- Article produced by Catherine Fitzpatrick from tradeearthmovers
A long-standing relationship with Striker, plus the simplicity and durability of its machines, has led R&M Crushing to choose the brand for the majority of its fleet
Family-run plus Australianowned and operated, Striker has a long history of designing and manufacturing heavy-duty mobile crushers and screens. Since 1998, Striker has grown from a local operation into a global force — with manufacturing facilities in Western Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand. There is no better advocate for its equipment than R&M Crushing co-founder and manager Simon Mateljan. Having worked within the crushing and screening industry for more than two decades, Mateljan has been blessed in his career to work for companies that have chosen Striker equipment for their fleet, and now he is continuing the trend in his own business. “An opportunity came up with my business partner and we took a leap,” Mateljan says. “I just felt the time was right to start up my own organisation.”
R&M Crushing
Founded in 2023, R&M Crushing primarily offers contract crushing and screening services, along with some additional plant hire and quarrying services. The business is based around 140km south of Perth in the town of Harvey and has focus on the Midwest Murchison region, although R&M Crushing knows no boundaries. In terms of its operations, the business has stretched as far as the Pilbara region and even the Northen Territory. Still in its infancy, R&M Crushing utilises just over 10 employees depending on the project size and makes use of a mixed mobile crushing and screening fleet, with more than 20 assets in their fleet. A long-standing relationship with Striker has led to Mateljan choosing the brand almost exclusively when procuring used equipment. “My experience with striker equipment dates back 20 years – I’ve got a good relationship with them, and I trust their product,” he says. “I’ve previously never had a choice on what equipment was used but now I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I make the equipment decisions, so I choose Striker for its simplicity, durability and robust machines.”
Built to last
Among the R&M Crushing fleet is a mix of its own and some rented Striker equipment, including a Striker JM1180 jaw crusher, a Striker CM400 cone crusher and several radial stockpile conveyors and transfer conveyors. Most of these machines have been operating for the best part of a decade and still working as strong as ever, which Mateljan says is a testament to Striker’s durability and longevity. “Regardless of how it has been treated in the past, you can be comfortable that the equipment will continue to perform into the future,” he says. Part of this reason is that Striker’s equipment is designed and built to last specifically in Australia’s harsh climate. Striker ensures this with machines that are designed by a local and experienced team of past operators for fellow operators. It’s just a bonus that they also provide an excellent aftersales service. “The support that you get from Striker is very personalised and all their staff have been in and around the business for a long time,” Mateljan says. “They know their product intimately, but they’re not beyond taking a call from a customer. “If I’ve got a technical question, I can jump straight on the phone to the guy that’s been building these machines for 20 years. There’s no greater product knowledge in any manufacturer than what Striker has got.”
Ease of maintenance
One of the other main reasons Mateljan credits Striker’s equipment for being so durable is its common components that make maintenance and part supply much easier. “There’s a lot of shared componentry across their product range, in terms of off the shelf type items that can be found at your typical suppliers for things like bearings, belts, and hydraulic suppliers throughout the industry,” he says. “This means you don’t necessarily have to go to Striker for OEM parts if you have access for other parts.” AS R&M Crushing continues to grow, it’s bound to see more Striker equipment join the current fleet. “If I’ve got a need for more equipment – which I regularly do – the first conversation I always have is with Striker,” Mateljan says. “I can guarantee that we will be investing in more Striker equipment in the future.”