NZ Truck & Driver November 2024 by NZ Truck & Driver

NZ TRUCK & DRIVER

| November 2024

November 2024 $10.90 incl. GST

FLEET FOCUS Dirty work, done right

BIG TEST The Cattle Beast | FLEET FOCUS Dirty work, done right | FEATURE: Hannover Truck Show highlights

FEATURE Hannover Tru ck Show highligh ts

e l t t a C e h T

Issue 284

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The Official Magazine of

ISSN 1174-7935

TRUCKS YOU CAN RELYON ON TRUCKS TRUCKS YOU CAN RELY YOU ON TRUCKS YOU CAN RELY

Partner Can Trust Partner Partner YouYou You CanCan Trust Partner Trust Y

CONTENTS Issue 284 – November 2024

News The latest from the world of road transport including… Funding support for low- and zeroemissions trucks… Freightliner launches fifth generation Cascadia… Bombay Truck Show full to capacity… News from the Transporting New Zealand North Island Seminar… Hydrogen network update… European Truck Racing Champ crowned

Teletrac Navman Fleet Focus

Recognising NZ’s best-looking trucks… including a giant pull-out poster of this month’s finalist.

Celebrating the class of 2024

CrediFlex Recently Registered September’s registration data saw the new truck and trailer markets register a dip in sales heading into the fourth-quarter of the year. Plus, the monthly gallery of new rigs on the road.

COLUMNS: 59 National Road Carriers Association James Smith takes a look at road transport’s key role in linking intermodal freight, and we look at the growth of NRC member company Stealth Logistics.

The Mobil 1 Delvac NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame welcomed five new inductees at the annual gala dinner in Invercargill. We profile the class of 2024.

Dirty work, done right: From driving trucks as a teenager, Iydden Wood has built Dirtworks into a significant clean fill business serving the Auckland region with an impressive fleet of trucks and earthmoving equipment.

MANAGEMENT

Europe’s Showcase A look at the new trucks and innovative technologies unveiled during the IAA Transportation Expo in Hannover, Germany.

REGULARS: 80/ Double Coin Tyres NZ Transport 81 Imaging Awards

Community Spirit The trucking industry and the local Hawke’s Bay community turned out in force for the biennial Mitre 10 Mega Ride in a Truck Day.

Transporting New Zealand Dom Kalasih looks at Cook Strait issues and advocacy work currently underway at Transporting NZ. And we take a detailed look at Virtual Booking Systems and visit with EROAD Health & Safety award winner Mickayla Kerr.

Loaded with history: Over 70 years, three generations of Whanganui’s Loader family have steered the civil engineering achievements of I.D. Loader Ltd.

Giti Tyres Big Test The Cattle Beast: With a 750hp the new Beale Trucking Volvo FH 16 750 Globetrotter XL is a luxury livestock mover. And the icing on the cake is a spec that includes microwave, fridge/freezer, barbeque and even a hot shower.

FEATURES: 66 Southpac Trucks Legends

Spring celebrations for Alexandra The annual Alexandra Truck Show plays a big part in the town’s traditional Blossom Festival celebrations.

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

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CONTRIBUTORS

Wayne Munro Olivia Beauchamp Gerald Shacklock David Kinch Mark O’Hara

ART DEPARTMENT Design & Production Luca Bempensante Zarko Mihic EQUIPMENT GUIDE AUCKLAND, NORTHLAND, BOP, WAIKATO, CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND Advertising Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz

AUCKLAND, LOWER NORTH ISLAND, SOUTH ISLAND Advertising Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz

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NEWS The Hyundai XCIENT FCEV is the only hydrogen fuel cell model which qualifies for LEHVF support.

Funding support for heavy LEVs and ZEVs THERE ARE 24 BATTERY ELECTRIC TRUCK MODELS and a single hydrogen fuel cell model from 10 manufacturers on the initial list of vehicles qualifying for support under the recently announced Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (LEHVF). The $27.75m Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) administered fund, announced in late-September, is a Government initiative to boost New Zealand’s adoption of zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles. Transport operators can apply for up to 25% funding support when purchasing new zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles. Energy and Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

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Specifics of the scheme require vehicles to have a GVM of 5.9-tonnes or greater, and grants apply to the cost of the cab-chassis only, excluding bodywork. There is also 25% funding available to convert existing ICE vehicles to low or zero-emissions technologies. These vehicles must have been registered in New Zealand for the first time between 1 August 2022 and 1 August 2024, whether they have had a single owner or multiple owners. “The LEHVF will offset upfront costs for businesses, enabling them to increase productivity with vehicles that are cheaper to operate,” says Energy Minister Simeon Brown. “High upfront costs and the unknown total cost of ownership are the main barriers to the uptake of zero and low-emissions heavy vehicles. “By offsetting up to a quarter of these vehicles’ purchase price, the Government is encouraging businesses to trial these new technologies to reduce day-to-day operating costs, ultimately saving money for consumers at the checkout.” Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says the fund will provide emissions benefits for years to come. “Transport accounts for 18% of New Zealand’s total emissions, which is why the Government wants to remove barriers and accelerate businesses to switch to lower-emission technologies,” says Minister Watts. “EECA’s modelling estimates up to 500 diesel-only vehicles would likely be replaced by mostly zero-emissions vehicles by 2028, as well as some lowemissions hybrid vehicles as a result of the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund. “While this is a one-time initiative, there will be cumulative emissions benefits over the lifecycle of these low-emissions heavy vehicles. Initial

NEWS

The eActros 300 had led the Mercedes-Benz move into the battery electric truck market. estimates indicate that switching 500 diesel-only vehicles to zero and low-emissions alternatives will prevent 366,622 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions,” Mr Watts says. While the announcement suggests the fund will help promote innovation and offset the cost of hundreds of heavy vehicles powered by clean technologies, there is little in the way of a firm timeline beyond the initial six-month funding period. EECA says the LEHVF will be reviewed six months from its launch to ensure it is meeting its objectives and captures market advancements. Reviews will consider whether changes to the programme’s parameters are required, including grant caps. An initial review is expected by February 2025 with a March 2025 briefing to the Ministers of Transport and Energy on the review’s outcome, as well as any advice on adjustments for the LEHVF’s second phase. A public announcement on further plans is scheduled for April 2025, following Ministerial sign-off, and any changes to the LEHVF programme will take effect from July 1, 2025. The funding programme has been welcomed by transport industry associations. “The road freight sector is committed to decarbonisation, including adopting low and zero emission vehicles. However, the high purchase cost and limited range and freight capacity of many available models is a big barrier to uptake. In a low margin industry like ours, practical support from the Government is essential,” says Transporting New Zealand Interim CEO Dom Kalasih. “Battery electric trucks cost between 2-3 times more than internal combustion equivalents, with limited range and loads. Freight customers are understandably price sensitive, particularly in the current economic climate, and this can make low and zero emission freight services a tough sell.” Transporting New Zealand is also calling for the Government to prioritise three actions to support decarbonisation in the road freight sector. It supports introducing accelerated depreciation for low and zero emission vehicles (including higher productivity motor vehicles) and reforming the vehicle dimension and mass rules to allow more battery weight on front axles. It also recommends strengthening roads surfaces and bridges to allow heavier, more efficient, electric vehicles and high productivity motor vehicles

to access more of the roading network. “Co-funding vehicle purchases is an important piece of the puzzle, but getting our regulatory settings and roading network ready for more efficient vehicles is also essential to increasing uptake and driving down emissions,” says Kalasih. National Road Carriers Association (NRC) GM Policy & Advocacy James Smith says the LEHVF will help the road transport industry’s transition to clean technologies. Smith says moving to a low emissions model is challenging for the freight sector for various reasons including infrastructure limitations with charging stations or hydrogen refuelling, high initial costs of electric or hydrogen vehicles, the technology still developing compared with diesel, and the sunk cost and long lifespan of current vehicles. Further specifics of the LEHVF will cap grants at $4 million per vehicle importer/supplier and $1 million per vehicle operator, for the first year of the LEHVF’s operation. Caps for the following year will be set by March 31, 2025 and announced by the end of April 2025. There are also capped maximums on funding for each vehicle category, depending on gross vehicle mass (GVM) and vehicle class. Public transport buses are excluded from the LEHVF, but other buses and coaches meeting weight requirements are eligible. The Farizon H9E which debuted at the recent EROAD Fleet Day is among multiple Chinese models eligible for LEHVF support.

Truck & Driver | 3

NEWS

Bombay show full to the brim THE UDC FINANCE SHOW & SHINE COMPETITION at the upcoming 2025 Transfleet Trailers/Allied Petroleum Bombay Truck Show is full to the brim, with entries being closed off in early October. All of the available entry spots have been snapped up with a capacity lineup of 465 trucks set for the Show & Shine, matching the number of rigs appearing at the 2023 event. “We set a cut-off because we can’t really fit any more trucks into the grounds and still have enough room for public parking,” says show coordinator Marieka Morcombe. “We opened the registrations back in July and it’s been a steady flow of entries ever since then. A lot of companies will be turning up with the maximum number of six trucks. “The Show & Shine excitement is building in a big way. Our prizes have arrived and the trophies are ordered,” Marieka says. Marieka says there are many other important details involved in preparing for the show which are taking place behind the scenes. “The crops on land adjacent to the Rugby Club are being harvested in

4 | Truck & Driver

October and local legends Sutton Bros., are sowing grass seed which has been generously donated by PGG Wrightsons,” she says. The 2025 Bombay Truck Show is on Saturday January 18 at the Bombay Rugby Club grounds.The charity event will again raise funds for the Leukaemia Blood Cancer Foundation, Franklin Hospice and the Bombay Rugby Club. Marieka says the show will have an even bigger focus on keeping the youngsters entertained. “We will have some famous race trucks coming along and special collectable posters to give out to all the kids. Rock And Rubble have again sponsored the Kidzone, so all the rides will be free all day. “We have also made some extensive plans surrounding traffic management. With increasing public attendance every year, we have provisions in place to make the traffic flow smoother.” There will also be a chance to enjoy a birds eye view of the show with Allan Bodman from Heliworx Waikato offering helicopter rides above the venue. The 2023 Bombay Truck Show attracted an attendance estimated at almost 20,000 people and raised a total of $83,861 for the three charities.

