The foundations for RCT were laid by the desire of one man to safeguard those working in a notoriously dangerous industry and ensure their return home to their families at the end of the working day.
From here, RCT's Muirhead Protection range became the cornerstone of the company, evolving to protect both operators and machines. More than 50 years later, the Protection product range remains relevant, saving lives and reducing wear and tear on machines worldwide.
The Muirhead Protection range includes a variety of products, such as Idle Timers, Speed Limiters, Park Brake Interlocks, Fatigue Monitoring, Incline Controllers, and Engine Protection. These solutions were designed in conjunction with end-users for maximum effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Primarily designed to safeguard operators, every solution also enhances machine availability and longevity, significantly boosting the client's bottom line. While the solutions are still in demand, the leading products differ depending on the target audience.
For example, Fuel Cap Isolation is highly popular in underground mining, whereas Raised Tray Warning systems are best sellers in surface mining.
"A very common occurrence in the industry saw miners drive off with the fuel nozzle still in the fuel tank," said RCT's General Manager, Dave Holman.
"This was due to simple distraction while performing this mundane task." This often caused thousands of dollars in damage to the fuel station and machine and resulted in wasted fuel.
The Fuel Cap Isolation solution is a simple yet effective device that ensures the machine (any make or model) remains locked out and in a safe state during refuelling.
In surface mining, the Raised Tray Warning system is the most popular. This device prevents damage by limiting the tray's raised angle, restricting it from going too high for the space. "This common occurrence caused damage to the machine and work area. This simple device alerts the driver before any damage occurs," said Mr Holman.
Over the years, the range has evolved significantly. While new products are no longer released as frequently, RCT has focused on refining the existing range. "The solutions work well in key areas of the industry, so we looked at consolidating multiple devices into one controller," said Holman.
"Where we once had a machine fitted with four controllers, we now have one controller that does the job of all four."
"It's this innovative thinking that has kept RCT relevant for 50+ years," said Holman.
Discover more about how RCT's Muirhead Protection range can safeguard your operations. Visit the Protection page, download the brochure, or xxxxx xx to see how our innovative solutions can benefit you.
In the mining industry, ensuring the safety of operators and personnel is of utmost priority. However, achieving this goal comes with its own set of unique challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the risk of accidents involving operators working with or around underground drills. The confined and hazardous environment of underground drilling operations amplifies the likelihood of injuries, making it imperative to adopt effective safety measures.
Operators working with underground drills are often exposed to hazardous conditions that include limited visibility, constrained movement, and the proximity of heavy machinery. These challenges mean that operators must navigate through dark, tight spaces while managing the powerful and dangerous equipment necessary for drilling. Additionally, the noise and vibrations generated by drilling machines can further obscure an operator's awareness of their surroundings, increasing the potential for accidents.
The RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system is an innovative solution designed to address the critical challenge of operator safety in underground drilling operations. This advanced system, which can be installed on any drill regardless of make or model, enhances operator safety by detecting movement along the sides of the machine when the drill is armed and operating.
In a high-risk environment where every second counts, the RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system provides an essential safeguard against accidents, significantly reducing the risk of injury to personnel.
By integrating these advanced features, the RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system offers a comprehensive safety solution for underground drill operations, where traditional safety measures may fall short. By implementing this system, companies can achieve a higher standard of safety, protecting both their workforce and equipment, making it an indispensable tool for the industry.
Download the flyer or xxxxxxx xx xxx, and let’s dig deep into a world of safety!
50 years ago, Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was number one on the Billboard charts, the infamous Watergate Scandal was just beginning and for around $18,000 you could buy a house in Australia. 1972 was also the year Kalgoorlie resident and young electrician Bob Muirhead opened the doors to his very own electrical business.
It wasn’t long before Bob created the first of his many game-changing products. That product was a fail-safe engine protection system that became known as the Muirhead® Engine Protection system and is still used today by heavy equipment fleet owners around the world.
The philosophy of innovation, quality craftsmanship and a customer-first approach that gave rise to the Muirhead® Protection range remains strong half a century later with RCT now boasting hundreds of solutions across its other established brands: ControlMaster® Automation, EarthTrack® Data, SmarTrack® Information and AusProTec™ Electrical Equipment.
In addition to this, the company provides training and most importantly 24/7 customer support to its mining and industrial customers around the world – making it the full-service company.
Today, RCT is widely recognised around the globe as the Smart Technology leader in the open pit, underground and industrial sectors. RCT currently has seven branches, supported by more than 270 staff and trusted technology partners delivering solutions in 72 countries and six continents with a reputation for being the best in the business and experts in the field.
“It’s fantastic to have seen the business grow over the years – from such humble beginnings to the worldwide company it is today – it’s just incredible,” said Mr Muirhead.
“RCT’s ability to continue to innovate and adapt to a forever changing industry and being able to foresee what our client needs to streamline activities and increase productivity and profitability.”
Throughout its long history, RCT has been known as numerous business names as its innovated and expanded. Some people will recognise the company when it was called Bob Muirhead Electrical before changing to Automotive Industrial Supplies and then Remote Control Technologies and now of course, people know that company as RCT – a name that encompasses the broad range of solutions the company provides clients with today.
To date, RCT has installed the most machine-controlled solutions than any other global supplier and it’s standard-setting automation solution has clocked more than 8 million, incident-free automation hours – showcasing RCT is still at the forefront. RCT is constantly creating and developing purpose-built solutions beneficial to our customers in increasing efficiency and profitability.
RCT’s Executive Director and CEO, Brett White has been with the company for over 10 years and even in this time he has been impressed by what the company has been able to achieve and is looking forward to what the future holds for the global tech innovative company.
“The company has come leaps and bounds since it started. We are unique to the market as we are able to provide an array of cutting-edge solutions that are easily installed on any machine, regardless of make or model,” said Mr White.
“We are constantly innovating and therefore always relevant to the market and equally importantly we support our clients on their technology strategic journey.”
Here’s to the next 50 years… watch this space…