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The company uses a modular, containerised approach for its industrial cryocoolers, like this liquid nitrogen unit. A similar approach is being taken with the electrolysers to be used in the HWR trial.
Kiwi tech drives dual-fuel truck trial
A CHRISTCHURCH COMPANY WITH EXPERTISE IN A
wide range of advanced technology worldwide is a key collaborator in the HWR Group’s trial of dual-fuel diesel/hydrogen trucks.
Tucked away in the industrial suburb of Hornby, Fabrum is a leading producer of the cryogenic systems used to liquefy a range of gases – including nitrogen, oxygen, air and even hydrogen – and has used this expertise to develop what CEO Ojas Mahapatra calls an “end-to-end system to deliver hydrogen for transport fuel applications.”
Fabrum has been around for some 18 years, its core intellectual property being focused on cryogenic cooling and the composite materials used to fashion storage containers for the liquid gases. The practical applications cover a huge range – from animal husbandry (using liquid nitrogen to freeze bull semen) through the development of high-powered magnets and electric motors that depend on superconducting materials, to aerospace projects.
Among the more high-profile of these was the development of a CO2 sublimation system for NASA’s Mars lander’s future flight, while no less high-profile (if closer to Earth) is Emirates Team New Zealand’s recently launched foiling chase boat, powered by hydrogen fuel cells supplied by Toyota and with its onboard hydrogen storage courtesy of Fabrum.
In between these extremes is a collaboration with Magnix, a leader in the development of superconducting electric motors for commercial aircraft.
Fabrum was set up in 2004 by two engineering graduates from the University of Canterbury, Chris Boyle and Hugh Reynolds, with the aim of developing the cryogenic systems and associated composite-material storage needed for advanced superconducting materials, which call for very low operating temperatures.
Over the years Fabrum has become one of the world’s leading builders and suppliers of industrial cryocoolers. Key characteristics of these is their robustness and a standardised, modular design that makes them a virtually ‘plug and play’ proposition and allows multiple modules to be stacked for greater output.
The growing importance of hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels in transport fits neatly with Fabrum’s expertise, explains Ojas Mahapatra: “When the concept of a hydrogen ecosystem began to attract attention, it was simple to take our intellectual property and apply it.
“Recently we partnered with UK company CPH2 to integrate our cryocoolers with their membrane-free electrolysers to separate the comingled hydrogen/oxygen gas stream into its constituent parts. Oxygen becomes liquid at -183degC, while for hydrogen the point is lower again, -253degC. That means the two gases are completely separated, and also very pure.”
CPH2 electrolysers are at the heart of the HWR Group dual-fuel truck trial. They are based on a patented membrane-free design, unlike more conventional PEM (proton exchange membrane) designs which use a thin polymer membrane between the anode and cathode that allows the passage of positive hydrogen ions but blocks the oxygen ions that are the other
Above: Fabrum board are (from left to right) Ojas Mahapatra, Chris Stoelhorst, Christopher Boyle and Hugh Reynolds. The company is proudly Kiwi-owned and its founders want to keep it that way. Below: Emirates Team NZ foiling electric chase boat (left) and Cessna Grand Caravan (right) developed by Magnix and which first flew 18 months ago make use of Fabrum technology.
product of splitting the water. The result is separate streams of each gas from the opposite sides of the cell.
By comparison, the CPH2 design produces the gases between the plates and co-mingled, calling for their cryogenic separation as described above.
Its benefits, says CPH2, include dispensing with the rare-earth catalysts (platinum, palladium or iridium) required by PEM designs and a far longer economic life, up to 25 years versus five.
CPH2’s MFE220 electrolyser can produce up to 450kg of hydrogen per day. At the 60/40 diesel/hydrogen mix that seems the sweet spot for keeping NOx outputs in check, this output would be sufficient to look after 11-12 typical heavy trucks, each covering 600km a day.
Fabrum is uniquely placed to offer a complete package for the transport industry as it transitions away from fossil fuels, says Mahapatra.
“As part of the complete hydrogen answer we also build the compositematerial storage tanks and have also developed the dispenser technology for vehicle and aircraft refuelling.