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NEWS Daimler Truck plans to build the new Cascadia in its Portland, Oregon and Saltillo, Mexico manufacturing plants.

High tech Gen-5 Cascadia unveiled THE FIFTH GENERATION FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA has been unveiled by Daimler Truck North America. Production is timed to begin mid-2025 at manufacturing plants in Portland, Oregon and Saltillo, Mexico. Development priorities for the new Cascadia focused on fuel efficiency and the continued introduction of advanced safety features and connectivity tools. “Since its original introduction in 2007, our customers have purchased more than one million Freightliner Cascadias, making it the most driven Class 8 truck on North American roads,” says David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Daimler Truck North America. The fifth generation Cascadia debuts expanded capabilities from the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems. Notable updates include enhanced computing power and an upgraded camera, as well as four new short-range radar sensors and an improved long-range radar sensor. Detroit’s Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA6) is now capable of adding automatic braking when detecting vehicles stopped at odd angles, vehicles in curves, stopped vehicles across multiple lanes, and recognising both The Cascadia features new safety and connectivity technologies.

6 | Truck & Driver

moving – and now – stationary pedestrians. In addition to its previous capabilities, Active Lane Assist 2 (ALA2) now features Lane Change Assist – which can help mitigate out-of-lane accidents by providing counter steering in case a truck attempts to enter an already occupied lane. A component of ALA2 is Attentive Driver Protection. When Lane Keep Assist is on and active, this monitors driver attention through steering wheel input and can initiate a sequence that keeps the Cascadia centred in its lane, slows the vehicle to a stop and turns on the hazard lights if the driver is not responsive. The updated Side Guard Assist 2 (SGA2) is now able to detect and warn drivers about objects on the driver side as well as the passenger side of the vehicle, from the cab to the end of the trailer. New Cascadia is also equipped with all-new Intelligent Braking Control System (IBCS) which introduces brake-by-wire technology combined with backup pneumatics. The system employs wheel speed sensors and a chassis-mounted electronic control unit to help provide advanced deceleration control. IBCS enables the introduction of Comfort Braking, which provides brake force distribution, lining wear control and performance monitoring. These features ensure smoother, more confident braking – especially in sudden stops – and help to elongate brake pad life through even wear. Endurance Braking is a further feature of IBCS that seamlessly blends the engine retarder and service brakes when the foot pedal is applied, helping to further extend brake life. An all-new electronic park brake enables Rollaway Mitigation, which is designed to automatically apply the parking brake when a driver leaves the seat or opens the door without setting the brake to help prevent costly rollaways and improve safety. Another new technology is the Dual Stage Intelligent LED headlights, which offer increased durability and impact resistance. They are also engineered to melt away ice and eliminate condensation in minutes. With an improved beam pattern and auto high beam feature, they enhance

NEWS

The Daimler Truck MirrorCam system will be available on the Gen-5 Cascadia. visibility, safety and driver comfort. The MirrorCam System previously introduced on Mercedes-Benz models can also be fitted to the new Cascadia. Cameras mounted above the doors provide a wide field of view and are equipped with infrared technology and hydrophobic coatings to repel water and other contaminants. MirrorCam helps to improve visibility, especially at night and during inclement weather, and improve driver comfort by minimizing head and neck movement. Efficiency gains are based on powertrain upgrades and improved aerodynamics and the Freightliner Cascadia has achieved fuel efficiency gains of more than 35% since the first generation was introduced. Key aerodynamic improvements for the fifth generation include a new bonnet design, a redesigned A-pillar deflector, three-piece front wheel well closeouts, a hood-to-bumper seal, and new bumper air ducts that direct airflow around the underbody and tires to increase efficiency. These changes yield an additional fuel economy benefit of 1.9%. A new (optional) Max Aero Bumper, brings even greater efficiency without sacrificing ground clearance, durability or serviceability. Engine choices for the fifth generation are from the Detroit DD13 and DD15 line-ups, with ratings up to 505hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque. The Cummins X15 and X15N, the first natural gas engine designed specifically for heavy-duty and on-highway truck applications, will be available in 2025 and 2026, respectively, and are available with

400 to 605hp and 1,450 to 2,050 lb-ft of torque. To help improve uptime and furnish greater operational insights, the Cascadia comes equipped with a new connected telematics platform powering Detroit Connect. It brings on-the-road benefits for drivers, as well as more real-time information relayed back to fleet managers. Additionally, a new electrical architecture enhances cybersecurity and enables faster processing speeds. A new feature is Detroit Connect Video Capture 2.0 which automatically records and captures data during safety events or when initiated by a driver, providing fleet managers with remote access to valuable insights on driver behaviour and potential risks. Videos are available in near-real-time through an improved user interface within the Detroit Connect Portal. Dual Stage Intelligent LED lights offer an improved beam pattern and auto high beam.

Truck & Driver | 7

NEWS

The Allianz Arena in Munich is located adjacent to vital freight routes.

Munich charging hub planned MAN TRUCK & BUS IS TAKING A LEAD ROLE IN THE development of a flagship electric truck and bus charging park at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The home of FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena will be equipped with up to 30 high-power and megawatt charging points to be built in three planned expansion stages on the southern bus car park of the arena. This will allow up to 500 electric buses and trucks to be charged every day. Large sports stadiums such as the Allianz Arena have a very powerful electricity grid due to their high electricity requirements for floodlights, catering operations and other consumers, which is only fully utilised on match days. A mock-up of how the charging park could look at the Allianz Arena.

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The 100% use of green electricity in the Allianz Arena makes the project even more climate-friendly. Location is also critical and the Allianz Arena is adjacent to the busy Munich North motorway junction with its own motorway access. Up to 10,000 trucks a day pass through this important junction for European road freight traffic, making it an ideal location for the charging park. And FC Bayern will also need charging infrastructure for its own fleet in the future with MAN delivering the first all-electric coach to FC Bayern as a team bus in the 2025/26 season. ‘We will only achieve the Paris climate targets if we consistently decarbonise our vehicle fleets,” says Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus. “Half of the trucks we produce each year should be electric by 2030. The charging infrastructure is the key to this. As a manufacturer, we are leading the way ourselves by setting up a public charging network in Europe at our service locations together with E.ON. But that alone is not enough. That’s why we are very grateful for fresh ideas and joint projects such as the one with FC Bayern. The charging park at the Allianz Arena will be a flagship project.” According to estimates by the European manufacturers’ association ACEA, around 50,000 high-performance and megawatt charging points will be needed along the most important long-distance transport routes across Europe by 2030. MAN was the market leader for electric city buses in Europe in 2023 and already has 2,000 order enquiries and orders for the new MAN eTruck equipped with a 534kWh battery pack, providing a range of 300400km and future-proofed with megawatt charging technology (MCS) capability.

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NEWS

Frederich tops Penske Master comp AUCKLAND-BASED FREDERICH PFUHL HAS WON A 2024 Penske Guild Master Technician award and will get to visit Germany and the US as a reward for his efforts. Frederich took out the off-highway section of the Penske Australia & New Zealand awards while Australian Jason Gavin topped the on-highway category. Penske Guild members from around Australia and New Zealand competed in qualification rounds prior to the final, vying for the title of Master Technician. The 12 finalists competed against each other and the stopwatch in a range of general procedural tasks and advanced diagnostics scenarios. Having joined Penske in 2017, Frederich is a field service technician based in Auckland. In addition to his wide-ranging field experience, he has

Frederich Pfuhl of Auckland competing at the 2024 Penske Guild Master Technician awards.

completed multiple mtu 2000 series and 4000 series mechanical, electrical, and automation training courses, leading him to work across all off-highway markets, particularly energy solutions and marine. “Among a very experienced field of technicians, Frederich is a very worthy winner of the off-highway Master Technician award, showcasing his vast expertise,” says Daniel Raine, technical training manager, Penske Australia & New Zealand. “All competitors did a fantastic job on the day, and it’s a testament to the depth of capability we have at Penske to support our mtu customers across various industries, including mining, energy solutions, marine, rail, defence, construction and industrial, and oil and gas across Australia and New Zealand.” The Master Technician competition is in its ninth year, having commenced in 2016 with former winners on hand to congratulate their fellow champions. On-highway Master Technician Jason Gavin is based at Penske’s Perth branch. He has expertise across the full range of Western Star, MAN, and Detroit product portfolios, particularly Western Star, having worked with the brand for 14 years. The 2024 Master Technicians will enjoy trips overseas to the United States and Germany to visit Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ mtu plant and the Detroit plant, respectively. “Over the years, the calibre of participants has gone from strength to strength,” says Leigh Henderson, chief operating officer and Penske Guild chair at Penske Australia & New Zealand. “While being crowned a Master Technician is prestigious, customers benefit most from our Penske Guild programme. “Covering the breadth of operations, Penske Guild represents a tangible standard of excellence that ultimately delivers high quality and prompt solutions for customers.”

