Zanetto Civil

Keeping it Civil – Zanetto Civil

Over the past 25 years, Zanetto Civil has developed into a trusted name in Tasmania’s civil works space. Project Manager Nathan Zanetto explains what makes the family business tick, and how Kobelco’s excavators have contributed to its success.

In 1997, Paul Zanetto left his job as a manager for Boral Construction in Launceston, Tasmania, and went solo. With a view to build a civil works business that could grow along with his young family, he started Zanetto Civil.

He started small, a single backhoe loader to his name, delivering small private projects – but things grew quickly.

Since then, having delivered works for clients including the City of Launceston, TasWater, and Launceston Airport just to name a few, the business has put together an extensive and diverse portfolio of works covering bulk earthworks, road construction, subdivisions, retaining structures, and more.

Paul’s son Nathan joined Zanetto Civil as a Project Manager around 18 months ago, bringing his experience as a civil engineer to the family business.

“I’d always hoped Nathan would join the business,” Paul says. “I offered him the role here two years ago, he took it, and he’s done extremely well.”

For Nathan, it was a natural career progression – and a return to the sort of work he’d grown up around.

“I’ve always enjoyed the variety of work that the civil industry offers,” Nathan says. “Each day is different and there are always unique challenges to overcome with each project.

“An average day for the Zanetto team can include anything from excavation, pipe laying, and transporting material between sites, to dealing with subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.”

Trusted advisers

Since Zanetto Civil’s humble single-backhoe-loader beginnings, the business’ plant and equipment fleet has grown to include a range of excavators, trucks, rollers, directional drills, vacuum trucks, skid steers, and a broad selection of buckets and rock breaking attachments.

For Nathan, one highlight in his fledgling Zanetto Civil career has been the purchase of a brand-new Kobelco SK380XDLC-10 excavator – a powerful 38-tonne machine that represents a new direction for the business. Paul says Nathan spearheaded the acquisition soon after coming on board, and the decision has proven to be fruitful.

Nathan ran some figures on the 38-tonner, and figured we could potentially break into some new markets with it. And it hasn’t stopped working since we’ve had it, so it’s certainly been a good move.

Paul Zanetto, Zanetto Civil

Nathan adds: “We had some larger earthworks projects in the pipeline, and some tough rock excavation to get through.

We began discussing our needs with local Kobelco dealer DLM Machinery, who helped us select the SK380XD and attachments. From there, they guided us through the timeline, transportation, and handover.”

The purchase is just the latest facilitated by a productive, long-term relationship between the two businesses – one Nathan says stretches back almost 20 years.

“They sold us our first 20-tonne Kobelco excavator, and we have continued to maintain a strong relationship since then,” he says. “We’ve since purchased 12 Kobelco machines over the years, ranging from 3.5-tonne to 38-tonne, and each one has impressed from day one. Of those 12 machines, 11 are still in our fleet today.”

According to DLM Machinery Director Dave Morrison, the Zanetto team was initially drawn to the Kobelco brand for its competitive pricing, but what’s kept them coming back has been a combination of reliability and good backup support – an element of the business that Dave and his wife Leanne have taken pride in since they started the dealership in 1995.

“We became the Kobelco dealer for Tasmania in 2000, and we now have a capable field service team that covers the whole state,” he says.

“Our relationship with Zanetto Civil came about by way of quoting Paul on a new Kobelco excavator, which he purchased, and we’ve built on that relationship since.” 

Paul says DLM’s support has been invaluable from the very start, and that he’s long been happy to trust Dave on his advice and recommendations.

“Dave and the team have been fantastic for us,” Paul says. “Their service and backup support has been second to none. And Dave’s just generally a nice guy. He won’t muck you around – if he says he’s going to do something, he does it.”

Going large

Coming in at 37,700kg, Kobelco’s SK380XD is the heaviest excavator in its class. Its 244kN bucket breakout force combined with a slew torque of 120kN offers top-end productivity, while its reinforced arm and redesigned XD boom ensure longevity in tough working conditions.

While designed for quarry applications, Dave says the SK380XD is also a fantastic choice for civil contractors requiring that bit of extra grunt and toughness.

“The SK380XD is a really great all-rounder,” Dave says. “It gives customers and operators great performance with excellent fuel economy for its class. Operator comfort is also a major contributor to its popularity, and makes it a machine that ticks all boxes for a range of customers.

“With the workload that Zanetto Civil had planned, it was time for them to go the next step up from their 22-tonne machine, and the SK380XD fit the bill very well.”

Nathan says the excavator has impressed the Zanetto team on all levels.

“The reach, digging force, lift capacity, balance, and fuel efficiency all really stand out when compared to our other machines,” he says.

“Our operator Ivan has been in the machine since delivery, and he’s been enjoying every aspect of it. He finds it comfortable, well balanced, powerful, and smooth to operate. And he appreciates the added safety features such as the rear cameras.”

Beyond support

“It’s very important for us to build and maintain strong relationships with our customers,” Dave says. “That way both businesses will be able to grow together. We believe that by looking after our customers with great back up support for great products, good relationships will develop naturally.”

For Nathan, this rings true to how DLM has supported his father’s business over the years.

“They have taken the time to learn about Zanetto Civil as a business, going way beyond what we’d ever expected,” he says.

“Dave and the team always go that extra mile with each interaction – regardless of its size or potential outcomes. They are always responsive and helpful with any of our needs – not only with the purchase of new machines, but also servicing, asset planning, and expert advice.

“They also do all this very quickly, which helps us continue progressing our projects and delivering for our clients.”

Written by: Earthmoving Equipment Magazine