“Shifting to green energy makes sense, which is why there is a big push in that direction. For the heavy vehicle industry, the transitional phase offered by hydrogen dual-fuel means that trucks can continue to operate over their full economic life. Their replacements could well be full hydrogen, but in the meantime the existing fleets can run with minor modification yet offer a significant reduction in fossil fuel use and carbon output.
“Industrial-level production, storage and transport of hydrogen presents significant challenges, challenges that are reduced markedly by the modular electrolysis systems that are the foundation of the HWR project. It is much easier to make and use it on the spot. HWR are in a perfect position to influence change. They have their own fleet, but, via Allied Petroleum they also have the infrastructure to sell the hydrogen to other users.
“There is a widespread sense that mainstream hydrogen applications for transport are maybe 5-10 years out – but in fact they’re here now.” T&D
The upgraded UD Quon offers improved efficiency and new safety technology.
Upgraded UD Quon range announced
UD TRUCKS IS PREPARING TO INTRODUCE AN
upgraded Quon range to the New Zealand market. Improved environmental performance and new safety features are the primary improvements for the Quon.
John Gerbich, General Manager of UD Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd, welcomes the enhancements he describes as: “the next step in UD Trucks continual journey towards more efficient and sustainable heavy-duty trucks.
“Efficiency, productivity, and profitability are crucial success factors for our customers. UD Trucks understand this and are very focused on delivering improvements in the right areas. The upgrades to the Quon reflects this,” John says.
UD Trucks supports Japan’s climate change mitigation commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050. The upgraded Quon exceeds Japan’s current fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles by 10% (with the GH11 engine and ESCOT transmission) and complies with upcoming Japanese fuel economy standards.
An upgraded ESCOT-VI 12-speed automated manual transmission provides improved gear shifting to enhance fuel economy and environmental performance.
The Quon’s upgrades will also delivers a lower cost of ownership through a redesigned engine and rear axle that provides higher power and torque at lower engine speeds, allowing for faster acceleration. The upgraded Quon is also equipped with a lighter chassis (up to 200kg depending on model) designed for maximum payload.
UD Trucks is committed to safety and contributing to the automotive industry’s Vision Zero goal of preventing injuries or fatalities from road collisions, while increasing safe and equitable mobility for drivers, communities, and other road users. The upgraded Quon delivers in this regard, where it puts the highest priority on the safety, well-being, and productivity of drivers.
New, advanced safety features introduced on the Quon include the improved Traffic Eye Cruise Control with new Stop & Driver Initiate Go function, that makes the vehicle safer and easier to drive by automatically controlling speed and reducing driver stress and fatigue. The upgraded Quon is also equipped with more active safety technologies, such as the Traffic Eye Brake System, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) that triggers an alarm to alert drivers when they unintentionally leave the lane and UD Stability Control that automatically detects and adjusts engine output and braking to retain truck stability.
Drivers of the upgraded Quon can benefit from its attention to enhanced drivability and safety, through its innovative features, such as more accurate fuel readings, redesigned fuel tank that provides higher ground clearance, stainless steel muffler covers that minimize susceptibility to rust and an additional, second front axle park brake for increased safety.
Drivability and comfort are also elevated with the intuitively designed ESCOT-VI automated manual transmission that is simple and easyto-use, making gear shifting easier and faster, as well as the redesigned four-spoke steering wheel for a more ergonomic and comfortable grip. Alongside dedicated driver development tools and fuel coaching feature, the Quon delivers operational efficiency and productivity. T&D
Fonterra’s first electric milk tanker is based on a XCMG E700 battery swap truck.
FONTERRA HAS PUT NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST ELECTRIC
milk tanker to work collecting milk from Waikato farms.
The 8x4 truck and trailer combination built on a XCMG E700 battery swap truck supplied by eTrucks was unveiled in late-July and was due to start work based from Fonterra’s Waitoa site in mid-August.
Named by Fonterra farmer Stephen Todd from Murchison, Milk-E is part of Fonterra’s fleet decarbonisation work, which is one of a number of programmes that’s helping the Co-op towards becoming a leader in sustainability.
