Sedl Earthmoving

10/08/2009

Michael Sedl's new wheel loader

Established in Toowoomba 55 years ago, Sedl Earthmoving was the brainchild of Max Sedl, a plumber and drainer by trade.  Fast-forward to 2009 and Sedl Earthmoving, now run by Max’s son Michael continues to be a market leader in South West Queensland.

Founded as a civil contracting firm in 1954 with little more than a few tools and lots of energy for hard work, the family owned Sedl Earthmoving has been in continuous operation since that time and is showing no signs of slowing down.  Max started the company with one machine – a Cranvel trailed Sputnik backhoe – a four wheeled petrol engine machine with a drill bar on the front.

In 1964, while subcontracting on the Tara Hotel/Motel, Max was approached by the contractors of the Moonie Oil pipeline to dig a 300 by 1.6 metre trench and it was this and subsequent contract offers requiring additional machines which saw Max expand into plant hire.  As demand for Sedl’s services increased, so too did the company’s operating fleet.  

The second generation of the company began when Max’s son Michael began working with his father 30 years ago.  Mechanic Michael joined the family business having worked for Harristown Autos and McCafferty’s Buses and after convincing Max to branch into heavy machinery transportation, Michael managed this side of the company growing the Sedl Earthmoving truck fleet from one to seven prime movers and semi-tippers in a matter of years.

One of the first transport assignments undertaken by Sedl involved moving a Cat^® D7 track type tractor from Toowoomba’s old showgrounds on the north side of the city.  It seemed only fitting that from this outset, Sedl would become integrally involved with Hastings Deering, now transporting Cat machines from the wharf to branches within the company network and customers in the south west of the state.

The reciprocal association with Hastings Deering and Caterpillar was created soon after the transportation arm of the company took off and this was strengthened when Sedl Earthmoving purchased a used 120G motor grader.  A used 922 loader was acquired soon after and this was followed by the purchase of the company’s first new Cat in the mid 1980s – a 428 backhoe – prompted by an on-site demonstration of the machine and assessment of the good working relationship with the local Hastings Deering Toowoomba branch.  Sedl Earthmoving now has a significant Caterpillar fleet comprised of graders, backhoes, rollers, hydraulic excavators, compactors and skid steer loaders with other equipment rented on a needs basis at any time.

Sedl’s fleet has been involved in a number of large scale earthmoving projects in recent years to include the Gateway Park Stage 1 and 2 preparations in Brisbane (what is now the Direct Factory Outlet site) for five years and the Viola Place industrial subdivision for the Brisbane airport.  Closer to home, the company has performed extensive subdivision works throughout the Toowoomba, Warwick, Lockyer Valley and Taroom districts and recently completed the Warrego Equities subdivision in Roma which involved bulk earthworks, drainage, road sealing, kerbing and paving.  Remarkably, Sedl Earthmoving is once more engaged in operations on the Moonie Pipeline, performing dig ups on the decommissioned pipeline in a project expected to last a number of years.

The company’s newest acquisition is a 928H wheel loader which is working on projects throughout the Darling Downs.  Michael said he continues to purchase Caterpillar equipment because it’s the best in the business.  The convenience of having a Hastings Deering branch located locally has made life easier for the company also.  
“We have a great rapport with the staff at Hastings and the support we get from the manager, sales reps and service staff is appreciated,” said Michael. “Likewise, we appreciate the support we get on the transport side of the business.”

Recently signing an ongoing agreement to transport Cat machines from the Brisbane wharf to the Hastings Deering branch in Toowoomba, the 30 year relationship between the civil earthworks stalwart and Hastings looks certain to remain strong and hopefully last well into the next 30 years.