Last year, Damian Taylor and Kelly McCutcheon from Taylor & McCutcheon Industries took out the Australian National Field Days Award of Excellence – sponsored by NAB – for their innovative EZ-Flow waste oil system. We caught up with Damian to see what’s been happening since the big win.
Just 12 months after launching, EZ-Flow has gone from prototype to powerhouse. The all-in-one waste oil and chemical recovery system is now used across Australia – in workshops run by the likes of Komatsu, Cat, and John Deere – and has been proven in the field from mine-sites to bush bench jobs. It’s also found a home on farms, where it’s helping recover substances like sheep dip and offering a safer, more compliant way to dispose of, mix, and store chemicals.
Q: Damian, thanks for joining us! To kick things off, can you tell us where the idea for the EZ-Flow system came from?
The idea actually came from both my business partner’s and my background in the service industry. I spent 16 years as a technician and my business partner Bert is still in that world today. We saw recurring issues with oil management and waste across workshops. It us both thinking – why hasn’t someone created a better solution? That seed of an idea eventually became the EZ-Flow system, and now it’s helping not just workshops but farmers and other industries manage waste oil and other fluids more effectively.
Q: So, it started in the workshop. How did you find your way into agriculture and then to the Australian National Field Days?
Good question. Really, it came down to a simple truth: anyone who drains oil from machinery – whether it’s a combine harvester, tractor, or a truck – has similar pain points. We had farmers using the system not just for waste oil, but for recovering expensive products like sheep dip. It turns out our system’s strong, elevated design lends itself to lots of on-farm uses. That’s when we realised this could be just as helpful in the paddock as it is in a commercial workshop.
Q: What are the biggest challenges farmers face when disposing of waste oil or chemicals sustainably?
The biggest one is collection. Waste oil companies want volume – they’ll drive to one site and collect a thousand litres, not fifteen smaller farms for 200 each. That leaves a lot of regional people in the lurch. Our solution, especially using 1,000-litre IBCs, helps store and handle oil safely while making pickups more worthwhile. It also massively reduces the risk of spills and environmental contamination.
Q: Does that mean your product is more about functionality or compliance?
Honestly, both. EPA and council inspections are getting stricter, especially in sensitive or rural areas. Many customers came to us after being prompted by an inspection. But what makes this product a winner is that it’s not just ticking a box. It improves how a workshop operates day to day. It adds safety, functionality, and efficiency – not just compliance.
Q: You’ve mentioned customer feedback helped shape the product. How valuable have the Australian National Field Days been in that journey?
Invaluable. When we attended the field day in Borenore, we got direct feedback and sold units, but even more valuable was what happened after – people saw it at a mate’s shed and called us. That word-of-mouth is gold. Social media has also played a big role – showcasing how people are using it and even modifying it for their specific needs. Field Days are a launchpad, not just a sales event.
Q: You’ve hinted at some exciting developments – what’s next for EZ-Flow and your team?
We’re about to launch our second product – one that we believe has even broader appeal because it’s more mobile and versatile. The feedback so far has been fantastic. It’ll support both compliance and usability, particularly in the field. We’re also planning a USA launch by August, and have interest from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and New Zealand. The global appetite is there.
Q: That’s a big leap in just 12 months. Any advice for first-time exhibitors launching their product at the field days this October?
Absolutely – move fast. Don’t wait around. If you’ve got a solid product, get your marketing and social media right and be ready to scale. That’s something I wish we did earlier with our international plans. And be consistent – show your product in action, use customer stories. Authenticity sells.
Q: Lastly, how important has “Australian made” been in your journey?
It’s a big part of our identity. Yes, it costs more than manufacturing overseas, but people are starting to care more about quality and supporting local. We’ve stayed true to that, and it’s paid off – with major brands like Komatsu, CAT, John Deere, Isuzu and ARC Infrastructure coming on board. Being made in Australia isn’t just a label – it’s a trust signal.
From a one-off unit in a back shed to national installs and international demand, EZ-Flow is proving what happens when you solve a dirty problem with practical smarts. With award-winning credibility, Field Day feedback in its DNA, and full Aussie fabrication, Taylor McCutchen Industries is just getting started. Want to check out the EZ-Flow for yourself? Visit www.ezflow.com.au
And if you’re ready to exhibit at ANFD this year – then pack up your van, truck, or mini-cooper and get started here.