Speaking at a launch event at Fonterra’s Morrinsville workshop where the tanker was completed, Fonterra Chief Operating Officer, Fraser Whineray said: “Right across the Co-op our teams are constantly looking at how we can decrease our emissions – from on farm, to at our sites and throughout our transport network.
“The team here at our Morrinsville Workshop have done a fantastic job of pulling this tanker together. Being a New Zealand first, there’s been a lot of creative thinking and Kiwi ingenuity to bring Milk-E to life.”
Changes to the battery configuration have given the team an opportunity to trial other additions to improve milk collection efficiencies, reduce safety concerns, and reduce the amount of work required to customise a Fonterra tanker. A battery swap system is being installed at the Waitoa site where Milk-E will be based to trial how this could work within a fleet to minimise downtime from battery charging.
The battery swap is estimated to take six minutes. A full charge of the battery takes about three hours and the 46-tonne GVM eight-axle tanker and trailer combination has an estimated range of 140km.
In the process of the build – which took 36 days to complete – the installation of an electric pump on the driver’s side has reduced the pipework on the truck by 3.4 metres, reducing tare weight.
Another design feature allows the milk hose to fall naturally back across the guards of the truck and is secured onto a bayonet connection which locks the hose in place and seals the end of the hose in transit.
Newly designed doors that open out sideways with minimal moving parts, result in improved safety and the need for a hydraulic tank and pump has been removed with a fully electric motor and pump installed.
“It’s been great to see the team turn challenges into opportunities so in addition to trialling Milk-E’s on-road ability, we’re also trialling a new electric pump, hose configuration and cabinetry,” says Mr Whineray.
Fonterra received co-funding from the Government’s Low Emissions Transport Fund (LETF), which is administered by EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority).
The electric milk tanker will operate from Fonterra’s Waitoa site, which Mr Whineray says is fitting given it was the site of New Zealand’s largest fleet of electric milk trucks 100 years ago.
The E-tanker is part of Fonterra’s Electric Vehicle strategy that will see a third of the Co-op’s light vehicle fleet converted to EV’s by the end of 2023, while also focusing on transitioning medium and heavy vehicles. T&D
Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources with Fonterra Chief Operating Officer, Fraser Whineray at the Milk-E launch.
NEWS
Diversity Champions announced
ELEVEN TRANSPORT INDUSTRY NOMINEES FROM diverse backgrounds and roles, including truck drivers, managers and business owners, comprise the inaugural group of diversity champions who will take part in Te ara ki tua Road to Success Driving Change Diversity Programme.
The programme is an initiative sponsored by Teletrac Navman and supported by Transporting New Zealand and the Australian Transport Association to address what the industry recognises is a workforce that doesn’t accurately reflect the diversity of New Zealand and New Zealanders today.
Te ara ki tua Road to Success Driving Change Diversity Programme brings a two-fold approach to creating a diverse and inclusive transport business.
First, it showcases diversity stories to the transport industry and wider community. Honest life stories of participants promote a positive perception of the industry and encourage new entrants into the workforce. Second, through a valuable package of professional development opportunities to build the right skills for participants, the programme teaches them how to embrace and celebrate a unique workforce.
Nick Leggett, Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive, believes that in an increasingly globalised world, transport companies should put diversity at the top of their agendas.
“We all know that diversity in skills, life experience and backgrounds is no longer a nice-to-have. In fact, it has been proven to have commercial benefits, enhancing staff retention, quality of work and business performance,” Nick says.
“We’re grateful to have the support of Teletrac Navman to drive this initiative, which aims to bring more diversity as well as equal career opportunities to the industry. It’s a promising sign of meaningful change to come, helping attract talent and shape the industry’s future.”
Joining the Te ara ki tua Road to Success Driving Change Diversity Programme, Bryan Ward, Senior Constable and diversity liaison officer for the New Zealand Police, says that it is a great opportunity to inspire and empower those who might not initially see themselves as a good fit for the transport industry.