Scania returns to Brisbane show Scania’s 13-litre Super models will feature at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.

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AMONG THE EARLY ANNOUNCEMENTS AHEAD OF THE 2025 Brisbane Truck Show is the return of Scania Australia as an exhibitor. The brand was a conspicuous absentee from the 2023 event but Scania has confirmed it will have a range of V8 models, the new Scania Super 13-litre range, along with new transmissions to display to show visitors. In addition to the internal combustion engine range, Scania will also debut the next generation of fully electric zero tailpipe emission BEV trucks, in the shape of the 40 BEV, offering around 400km of real-world range in either prime mover or rigid configuration. The 40 BEV can be combined with four available Scania cab series; the low entry L-series, city delivery focussed P-series, general duties G-series and heavy-duty R-series. “With the Gen 3 BEV prime mover we have a highly capable last mile-distribution-intrastate solution for operators who want or need a zero-carbon footprint vehicle in use,” says Benjamin Nye, Scania Director of Truck Sales. The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show takes place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from Thursday May 15 to Sunday May 18. May 2025. It’s supported by Truck Week 25 activities in the South Bank Plaza from May 15-21 and the Heritage Truck Association Australia (HTAA) show at the Rocklea Showgrounds (May 17-18).

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NEWS

Sime Darby is planning a new facility in Tauranga.

Tauriko move for Sime Darby

SIME DARBY MOTORS NZ IS CONTINUING TO MAKE property investments to support its truck and transport industry activities. A 13,817sqm site has been purchased in Tauranga’s Tauriko business zone for a purpose-built truck service centre and Volvo Trucks NZ sales office plus an external truck display area. Chosen for its easy access to major state highway transport corridors, the Tauriko site sits within a growing hub of commercial, industrial, and residential developments in the area. This gives Sime Darby Motors NZ a strong foothold in the ‘Golden Triangle’ between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, an area that accounts for 40% of New Zealand’s total freight movement by tonnage. Plans are well advanced in the design phase of the project, with groundbreaking scheduled for early 2025. Build completion is expected towards

the end of 2025. “This is another step in our on-going programme of investment in New Zealand, positioning us for future growth,” says Sime Darby Motors NZ Managing Director, Pat McKenna. The purchase of the Kaweroa Drive site in Tauriko follows the April announcement of a long-term ground lease in the Ruakura Superhub near Hamilton, developed by Tainui Group Holdings. Sime Darby has also nearing completion of a major commercial hub in the Waterloo Business Park in Christchurch. The build comprises three separate sites with purpose-built facilities serving Sime Darby’s TWL, Truckstops, Volvo Trucks NZ, Mack and Hyster businesses, Terra Cat NZ and a shared four-storey head office for 200 Sime Darby Motors and Terra Cat support teams.

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NEWS

An Anthem for NASCAR legends LEADING NASCAR TEAM RICHARD CHILDRESS Racing (RCR) has forged a long-term partnership with Mack Trucks which designates the brand as the team’s official Long-Haul truck. Mack is providing a fleet of customised Mack Anthem 70-inch StandUp Sleeper models dedicated to meeting the needs of RCR during the gruelling NASCAR season. RCR is one of the largest and most storied organisations in NASCAR competition, accumulating 16 championships and more than 200 victories across NASCAR’s top three series. During the NASCAR season, Mack Anthem models will haul RCR race cars, including those driven by current team drivers Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Jesse Love and Austin Hill. In addition to providing transportation solutions, the partnership allows Mack to offer customers memorable experiences at various race events across the United States during the NASCAR season. Customers will have the opportunity to meet NASCAR Cup Series drivers, tour customised Anthem trucks and join RCR victory lane celebrations. Each of RCR’s custom-spec’d Anthem models is powered by a 13-litre Mack MP 8 engine with 505-horsepower and 1,860 lb-ft. of torque. The Anthem models are also equipped with Mack Command Steer, Mack’s highly advanced active steering system. An electric motor added to the hydraulic steering system applies additional torque as needed, reducing driver effort by up to 85%. A return to zero capability automatically returns the steering wheel to the centre position, also helping improve driver

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NEWS Active safety systems are being tested to provide the platform for the Euro NCAP Truck Safe ratings.

Truck Safe ratings due soon THE VERY FIRST ROUND OF EURO NCAP TRUCK SAFE ratings will be announced November 20. Testing is underway in six labs across Europe as Euro NCAP’s Truck Safe programme gets underway. The first scheme of its type for heavy commercial vehicles, the programme is designed to address the disproportionate number of truck fatalities across Europe – trucks represent only 3% of vehicles on Europe’s roads but are involved in almost 15% of all EU road fatalities. Euro NCAP says the ratings will incentivise good safety performance, allow optimisation of operational safety and cost, and accelerate regulatory efforts to improve truck safety. The aim is to progress towards best practice safety, rather than just meeting minimum standards. The first seven trucks being tested are: DAF XF, Iveco S-WAY, MAN TGX, Mercedes-Benz Actros, Renault T models, Scania R-series and Volvo FH. Euro NCAP’s Truck Safe rating scheme will enable all stakeholders in the freight industry to identify and assess the safety level of trucks. “Not only will this deliver enhanced safety for drivers but also create financial and strategic opportunities for those operators that invest in the safest vehicles,

making the scheme attractive to insurers, shippers, hauliers, and truck makers,” says Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General Euro NCAP. “The safest vehicle will also prove to be the most profitable. In creating a market for safety, Euro NCAP aims to encourage manufacturers and suppliers to innovate, further increasing the safety benefits of the scheme as the ratings evolve. Working together with road authorities and all actors in the heavy vehicle industry, we can reach Vision Zero.” The new tests will address real-world collisions and encourage manufacturers to fit collision avoidance technologies and improve driver vision. The Truck Safe rating sees Euro NCAP extend its reach beyond passenger cars and light commercials. Euro NCAP organises crash and safety tests on new vehicles and provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. Established in 1997 and backed by several European Governments, motoring, consumer and insurance organizations, Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.

Dunedin show gears up The Reilly’s Dunedin Truck Show is being held on Saturday January 25.

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THE BEST OF OTAGO’S TRUCKING industry will be showcased at the 2025 Reilly’s Towage and Salvage Dunedin Truck Show in lateJanuary. The organising committee is at work preparing Show & Shine prizes, barbeques and entertainment for the annual event which is held in conjunction with

the Otago Taieri A&P Show on Saturday January 25. Local Dunedin firm Reilly’s Towage and Salvage are again the title sponsor for the event which is held at the A&P Showgrounds in Dukes Rd, Mosgiel. Truck entry is $5 minimum donation with funds going to the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust. Gates open for trucks from 7am with public entry from 10am.

NEWS

The VNL is the new Volvo flagship truck for North America.

Volvo VNL production begins THE NEW RIVER VALLEY ASSEMBLY PLANT IN DUBLIN, Virginia has started series production of the all-new Volvo VNL. The VNL is Volvo’s new generation Class 8 truck for the North American market featuring sleek aerodynamics and striking visual details. The New River Valley Assembly Plant, is the Volvo Group’s largest assembly facility in the world at over 213,000sqm sits on 230-hectares in Dublin, Virginia. The commercial launch of the all-new Volvo VNL also serves as a christening of the state-of-the-art cab plant, part of a US$400 million dollar investment by the Volvo Group in North America, underscoring Volvo’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence in the transportation industry’s future. “This truck was designed to change everything and represents Volvo Trucks’ dedication to innovation by combining state-of-the-art technology with unparalleled fuel efficiency, driver comfort, and safety,” says Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. The VNL brings industry-first packaging to simplify the specification process for customers and dealers and ensures fleets are getting the maximum value

available in the Volvo Trucks portfolio. Additionally, dealers’ service representatives have access to extensive competency development through e-learning and in-person, instructor-led courses from the Volvo Trucks Academy, ensuring they are fully equipped to support the all-new Volvo VNL when it arrives at dealerships. The all-new Volvo VNL features four exterior and interior trim levels — Core, Edge, Edge Black, and Ultimate — with six cab configurations, each designed to fit customers’ preferences, brand identity, and operational needs. The initial 400 trucks will include both sleepers and day cab models, offering a variety of packages, trim levels and powertrain offerings to give customers a first-hand experience to determine the best fit for their operations. The all-new Volvo VNL boasts a wide array of innovative features, including advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel efficiency and safety technologies like collision avoidance systems and best-in-class connectivity solutions. Designed with superior driver comfort in mind, the truck features ergonomic seating, advanced climate control, and noise reduction features.

A new cab building facility has been built for production of the VNL.

Truck & Driver | 15

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NEWS Champion Norbert Kiss leads the field during the Le Mans weekend.

