The respected South Australian civil construction and earthmoving company SC Heinrich has long been synonymous with quality workmanship, precision, and reliability, building a strong reputation through decades of successful projects across the state — from large-scale roadworks and mining infrastructure to dam construction, windfarm development, agricultural land care and local council contracts.
The company provides a variety of heavy plant for hire such as trucks, scrapers, excavators, dozers as well as a mobile crushing plant. It also has a broad range of quarry products, which are sourced and produced at various quarry sites located across the Clare area and the Mid North.
The power of three
The business is currently run by Managing Director Malcolm Heinrich and his son Alex as Operations Manager, with his brother Andrew involved as leading hand and operator.
“We are a family business of friendly, hard workers whose aim is to not only deliver a quality service, but to also exceed customer expectations,” Malcolm said.
The family tradition began three generations ago in 1954, when Stanley Clarence Heinrich, along with his wife Yvonne, started off a business with just a truck and a shovel.
“Stan sold his motorbike to buy the truck from his then-employer Merv Hentschke,” Malcolm said.
“He started carting sand and gravel by loading the truck with the shovel and unloading with the same shovel.
“It was hard work. Sometimes he would get the truck bogged in the sandpit and have to unload, dig the truck out and then reload.
“He also carted grain, grapes, fertiliser, all manually loaded and unloaded. He also did earthmoving, cleaning out and building dams, and any other jobs that came along.
“Mum was always by his side doing the books, making food, sewing, and playing the piano accordion when the beers came out!”
As the years progressed, the Heinriches were able to update to more modern machinery, encompassing the Caterpillar brand with his first RD4 bulldozer.
“From there on they increased the number of machines and trucks and by the 1960s were employing several workers, with me and my brothers coming on board in the 70s,” Malcolm said.
“We were always expected to perform in the company, but that was an easy task as we all grew up loving trucks and earthmoving machinery.
“I left school on my 15th birthday as I thought there wasn’t much more I could accomplish there”.
“Dad was always surrounded by friends and relatives in the same industry, especially the outback mailman Tom Kruse, who was mum’s uncle and famous for the Back and Beyond film.
“From Matchbox and Tonka toys through to the big boys’ toys like our Caterpillar, it was in our blood. It was a no brainer to take over the reins from dad.”
Stan retired after 50 years in business and remained actively involved for a further six years before he passed away in 2010.
“There’s nothing greater than a three-generation family business. I have worked in it since I left school in 1973. Various other family members have been involved for many decades and now my son is part of the team.
“We work to the strict values that mum and dad had.
“Do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. Don’t be dishonest and remain truthful at all times. You don’t necessarily have to be the cheapest or the dearest, all you have to do is a quality job and that will get you the next job.”
Also paramount was how the business treated employees, with permanent staff currently numbering between 35 and 40. “Many of them are like members of the family,” Malcolm said.
Quality counts
At the heart of SC Heinrich and Co’s operations is a deep commitment to dependable, high-performing machinery. Malcolm said that was a key reason why Caterpillar equipment remains a cornerstone of the company’s fleet.
The current line-up includes more than 300 machines, plus attachments: a mix of mobile crushing equipment, dozers, excavators, graders, rollers, scrapers, skid steers, trucks, dollies and light vehicles.
Of these, about 100 machines bear the yellow brand.
“The prime services that we provide are transport, earthmoving and quarrying,” Malcolm said.
“We do lots of local, state and federal government jobs and council contracting, anything earthmoving-related.
“Since 2001, we have been using Caterpillar exclusively. Prior to that, we had a mix of Caterpillar and another brand or two.
“Caterpillar equipment always shone out and we would not change brands from Caterpillar now.”
In short, all the earthmoving equipment is made by Caterpillar, and all the crushing and screening plants are Caterpillar-powered.
The rundown comprises:
- 30t and 40t Dump Trucks: 8
- D7R to D11T Dozers: 13
- 305 to 374F Excavators: 26
- 12M to 140M Graders: 5
- 922B to 986 Loaders: 30
- 2t to 17t Rollers: 10
- Scrapers: 2
- CTL 255 to 299D3 Skid Steer Loaders: 9
Malcolm remembers with fondness the first new Caterpillar the company bought.
