Hear from the Clay & Mineral team as they share why the Cat 950 Centennial Loader is more than limited‑edition equipment, and what this historic milestone means for them today and into the future.
about Clay & Mineral
For almost seven decades, South Australian family-owned business Clay & Mineral has been a supplier of the bulk materials that underpin the state’s civil, infrastructure, and construction sectors.
From quarry products and trenching sands to recycled aggregates and specialist construction materials, the Golden Grove-based company services projects ranging from suburban developments to the state’s largest infrastructure undertakings.
Established in 1957 by Laurence Fricker, Clay & Mineral began as a family enterprise focused on supplying clay, sand and quarry materials throughout South Australia.
Over time, the business expanded alongside the state’s growth, supplying materials to local brickworks, government developments, and businesses such as Adelaide Brighton Cement and Southern Bricks.
Through successive generations and changing market conditions, the company has provided dependable service, strong logistics capability, and an ability to adapt its operations to the needs of the construction industry.
Today, as it approaches 70 years in operation, Clay & Mineral services civil, commercial and infrastructure projects across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, with access to quarry and material resources spread across multiple locations.
Richard Fricker has been the Managing Director of the business since 1991. His son Lachlan is the third generation involved in the family business and has taken on a larger management role over recent years, overseeing daily operations, customer relationships, logistics coordination, and business development.
“The company’s operations stretch from McLaren Vale through to Port Augusta and the Mid North, supporting projects that demand reliable supply chains and high-volume material movement,” Lachlan said.
“Among the major projects Clay & Mineral has contributed to are the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project, the Osborne Submarine Project, the new Women’s & Children’s Hospital development, major road and intersection upgrades, and large-scale residential developments.
“These projects require not only material supply, but also the operational capability to deliver efficiently across diverse and demanding environments.”
The Clay & Mineral team: Lead Operator Aaron Shaw (left), General Manager Lachlan Fricker, Managing Director Richard Fricker, and Northern Operations Manager Graham Coulter.
Machines behind the momentum
Central to the company’s success has been its fleet of machinery and equipment. Clay & Mineral operates about 30 wheel loaders alongside excavators, articulated dump trucks, graders, dozers, crushing equipment, and screening plants.
“This allows us to provide end-to-end support across quarrying, recycling, material production and civil construction applications,” Lachlan said.
Much of that fleet carries the Caterpillar® badge, reflecting a connection with the manufacturer that spans almost the entire history of the business itself.
Clay & Mineral operates a range of Cat® equipment, including Cat 972 and Cat 938 wheel loaders, Cat 336 excavators, graders, and dozers, along with a recently purchased Cat 950 Centennial 100-Year Edition loader; one of only 35 released around the world.
“The decision to remain committed to Cat equipment has been driven by reliability and long-term performance in demanding applications,” Lachlan said.
“It’s been based on the brand’s global reputation and proven machine performance in demanding civil, quarrying and earthmoving applications.
“Those factors become critical in a business operating across worksites where downtime can impact project schedules and productivity. The equipment’s durability and operator familiarity are among the reasons why the machines remain integral to the fleet.”
Supporting that long-standing Caterpillar relationship is South Australian Cat dealer Cavpower, which has become embedded in the company’s day-to-day operations.
Clay & Mineral works closely with the Cavpower Gepps Cross branch in Adelaide, maintaining strong relationships with personnel, including Territory Manager Brett Tomkins for equipment sales and Ben Foster in customer support and fleet coordination.
“The relationship with Cavpower extends beyond machinery purchases,” Lachlan said.
“It has been strong and consistent, particularly in terms of communication, responsiveness, and ongoing support. Service and backup have been reliable, with issues addressed promptly, and with minimal disruption to operations.”
Brett said Cavpower supported Clay & Mineral in all aspects of the business, including sales, service, repairs, and parts.
“With more than 40 field service vehicles on the road, most repairs can be done on site to keep the customer moving. We are always available for anything they may need, 24/7,” he said.
“We also advise on the best times to change over machines to ensure the best resale value. Over the years I have travelled to most of the Clay & Mineral sites to inspect the fleet and help them in this regard.”
Brett said the partnership with the Frickers began in 2018, from an inquiry for a quote on a new Cat 950M loader.
“I invited Clay & Mineral Operations Manager Domenic Trimboli down to have a tour of the Cavpower facility to see firsthand what we had to offer, and how we could assist their business moving forward,” he said.
“It’s grown from there, and the business has bought nine machines from me over the years.
“The majority in the fleet are Cat machines, including graders, dozers, and loaders, as well as Cat engines in some of the plant, spread across the state.”
The dealer support has become important as Clay & Mineral expands its operational footprint and invests in more sophisticated fleet management systems.
Lachlan said Cat technologies such as Payload and VisionLink were valuable tools across its operations.
Payload technology enables operators to accurately monitor loading weights in real time, improving productivity and consistency across multiple operators and sites. VisionLink provides telematics and visibility into machine utilisation, operational performance, and maintenance planning, allowing the business to manage fleet efficiency more effectively.
“The simplicity and consistency of these systems offer a competitive advantage, especially in an environment where operators may move between machines and worksites regularly,” Lachlan said.
Superior sorting and scrapping
A recent investment for Clay & Mineral has been the development of its Reeves Plains recycling facility. It reflects the company’s focus on sustainable construction materials and resource recovery, an area of importance for governments and contractors seeking to reduce landfill and lower the environmental footprint of infrastructure projects.
At the site, construction and demolition waste, including concrete, bitumen and bricks, is accepted, processed, and converted into reusable rubble, sand, and aggregate products for reuse across civil and construction applications. The facility transforms waste streams into construction materials that can be returned to the market.
Lachlan said the Cat 950 Centennial 100-Year Edition loader has become a flagship machine at the recycling operation.
“The loader is used in the handling, stockpiling, and processing of recycled materials, supporting continuous production and efficient site operations,” he said.
Brett said it was a case of good timing that led to the delivery of the Centennial model, painted in the original Caterpillar grey.
“As part of Caterpillar’s 100th anniversary, Cavpower received one Centennial 950 loader in a worldwide allocation of 35,” he said.
“At the same time, Domenic called me asking for a new loader for the recycling site.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to be able to support and thank a long-term South Australian company with something a bit special, and so we offered the anniversary edition to them.”
Forward-looking
Clay & Mineral plans to continue investing in Caterpillar equipment as part of its broader growth strategy.
“This is due to a combination of machine durability, technological integration, and strong dealer support,” Lachlan said.
Brett said the partnership had evolved beyond business into more of a friendship.
“Richard, Lachlan, and Domenic are genuinely friendly people who are easy to deal with, making it a pleasure to be a part of their journey,” he concludes.
Watch the full interview above or on our YouTube channel and check out more photos below. As seen in Earthmovers Magazine.