Sixth title for Kiss HUNGARIAN RACER NORBERT KISS SECURED HIS sixth Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship after a dominant performance in the seven-round series. The Revesz Racing MAN driver had the 2024 title wrapped up after winning race three during the penultimate round raced at Le Mans, France on the September 28-29 weekend. It was the second win of the Le Mans weekend for Kiss and the newly crowned champion continued his winning run with two more race wins at the final round race at Jarama in Spain the following weekend. With his sixth title Kiss matches the number of championships won by his longtime German rival Jochen Hahn. The other milestone achieved during Kiss’s dominant season is a unbeaten streak of pole positions. Kiss was fastest in all 14 qualifying sessions during the season and he won 19 of the 28 races. The last two rounds at Le Mans and Jarama were the most competitive of the year with eight races producing five different winners. Chrome category champ Jose Eduardo Rodrigues (MAN) of Portugal and former champion Jochen Hahn (Iveco) achieved Le Mans wins while the Jarama weekend delivered wins for Germany’s Steffi Halm (Iveco) and a home win for Spaniard Antonio Albacete (MAN). The clear winning margin for Kiss was almost 100 points over Jochen Hahn (Iveco) who showed front-running consistency but one achieved one race win. Germany’s Sascha Lenz (MAN) completed the championship podium. The Chrome (privateer) category was won by Rodrigues with British race

Mark Taylor (MAN) and Germany’s Steffen Faas battling for the podium honours. Rodrigues has been one of the stars of the season with two race victories on his way to clinching the Chrome title and the Young Driver trophy.

2024 Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship: Overall 1 Nobert Kiss (Hungary) MAN, 397 points 2 Jochen Hahn (Germany) Iveco, 299pts 3 Sascha Lenz (Germany) MAN, 237pts 4 Antonio Albacete (Spain) MAN, 205pts 5 Steffi Halm (Germany) Iveco, 182pts 6 Andre Kursim (Germany) Iveco, 158pts Chrome 1 Jose Eduardo Rodrigues (Portugal) MAN 348pts 2 Mark Taylor (GB) MAN, 279pts 3 Steffen Faas (Germany) Scania, 266pts 4 John Newall (GB) MAN, 198pts 5 Lukas Hahn (Germany) Iveco, 154pts 6 Luis Recuenco (Spain) Iveco, 150pts

Below left: Portugal’s Jose Eduardo Rodrigues was a star of the 2024 season winning the Chrome title and Young Driver Trophy. Below right: Champion Nobert Kiss (centre) with Jochen Hahn (left) and Sascha Lenz (right) on the Jarama podium.

Truck & Driver | 17

NEWS

Hydrogen network update WILL 2024 BE REGARDED AS THE YEAR NEW ZEALAND cracked the chicken-and-egg conundrum, at least as far as hydrogen transport is concerned? Hiringa Energy believes it to be the case. After eight years of design and development, Hiringa Energy opened Australasia’s first green hydrogen refuelling network in May. Green hydrogen production, storage and refuelling technology has been installed alongside Waitomo fuel stops in South Auckland, Hamilton and Palmerston North, with a fourth under construction in Tauranga. These first four stations cover 95% of the freight routes in the North Island, and there are dozens more stations set to be opened around both New Zealand and Australia in the coming years. This breakthrough of technology and innovation makes New Zealand one of the first countries in the world to have an operating, high capacity green hydrogen refuelling network, enabling heavy transport operators and their customers to reap the rewards of zero emission hydrogen heavy transport. “We’ve gone from talking about hydrogen as the future to talking about it as an option right now,” says Hiringa Head of New Business Ryan McDonald. “The stage is set for New Zealand to be a leader in sustainable, emissions-free transport, with hydrogen fuel cell and dual fuel trucks now viable on our roads.” Transport Minister Simeon Brown (centre) with key stakeholders at the launch of the Hiringa hydrogen refuelling network.

18 | Truck & Driver

The Hiringa green hydrogen refuelling network took out the Low Carbon Future category at the New Zealand Energy Awards in August, with judges calling out its significance for enabling zero emission heavy transport in what was previously a hard to abate sector. If refuelling stations are the chicken in the opening analogy, hydrogen trucks are the egg. As it was developing and constructing its first four stations, Hiringa was also working with TR Group and Hyzon to bring 20 hydrogen trucks to New Zealand, providing the country’s initial hydrogen fleet. This plan came unstuck somewhat when, in July, just a month before the first vehicles were due to be delivered, Hyzon pulled out of its Australasian business to focus on America. Addressing this issue has been a high priority for Hiringa and TR Group in the time since. “That was a blow, but a temporary one,” McDonald says. “We’ve taken it on the chin and focused on moving forward. An alternative option presented itself very soon after that happened, and things have been progressing positively on that front. “There’s still some details to figure out but we’re really positive about it – I actually think it’ll end up being more advantageous to both the New Zealand hydrogen industry and our transport operators.” Hiringa says there’s huge optimism in the hydrogen industry that a $30 million government fund will help transport operators overcome the cost barrier of transitioning to hydrogen vehicles. Operators can tap into EECA’s Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (LEHVF) to cover up to 25% of the cost of procuring zero- or low-emission heavy vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cell and dual fuel trucks. Both Hyundai New Zealand and Christchurch-based GBV have fuel cell trucks available to purchase using the fund, with Southland trucking company HWR and Bay of Plenty company HVMS having dual fuel options available also. “The fund is impactful in two ways – not only does it lower the cost of purchasing hydrogen vehicles, but it also gives operators confidence that this is the direction we are moving in,” says McDonald. “For operators weighing up investment in sustainable vehicles, they naturally want some assurances in the technology. This fund is a signal that the government is backing hydrogen, which gives clarity for operators as the country transitions away from fossil fuels.”

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Hiringa has partnered with Waitomo Group to establish the hydrogen refuelling network. A report published by global law firm DLA Piper in September is the latest example of the value of decarbonising supply chains, such as what’s possible through hydrogen transport. The report surveyed 600 consumer goods, fashion, food and beverage firms, and 54% said the stakes for getting sustainability right were “very high”. More than half were looking to acquire sustainable suppliers, while two-thirds were locking in exclusivity arrangements with sustainable suppliers. DLA Piper partner Daniel Street told NBR that New Zealand businesses “risk being left outside the tent if they do not meet the increasing sustainability needs of large overseas firms.” An increasing number of global businesses are scrutinising their entire supply chains.

“For any business trading internationally, the pressure is on to demonstrate a favourable sustainability profile, or risk losing business,” McDonald says. “This reinforces the huge opportunity New Zealand businesses have to use hydrogen and decarbonise heavy transport in a way that their international competitors can’t. The world is moving this way, and we’re one step ahead – it’s a massive advantage if we can make it count.” As an example, UK supermarket chain Tesco has committed to being carbon zero across its entire supply chain by 2050. It will require its suppliers to meet this commitment also. “The green economy offers so much economic potential, and it’s happening now,” McDonald says.

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Left: Josh Adamson, the EROAD Young Driver of the Year with Napier MP Katie Nimon and EROAD’s Guy Hocquard. Right: Napier MP Katie Nimon with Antony Jowsey from Coda Group.

Awards night in Napier LEADING INDUSTRY PERFORMERS WERE The trial has seen what resources are needed and the benefits of keeping celebrated during the awards dinner which followed the Transporting New people involved as part of their work team. Zealand North Island Seminar held in Napier on October 5. “K & S Freighters showed true leadership in working with ACC and staff Five awards recognised both lifetime contributions to the industry, recent to get help at each step on the way to full recovery,” says Transporting NZ safety and productivity innovations and the successful youth working in the Interim CEO Dom Kalasih. road transport industry. The Fruehauf Outstanding Contribution to Innovation winner was The EROAD Young Driver of the Year award was won by 22-year-old Auckland logistics company CODA Group. Josh Adamson from Matamata. By putting together a suite of safety products to manage fatigue and driver Josh began his career in road transport as a wash boy at the J. Swap behaviour across its fleet of 64 trucks, Coda Group is ensuring its drivers, and Contractors Matamata depot in 2019. He’s rapidly progressed from washing the public, are safer than ever. the trucks and machinery to driving them as he worked his way through Mr. Kalasih says the integration of these advanced safety technologies is his licenses. He’s a Kenworth specialist, and has shown exceptional skills in setting a benchmark in safety for the whole transport sector. towing a range of trailers all over the country. At the other end of the road transport timeline is Rotorua Warwick Wilshier, winner of the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to Road Transport industry veteran Warwick Wilshier who won the VTNZ with Andrus Lei from VTNZ. Supreme Contribution to Road Transport. Warwick has had a lifetime in trucking, mainly in the logging sector. His work with the Log Transport Safety Council has been vital in improving the safety of the sector and his leadership has been a model for industry cooperation at all levels. He’s had many key positions within the industry and is currently the chair of Transporting New Zealand. The winner of the EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety Award went to K & S Freighters of Cambridge for their work with ACC in the Recovery at Work trial programme. Recovery at Work aims to get people back at work in whatever capacity they are able to perform, while making sure they are fully supported. Engagement with staff has proven vital to get them back to fulltime work, and full wages, through supporting their mental wellbeing and providing the necessary rehabilitation. 20 | Truck & Driver

NEWS

Left: Greg Cochrane from K&S Freighters, centre, with Guy Hocquard from EROAD and Napier MP Katie Nimon, receiving the award for the EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health and Safety. Right: Shona Roberston, winner of the TrackIT Logistics Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry Award. The TrackIT Logistics Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry Award went to Southland’s Shona Robertson, the CEO of Road Transport Logistics based in Tapanui. Shona oversaw the amalgamation of several South Island companies to create an innovative, progressive organisation with a focus on customer service and sustainability.