“As diversity has grown to be so much more than just gender and ethnicities, diversity training also needs to evolve to reflect a more comprehensive definition. Coming out of the pandemic, employees increasingly seek companies that match their beliefs and values. It’s only natural that we work hard to make New Zealand transport industry more inclusive and appealing to diverse future generations. We need diversity — in teams, organisations and society as a whole — if we are to change, grow and innovate. Diversity jolts us into cognitive action,” says Bryan. T&D
The nominees are:
Brianna Wilson (Class 5 driver, Philip Wareing), Sheana Martin (Vehicle Recovery Operator, Parks Garage), Mickayla Kerr (CEO, Heagney Bros), Jodi McNamara (Driver Trainer, H.W. Richardson Group), Chelly Balasbas (HR Manager, Allied Concrete), Joshua Hart (Class 5 driver, Hart Haulage), Angela Davies (Class 5 Truck driver, Dynes Transport Hamilton), Marthe Lute (Health and Safety Advisor, Alexander Group), Hayley Alexander (CEO, Alexander Group), Jacqueline Smith (Managing Director/Co-owner, Renwick Transport), Lisa Gibson (Customer Operation and HSSE lead, Z Transport).
The new Kmart distribution centre at the Ruakura Superhub will open in late -2023.
Kmart making the move to Ruakura
THE LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE RUAKURA
Superhub development on the eastern side of Hamilton confirms plans for a new 40,000 square metre distribution centre for Kmart New Zealand.
Scheduled to be operational in late-2023, the new distribution centre will service the long-term needs of Kmart’s New Zealand stores and customers in the North Island as the company relocates its distribution centre from Wiri, South Auckland.
“Moving to a larger, purpose-built facility in the high-profile Ruakura Superhub will allow us to improve availability for customers and meet future business needs, through improved productivity, reliable flow of stock to stores and shipment diversification,” says Kmart CEO, John Gualtieri.
The new facility on a 9Ha site will include warehousing, distribution, storage, a container yard, and an office facility. The site will benefit from direct access to the Ruakura Inland Port, a joint venture with Port of Tauranga.
“This new building will be one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand, spanning the area of four rugby fields, and we’ll work closely with Kmart to get the full potential from their proximity to the inland port, rail and road connections,” says Chris Joblin, Chief Executive of Tainui Group Holdings.
The new Kmart distribution centre will be developed in line with the Greenstar 4 rating. Sustainability features will include solar panels generating up to 300kW of power, rainwater harvesting, onsite stormwater treatment, electronic vehicle charging stations, bike racks and end of trip facilities. Construction of the facility will include low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, LED lighting and double glazing. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems will use low emission refrigerants, and close to 20% of the overall site will be landscaped.
Kmart will close its Wiri distribution centre after the Ruakura facility is operational. All existing Kmart team members at Wiri will be offered a role at the new distribution centre, which will provide more than 100 jobs when operational. Until this time, the Wiri facility will remain in operation and continue to service Kmart’s customers across its New Zealand network of 25 stores.
“Kmart is confident that, along with our Christchurch distribution centre servicing the South Island, the new DC in Hamilton will ensure the business is well-placed to efficiently service our stores and customers across New Zealand and allow for further growth,” says Mr Gualtieri.
The Ruakura Superhub, is one of the country’s largest developments and will eventually include logistics, industrial, retail, and residential areas.
Strategically located, the Ruakura Superhub has easy access to the road network between Hamilton, Auckland, and Tauranga. It is next to the newly opened SH1 dual carriageway, the key transport corridor for the Waikato region. The site is also adjacent to the Ruakura Inland Port, providing a direct freight link to the Ports of Tauranga and Auckland.
Kmart is the fifth major tenant to confirm its move to the Ruakura Superhub following PBT Express Freight Network, a Waitomo Group service centre and new coldstore/logistics facilities for both Maersk and Big Chill Distribution. T&D
The first beams arrive for the new Beaumont Bridge on SH8. Photo courtesy HEB Construction.
Beams arrive at Beaumont
A KEY MILESTONE HAS BEEN
reached in the replacement of the 137-year-old Beaumont Bridge on State Highway 8 in the Clutha District.
