In 2024, Untapped assisted a Tier-1 client to explore opportunities to enhance the productivity and cost efficiency of their Haul Truck Fleet - while aligning risk appetite with business objectives. 

This assessment resulted in the below benefits:

• ~11% reduction in WoL (Whole of Life) maintenance spend (~$25M)
• Fleet uptime increase of ~5200hrs
• ~30% reduction in maintainer exposure activities
• ~$1.1B CAPex deferral through extended fleet lives
• Untapped ~$190M residual asset component life

The engagement included stakeholders from the clients operational, central and technology teams, as well as industry and OEM representation.

Focusing on optimising asset life cycles and reducing operational expenses. Untapped successfully completed a comprehensive assessment of current asset strategy, aimed at minimising maintainer exposure events, lowering material costs, increasing asset uptime, and reducing labour hours.

Our client operates more than 80 sites across Australia, ranging from small modular buildings to complex operational facilities. They proactively identified that outside of rail track maintenance standards, infrastructure asset maintenance lacked a structured approach, resulting in limited clarity on maintenance requirements and their role in supporting asset lifecycles.

Untapped were engaged to assess the relevant asset classes and review compliance against regulatory standards as applicable.

This task involved developing a a structured framework and methodology that captured and assessed all infrastructure asset classes and their required maintenance strategies and tactics against relevant Australian Standards and other codes. 

Over 25 asset classes, comprising ~8000 subsystems, were mapped to National and State regulatory requirements, with a detailed output developed that provided the client with asset classifications, maintenance tasks, intervals, and compliance references for CMMS upload.

Untapped was engaged to assist our client deploy a new operating model for maintenance planning and scheduling.

The client had determined the existing model lacked standardised role definitions, leading to inconsistencies across asset classes. 

Untapped co-led a change program across three sites to embed the new operating model that was designed to enhance the planning and scheduling function. This included mapping existing personnel competencies against 150+ key role deliverables, in order to develop capability uplift plans for each individual.

Additionally, collaborative workshops were held with asset practitioners and owners  that refined the work of the roles, outlining responsibilities and key tasks to ensure alignment with future state objectives. 

The delivery of the new model enhanced role clarity, accountability, and efficiency within the planning and scheduling function. Which, in turn, improved coordination, reduced variability, and supported better asset management.

Our client implemented a strategic operational change that improved asset utilisation and reduced operational variability. This created a platform for further efficiencies.

As part of this operating change, the site mitigated ramp-up risk through reducing servicing intervals for its Haul Fleet, negatively impacting fleet availability by ~2000hrs annually. 

In 2023, Untapped facilitated workshops with operational and central teams, that explored extending service intervals to enhance cost efficiency and uptime. Through internal and external benchmarking, combined with OEM support, the workshops confirmed that the client could extend their service tactics to unlock efficiency and cost improvements, whilst managing risk.

A successful trial validated extended service internals which de-bottlenecked maintenance activities, increasing truck uptime by ~1750hrs annually, and reducing material spend by >$750k per year.

In 2021, Untapped was approached to provide high-calibre, remote maintenance planning and scheduling resources.

Our client was dealing with operational challenges due to Covid-19, resulting in higher levels of unplanned absenteeism and turnover.

Untapped onboarded six personnel in short time to support our clients Pilbara operations to maintain their routine and shut maintenance planning requirements.

This progressive model resulted in a significant uplift for the client, generating the below benefits: 

- ~15% spend reduction per resource pa

- Unlocked 416hrs of additional productivity per resource pa

- Reduces fatigue and psychological safety impacts of FIFO

As of 2025, this partnership continues and has grown to support more sites and functions for our client.

As part of a comprehensive asset management improvement initiative, Untapped supported this client with the development of their Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP), along with more than ten supporting asset management standards.

The engagement focuserd on enhancing maintenance maturity across the operation, ensuring alignment with ISO 55001 requirements and establishing a structured approach to asset lifecycle management. 

The project incorporated integrating best practices, governance frameworks, and operational excellence principles to create a sustainable, high-performance asset management system. The development process involved extensive engagement with site teams, ensuring that the SAMP and associated standards were practical, fit-for-purpose, and seamlessly integrated into existing operations.

A key aspect of this initiative was the creation of standards and procdures that covered critical areas such as asset lifecycle planning, risk management, maintenance execution, reliability engineering, and continuous improvement. These standards provided a consistent framework for decision-making, improved visibility into asset performance, and enabled data-driven maintenance strategies.

Image Source: https://www.amcouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/asset_management_maturity_model.png