Construcciones Yamaro: Robyn Simpson champions sustainability at Coates

Coates has established itself as a prominent player in equipment hire and solutions in Australia, with a clear focus on sustainability. Robyn Simpson, the company’s national manager of environment and sustainability, embodies this commitment. Her deep-rooted passion for the natural world, ignited during her childhood, underscores Coates’ dedication to environmental responsibility.

Simpson recalls the moment when her environmental awareness was sparked on a farm in Dorrigo, New South Wales. “I’m eight, in pigtails and gumboots, and I saw, felt and tasted for the first time, a groundwater spring-fed creek and dam on the farm,” says Simpson. “It was a beauty, full of life.”

This early connection to the natural world laid the foundation for Simpson’s career, spanning over two decades in environmental management. Her journey has encompassed diverse roles in the mining and industrial sectors, ultimately leading her to join Coates in 2022. “My mission is to lead to make a difference, and the material impacts we can affect here are worth the slog, especially at this critical time,” she says.

Of Coates’ values, the one that particularly resonates with Simpson is ‘be our best’. “I am really into continuous improvement,” she says. “I love feedback loops, lifelong learning and teams working together for a goal.”

“I believe in being bold and brave to trial new ideas, remembering successful change is equally about how it is done, not just the result.”

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Coates operates on an inherently circular business model by providing temporary equipment hire to its customers. “We operate in the share economy across Australian markets, which means our customers can be asset-light and dynamic,” says Simpson “The circular economy is one of the aspects of Coates’ business that I find immensely appealing from a sustainability perspective.”

Simpson expresses notable enthusiasm for a specific project that exemplifies the company’s commitment to sustainability – Coates’ Greener Choices range of lower-emission and more sustainable equipment. Launched in June 2022, the company has invested over $127 million to date in hybrid, battery-electric and solar models, as well as equipment with low pollutant engines (USA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 4 and 5), biofuel compatibility, energy efficient appliances and LED lighting.

Coates’ introduction of the Greener Choices range marks a significant stride in supporting its customers to fulfill their net-zero commitments, while helping the company meet its own short-term and net-zero targets for Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

“Coates is also investigating and investing in alternate technologies as part of our substantial asset fleet,” says Simpson. “We are purposefully selecting products that have better environmental outcomes.”

As part of its sustainability developments, Coates has introduced Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Continuous reliance on a diesel generator leads to elevated fuel expenses and resultant greenhouse gas emissions, explains Simpson. Additionally, it creates a disruptive and noisy environment.

“By utilising hybrid generation – that is, energy supplied from more than one source – a battery is added to a generator,” she says. “The excess power produced by the generator recharges the BESS batteries.”

“When operating at low load, the BESS supplies the energy, and when the load exceeds a threshold, or when the batteries are drained, the generator kicks back in.

“By monitoring the demand and generation, Coates can support our customers by downsizing the specified generator, saving them operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions by using less diesel.”

Simpson’s contributions at Coates have earned her the esteemed 2023 CEW ANZ Sustainability Scholarship, an award that supports the advancement of women leaders. “It’s a huge honour to be selected,” she says. “I look forward to attending the Leadership for the 21st Century course at Harvard Kennedy School in 2024.”

Looking to the future, Coates anticipates reaching significant milestones in its sustainability journey. Simpson is particularly excited about the company’s continued roll-out of solar across its nationwide branch network, electric vehicles and its light and heavy vehicle fleet.

“We have a vast, distributed network, so we need to work on more than 145 branches when leading change in our own backyards – solar, waste, transport, circular, energy and skills,” says Simpson. “It’s a logistical effort.”

But Simpson foresees sustainability integrating into the mainstream, becoming an inherent consideration in Coates’ evaluations and enhancements of assets, branch infrastructure, and the support of its people, including their skills transformation.

With Simpson at the forefront, Coates is helping transform the industry and foster environmental stewardship.

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