UKW Spares & Machinery has expanded into Western Australia, having recently opened a new facility in Perth that aims to better service existing customers, while tapping into new growth opportunities
With a near three-decade history, UKW Spares & Machinery is renowned for its new, used and remanufactured parts, specialising in Komatsu and Hitachi makes.
These two brands are just the beginning however, as UKW can also source parts from other major OEMs to suit its customers’ needs.
Having started as a dismantling specialist, UKW stills sources used parts through breaking down machinery, as well as importing its own catalogue of new parts.
The business has built many long-standing relationships over the years through facilities in Melbourne, Brisbane and Townsville, and despite lacking a physical presence in Western Australia, UKW says it has always had a significant customer base in the west.
However, the sheer distance of UKW’s eastern locations from these customers often cause logistical inefficiencies, including slower shipping times. To alleviate this, UKW has recently opened a new warehouse in Wangara, Perth, with better parts availability and local support for these customers.
“Before we had this facility, parts were arriving from overseas into Melbourne and travelling as on-road freight back to Perth,” UKW regional sales manager for WA Deen Matijevic says.
“Sometimes we would be losing four to seven days in getting parts to clients.”
Machinery maintenance
UKW’s expansion into WA comes as the market for new earthmoving equipment begins to show signs of cooling, according to Matijevic.
“We’re seeing a clear slowdown in demand for new construction machinery,” he explains.
“Major suppliers are holding higher stock levels, and there’s been a noticeable uptick in the number of units entering the auction market compared to this time last year.
“This shift is prompting many businesses to reconsider large capital investments. Instead of purchasing new equipment, companies are choosing to extend the life of their existing fleet through repairs and rebuilds which is a more cost effective and strategic approach in the current climate. The Perth market is naturally pivoting toward parts and maintenance.
“In fact, we’ve seen a significant increase in activity here in WA during the first quarter of this financial year compared to the same period last year.”
Industry knowledge
Based locally, Matijevic is currently leading the Perth operation and is ready to support UKW customers with the kind of expertise that only comes from being in the field.
This includes more than 25 years of experience across OEMs, construction and plant hire, giving Matijevic significant industry knowledge and insights that make him the go-to for advice on genuine vs. aftermarket parts, hard-to-find components, and equipment strategies.
Many UKW customers in Perth may already know him from his previous time at Komatsu and a local civil contractor, where he has built relationships that have held him in good stead in his new role.
While the main purpose of the new facility is to better service existing clients, Matijevic says it is also helping to grow UKW’s customer base, which aligns with the business’ long-term vision.
“It’s essentially our introduction to the WA market,” he says.
“And it’s working well – customers benefit from faster access to parts, as they’re now shipped directly into WA rather than waiting for deliveries from Melbourne.”
For more information, visit ukw.com.au or call Deen Matijevic on 0438 476 235.
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