Colin MacKay, Principal Project Manager for Waka Kotahi, says the first of the steel beams for the new bridge started arriving at the construction site at the end of July.
“All 20 main beams are being prefabricated in Napier, ahead of the truck trip 1200km south to Beaumont, a journey that could take up to five days. Two beams a week are being transported to the site over coming weeks,” says Mr MacKay.
Mr MacKay says several different components make up the main bridge beams, which vary in size and weight, creating spans of up to 40 metres. The beams will be stored on site until they are positioned on the new bridge structure from late September.
Once they reach the South Island, the trucks will travel south on State Highway 1 from Picton to Clarks Junction, just south of Milton. From there, they head inland on SH8 for the final 60km of their journey to Beaumont. A similar system has been successfully used over the last five years to move large beams to the sites of several new South Island highway bridges.
“While the truck drivers will pull over where possible throughout their journey, people need to build potential delays of up to 20 minutes into their travel plans. Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience while these bridge beams are being transported over the next few weeks,” says Nicole Felts, Waka Kotahi Journey Manager.
The new, two-lane bridge will be 195 metres long, formed by curved steel girders, supported by four piers sitting about 12 metres above the average river level.
The weathering steel beams (with a rusty look) are high strength structural steel which form a corrosion-inhibiting surface and do not require maintenance. They continue to “weather” where they are positioned resulting in minimal maintenance costs and a more economic long-life bridge solution.
Safety barriers will be fitted on the road approaches and the new bridge incorporates a shared walking and cycling path.
Designed to modern earthquake standards, the new bridge will safely connect people, products, and places.
The 137-year-old existing single lane bridge forms an important link on SH8 between Dunedin, Central Otago, and Queenstown, but it is no longer well suited to today’s higher traffic volumes, or the larger and heavier trucks regularly using this route.
Construction started in January 2022 and is expected to be completed by bridge builder HEB Construction in late 2023. T&D
A heavyweight history
A TWO-VOLUME COLLECTOR’S EDITION BOOK
documenting the history of Kiwi-built Mack trucks will be launched at the marque’s 50th Anniversary celebrations being held at Manfeild over Labour weekend.
Mack. The Life is the illustrated history of the first 1000 Macks built and operated in New Zealand. It also includes a section detailing the trucks built at the MTD facility in Palmerston North and then exported.
Authors Ed Mansell, Grant Gadsby and Paul Livsey have spent three years researching and producing the book.
“The book has been inspired by the Mack 1000 celebration in 1987, where the first 1000 Macks were displayed and celebrated in pictures when they went into service,” says Ed.
“All three of us were at that weekend and over the years have taken and collected thousands of pictures of these Macks working from the Cape Reinga to Bluff. Our vision was to capture their life story into a book.
Mansell travelled the country for his job and took many photos of trucks in front line work and Grant Gadsby drove many Macks and collated the ownership details as well as photos.
Paul Livsey loved Macks from a young age, went for many rides and continued to track them and photograph them, often well off the beaten track.
“Although the inspiration was 35 years ago, it was only just over three years ago we decided to combine our knowledge to publish a book and preserve our combined knowledge,” Ed says.
The book is the life story – in pictures – of the Macks “born” in Palmerston North.
“They were loved by the lucky few that got to operate them and admired by the world they passed by,” says Ed.
“Many worked harder than was envisioned and ended up being the parts for others to keep going. Some had life cut short by accidents while others are still working.
“Some have been restored and look like the day they went on the road by their original owners or people who have connected with Mack in New Zealand as children of the era or for many other reasons.”
After countless hours laying out the book, finding the best photos, repairing old photos, making sure the owner details are correct, the result over 1000 pages, containing about 10,000 photos and weighing 7.5kg.
The two volumes have a hard shell cover and the first 1000 are numbered with a second print run now confirmed.
Copies are still available by contacting paul@trgroup.co.nz T&D
Down-under testing for eActros
DAIMLER TRUCK IS THE THIRD EUROPEAN
manufacturer in the space of three months to announce an all-electric truck evaluation programme on New Zealand roads.
