AfPA Member Profile

AfPA

MEMBER PROFILE

RALPH PETER, NATIONAL TECHNICAL PAVING SPECIALIST AT DYNAPAC CEA, SHARES SOME INSIGHTS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE PAVEMENT INDUSTRY WITH ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE.

Ralph Peter, National Technical Paving Specialist, Dynapac CEA.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU/YOUR COMPANY BEEN AN AFPA MEMBER AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME ONE? Dynapac CEA has been a member of AFPA since 2017. As the association that represents the flexible paving sector, we believe it’s critical to be an active member, sharing our knowledge and expertise while working collectively to promote a safe and sustainable industry that’s innovative and focussed on solutions suitable to the Australian customer base.

HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? I started my career 1998 in the workshop of an asphalt paver manufacturer in Germany. A few years later, I joined the customer support department and travelled Germany, Europe and the world. In 2011, we moved from Germany to Australia.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? My current role at Dynapac CEA is National Technical Paving Specialist. It involves supporting our local sales, service and spare parts teams and customers around Australia.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE? The best thing about my current role is to work in an industry that never sleeps, having lots of different tasks so it never gets boring, and working with passionate people that want to push the Dynapac paver products the same way I do.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INDUSTRY? Being part of a team that has helped improve a paver manufacturer’s brand strength in Australia and New Zealand and establishing a good customer support team.

WHAT IS A RECENT CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW ARE YOU/THE COMPANY PREPARED FOR THAT? The greater focus on delivering to a sustainable industry has been interesting. Many of our customers are now looking at their business practices and how they can offer a more sustainable portfolio of products or redefine the way they operate. [They want to] prepare for future requirements and the industry standards that may take effect in the coming years. Dynapac is making progress to this effect, with an ability to supply power packages from Tier-III up to the latest Stage-V emissions, the launch of design features such as True ECO Mode, Seismic Compaction, Optimised Eccentric Weights and Z.ERA (Zero Emissions Era) and the introduction of CC900e in the electric range of products. As always, safety is at the forefront of any new Dynapac developments. Some examples include the roller cabin with rotating seat for better ergonomics and jobsite visibility, full 255-degree Forward Facing seat technology, fume extraction to remove dangerous fumes from operator areas, and paver options such as MatTracker – which removes the screed operator from working near live traffic.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST INTERESTING ABOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY? Getting to know a lot of customers across Australia. Working together with the local CEA sales representatives, it is challenge but also very rewarding to find the right paver for our customers. The best part is the commissioning at the end of the process and to see a perfect paving result, happy customer and crew.

HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF AFPA BENEFITTED YOU IN THE INDUSTRY? Being a member of AfPA has meant our business and our team have been exposed to healthy discussions and networking opportunities surrounding the best industry practices that benefit the collective flexible pavement industry. Given our involvement, I like to think we bring a level of knowledge to the conversation and, likewise, we gain insights from others within the association sharing their knowledge and experiences with the broader group. The AfPA affiliation allows us to stay closer to not just our customers, but also to the industry and what the market/industry requires in this ever-changing landscape. It also gives us the opportunity to attend social events and partake in Tech Talks and Webinars.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? To help the Dynapac CEA team grow and further establish the Dynapac paver brand in Australia, to help build a team of specialists across the country, and to support our growing customer base.