AK Evans Earthmoving & CJD Equipment are constructing a path to better mental health in the workplace.
AK Evans Earthmoving is a family owned equipment contractor in WA providing all types of earthmoving equipment and experienced operators to match, for hire on projects across the state. The team at AK Evans have over fifty years of industry experience and knowledge and are committed to providing excellent service to their all their customers.
Over his time in the industry, Managing Director of AK Evans Earthmoving, Aaron Evans has seen too many friends and colleagues affected by mental health issues and says people are still struggling. Because of this, Aaron is taking steps to help make a difference for mental health in the mining and construction industry in WA.
AK Evans Earthmoving in conjunction with the national distributor of Volvo Construction Equipment, CJD Equipment, recently unveiled two brand new Volvo EC350D Excavators painted blue and sign written with the Beyond Blue details. Beyond Blue is an Australian organisation dedicated to offering information and support on depression, anxiety and suicide prevention to people across the country.
Aaron purchased the two new Volvo excavators from CJD who painted the counterweights blue and branded them with the Beyond Blue logo and contact details, to help get the message out and in the faces of those in need.
Aaron believes having a contact number that people can physically see as they are working throughout the day will increase the presence and awareness of mental health on site. He says the driver for this out of the box idea is wanting to help his employees, family and friends and hopes the fundraising and advertising will help to make a difference.
“The Beyond Blue name was the first to pop into my head about those in need of help from a mental health perspective. Organisations like Beyond Blue put a huge effort into assisting people and need to be supported by the wider community, this is how I believe we can help them to help others,” says Aaron.
As well as recruiting CJD Equipment to paint and brand their machines with the Beyond Blue details, AK Evans Earthmoving has committed to donating $1 per hour the machine works to Beyond Blue.
“I know it doesn’t sound like much, but when you count the amount of machines that will be painted and they all work approximately two thousand hours per year then it starts to add up to a generous donation,” says Aaron.
“In addition to this, we will be asking the hirer of the machine to price match the $1 per hour worked which will double the donation to Beyond Blue.”
AK Evans will initially have four new machines delivered to the Pilbara, as well as eight existing machines that will be repainted and branded with the Beyond Blue contact details. There is a one-year plan in place at this stage and hopes to continue fundraising going forward.
CJD Equipment, the Australian distributor for Volvo Construction Equipment, strongly believe the only way to do great work is to love what you do and are passionate about supporting customers for the long haul. The CJD team are proud to support such a worthy cause that is so in line with their values.
AK Evans Earthmoving currently have sixteen Volvo machines from CJD Equipment in their fleet, with more on order.
“We have a great working relationship with CJD Equipment,” says Aaron.
“The team there are very helpful and provide assistance where needed in a timely manner, we have standing orders.”
Pictured is Aaron Evans, AK Evans Earthmoving, with CJD Equipment Regional Sales Manager James Daniels.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 for 24/7 support.
