From apprentice to industry architect, Craig Pedley’s journey reflects a lifetime of innovation, leadership and impact across Australia’s mining sector.
The headmaster’s office isn’t typically the place for a mining career to get its kick-start, but Craig Pedley’s 42 years in the industry have been anything but typical.
After yet another brush with school authority in year nine, his parents were called in and given some blunt advice: “You best find this kid a job.”
What followed was a lifelong immersion in mining, one that would span more than four decades, dozens of sites, and a commitment to innovation, leadership and giving back.
Pedley’s journey was formally recognised when he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Mining Prospect Awards last year, honouring nearly half a century of service to Australia’s mining and minerals processing industries.
As founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of MAX Plant and Striker Crushing, Screening and Conveying, Pedley has not only built two of the sector’s most respected original equipment manufactures but also helped reshape how modular and mobile plant design is approached in Australia.
“It’s a bit of an amazing award to get for somebody that didn’t decide – just got told – to find a job,” Pedley said.
From his early days as a fitter working fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) shifts to becoming the manufacturing director and eventual CEO of two pioneering companies, Pedley’s career is a story of persistence, hard lessons and steady vision.
Striker Crushing, Screening and Conveying launched in 1998 and has since built a reputation for durability and reliability in the mobile equipment space, while MAX Plant, founded in the early 2000s, set a new standard in modular processing plant solutions.
Both companies grew under Pedley’s leadership into global exporters, supporting mine and quarry operations across the world.
But it’s the local story that defines his legacy. MAX Plant’s push to bring advanced manufacturing back to Western Australia, backed by federal industry grants, has helped not only secure local jobs but also ensure that high-specification mineral processing solutions remain Australian-designed-and-built.
What sets Pedley apart is not just his business acumen, but also his mentorship and commitment to values.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs,” he said during his acceptance speech. “I just really, really want to thank every mentor I’ve had throughout the journey … the ones who told me what not to do and led me in the right direction.”
Pedley’s companies are built on the lessons learned from time spent in the field. He has consistently emphasised fast deployment, low maintenance and fit-for-purpose design. This pragmatic, on-the-ground approach has enabled his teams to deliver processing plants quickly, reliably, and in some of the world’s most remote environments.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a broader contribution to community and the national economy. Pedley’s support for apprenticeships, manufacturing capability and regional economic resilience have all played into that legacy.
Pedley closed his speech with gratitude and optimism.
“It’s been a wonderful journey. I wouldn’t have changed it. I’ve had a great time,” he said. “And I look forward to the next generation that comes into the mining industry.”
After 42 years of building, mentoring and leading in the industry, Craig Pedley’s greatest contribution may not just be what he constructed, but what he made possible for those who come next.
The Lifetime Achievement was sponsored by Australian Mining.