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Mr. Kalasih says Shona has also done a vast amount of work for the industry. “She’s been very busy at a local level looking after the sector as president of her regional road sector group. Shona has also been a brilliant spokeswoman for the industry at a national level where her experience has been called on by ministers and government departments.”

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Napier hosts sold-out seminar

TRANSPORTING NEW ZEALAND HAS HAD SUCCESS with its 2024 initiative of running separate North and South Island seminars rather than a larger National conference. The North Island event held at Napier’s East Pier venue on Saturday October 5 was sold out in advance, similar to the South Island event at Twizel in June. The Napier seminar showcased the innovations, productivity gains and safety initiatives being achieved by the road transport industry. The 175 registered delegates heard from a broad range of speakers and attended panel discussions focusing on safety, compliance and wider business topics. Among the early speakers was Napier MP Katie Nimon who welcomed delegates to Hawke’s Bay and spoke on the importance of road transport to the electorate, as well as her family history in the transport industry. A highlight was the now traditional economic overview by Cameron Bagrie, who said the outlook for 2025 appeared more positive, but not to get overly optimistic as the economy was lifting from a low base. “2025 is going to be less bad, but it’s not going to be that good,” Bagrie says. He says inflation is being bought under control but there are still inflationary factors such as local body rates increases and insurance costs that are concerning. He also highlights concerns such as New Zealand’s low rate of productivity growth over the past 10 years. His message to political leaders and business owners is to ``invest with discipline” which he calls a tactical pivot. For inspiration to battle against the odds, the seminar’s keynote speaker was ultra marathon runner Lisa Tamati. She spoke of adopting the ``Warrior Mindset” that has allowed her to conquer several of the world’s most gruelling ultra-marathon races and to overcome some serious family health challenges.

Cam Bagrie gave his usual frank and entertaining economic view. Peter McKay from the NZTA Waka Kotahi RUC Investigation Team spoke about the upcoming engagement process in leadup to the introduction of Weigh in Motion (WIM) technology at 12 CVSC sites around New Zealand. McKay was joined for a joint Q+A session by CVST Senior Sergeant (Area 3) Matt Arthurs who outlined roadside enforcement priorities. Arthurs says seat belt compliance will be focus from the Police as well as a crackdown on cell phone use and carrying out 3.3 million breath tests in the coming year. He says work is ongoing around the introduction of roadside drug testing. There was considerable interest and questioning from delegates during an ACC presentation from Nathan Meo, who spoke about the Recovery at Work pilot programme carried out in partnership with K&S Freighters and Conroy Group as well as Transporting NZ. Meo says modern thinking is that it is often counter-productive for injured staff to stay at home for long periods when there is a chance to return to work – at least partially – and take on alternative roles. “The longer staff are off work, the less chance they will come back to the job,” says Meo. The pilot has involved doctors and occupational therapists with ACC partfunding for injured staff to return to work on alternative duties. Greg Cochrane from K&S Freighters and Toni Reid from Conroy Group both outlined some of the lessons learnt from the trial and the benefits that wider adoption across the industry could deliver. Transport Minister Simeon Brown made a video link presentation outlining the Coalition Government commitments to new Roads of National and Regional Significance, the introduction of Roadside Drug Testing and the $27.7m fund set aside to assist business with up the 25% of the purchase cost of low and zero emissions heavy vehicles.

New TNZ board members elected

THERE ARE NEW FACES ON THE BOARD OF Transporting New Zealand following the organisation’s annual general meeting held in Napier on October 4. The two newly elected board members are Scott Johnstone, the general manager of Brenics in Christchurch, and Murray Young, the general manager from NZ Express Transport, also based in Christchurch. “Both Scott and Murray bring a huge amount of experience to our board, and both have a real passion for the transport industry and its people so we’re lucky to have them,” says Interim CEO Dom Kalasih. “They’re both leaders with proven track records of making the industry more efficient, safer and productive. “I’d also like to thank our outgoing board members, Peter Heagney of Blenheim, and Lower Hutt’s Deborah O’Brien, who have worked tirelessly for Transporting New Zealand during a major period of change,” says Mr Kalasih. 22 | Truck & Driver

The incoming Transporting NZ Board is chaired by Warwick Wilshier with Greg Pert and Brett Hamilton continuing as board members. New Transporting NZ Board members Murray Young (left) and Scott Johnstone (right) were elected during the Napier Seminar.

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TD33577

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t s a e B With 750hp, the Beale Trucking Volvo FH 16 makes easy work of the big climbs.

24 | Truck & Driver

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Out on the Tararua gravel roads on a rainy springtime morning.

HE TARARUA DISTRICT PROVIDED DRY COWS AND A rainy springtime morning for New Zealand Truck & Driver to try out the latest addition to the Beale Trucking fleet. The 750hp Volvo FH 16 Globetrotter XL stock unit in the familiar red, black and silver livery of Beale Trucking is a workin-progress for Regan and Toyah Beale’s Mangatainoka-based company. Although the firm’s young driver Regan Taylor has been busy clocking up 10,000km in the Volvo across five weeks, there is a new trailer and some finishing touches to the lighting and graphics still to come before the new combination is complete. Regan Beale says he ordered a pair of new 750hp FH 16s about twoand-a-half years ago. This livestock unit was the first to go on the road in late-August, while the second – in bulk tipper configuration – is currently in build at Jackson Enterprises a few minutes down the road at Pahiatua. There’s one other FH 16 in the Beale Trucking fleet that was purchased second hand, and Regan Beale says there were a couple of reasons for adding more of the big horsepower Swedish machines to the line-up. “Nothing against any of the other brands, but I felt it was time to chuck something a bit different into the mix,” he says. “Our local Volvo sales rep, Simon Wilson, has always been really proactive about calling in and talking to us about the product. And Volvo has a good name – you don’t really hear many stories about people having problems with them.” There’s been some change at Beale Trucking over the last couple of years with a re-focus on the rural transport sector. “We sold all of our logging trucks a while back. It was a bit of a reset for us – a decision to stick to our knitting if you like. We’re right across the rural freight sector doing livestock, fertiliser and stock feed,” says Regan Beale.

Caption

Another recent move has been the purchase of Ray Coles Transport at Mangaweka – adding another eight units and bumping the fleet back to the 25 trucks which Beale Trucking was operating when it was involved in logging. Initially this new FH 16 750 has gone to work with one of the company’s older 4-axle Jackson Enterprises livestock trailers. But there’s a brand-new 5-axle stock trailer that should roll out of the Jackson factory around the end of October. The staggered debut means the Volvo has been working on a 46-tonne permit during the interim and will be updated to 54t paperwork when the new trailer is delivered. The new Volvo is definitely a high-spec solution for carting livestock – not just in the high-horsepower choice but also in equipment options and some custom features. The 16-litre in-line six-cylinder is Euro V specification with SCR aftertreatment and develops 750hp (551kW) with 3550Nm of torque available between 950-1400rpm. A 12-speed I-shift automated transmission, rear ECAS air suspension, VEB+ 3-stage engine braking and a 3.09:1 rear axle ratio are among the key technical details. The 8x4 has a 4900mm wheelbase with the steer axles rated for 13t and a 23t rating at the rear end while the overall GCM rating is 70t. The diesel tank holds 465 litres mounted on the left side of the truck with a 90 litre AdBlue tank alongside. Full disc brakes – 430mm diameter – are fitted and the Volvo rides on Super Single 305/70 R22.5 Bridgestone R227 steer tyres with 275/50 R22.5 Bridgestone M840 drive tyres, all on Alcoa Dura-bright rims. Volvo’s modern roster of active safety and driver assist technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning System, Driver Attention (fatigue) Alert and rain sensor wipers. Truck & Driver | 27

Regan Beale’s fleet has 25 trucks working in rural transport sectors.

A Lane Change Support system provides a rear-facing left side camera that displays a left side blind spot image onto the central display when the indicator is switched on for a left hand turn or lane change. LED headlights and signature V-shape daytime running lights are fitted along with LED taillights. The new Volvo is mainly working in the Tararua, Wairarapa and Manawatu regions as well as into southern and central Hawke’s Bay. It will also get to venture further afield with the combination of driver comfort, cab space and performance being ideal for the occasions when Beale Trucking has interisland livestock work. Our driver for the day is Regan Taylor from Otane (just north of Waipawa). There aren’t very many 22-year-olds (soon-to-be 23) driving brand-new 750hp Volvos, but “little Regan” (to differentiate him from his boss) has worked his way through the ranks with Beale Trucking’s support and encouragement. In an indirect way, Regan is a third generation truck driver. “My Dad, Robert, still drives stock trucks. I grew up riding around with him and learning about trucks and how to work with animals. His father wasn’t a truck driver, but Dad got his passion from cruising around with his uncle,” Regan says.

