Bespoke bulk handling solutions that leave 'off-the-shelf' behind

Main image credit: 

Often, the best partnerships are built over time, and COVA Haywards is a testament to that. Officially formed in 2018, this joint venture between COVA and Haywards formalised a relationship that had already spanned decades. It’s a story of two companies with complementary expertise—COVA’s engineering, procurement, and commissioning, and Haywards’ fabrication and construction—coming together to deliver seamless bulk materials handling from pit to port. 

We spoke with Chris Tummon, Project Development Manager, about how COVA Haywards is carving out a reputation for delivering tailored solutions where off-the-shelf simply won’t do.

Chris Tummon: COVA Haywards was officially formed in 2018, but the collaboration between the two companies dates back much further. Originally, both companies worked together on various projects through separate engagements. 

COVA’s history stretches back to the early 1980s when we began as an engineering consultancy, heavily focused on the materials handling space. Over the years, we participated in joint ventures with other firms, including partnerships with engineering companies and contractors like John Holland. In those ventures, COVA provided engineering, procurement, and commissioning services. 

Prior to the formation of COVA Haywards, COVA was involved in another significant joint venture with one of the major OEMs. In this joint venture COVA provided engineering and commissioning in Australia, focusing on shiploaders, stackers, and other materials handling systems. Throughout that time, Haywards handled fabrication and site construction for many of the same projects.

COVA and Haywards had a history of complementary skill sets and a strong working relationship. By combining our engineering, procurement, and commissioning capabilities with Haywards' fabrication and construction expertise, we created an integrated joint venture. The result was a seamless project delivery model that offered clients a full scope of services.

Exactly, plus our Tasmanian roots made the integration straightforward. COVA’s original head office was in Hobart, and Haywards’ base has always been in Tasmania. We had a long history of working together on local projects, which gave us a deep understanding of each other’s workflows. 

The skill sets were highly complementary. COVA brought decades of engineering, while Haywards contributed fabrication and on-site construction capabilities. Integrating those areas was smooth, and the relationship grew naturally from years of collaboration. It’s a story of two teams coming together with a shared vision and leveraging their strengths.

Ports are a significant focus for us, both for import and export projects. For example, we’ve worked on Clinker Import circuits at Fremantle Ports and Geelong Ports. In Tasmania, we’ve completed projects for TasRail at the Port of Burnie and are currently engaged on a chip export terminal for TasPorts at the same location.

Mining is another key area, particularly in stockpiling and storage. We specialise in designing and delivering storage sheds, radial stackers, and linear stackers, with a strong presence in the coal sector. Over the last 20 years, we’ve delivered more than 12 coal-related projects, and we’re currently working on several in the Hunter Valley.

Several factors set us apart. Firstly, our engineering expertise and collaborative approach are central to our value proposition. We partner closely with clients to design solutions tailored to their specific needs, unlike many OEMs that offer more standardised options. This is especially so for smaller projects which often need a more unique solution rather than off-the-shelf. 

Secondly, our integrated model is a major strength. By keeping engineering, fabrication, and construction in-house, we can deliver projects more efficiently and cost-effectively. Again, particularly well-suited to smaller, bespoke projects, where flexibility and customisation are critical. 

Finally, I would say our size and approachability allow us to engage deeply with clients. Many projects now involve an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase, where we work collaboratively with clients to shape the design. This flexibility and willingness to adapt have resonated really well with our clients.

Building brand recognition has been one of the primary challenges. While both COVA and Haywards had established reputations in their respective areas, we are working on communicating the value of our integrated offering to the market. 

That said, we’re gaining momentum. Since our first project under the joint venture in 2020 for Geelong Ports, we’ve consistently secured significant contracts, including Fremantle Ports, TasRail, and TasPorts. The market is also evolving, with some big OEMs leaving the space and newer players entering. These changes present opportunities for us to carve out a niche in those smaller, bespoke projects. 
 
The chip export terminal project for TasPorts is particularly exciting. It’s a facility we originally helped design 30 years ago, so returning to upgrade it is a full-circle moment. 

In the Hunter Valley, we’re working on a coal project with Hunter Valley Operations. We also have several exciting projects in the pipeline that we hope to announce soon. Each project we win is a significant milestone as we continue to grow and solidify our position in the market.