The Caterpillar brand is renowned worldwide for its proven performance and reliability. It has a reputation that is further enhanced by the after-sales product support delivered by Hasting Deering.
Hastings Deering Commercial Engine Account Manager Steve Bliss said that the company is “heavily customer-focused, and by engaging with the major commercial engine users, we provide all of the parts and service options available from the dealership. The efficient delivery of these services ensures high levels of customer satisfaction with the Cat engine product.”
Mr Bliss explained “We support any Caterpillar engine – diesel and gas-fuelled – in every application from industrial drives and power generation through to marine and on-highway truck engines.”
However, it is the area of spark-ignited gas engines where Mr Bliss sees the greatest potential.
“Population growth in Queensland is seeing increased demand for domestic gas,” Mr Bliss said. “At the same time, government policy is dictating that we, as a society, reduce our reliance on coal-fired power stations. It is unlikely that any new coal-fired power stations will be built.”
As a result, coal seam gas (CSG) is adding capacity to counter the decline in gas production from older fields, presenting many business opportunities for Cat engines and Hastings Deering.
“Gas industrial engines driving gas compressors and generators are required to supplement the gas grid for domestic use, for power generation and for proposed LNG projects” Mr Bliss said. “In fact, the export of LNG, projected to commence in 2014, will ensure that Hastings Deering is kept very busy indeed.”
Queensland’s Courier Mail has reported that more than $6 billion will be added to Queensland’s economy each year through the development of the Santos’ GLNG Project at Gladstone, as well as 4,300 jobs.
“The implication of the many proposed CSG to LNG projects at Gladstone, of course, is that this presents us with a major opportunity to provide customers with parts and services for the gas compression engines, with the added challenge of delivering services in remote regions,” Mr Bliss said.