Backed by an extensive distributor network, Volvo Penta provides durable, efficient engine solutions for Australia and PNG’s toughest industries.
Volvo Penta engines are no stranger on Australian and Papua New Guinea (PNG) shores thanks to a strong footprint of distributors.
This includes Oceania Power in Queensland and PNG, which recently rebranded from Seamech, propelling the company into new markets.
Leveraging Seamech’s award-winning business model, with marine and industrial segments at its core, Oceania Power is expanding into Queensland and PNG’s rich mining sectors, as well as agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Here, mining operators are after engines that keep their dewatering pumps running for longer, with Volvo Penta providing the tailored solutions to suit.
Oceania Power managing director Andrew Cottle explained why an increasing number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users are choosing Volvo Penta engines.
“It comes down to the quality of the product,” he told Pump Industry. “Volvo engines are known for being durable, robust, reliable and fuel efficient.
“And for Oceania Power and the Volvo Penta network across Australia, we don’t just sell an engine – a lot of preparatory work is put in at the front end.”
Engines need to be fit for purpose if they are to survive out in the field. This sees Oceania Power work closely with its 30 specialised Queensland dealers and customers to ensure an engine is engineered to suit specific applications and specifications.
“We do a rigorous assessment of how the machine is going to be used and what power is required, which is a collaboration with the local Volvo Penta applications team and engineers based at Volvo Penta headquarters in Sweden, including engineers at Volvo’s headquarters in Sweden,” Cottle said.
“Our approach puts a lot of local OEMs at ease, particularly when they’re exporting machinery into other markets.
“There are a lot of regulatory requirements globally for emissions, and there are a lot of boxes that need to be ticked, so ensuring not only the quality of the product but the support required to see these engines thrive in local conditions is critical to the success of any partnership.”
Cottle said the level of care Oceania Power and the wider Volvo Penta network show for Volvo Penta engines is increasingly resonating with local OEMs, driving a rush of business across a range of industries.
Australian Volvo Penta distributors include Fenquin, which supplies and services Volvo Penta engines in New South Wales, Industrial Power Systems, which does the same for Victoria and Tasmania, and Don Morton and Ches Power Group (CPG), representing the South Australia and Western Australia markets, respectively.
Efficient irrigation
Industrial Power Systems is getting plenty of wins for its work supporting Volvo Penta engines in the Victorian agriculture industry.
Water is a critical asset in Victoria’s farming regions, and as growers seek to improve productivity while cutting costs, irrigation systems powered by matched pump and engine packages are gaining traction.
Industrial Power Systems has collaborated with Pioneer Pump (Franklin Electric) and Cobram Pumping & Irrigation to help Victorian producers streamline operations and use water more effectively.
Pairing Volvo Penta’s industrial diesel engines, which provide a durable, fuel-efficient option for agricultural applications, with Pioneer Pump’s centrifugal pumps has proved a winning combination, underpinning high-performance irrigation packages suited to varied terrain and flow requirements.
Providing sales, spare parts and technical support for NSW marine and industrial sectors for more than 30 years, Fenquin oversees 25 Volvo Penta dealers. Don Morton, with more than 50 years under its belt, supports marine propulsion and industrial power needs in South Australia.
CPG, on the other hand, supports Volvo Penta engines operating in mining, oil and gas, marine and agriculture industries across WA.
Next evolution
With Volvo Penta a renowned innovator, Australian distributors are now ushering in inspired additions to a trusted engine platform.
This includes telemetry, electric-drive engines and the adoption of alternative fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen and dual-fuel options.
Remote monitoring has been warmly welcomed by end users in particular.
“Customers now have access to a portal where they can keep an eye on engine performance in real time, and over time, notice operational trends,” Cottle said.
“If something changes – such as engine temperature or RPM – end users can be notified and take action.”
Cottle said this is Volvo Penta’s way of offering the “next layer of customer experience”, allowing customers to “get more connected with their engines”.
Telemetry is enabling end users to further optimise engine operations with a goal of achieving higher efficiency, lower costs and reduced emissions.
“The future will see increased data sharing between users and central systems, with recommendations coming back to say, for example, ‘Why does that engine need to operate at that exact RPM? Based on the load profile, if you drop to this RPM, you’ll be able to save X litres per year’,” Cottle said.
“These are the kinds of actionable insights that are possible through remote monitoring, with the ultimate goal of getting to downtime close to zero.”
Beyond telemetry, Cottle said there are a range of other emerging technologies entering the Volvo Penta fray.
“Each Volvo Penta distributor across Australia will be overseeing a range of technology advancements in the coming 12–18 months,” he said.
“Volvo Penta is bringing on battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support micro grids and the fast charging of electric equipment. We are also adopting electric drive lines for special vehicles, replacing diesel engines.
“Natural gas engines are being released next year to support power generation, while hydrogen dual-fuel engines are going to be available in variable speed range. This might appeal to some pump customers.”
Through premium Volvo Penta engines and solutions, end users have access to state-of-art technology to refine performance and propel operations forward.
Combine this with a comprehensive Australia- and PNG-wide distributorship through Oceania Power and the wider Volvo Penta network, and Volvo Penta customers have all the resources they need to succeed.
For more information, visit oceaniapower.com
This feature appeared in the Summer edition of Pump Industry.
