Grand designs: Eco Site deliver comfort & sustainability with Isuzu

When the workday is long, hot and busy, there is nothing like sitting down for a break in an air-conditioned space with a cool drink and fresh water to wash up in. 

While it’s safe to say that most employers want these comfortable conditions for their staff, they are sometimes prohibited by the cost of having facilities on-site, where daily hire fees can add up all too quickly. 

That's where Melbourne-based Eco Site is offering an innovative solution, with a range of thoughtfully designed and solar-powered mobile demountable buildings that can harvest a massive 3.2 kW of solar energy for each day spent on site (depending on weather conditions and placement). 

Each building comes ready-to-use, delivered on location by an Isuzu NPS 75-155 4x4 truck—with considerably less set up, running and maintenance costs than a typical demountable building run off a diesel-powered generator. 

Eco Site is the brainchild of Callum Urch, whose first-hand experience with amenities lacking both peace and comfort informed the design of his solution for the construction industry. 

Eco Site Director, Callum Urch

“The concept came to me while working on construction sites—we used to have these old diesel-powered caravans which were noisy and not very comfortable,” said Eco Site Director, Callum Urch. 

“It's long days and long hours when you’re working construction, so I was thinking it would just be nice to have somewhere comfortable to sit for half an hour while you have your lunch. ​ 

“The idea was that if I could create something that was powered by renewables, it would decrease pollution on site, be less noisy and more affordable for construction companies to run.” 

Big dreams 

Callum officially began research and design in 2018, mapping out what would become his current list of offerings. The first Eco Site was delivered on location to a client in May 2020. 

The low-impact nature and carbon offset potential of Eco Site’s products have made them an increasingly popular option for companies of all sizes wanting to meet sustainability targets, with a reduction in both emissions and energy costs without compromising staff comfort. 

This has led to bookings with tier-one clients such as major construction firms CPB Contractors, John Holland Group and Laing O'Rourke, and service providers such as Metro Trains and Eurotram. 

There are four different floor plans of Eco Site: an Eco Crib, which features tables, chairs, a kitchenette, air-conditioning, and toilets. The Eco Office goes a step further, offering desk and chair space for laptops and tablets, a kitchenette, air-conditioning, and toilets. ​ 

The Eco Aid is designed as a first aid room with beds or gurneys, storage, air-conditioning, and a toilet and shower cubicle. The Eco Loo is Callum's solution to the malodorous construction-site portable toilet. 

“I wanted to supply everything that was required on a work site, from kitchens, hot water, pie warmers and air conditioning, and be able to power those off the grid,” he said. ​ 

“We believe we are currently the only company that's offering the complete package powered by renewable energy.”

Fit-for-purpose fleet 

With the business hitting the ground running, Callum needed the right set of wheels to make the magic happen. 

He opted for two Isuzu NPS 75-155 4x4 AMT Crew Cabs, an FVZ 240-300 Auto vacuum tanker and an FSR 140-260 Auto water truck to kickstart the business. 

For delivering the mobile Eco Sites, off-road capabilities across unsealed and often boggy terrain were a must, so the NPS 75-155 4x4 AMT comfortably meets the brief with a 7,500 kg GVM and 11,000 kg GCM, plus a generous 4.5-tonne towing capacity.

An effective 4HK1-TCN engine offering 114 kW (155 PS) @ 2,600 rpm of power and 419 Nm @ 1,600 - 2,600 rpm of torque supports towing over a range of ground and environmental conditions. 

“Delivery with the NPS makes everything easy—we can just tow the Eco Site in and have it set up for our clients in about eight minutes. 

“Sometimes we're delivering on hills or we're in the dirt where there are different levels of traction, so the NPS offers us the flexibility to safely navigate these sites.”

Once an Eco Site is established, the business then employs the FVZ 240-300 Auto vacuum tanker to remove liquid waste from the toilets and bathrooms. The FSR 140-260 Auto water truck also comes in regularly to supply fresh potable water. ​ 

With these three Isuzu truck models on hand, Callum can provide the ‘complete package’ for his clients. 

“Our growth has been so big and overwhelming that at times, it is hard for me to slow down and smell the roses… but I am getting positive feedback from our clients who are using the product day in and day out. 

“I really get a kick out of driving past the biggest construction sites in Melbourne and seeing an Eco Site there, being used by the workers.”

Like clockwork 

Keeping this new business owner well-informed with different model options for the varied applications at Eco Site, and progress throughout the purchasing experience was the experienced team at Bendigo Isuzu. 

Eco Site also makes the most of the extensive Isuzu Dealer Network, getting the fleet regularly serviced at Westar Truck Centre in Derrimut. 

“It's been a great experience as a customer with Bendigo Isuzu and Westar have gone above and beyond to get services done and any issues solved with a quick turnaround. 

“It's just not an option to say to our clients that we can't get an Eco Site to them because our truck is off the road,” noted Callum. 

This quality backup care, and Isuzu’s ability to provide fast service—wherever an Eco Site truck might find itself—brings peace of mind to Callum, who says punctuality has been a building block for the business’s reputation. 

“In the future, we're looking to expand our operations into other states, alongside developing new products and improving our current range to stay ahead of sustainability goals within the business and for our clients. 

“Setting up the service crews and ordering trucks for delivery is a lot of work for us, but as we move forward, we know we can rely on the Isuzu Dealer Network to continue to support us in our expansions.”