Sharing a global knowledge network

A specialised app designed for the earthmoving, mining and construction industries is connecting professionals and letting them share information and essential tools and resources.

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Imagine if you had a business running heavy equipment and you wanted to read a product review of a new piece of machinery … or perhaps you might want a quick, easy solution to a small problem that even Google can’t help with.

Enter Torqn: an Australian app that aims to help connect mining, earthmoving and construction equipment operators, buyers and suppliers based on the equipment they use, allowing them to suggest ideas and improvements, and post comments on issues and operational problems.

Created by Troy McDonald and Brett Baker, Torqn was released in late 2023, initially aimed at connecting users over heavy equipment they own, operate or maintain.

The platform looks like a social networking app, with a feed and the ability to post, react and comment to interact with others, hence providing a repository of knowledge in a network that can be seen as a combination of the likes of Reddit, Whirlpool and LinkedIn forums.

And it’s free to use: just set up an account and start reading or providing feedback.

Troy, the former President of Illawarra Coal and a mechanical engineer, said as an example, if anyone bought a multi-million dollar machine and tried to find any end-user reviews on it, there’d be just a complete void in the market. With Torqn’s connectivity to industry users, relevant feedback and input from industry peers would likely come quickly.

Brett, who had spent a decade working in the mining industry as a safety and training manager before launching his own businesses, said workplaces often found it difficult to share best practice efficiently.

“With Torqn, users sign up and join groups, called “loops”, that have the same interest in the equipment they use,” he said.

“Within their loop, users post an issue they are having with a specific piece of equipment, and people can respond with a suggested solution. Manufacturers will also be able to respond to posts about their equipment.”