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“My first job was washing out stock crates for Ben Allen Transport up in Waipuk [Waipukurau]. I made my way down to Martinborough for a while and then back up to work for Regan – washing trucks and lifting bobby calves. “Before I had my little truck license, I worked at Beales for a few months just as a general hand. Then I got my Class 2 and Regan has helped me through to Class 5. “I got my Class 5 when I was 19 and I was pretty stoked about that. I’ve been here [Beale Trucking] the whole time apart from about eight months when I tried logging. But I didn’t really like that, so I ended up back here again. “Regan is bloody good to work for. It’s a family-oriented place and everyone gets on well with each other.” Regan says he’s not only had Beale Trucking’s support as a young driver but he and some of his driver mates of similar age have had valuable guidance from older drivers to assist their progress in the industry. “There are a few guys a bit older than me who have helped me a lot and now there a few who are my age, or just a bit younger than me, who are also coming through the ranks,” he says. “I enjoy driving, and I also like working with the animals, although they can test your patience on some days,” Regan says. “The good thing is there’s always plenty of variety and not too many days are the same. You never really know what’s on the agenda for the day ahead. “Monday to Thursday we can have different works jobs and a few farm shifts and on Fridays we often do a few loads over to the Feilding sales. “We get to visit some amazing places and the only time the job gets

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From left to right: Slide-out barbeque is a feature built-in by Jackson Enterprises… Big storage is available above the windscreen… Delta stock crates are fitted to the Volvo.

a bit boring is when we are doing short haul herd shifts.” The new Volvo is configured for either two decks of cattle or three sheep decks and the new trailer will have two cattle decks or four sheep decks. “Overall, I’d say our work is split about 70/30 between cattle and sheep but it’s seasonal and it can vary a lot. As we get nearer to the end of the year, we’ll be carting a few more lambs,” Regan says. “When we’re carting sheep, it can take us bit further off the main highways and we have some big loops out from Dannevirke towards Weber, Pongaroa and Herbertville which are a good test of your skills and navigation.” Prior to driving the new Volvo, Regan has switched between Beale Trucking’s Freightliner Argosies and International 9800 Eagles. Getting the keys to the Volvo means a couple of firsts for Regan – it’s the first new truck and the first automated transmission truck he’s driven on a fulltime basis. The start point for our test is the Beale Trucking yard just across the road from Mangatainoka’s famous Tui Brewery. Regan [Taylor] has already made one early morning pick-up before arriving at the yard, giving the Volvo a quick wash for our photographs and giving his dog Ned a bit of exercise. Regan Beale joins us and shows us around some of the details of the truck. The detailed stainless work is by Jackson Enterprises and along with fuel tank cover and storage boxes the stainless also hides a few special treats. The back cabinet on the driver’s side houses a slide-out gas barbeque (providing a second cooking option as there’s also a microwave in the cab) and there’s even a water supply and a shower nozzle fitted to the truck which could prove handy after some dirty jobs and hot summer days. We get most of the interior and mechanical detail photography

30 | Truck & Driver

completed before the rain fully sets in for the morning. Once the cab is tilted back into place – and Ned is back in his dog box – we are heading south on SH2. The first stop is at Mangamaire where Regan drops off the trailer and we head to four farms to complete cattle pickups. We are working to the west side of SH2 on a mix of narrow tarseal and freshly graded gravel roads a little north of Eketahuna. “Today we’re floating around collecting cull cows. There will only be a few at each pick-up but it will take a couple of hours,” Regan Taylor says. “We don’t need the trailer for picking up small numbers and a couple of places we are going the access is better truck-only.” The rain has settled in and most of the farmers who are out on quad bikes and UTVs are well-dressed in wet weather gear. We complete the southern loop carrying nine cows and back at Mangamaire the trailer is re-connected and Regan transfers all of the stock into the truck. Next, we’re heading north on Nikau Rd where Regan has another property to visit and 12 bulls to load into the trailer. Five weeks behind the wheel during a relatively quiet time of year has given Regan a good opportunity to learn about the Volvo. “September and October are a bit of a quieter time and it’s been a good chance to learn a new truck. I’ve been floating a bit and doing quite a few different things. “The truck has just clicked over 10,000km and it’s ready for its first service next week,” Regan says. Being the first auto as well as the first Euro truck he’s driven, Regan says there have been a few things to get used to. “It’s real quiet – definitely not what I’m used to. You can’t really hear it working so that took a bit of getting used to and I realise how easily it picks up speed. “And it’s very comfortable but at first you think the cab wobbles and

floats around quite a bit until you get used to it.” With the 3.09:1 rear axle ratio the FH 16 is tall geared and at 90kph the big 16-litre is using just over 1100rpm in the overdriven 12th gear. Regan says it rarely revs above 1500rpm apart from on an occasional steep downhill run. “The automatic also takes a little bit of getting used to. I drive it in manual on the gravel and on the back roads when I’m fully loaded,

just to select gears before the corners. “On some of the back roads I leave it in 11th to make it a bit nippier. But it’s still not revving over 1500rpm.” Whether it’s cruising on SH2, running on rural roads or later in the day climbing the Saddle Rd, the low-revving engine note of the big six-cylinder and smooth gearshifts make the Volvo seem effortless and relaxed.

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TD32694

All the luxuries – driver Regan Taylor has a barbeque and hot shower onboard the Volvo.

Using the manual mode driving helps Regan with holding a constant speed through the twists and undulations of the back roads. “You have to be smooth and consider the animals, otherwise you’ll end up with a cow down or that sort of thing,” Regan says. “The gearshifts are really smooth. The only time the gearbox can be a little bit niggly is at some roundabouts – when you almost come to a stop and then it’s clear to go. Sometimes it chops and changes a bit.” So far Regan has had one chance to sample the long distance capabilities of the FH 16. “The first big trip was from Otaki up to Auckland – all the way up State Highway 1 with a full load of cattle. It showed me how comfortable and cruisy it is. It felt like the truck was just dawdling along but it was a pretty good cruise.” One design features of the Volvo that Regan has decided he likes in the first few weeks on the road is the lack of blind spots which the slim design of the A-pillars allows. “It doesn’t feel like the pillars are in your way and the visibility is really good. Another thing I like is the electric sun blind and there are cornering lights which are surprisingly bright and work really well on a tight and twisty road. “It’s got most of the modern gizmos like rain sensor wipers but not auto high beam control, which seems a bit strange because most modern cars have them. “The blind spot camera gives you a good view down the left side and you can use it when moving around in tight spaces by pushing the camera button and the view comes up on the screen. “Probably the best features of the truck are the comfort and convenience of how it’s all laid out inside. Everything is in a convenient place and there is a lot of space.

Above: Globetrotter XL cab tilts a long way forward to reveal big 16-litre six-cylinder with 750hp output.

TD32694

Below: Ned keeps a keen eye from his box on the right hand side of the truck.

Truck & Driver | 33

Above: Modern and tidy layout of the Volvo cab angles all of the controls toward the driver. Right: I-Shift gear shifter is integrated in the left-hand side of the driver’s seat. Far right: Regan Taylor and Ned have been busy in the new Volvo since it went on the road on late-August.

“There’s heaps of storage space. You’ve got three big cabinets up there [above the windscreen], three more in the back [above the bunk] and two big side lockers. You can lift up the bed to get internal access to the external lockers. “They have put a lot of thought into how the cab is laid out and it’s nicely finished.” The Globetrotter XL is at the premium end of cab space and comfort across all truck brands. The specification extends to a microwave oven installed in one of the sleeper area storage compartments and a 33L combined fridge/ freezer unit which slides out from under the bunk. “The freezer definitely keeps stuff frozen and it’s nice to have some home-cooked meals because you can get pretty tired of takeaways if you are eating them regularly,” Regan says. “It’s going to be good to have the barbeque as well as the microwave. There will be times when I don’t want to be standing in the rain barbequing.”

Overnighters are a regular in Regan’s working week. “It varies during the year, anything for four nights to one night a week I’ll stay in the truck. I’ve probably done 10 already in this truck,” he says. “If we finish early, I’ll jump in my ute and it’s about an hour back home to Otane. But if we’re busy I don’t mind parking up and staying the night. “The amount space is excellent and it’s easy to stand up in the cab and get changed.” Regan says the 815mm wide bunk is comfortable and the cab is well insulated, staying warm and with no signs of condensation on some cold nights. “You can even lift up the left-hand end of the bunk like a hospital bed.” With the trailer in tow, the corners and undulations of Nikau Rd put Regan’s smooth driving skills in focus. There are places where a bit more speed could be carried along the straights, but that would mean Truck & Driver | 35

