Caterpillar - Finning Canada

“It was a real team effort between Weyerhaeuser,Nanaimo Foundry, the subcontractors andFinning,” says Ben Lattanzi, maintenancesuperintendent for Weyerhaeuser’s SouthIsland Timberlands.wires when operating the machine was aconcern. This inspired another innovativeidea for the Bandit.At the end of his shift, the operatorwas often covered with small fragmentsof aluminum. However, during the rainywinter months, Beaubien noticed flakingwas less of a problem because the wirewas wet. The mechanics at South IslandTimberlands came up with a spray systemto keep the wire damp. In the finaldesign, Andersen enhanced the optionwith a system that sprays soapy water onthe wire, alleviating the flaking problemcompletely.One of the biggest challenges on theproject was installing the controls intothe new cab arrangement. “The newmachines are proportionately electronicover hydraulic, so we spent a great dealof time getting the controls in the newcab operating,” Andersen says. “We havewhat looks like an elephant trunk full of18 gauge wire feeding into the new cab.”He enlisted the help of a couple of otherVancouver Island subcontractors for theproject. Cowichan Hydraulics EquipmentService and Supply Ltd. played asignificant role in the hydraulics, whileAmmeter Electric Ltd. contributed on theelectrical work.“It was a real team effort betweenWeyerhaeuser, Nanaimo Foundry, thesubcontractors and Finning,” says Weyerhaeuser’sLattanzi. “Without all of thesegroups participating, we could not havegot this project off the ground.”The carrier machine was sold throughFinning Nanaimo, which brought generalline salesman Matt Laing, and Nanaimobasedproduct support rep Neil Roineinto the project.“Terry Boulet called me up and toldme what he had in mind, so we went outand had a chat about it,” explains Laing.“We sold a 950G loader without the cab,but more importantly, we were able to gothat extra mile to meet Weyerhaeuser’sexpectations and requirements.”For Roine, who spent many hours onthe project for Finning, the results wereworth the effort. “We were pleased withthe end result, and the customer waspleased,” he says. “We had worked withNanaimo Foundry on other projects inthe past, but mainly liners, buckets andother attachments,” Roine adds. “Thiswas definitely the biggest project we havecompleted with them.”Other log handling operations in B.C.have expressed interest in the Bandit.With the success at Weyerhaeuser, it mayonly be a matter of time before anotherjoint effort goes on the drawing boards atNanaimo Foundry.Second LifeNanaimo Foundry has a long, varied,and at times, tumultuous history inB.C.’s forest industry. The companywas founded in 1888 in the harbourcity of Nanaimo. In 1992, the companyneeded re-capitalizing. It waspurchased by a group that includescurrent president Fabian Andersen.“The company was in pretty toughshape when we bought it,” he recalls.“We remained in Nanaimo for a fewyears, and then as we started to buildthe business back up again, we movedthe company to Chemainus and constructeda brand new shop.”The new facility, which opened in1999, offers 20,000 square feet ofspace and an overhead crane for movingand positioning large components.Nanaimo Foundry still specializes inthe forest industry, including the pulpand paper sector, but has also completedprojects for construction andcement companies.In addition to custom design, fabricationand machining services, thecompany has a construction side. NFInstallations is a wholly owned subsidiaryof Nanaimo Foundry, specializingon installations for the forest industry.“We have the design, supply, andinstallation capabilities all within onecompany,” notes Andersen. “Thatdiversity has helped us build NanaimoFoundry back up, and will take us intothe future.”www.finning.ca Summer 2005 • TRACKS & TREADS 33