Testimonials
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
EXTRAXI was contracted recently by Holcim to complete two brownfield capital upgrade projects for our South-east Queensland quarry business. Both projects involved the management of engineering design, tendering and procurement co-ordination, resource allocation, contractor management, cost control, site integration, and management of project safety and reporting. Both projects were delivered on time, on budget, to a high standard, and ZERO Harm with no safety or environmental incidents. EXTRAXI provided us with a professional contract management approach and were able to seamlessly adapt to our existing in-house systems, while bringing valuable industry knowledge and know-how to the successful completion of the works. Having a contracted partner for projects like these, has allowed our site management and their teams to remain focused on the day-to-day operations, knowing the project will be professionally managed and delivered.
TRAINING
EXTRAXI were engaged by J Swap Contractors (NZ) to deliver Emergency Management for Quarries training to all our quarry managers in late 2017, primarily for CPD. The program was extended to two half-days day of classroom theory and case studies with the other half days applying the theory at two of our working quarry sites. We take the attitude that if we take the time out of production to do training, we may as well do it properly. Our predominately older staff gained more from the practical sessions, building on the theory, rather than theory alone. While this takes longer, the learning that is applied in the field ‘’sticks’’ better. EXTRAXI provided two facilitators (Richard and Hamish), who presented excellent content backed by a solid understanding of quarry operations, legal requirements, and practical insight and experience. Their ability to blend the theoretical into real-life application on-site was what made the course valuable to our site management team. I highly recommend EXTRAXI for any specific industry training needs you may have.
TRAINING
"The Institute of Quarrying, Australia (IQA) has contracted EXTRAXI several times over the past three years to undertake seminar and workshop facilitation of our Professional Development Program (PDP) and the creation of new PDP learning materials, programs, and content. Richard Ernst, Principal Consultant at EXTRAXI, is a professionally qualified construction materials advisor and trainer. He ensures up-to-date and current industry best practice and knowledge is conveyed to workshop participants, with an engaging and practical style. Most recently, Richard has commenced presenting industry topics to the IQA’s membership base using our webinar delivery format. His ability to present material in this format is exceptional and he continues to receive excellent participant feedback. Richard’s professional and practical approach, and first-rate industry knowledge make his training sessions extremely valuable to our PDP participants. Richard and EXTRAXI should be your ‘go-to’ industry consultant and I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have."
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT
"EXTRAXI was engaged by Rocla Quarry Products to undertake an operational review and develop a performance improvement plan for our Calga sand operation in NSW. EXTRAXI initially undertook a detailed quarry audit (KEYSTONETM) to identify and rate the performance of the site as a whole, covering the local market, processing operations, and resource exploitation. By rating the performance of the site in the areas of Basic Fundamentals, Design, Management Control, and Performance, EXTRAXI was able to quickly become ‘read-in’ to the site’s challenges. EXTRAXI’s team of two consultants analysed financial and market information, operational and production data, and were able to identify improvement potential and develop practical and low cost solutions. A distinguishing factor with EXTRAXI was the on-site implementation support provided by the consultants. Over the course of several months, both consultants returned to the site to assist quarry management with implementing the proposed changes, and additionally completing an optimal exploitation plan for the site. Richard Ernst and Hamish Beattie were both extremely professional and practical in their approach. They were able to engage effectively with both site personnel and head office management. With substantial experience and understanding of the business and the industry, they were quickly able to cut through to the issues that mattered. I would not hesitate to recommend EXTRAXI to the industry as your performance improvement partner."