First part of our test was completed truck-only before hitching the 4-axle trailer. slowing more for the corners and a steady pace is more comfortable for the livestock. There’s a narrow and slippery access into our final pick-up and once the bulls are loaded into the trailer we have 31 animals aboard. Regan estimates the total weight of the truck and trailer is about 40-tonnes. A 46-tonne load would be about 45 full-sized cattle. “It’s got scales on the truck, and we’ll have scales on the new trailer which will be good when we’ve got everything calibrated,” he says. Departing from the final pick-up – which Regan is visiting for the first time in the Volvo – involves a tight turning circle. We make it around in one shot. “That would have been a couple of bites to get around there in the [International] Eagle,” he says. We are on some slippery tracks and Regan engages the diff locks from a switch on the centre console. One feature which Regan believes could prove useful in wet conditions would be CTI. “I used CTI when I was logging, and it was impressive how much difference it can make. And it makes the truck more comfortable on the road when its empty.” The last part of the test takes us north to Woodville, across the Saddle Rd and then to AFFCO on the outskirts of Feilding. Departing Woodville there’s a good view of progress on the eastern end of the new e Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway which replaces the Manawatu Gorge. To underline both Regan’s youth and the amount of time it takes to complete major roading projects, he tells me he has never driven through the gorge (it closed in 2017). “I remember going through heaps of times with my Dad, but I’ve never driven through the gorge myself. The new road should be good,” he says. Approached from the east, the Saddle Rd begins steeply, and the speed of the Volvo falls away till we are climbing at 40kph lugging eighth gear at just over 1100rpm – still right in the peak torque 36 | Truck & Driver

delivery. The 16-litre muscle makes easy work of the climb and Regan is shifting manually using the selector attached to the left of the driver’s seat. Unusually there are no steering wheel shift buttons in the Volvo leaving the right hand stalk for the retarder and wipers with the indicators and high beam control on the left stalk. There’s a shift to seventh and a short amount of time down at about 35kph using 1300-1400rpm before the gradient eases. Regan shifts back up to eighth and the truck is back to running at about 45kph through the more gradual esses bends approaching the summit. “It’s between eighth and ninth on this bit of road. It would probably climb better lugging in ninth, but you need eighth for these corners,” Regan says. The descent towards Ashurst is slow in a busy stream of traffic and stop-go traffic management. “The brakes are good. It’s discs all the way through, and the stopping power is good,” Regan says. Most of the time the speed is between 37-39kph, mainly in seventh with a couple of shifts into sixth gear where speed drops towards 30kph. Running at these lighter weights Regan feels the third stage of the retarder is too powerful. “At the moment it’s a bit too much braking in stage three because the truck is too light, but it will be good when we are at 54-tonne.” The final part of the work-in-progress theme with the new Volvo relates to name it will carry. The Volvo is to be sign written with the name Chur 2U – a tribute to Pahiatua local Jeffrey Ebbett. “He was one of our best family friends and he passed away about three years ago. He was only 30,” says Regan Beale. “He worked on his family farm near Pahiatua, but he was also our number one relief driver. Every spare minute he had, he’d come and jump in one of our trucks. “Chur 2U was his social media handle, and it was how he greeted everyone. So, the name of the truck is one way to remember him.”

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OR THE MEANTIME 750-HORSEPOWER IS the biggest number offered by Volvo. But with a new 17-litre 780hp engine coming next year, we thought we better go and test the 750 before it is surpassed by an even more powerful engine. We catch up with Beale Trucking’s new FH 16 750 Globetrotter livestock unit to spend the day with up-and-coming driver Regan Taylor on some Tararua and Manawatu roads. Regan is the regular driver and is only 22-years-old. Considering he’s been handed the keys to a top-of-the-line European truck, it’s probably wrong to use the term `up and coming’. On this test we are doing some cattle pickups from farms north of Eketahuna before heading over the Saddle Rd to Feilding for unload. I take over when the truck is loaded and drive it back to the Beale Trucking yard in Mangatainoka, leaving Regan to finish the run over the saddle with the journalist in the cab.

38 | Truck & Driver

My drive takes me along Makomako Rd to the bottom of the Pahiatua Track and through Pahiatua town to provide a mix of some tight country roads and some steep hills with tight bends. As with all top-of-the-line European trucks the Volvo 750 Globetrotter is a long way up from the ground, but the climb up is made easy with good grab handles and nicely spaced steps. Once in the cab it’s a very spacious feel with the flat floor and sleeper cab giving a very open flow feeling to the interior. There’s a pull out fridge/freezer draw under the bed and even a microwave oven plus a massive amount of storage. But that’s not all…. this truck even has a barbeque and hot shower built into the toolbox at the back right end of the truck that was designed and put together by Jackson

Hayden Woolston Enterprises. What more could you ask for in a livestock unit… The livestock guys spend more time living in their trucks than any other sector so having these home comforts must make a big difference. Having a microwave oven and a BBQ allows home cooking all year round (microwave oven for winter and the BBQ for summer). Once I’m set up and comfortable it’s time to head off. As I have driven plenty of Volvo’s it’s easy to get going. The I-shift 12-speed gear selector is attached to the left hand of the driver seat and almost everything else of

• SPECIFICATIONS • importance is on the steering wheel or stalks. On these windy tight country roads, the mirrors work well with very good vision back to check your road placement, especially when trucks are coming the other direction. Our first challenge is a steep and twisty hill. The 750hp 16-litre engine coupled with the well proven I-shift make light work of it all. Towards the top of the steep climb is a very tight corner and in spite of the gradient I still find myself having to slow the truck down to take the corner. We test trucks in different configurations across all sorts of applications, but it’s always important to remember livestock takes extra attention. With a live, moving load you really need to take your time. The next test for the truck is the descent towards Pahiatua. The 3-stage engine brake work almost too well with the third stage slowing the truck a bit more than I needed. So, I select stage-2 and continue the descent with ease to get around the tight corner at the bottom of the hill by the Fonterra factory. As we head into Pahiatua I turn the left hand

indicator on to turn onto the main road back to Mangatainoka. I’m surprised to see the main infotainment screen change to a camera view down the left hand side of the truck. This is a high pedestrian intersection, and it’s one more way to check that’s clear. It’s a short cruise back to the Beale Trucking yard to change drivers. As we leave Pahiatua Regan mentions that his dog Ned – who is in his box on the side of the truck – will start going off soon as he knows we are close to the yard. Sure enough, a few minutes out he starts barking all the way to the turn off. It’s been a very good day on the road with the Beale team. Regular driver Regan says he really enjoys working for Beales as it’s a family business and everyone gets along. And that is really evident in our time with Regan and Toyah Beale, driver Regan and the other team members we got to meet. It’s been a real pleasure to spend the day with such a young driver who has a passion for the job he does. And it’s heartening to hear that he has a few mates of similar age coming through the ranks with him, even more positive is hearing about the support he has been given by the older generations. So good on you all, we need more of this in our industry.

Volvo FH 16 8x4 Globetrotter XL

Engine: Volvo D16K in-line sixcylinder, Euro 5 (SCR) Capacity: 16.1 litres Maximum Power: 551kW (750hp) at 1600-1800rpm Maximum Torque: 3550Nm (2618 lb-ft) at 950-1400rpm Fuel capacity: Diesel 465 litres, AdBlue 90 litres Transmission: Volvo ATO3512F I-Shift 12-speed automated manual Ratios: 1st – 11.73 2nd – 9.21 3rd – 7.09 4th – 5.57 5th – 4.35 6th – 3.41 7th – 2.70 8th – 2.12 9th – 1.63 10th – 1.28 11th – 1.00 12th – 0.78 Reverse – R1 13.73; R2 10.78; Final Drive ratio: 3.09:1 Front axle: Tandem rated at 13t Rear axles: Single reduction tandem rated at 23t Brakes: Full disc brakes with Electronic brake system package Auxiliary brakes: Volvo VEB+ 3-stage engine brake Front suspension: Parabolic leaf springs Rear suspension: Volvo air suspension with stabiliser bar GVM: 34,000kg GCM: 70.000kg

Truck & Driver | 39

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Driving the economy

As part of continuing strong relationships with all political parties, Transporting New Zealand’s Dom Kalasih (left) and Billy Clemens (right) recently met with Labour MP Tangi Utikere.

Making sure the Strait is a route, and not a moat I

by Dom Kalasih Interim Chief Executive Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

T’S BEEN A ROUGH TIME FOR THE FERRIES getting between the islands this year. Lately it’s been the turn of Bluebridge to have trouble on the water and the safety and reliability of the Cook Strait ferry services is again being questioned. In September, the Bluebridge ferry Connemara lost power after leaving Wellington Harbour and had to be towed back to port. It was the latest in a string of mishaps involving the ferries, the previous one being when Interislander ferry Aratere ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds in June. The prompt response with tug assistance and the professionalism of the Bluebridge crew meant no one was at risk, as I understand it, which is always a relief. However, my stance, and that of Transporting New Zealand, is that no matter who is operating the ferry services across the strait, we all need a reliable, safe platform that is cost-effective and fit for purpose. It’s also a reminder of the perils of having fewer ships rather than more. The iRex scheme would have had two large ferries. I think the magic number is closer to three.

Advocacy work Transporting New Zealand is continuing to address many other big issues. Policy Lead Billy Clemens has been working with MBIE on the Accredited Employer Work Visa, and ACC has begun consultation on changes to its levies. We’ve also developed our submission on NZTA’s proposals to change the Medical Aspects of Fitness to Drive which is guidance given to health practitioners when assessing the fitness. While it’s still early days, I’ve already had quite a bit of feedback from members concerned with the proposal to toll roads that are already in construction with funding has been allocated. I’m sure this will have been a subject of much discussion at our Napier Summit in early October. As part of its mission to maintain strong relationships with all political parties, Transporting New Zealand has been engaging with transport representatives from the various parties. Last month, Billy Clemens and I met with Julie Anne Genter, from the Greens, and Labour’s Tangi Utikere. And then, along with three of my intrepid Wellington office colleagues and a team from UDC, I had the pleasure bright and early one day last month standing at the summit carpark Truck & Driver | 41

Driving the economy

on SH2 Remutaka Hill Road giving out bacon butties, drinks, and lollies to truck drivers to show our appreciation for the great work they do. What was sad was the number of drivers who indicated they wanted to stop but couldn’t. It was a stark demonstration of how much pressure drivers are under. We certainly appreciated the drivers’ skill as they made their way up the southern side of some of the more testing topography on the state highway network. Those with CB radios routinely use them to give warning to other truckies as they approach the tight points. We have recommended to NZTA that if money becomes available for any work on this route, then improving the next two pinch points for heavy vehicles that our members have identified would be a good place to start. This would also improve resilience of our public transport system. Unfortunately, issues with trains that morning meant buses were replacing the train services, and manoeuvering them around the tight and windy sections is no mean feat!