“In 1968 we bought a brand new Cat 922B wheel loader,” he said.
“It was a very proud moment, taking delivery of that machine. We always referred to it as the big loader.
“Until a 936E come along and then that become the big loader, and so on over the ages as things multiplied and enlarged.
“We still have the 922 and will restore it one day when time permits.”
Malcolm said that a D7R tracked dozer bought in 2001 became Stanley’s pride and joy.
“That dozer was our first new Cat purchase for some time, and it was a sign that we were going the right direction,” Malcolm said.
“We still have that machine as well, fondly referred to as Stan’s dozer.”
Malcolm said the innovations that Caterpillar have brought in over the years have been impressive.
“Technology on Caterpillars machines is leading edge and impressive. The range of machines is huge, with basic models up to the top shelf with the lot,” he said.
Even something as basic as air-conditioned cabs was a welcome move.
“It may be standard now, but the introduction of air-conditioned cabins has been a godsend,” he said.
“Most of our 60’s and 70’s machines had no cabins and loud exhausts.
“It has been such a fantastic experience to be on a tractor with an enclosed cabin.
“Also, there are other improvements like the mechanical levers changing to electric-over-hydraulic controls, which make operation so much easier.
“The electric control modules and computer systems in the machines make servicing and storage of data much faster.
“And then there are the machine guidance, control and 3D systems. The tractor basically tells us what to do now.”
A winning deal
As the official Cat dealer in South Australia, Cavpower supplies Heinrich with its range of machines.
But all those years ago, when the business bought its first Caterpillar, it was from another dealer.
“I always remember when I was a young fellow in the 60s , I would go there with dad and I was always amazed at the Caterpillar tractors everywhere,” Malcolm said.
“Then Cavpower took on the Caterpillar franchise, and we continued to be well looked-after.
“The Cavpower team have become like a part of us. For a CEO, Jo Jones is very hands-on. Mark Taylor is our direct sales manager and as a result is now a direct family friend who has served us for decades.
“There are many others, like Luke Drogemuller in used sales, and Simon Lyall in product support.
“There are always a few twists and turns running a big business but we have a relationship that flows effortlessly, from new sales to backup and maintenance.”
Mark said he had been working with the Heinriches for close to three decades, and over that time has sold the company well over 50-60 machines: “graders, loaders, dozers, excavators, skid steers, rollers, dump trucks, you name it,” he said.
“They are really like part of the family. With Alex now heading up the business on a day-to-day basis, we are doing business with him frequently as well.”
Leaving a legacy
As Caterpillar celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, Heinrich is also aiming to create a lasting legacy of its own.
“We aim to carry on the father’s and grandfather’s names in the business and hopefully the tradition will flow to our children and maybe their children to make four generations,” Malcolm said.
Heinrich is already making a mark when it comes to community projects, including support for a number of sporting and Rotary clubs.
“We do support community in lots of ways, financially and in kind,” Malcolm said.
And it’s always done with Caterpillar at front of mind.
“There’s nothing better than rolling up to a working bee with a Cat machine, which is usually a bit bigger than the task requires,” Malcolm said.
“Our loyalty to the Cat brand is well-known. We have Cat hats, Cat clothes, Cat socks and even a Cat shovel.”
“Some of our family members are off doing their own thing at the moment, but as time passes they will gravitate back to their grassroots and benefit from the legacy that will ensue,” he said.
“If Stan could see where we are today, he would have a big smile on the face.
“So many people tell us how well we’ve done, and how much Stan and Yvonne would be astonished and astounded by it all.
“We’ve gone from D7 to D11 dozers, and 922B to 982M loaders and bigger, 305 mini excavators up to heavy duty 374F excavators.
“Dad would be absolutely amazed. I wish he could see it all now.
“And if I was ever in doubt about buying another machine, he would say ‘If I was your age boy, I’d just go ahead and buy it’.
“And so, the story continues, and hopefully with no end.”