From early 2023 four Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks will go to work in Australia and one in New Zealand, with additional units to follow.
“We are excited to conduct this extensive testing programme on the roads of Australia and New Zealand for the advanced and innovative all-electric eActros, a truck that represents an exciting new chapter for sustainable road transport in our region,” says Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific director, Andrew Assimo.
“Mercedes-Benz Trucks always makes sure the advanced technology we introduce locally is tailored for our unique conditions and meets the specific requirements of our customers with extensive local evaluation, and it is no different with zero emission electric technology.”
Daimler Truck is developing battery electric technology for trucks and buses but is also working on hydrogen fuel cell technology that is well suited to the requirements of longer distances at higher weights. While hydrogen fuel cell trucks are currently being tested, they are still some years away from introduction. Battery electric Mercedes-Benz trucks are already in production and in use with leading European fleets.
The focus of the eActros is for heavy-duty short radius distribution work. At this stage, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is not ready to announce when the eActros will be made available to customers in Australia and New Zealand. T&D
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to test the battery electric eActros in Australia and New Zealand.
Rod on the early stages of his North Island trip in the Hutt Valley and reaching the finish at Cape Reinga Lighthouse.
Rod’s mission accomplished
FONTERRA TANKER DRIVER ROD RUTHERFORD HAS
completed his cycling adventure from Bluff to Cape Reinga and says the accomplishment leaves him with some mixed emotions.
“I’m so glad I did it and I really enjoyed myself. But it’s hard to believe it’s over and I feel a bit bewildered and I’m thinking `what’s next?’ says Rod.
“Part of me is looking for the next thing to do. I can’t go back to work because I don’t have a license.”
Rod’s goal of cycling the length of New Zealand has prompted by a cancer diagnosis in December 2020. He continues with that fight, which keeps him from returning to his driving job.
He says the idea of the cycling trip came to him in a dream and after telling his family his brother presented Rod with an e-bike.
The South Island portion of Rod’s adventure was covered in the June issue of New Zealand Truck & Driver.
After a break at home in Cambridge he returned to Wellington and began the North Island with the objective of finishing in July. Rod reached Cape Reinga Lighthouse on July 25.
“The roads were a lot busier in the North Island although I did go around East Cape where it was a lot quieter,” Rod says.
“The [East] Coast was wild and wonderful. Tolaga Bay is a great memory but so was sitting on the wharf in downtown Auckland and just looking at how busy everyone is.
“I had wondered if people in the north would be the same as they’d been down south. It turns out they are and wherever I went, and whether I met kings in castles or with paupers, everyone was good to me.
“The interesting people I met are one of the biggest memories I have.
“Quite a few truck drivers must have read the stories about me including in New Zealand Truck & Driver. I got a lot of toots from truckies after the magazine came out.”
On the last stretch of the northward journey Rod had company.
“For the last four days my brother and my wife cycled with me, and we had a wonderful time.
“Just at the last part of the trip my Go Pro lost its battery. As luck would have it, when we got to the Cape the only other person around just happened to be a professional photographer.”
Rod says he cycled through plenty of rain but managed to avoid the worst of the winter storms.
“I think sticking near to the coast helped in that regard. We arrived at the Cape on a nice afternoon. And after we had finished, we drove home through Northland in probably the worst weather I experienced anywhere on the trip.”
Rod’s latest medical check confirms he has four tumours, three in his lungs and one on a kidney.
“I feel okay apart from a few aches and pains, and I go for a walk each day. I went to work the other day to do a fire-fighting course, but I’m not allowed to drive.
“A friend of mine said ‘the way to beat cancer is to stay active. It’s when you stop that it gets you’.”
Rod says the fund-raising element of his journey, to raise funds for cancer research, has been a success.
“We’ve raised almost $7000, and the money is still coming in. I hope to get to about $8000.
Anything we can do to learn about cancer and try to beat it is great.” T&D
NEWS
Star attraction
THE NEW WESTERN STAR 57X LONG HAUL TRUCK
for North America isn’t likely to be seen on New Zealand highways.
