production. In addition to initial fabrication work, the company was also contracted to undertake structural repairs and design modifications to the turret and hull assemblies over the service life of the vehicles.[9]
In 2025, the company secured a major contract with Hanwha Defence Australia for the manufacture of vehicle hull structures for the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle under LAND 400 Phase 3. The contract, valued at approximately $90 million, involves the production of 129 hull structures at Elphinstone’s Wynyard facility in north-west Tasmania and supports the Australian Army’s armoured vehicle modernisation program.[6][10]
Other activities
Elphinstone Group has diversified into related engineering, manufacturing and services activities. These have included electricity generation and energy systems for remote and industrial sites following the acquisition of Southern Prospect, which formed the basis of the group’s sustainable energy and engineering solutions division.[11]
The group has also undertaken vehicle assembly and fabrication work outside the mining and defence sectors. In 2018, Elphinstone commenced assembly of bus bodies for Metro Tasmania under contract with Bustech, marking a period of involvement in public transport vehicle manufacturing.[12]
In addition to manufacturing, Elphinstone Group holds investments across equipment distribution, engineering services and hospitality developments, including property and accommodation projects in north-west Tasmania.[13]
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