Earthmoving Plant & Transport: Refurbished Equipment and In-House Servicing in Durban

Earthmoving Plant & Transport (EPT) is a Durban-based operation focused on the rebuilding, servicing and sale of earthmoving and heavy equipment. Located on a 3,000 m² site in Westmead, the facility houses a substantial workshop (about 600 m²), a wash bay, spray booth, administration offices and spares stores. The business has established itself over seven years as a dedicated partner for equipment owners seeking reliable refurbished machinery and ongoing maintenance support rather than a traditional hire service.

The enterprise is owned by Richard Eastwood, who combines hands-on technical leadership with executive oversight of purchasing, selling and day-to-day workshop management. Trained with Barlows and drawing on extensive industry experience, Eastwood has previously managed an earthworks operation locally and spent time on site in Botswana. This background underpins a practical approach centred on equipment longevity, dependability and cost efficiency for clients across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond.

The core focus of EPT lies in supplying refurbished equipment for sale and conducting comprehensive maintenance and rebuild work. The workshop conducts major repairs and rebuilds, with a clear emphasis on strip-down and reintegration: each rebuilt machine is dismantled to a shell, rebuilt to a new specification and offered with a six-month warranty. This process aims to deliver equipment that behaves like new at a substantially lower cost, with refurbished machines typically priced at around half the cost of a new unit. The company positions itself as a supplier of reliable refurbished machinery and as a supportive service for equipment owners seeking steady access to quality gear.

EPT does not operate a traditional hire fleet, instead specialising in refurbishments, repairs and equipment supply. Local and regional clients have included operators such as Wessel Kampher, Dolphin Coast Waste Services, Crooke’s Brothers, Franki Pile and Teichmann Plant, reflecting a strong track record in serving civil engineering, quarrying, waste management and construction sectors. The company’s reputation for dependable rebuilds has even attracted enquiries from markets overseas, including France and Egypt, underscoring the global interest in its refurbishment capabilities.

The workforce at EPT comprises around 12 skilled personnel, including two boilermakers, two fitters, a panel beater, a spray painter and three diesel fitters. The combination of skilled trades and a focused service ethos is presented by Eastwood as the primary driver of success, emphasising commitment to excellence and meticulous workmanship in every project.

In terms of product and service scope, EPT operates a modern in-house workshop equipped to handle a broad range of plant servicing and rebuild requirements. Capabilities include engine and transmission rebuilds, component rebuilds, general machining, line boring and repair or manufacture of buckets. The workshop also stocks a wide range of second-hand parts and exchange components, reinforcing a full-service offering that supports both refurbishment projects and ongoing maintenance needs.

In addition to servicing and rebuild work, the firm runs a dedicated sales operation for refurbished and rebuilt plant and equipment. The sales team brings over two decades of industry experience to pre- and post-sales support, and offers warranties with sold machines to provide buyers with added assurance. The sales focus complements the refurbishment capability, ensuring clients can source units that meet specific project requirements and budget considerations.

For potential customers, practical considerations include the availability of a fully equipped workshop, a clear six-month warranty on rebuilt machines, and a service model that emphasises value rather than the overheads of owning a new machine. While the site does not advertise equipment hire, its offerings are well-suited to owners seeking refurbished equipment, parts, and thorough maintenance support from a Durban-based provider.

Customers planning to engage with EPT should consider bringing project specifications, preferred specifications for replacement components, and any required timelines. The company’s in-house capabilities suggest that large-scale rebuilds can be processed efficiently, with the potential for financing support noted in market chatter surrounding rebuilt equipment.

• Typical job types and industries served: refurbishment and rebuilds for earthmoving and heavy plant used in civil works, construction, waste services and mining related activities.
• How requests usually work: equipment is assessed in the workshop, dismantled and rebuilt to new specifications, then offered for sale with a warranty; maintenance plans can be pursued through the sales and aftercare framework.
• Location and area served: Durban region and KwaZulu-Natal, with evidence of international interest in rebuilt equipment.

Practical tips for customers include inspecting rebuilt units for compliance with the six-month warranty policy, verifying the availability of spare parts and exchange components, and considering refurbishment as a cost-effective alternative to new purchase. Prospective buyers should assess long-term maintenance needs and explore financing options that support refurbished equipment investments, leveraging the experience of an established Durban supplier with a dedicated workshop and skilled staff.