But the newcomer, announced in August, is worthy of a launch mention for its striking front-end design and status as the most efficient truck yet from the iconic US brand.
The new 57X is about 6% more efficient than its predecessor, the 5700XE, making it the most efficient Western Star truck ever. Customers can choose from Detroit DD13 Gen 5, DD15 Gen 5 and DD16 engines options and the 57X is available with Detroit DT12 Direct or High-Speed AMT transmissions, which reduce fuel consumption while improving shifting and reducing wear.
Intelligent Powertrain Management anticipates terrain and adjusts to road conditions and optimisations to the chassis and cab further reduce the fuel consumption figures of the new 57X. These include the aerodynamic hood and air ducts in the bumpers, as well as flexible skirts between the cab and chassis.
The Western Star 57X offers customers the Detroit Assurance 5.0 Safety System with Active Brake Assist 5 which includes the camera/radar “always-on” system, Adaptive Cruise Control and optional Active Lane Assist. All-new to the 57X is Active Side Guard Assist, an industry-first technology designed to mitigate blind side issues during right-hand turns.
The 57X is the first Western Star truck to have a digital display in the cockpit that allows instrument configuration and simplifies control of entertainment functions (via Apple Car Play and Android Auto) and vehicle information. Steering wheel controls let drivers control most entertainment and information functions without taking their hands off the wheel.
The all-new 57X is designed primarily for customers on long-distance routes, especially in the small-fleets segment or as owner operators.
Production at the Daimler Truck North America production plant in Cleveland, North Carolina, will begin in Q1 of 2023. T&D
The new Western Star 57X built for North American long-haul customers.
Fruehauf ownership change
INNOVATIVE TRUCK BODY AND
trailer manufacturer Fruehauf NZ is now fully owned by Jeff and Yvette Mear.
The couple took over the company on August 18, purchasing the remaining Fruehauf shares from Phil and Karen Watchorn, who are departing the company to pursue other personal interests.
“We purchased the remaining shares in Fruehauf because we believe it is a great company and capable of becoming even a better company,” says Jeff Mear, who becomes managing director of the company.
Fruehauf NZ has its head office and primary manufacturing facility in Feilding with a sales outlet and further manufacturing operations in Manukau City.
It’s currently positioned in a clear second place behind Patchell Industries in new trailer registrations (YTD 2022) with its range of livestock, tipper, curtainsider, skeletal, flat-deck and special purpose trailers. Fruehauf’s truck body building focuses on curtainsider, flat deck and bathtub tipper designs.
Fruehauf New Zealand had been jointly owned by Watchorn and Mear since 2009 and they set up the Auckland branch of the firm in 2011.
Jeff Mear says the company thanks Phil and Karen Watchorn for all their past contributions and wishes them the very best for their future. He says the company has an exciting future.
“We have fantastic employees who are highly skilled and experienced,” he says.
“We also have excellent and loyal customers who appreciate the quality of our products, and we have great strategic supply partners who want us to be successful by leading a mutually beneficial pathway of further growth.” T&D
Fruehauf NZ owners Jeff and Yvette Mear.
The 2022 Mobil Delvac 1 NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame gala dinner is on September 30 in Invercargill.
Hall of Fame set for 2022
THE TEAM BEHIND THE MOBIL DELVAC 1 NZ ROAD
Transport Hall of Fame is excited to be back connecting face-to-face at this year’s gala event.
Last year’s event shifted to a digital format because of the pandemic, but 2022 will see the return to an in-person version in Invercargill on September 30.
TW Events & Incentives manager Adam Reinsfield says while the online event in 2021 was successful – the event had more than 2000 unique views from around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe – you just can’t beat the real thing.
“We know our guests really relish the chance to catch up with their colleagues from throughout Aotearoa at the Hall of Fame, so to be able to get together and celebrate industry success stories alongside one another again is something I’m sure we are all looking forward to,” he says.
Every year, six people from around the country are inducted into the Hall of Fame, which honours their outstanding and significant contributions to the national road transport industry.
