One of the most important ingredients in developing a successful construction company is having a reliable and trusted partnership with your equipment supplier and service provider – and that’s exactly what JK Williams has been able to benefit from in its long-standing relationship with WesTrac.
This story was produced by Awesome Earthmovers and originally published as an interview case study in Awesome Earthmovers Issue 24. It has been re-published here by WesTrac in Feb 2025.
Founded more than 65 years ago, JK Williams is a company that has a rich family history and a strong heritage of quality, stability and innovative leadership with a solid reputation for a job well done.
Those are the same values and qualities that have been the driving force behind the success and growth of WesTrac NSW/ACT who, for more than 20 years, have been providing customers like JK Williams world-class equipment, service and support across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Since becoming the region’s official Cat dealer in 2004, WesTrac has delivered more than 16,500 Cat machines, with its team of 50 in those early days rapidly growing to more than 500 in just over a two-month period. Today, WesTrac NSW/ACT has 18 branches, six Click and Collect lockers and more than 1,500 dedicated team members, providing support and service to more than 6,500 customers each year.
One of those customers is JK Williams who operate an extensive fleet of heavy equipment, including excavators from one tonne to 70 tonne, compactors, scrapers, graders, dump trucks and rollers, much of it bearing the famous Cat logo.
“We’ve come a long way since 2004,” says WesTrac Chief Executive Adrian Howard, “and our goal is to stay at the forefront of technology and innovation to ensure our customers continue to succeed from owning and operating Cat equipment.”
He adds that WesTrac is committed to delivering world class service and support to customers by ensuring that owning and operating Cat equipment is safe, easy and profitable – and that’s exactly what JK Williams has experienced from the very beginning of its partnership with WesTrac and Caterpillar.
Located in Penrith in NSW, JK Williams is not a typical contractor, but rather one with a diverse knowledge across several civil contracting disciplines, from residential and industrial projects, road construction, property development, bulk earthworks and infrastructure works to stormwater installations, drainage, concrete paving, kerbing and landscaping.
The company was founded by father of four Jack Kenneth Williams who tragically died in a light plane crash at the age of just 52. Since 1992, it has been owned by Managing Director Leigh Hartog who originally started with JK Williams as a surveyor in 1974. His longstanding achievements within the company, which is dedicated to enriching and supporting the community where its works and lives, were recognised by Penrith City Council in 2020 when he was awarded the very rare and prestigious “Civic Recognition of Honoured Citizen of the City of Penrith”.
Awesome Earthmovers caught up with some of his team as they were working on a major housing development in the south-west of Sydney in Australia. Among those we met was site foreman Rees Clarke.
“Our relationship with WesTrac goes back many years. The Cat machines they have supplied over that time have proved reliable and fuel efficient, and their parts availability, their service and their support to us as a company have been first class,” says Rees, who has been with JK Williams for more than 11 years.
“Over the years, machines have got bigger, faster and more technologically advanced. Today, we employ GPS and machine control on most of our Cat equipment, enabling operators to upload and share data and generally keep an accurate track of how work is progressing which results in better productivity and efficiency.”
Indeed, JK Williams has established a long history of engaging with the latest technology, with its rapid tech adoption stretching back to 1999, from when it has made ample use of GPS tracking, 3D machine controls and remote survey monitoring technology in its civil construction projects, allowing it to achieve better quality and more efficient results.
JK Williams was also the first contractor to take delivery of a Cat Ejector Dump Truck in Australia back in 2000 and since then it has continued to add Cat machines to its fleet, including two 627K scrapers which has allowed it to tackle large-scale earthworks projects with even greater efficiency.
These highly efficient scrapers boast two-part fuel economy modes for less fuel usage at lower RPMs. On top of this, they also come complete with built-in safety features such as engine over speed protection and bowl side overflow guards to keep them fully functional for longer periods of time between scheduled maintenance. Enhanced steering systems lower total operator fatigue behind the wheel, while an advanced cushion hitch dampens end stroke events with predictive measures.
Another recent addition to the fleet was a Cat D6 XE, the world’s first high drive Electric Drive dozer, offering high levels of productivity, fuel efficiency and ease of operation, along with reduced service and maintenance costs. Its acquisition from WesTrac underlined JK Williams commitment to reinvesting in the latest technology and sustainability.
Packing plenty of power, extremely fuel efficient, and more environmentally friendly, it comes with the broadest range of technology features in the industry and is fitted with a Power-Angle-Tilt (PAT) Blade which allows for greater movement and control from the operator, especially useful for trenching and backfilling.
Not surprisingly, it has proved to be a big favourite with operators, thanks to its spacious sound proofed cab, full colour 10-inch liquid crystal touch screen display, integrated rear view camera, adjustable operator controls and armrests, and ample storage areas.
Those operators include a growing number of father and daughter teams, daughters who alongside their fathers, fulfill a variety of crucial roles across the business, showcasing their capabilities and expertise in operating heavy machinery such as excavators, dump trucks, and rollers compactors.
Female employees have become an integral part of the company, the first joining JK Williams nearly two decades ago. Some have made significant contributions to specialised teams like concrete and pipelaying, while others excel in roles like trainee surveyor, demonstrating their proficiency and dedication to mastering their craft.
The company’s success in fostering a culture of inclusion is a testament to the unwavering support and acceptance exhibited by its entire workforce. Every new member of the team is embraced and encouraged to thrive, ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected for their unique contributions.
Without doubt, JK Williams is a forward-thinking company. Its growing reputation for excellence, resourcefulness and responsiveness is no accident. It is a natural consequence of the values that have guided the company whose energetic and enthusiastic commitment to its clients – and the Cat brand – as well as to employees and to the industry in general clearly sets it apart.
