Chris Ryan Earthmoving celebrates 25 years in business
CHRIS RYAN, OWNER of Chris Ryan Earthmoving provides an insight to the development of the business.
CHRIS RYAN has grown up in the Pyalong area and it’s here that he formed Chris Ryan Earthmoving in 1989. He previously worked as a motor mechanic for thirteen years until he opened the family’s first Granite sand pit twenty five years ago.
Chris was getting tired of buying sand off another supplier so he thought it was a good idea to buy his own land. “It was a very easy process in those days, how things have changed. Although this site only had a deposit of about 10,000 metres it gave me a good start in the industry.”
His first truck was a 1976 – 3070 Acco and a Case 1150 truck loader which the tracks would fall off at least once a week, we all have to start somewhere.
In 1995 (19 years ago) the sand pit we had was in a clay seem about 1 metre down with 1 – 2 metres of sand below so I built a screen and this enabled us to access the sand underneath.
We have been screening our sand ever since and this gives us a much cleaner and reliable product.
Most of our sand goes to Melbourne to garden supplies and landscapers. We deliver as far north as Echuca and as far south as Langwarrin and Geelong.
Some important local projects include providing sand for the Kilmore Racing track and for roads throughout the Macedon Ranges Shire.
We have been in our current pit for about four years (since 2009) and should be here for at least another five years depending on the current market.
When we opened this pit we bought a second hand 480 Finlay screen.
Our sand has a very low clay content and a P1 of about 2-3. A lot of the sand is used for walking paths i.e. Botanical Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens and Federation Square.
This is my sixth granite sand pit within the Pyalong area as the deposits are usually not that large, they average about two (2) metres deep.
“I will soon have to apply for a variation to my work authority, which will be interesting,” Chris stated.
“I have my concerns about the length of time it may take to get the variation approved as well as the increased costs involved for the application. There are other issues such as native vegetation and community consultation which I haven’t had to deal with in the past which are also of concern.”
We have three full time employees, two truck drivers and myself helping in the pit most of the time, although we are a small operation we are one of the largest employers in the town.
We do not sell ex pit only supply and deliver as this allows us to maximise value of the deposit.
I have been a member of the CMPA since it started back in 2000 and have been involved in numerous training days and workshops over the years.
In particular I have done the WorkSafely training through Box Hill TAFE and have participated in Site visits when the Department of Primary Industry staff have made trips to member quarries.
Last year I attended a Management Committee Meeting in Kilmore when Kylie White, Executive Director, Earth Resources Regulations Branch from Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI) was in attendance.
I am currently participating in a new Work Plan Application trial in conjunction with the CMPA and consults Jacobs SKM.
60 Seconds with a voting member . . .
What is your name?
Chris Ryan
Who do you work for?
Chris Ryan Earthmoving
How many years have you worked for this business?
25 years
What is your role at the company?
Owner.
What is your role?
Managing Director.
What does your job involve?
Running of the business, organising trucks (spare truck driver), onsite maintenance and sales quotes.
What is the best part of your job?
Being your own boss, working with and meeting people.
CHRIS RYAN EARTHMOVING
Chris Ryan – Owner
Phone: 0408 583 154
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