Inductees are selected to take their place alongside of the most respected names within the industry and they are recognised at a spectacular gala dinner, which routinely draws a crowd of more than 500 people, at Bill Richardson Transport World: the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world.
“Our 2022 inductees have been selected, and our team is hard at work compiling their stories to share and celebrate together,” Reinsfield says.
“It’s always a privilege to help the road transport industry facilitate this event, and recognise the efforts of its long-standing contributors. 2022 will be no different.
“The event is only possible with the support of our amazing sponsors, and we are incredibly grateful and excited to bring the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame back this year,” he says.
This year’s event will see some slight changes introduced. The past inductees and sponsors event, previously held the night before the gala dinner, will this year be held on the same day. All gala dinner attendees are invited to join in the festivities as well.
Those wishing to attend either the gala dinner, or both the gala dinner and past inductees and sponsors luncheon, can register and book their tickets at roadtransporthalloffame.co.nz T&D
Super Truck calendar taking shape
THREE DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE
2022-23 New Zealand Super Truck Championship with a fourth round still to be confirmed.
The truck racing title will begin at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in Feilding over Labour Weekend (October 24-25) as part of the OctoberFAST meeting before heading south for a January 27-29 event at Levels International Raceway (Timaru).
Round three is scheduled for Southland’s Teretonga Park on March 1819 for the popular Southern Thunder meeting where the Super Trucks and Mainland Muscle Cars take centre stage.
Among the options being considered for inclusion in the championship is a return to Pukekohe – where truck racing began in New Zealand back in 1989 – before the circuit is scheduled to close. T&D
Kiss leads Euro racing series
Adam Lacko (Freightliner) in front of Jochen Hahn (Iveco) and series leader Nobert Kiss (MAN) at the Hungaroring.
HUNGARIAN DRIVER NORBERT KISS IS STRONGLY
positioned to win his fourth title as the Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship takes its summer break.
With four of the eight rounds completed, Kiss has driven his Revesz Racing MAN to victory in nine of the 16 races held in the first half of the season to build a tally of 208 points as he attempts to defend the European title.
His nearest rival is Germany’s six-time champion Jochen Hahn (Iveco) with 158 points followed by fellow German Sascha Lenz (MAN) with 152 and Czech racer Adam Lacko (Freightliner) with 122.
Spanish racer Antonio Albacete (MAN) and Germany’s Steffi Halm (Iveco) are next in the standings with 98 and 90 points respectively.
The early season rounds were raced at Misano (Italy), the Hungaroring, Slovakia Ring and the Nurburgring GP circuit in Germany.
The second half of the season sees a busy schedule with four rounds across five weekends beginning at Most in the Czech Republic on Sept 3-4 followed by Zolder (Belgium) the following weekend.
There’s a fortnight break to the penultimate round at Le Mans (France) on Sept 24-25 and the final is at Jarama in Spain on October 1-2. T&D
EXPERIENCED HEAVY TRANSPORT
professional, Rob Woods started in his new role as General Manager for Motor Truck Distributors (MTD) on August 8.
“Rob’s heavy transport expertise and leadership credentials quickly put him at the front of a strong field of internal and external candidates,” says Michael Doeg, General Manager, Retail Sales at Sime Darby Motors NZ.
Rob began his career with Imperial, one of South Africa’s largest automotive groups, currently responsible for one in three of all car rental transactions, 40% of market in passenger vehicles, and around 7,500 heavy trucks.
He was appointed Dealer Principal for Mitsubishi Cars in his mid-20s, then became Mitsubishi brand manager before moving into heavy transport. By the time he emigrated to New Zealand in 2017, Rob had held Franchise Director roles at both Freightliner and Hino and gained almost 20 years’ experience in the industry.
Once in New Zealand, Rob worked with Iveco and Isuzu before joining MTD’s parent company, Sime Darby Motors NZ mid-2021.
“I’m excited and proud to be working with two premium, top-quality brands like Mack trucks and Volvo truck and bus,” says Rob.
“We have a very strong team of people at MTD with great technical credentials and well-established relationships throughout the transport industry.” T&D
New boss at MTD