For a historical perspective, it was sobering to read at summit that between 1915 and 1918 about 60,000 soldiers who trained at Featherston Military Camp marched over the hill to Trentham before shipping out to Europe. It was a distance of 43.5 km and would take three days. Most of the combinations units I saw this week had at least 540 HP and would have covered that distance in about 45 minutes so it’s easy to forget how far we’ve gone! Another highlight was the presentations to the Road Freight Safety Group by Francois Barton of the Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum, and Chris Murphy and Jason Williams, on the accreditation system developed and implemented by the Log Transport Safety Council. The latter was a powerful demonstration of the good that can come when there is positive collaboration across stakeholders in the supply chain, and that the systems are strongly focused on the specific sector’s respective needs and risks. Farewell to Jim Dynes On a final sad note, we marked the passing of West Otago transport identity Jim Dynes, who along with his brother John, founded what would become Dynes Transport. Our sympathies and condolences go to the Dynes family, and especially Peter Dynes and Shona Robertson.

Jenny Murray, Dom Kalasih and Carter Harrison from Transporting NZ teamed up with UDC for a driver appreciation morning at the summit carpark on SH2 Remutaka Hill Road.

Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand’s team is available to asist our members around New Zealand Ia Ara Aotearoa – Transporting New Zealand PO Box 1778, Wellington 04 472 3877 info@transporting.nz

Dom Kalasih, Interim Chief Executive 04 471 8285 • 027 441 4309 Dom@transporting.nz Vicki Harris, Membership Adviser 027 534 3848

www.transporting.nz 42 | Truck & Driver

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Driving the economy

To VBS or not to VBS?

Jonathan Ward, of Wareing Group, explains how VBS works and some of the issues with it. What is VBS? VBS stands for “Vehicle Booking System”. It lets transport operators book a time slot to drop off or pick up containers at ports, rail hubs, and major depots. VBS is used around the world to manage freight flow to keep things moving. Transport operators must book a time for their truck to arrive at the port or depot. They have a dedicated window to arrive, and if they arrive outside of these times, they could be deemed early, late, or a no show. These attract penalty fees over and above the booking fee that must be paid by the transport operator. VBS bookings are made per container, not per truck. While many companies still refer to this as a VBS, it how now transitioned to a booking fee and infrastructure levy incorporated in one charge. What are the pros and cons of VBS? VBS provides a dedicated window of service for transport operators and has helped to flatten the peaks around long weekends. However, it has made utilisation and optimisation of HPMV units harder, because you are not guaranteed you can get enough bookings to maximise the trucks’ capabilities. It can also create inefficiency and empty running caused by not being able to book the truck in and out at times, which results in more trips in and out of the depot. What was the “mad minute”? Operators would rush to book slots at 10:00am and 3:00pm. This created a lot of stress for operators to get as many bookings as they needed, and it also created booking hoarding as others would get more than required and “list” them back later once they were deemed not required. Some facilities now offer templates. While this has benefits, it adds another level of complexity if it is a take-or-pay option (when listing a fee is applied). What kind of numbers are we talking about in terms of containers a day? Are ports much busier now? This will change daily, but is also impacted by weather conditions, staff, and vessel schedules. What is the role of QUBE and Inbound Connect? Qube is an international business operating container depots and other businesses. Inbound Connect is a VBS system used by Qube to manage daily booking slots that transporters log into to make bookings. How does the system work in practice? Is it easy to use? Are there different systems in place for different ports? The systems have made a relatively easy dispatching task complicated and added pressures to dispatchers around making sure trucks arrive at ports and depots on time. 44 | Truck & Driver

There are different VBS systems used at different companies. Some use the same system but have different settings, so the method of use changes by location. What happens if you miss your time slot? What if it is not your fault? If you miss your time slot, there is a short window to arrive at the depot or port as “late”. This comes with an additional surcharge the operator must pay for. If you arrive late and it is not your fault, you must still pay the fee. If you can prove to a customer that it was because of them you can charge this fee to them, but it can be very hard to prove who is at fault. A delay at 8:00am may affect the plan of the truck, resulting in it being late for a booking later in the day. How much does it cost? Costs vary depending on which depot or port you are going to across the entire country, as do the penalty fees applied at the different locations. Why do costs need to be passed on to clients and how are these calculated? These costs need to be passed on as transport operators have had to invest in more staff to do the same task that could previously be done without the additional overheads. Businesses calculate what they will on-charge based on many factors, including penalties and overheads to run the system, to name just a couple of reasons. What changes do operators need to make? To eliminate fees, operators need to plan ahead and allow more time on jobs so as not to put pressure on drivers to meet booking times. With the new inbound system, you must have a process in place to ensure you have money in your account, or there is the risk of not being able to complete a job for a customer due to this. How successful do you think the new system will be? The new system will put everyone on a level playing field. If you don’t have credit on your account, then you don’t get serviced. However, this will also have an impact on transport operators’ cash flow and could be the tipping point for some operations in the current tough economic climate. Can you please get confirmation the funds are held in a trust account at Inbound connect? At the industry meeting in Christchurch, the Inbound connect team told us they were not held in a trust account, which we have taken to assume they are holding in an account whereby they receive interest up until they pay Qube.

Driving the economy

Health and safety in a family business

Award winning Mickayla Kerr talks about making transport better, all the time.

ICKAYLA KERR, CHIEF executive of Heagney Bros. in Blenheim, is delighted to have won an EROAD Health & Safety award, which she received at Transporting New Zealand’s South Island seminar in Twizel in June. Mickayla has a background steeped in transport. Heagney Bros is owned by Mickayla’s father, Peter, and her uncle, Patrick, whose son Ryan manages fleet maintenance. Mickayla has also had an impressive military career over two decades, serving as a major in the NZ Army. She started as an artillery officer and later as a logistics commander, including a stint with the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai peninsula. We spoke with Mickayla about the award, new initiatives, and what she feels are some of the challenges facing the transport industry. Describe your family background in the transport industry and what you like about it. Actually I worked at Heagney Bros when I was growing up, bagging coal, cutting firewood, and doing odd jobs in the school holidays, such as helping with livestock but I never learned how to drive a truck until 2018. I learned how to work hard and problem solve. I moved back to Blenheim to run the family business in 2018. How do you feel about winning the EROAD Health & Safety award? We are thrilled and honoured to receive the EROAD Health & Safety award for our driver training programme. This recognition affirms our commitment to excellence in driver education and road safety. Our programme’s success stems from a combination of key factors: employing a qualified driving instructor, emphasising comprehensive training on the 18-speed Roadranger, and balancing theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience. We’re particularly proud that our approach incorporates best practices in training methodology, ensuring our drivers are well-prepared for the challenges they face on the road. This award motivates us to continue refining and improving our programme, ultimately contributing to safer roads for everyone.

What are some of the initiatives you have introduced and why do you think they make a difference? We’ve introduced several key initiatives that have significantly improved our operations, with a fundamental shift in our approach: Driver Training Programme: This comprehensive programme enhances our drivers’ skills and safety awareness, reflecting our investment in our people. It reduces accidents, improves fuel efficiency, and increases overall road safety. Dispatch System Implementation: This streamlines operations, optimising route planning and resource allocation. It supports our staff by making their jobs more efficient and less stressful. Electronic Docketing: Digitising our documentation processes has reduced paperwork errors and improved data accuracy. This initiative supports our team by simplifying administrative tasks. We’re incorporating AI technologies. These initiatives make a difference because they align with our commitment to efficiency, continuous improvement, and most importantly, valuing our people. By investing in our team and leveraging technology to support them, we’re able to provide better service, reduce costs, and stay competitive. Our focus on making people our greatest asset has created a more engaged workforce, improved customer service, and driven innovation from within. This people-centric approach, combined with technological advancements, positions us well for future challenges in the transport industry. How did your military career help in your current role? Would you encourage more young people to go this route?

personal and professional growth, I recognise it’s not a path suited for everyone. However, for those interested in developing strong teamwork skills and facing unique challenges, I would certainly encourage young people to consider this route. Joining the NZ Army was one of the best decisions I’ve made, offering excellent training that continues to benefit me in my civilian career. What’s your view on some of the challenges currently facing the industry and what are some of the solutions? Quality Driver shortages: There’s been an issue with an aging workforce and drivers who have completed accelerated courses who are not competent. Solution: Implement comprehensive training programs and review truck licensing to include hours of driving rather than months having held a licence. Environmental concerns: Pressure to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable practices. Solution: optimise routes for fuel efficiency, and explore alternative fuels. Regulatory compliance: Keeping up with evolving safety and environmental regulations. Infrastructure limitations: Aging roads and inadequate freight networks causing inefficiencies. Solution: Advocate for increased government investment in infrastructure and explore multimodal transport options. These challenges require a combination of innovation, investment, and collaboration between industry stakeholders and policymakers to develop effective, long-term solutions. Mickayla Kerr, chief executive of Heagney Brothers, and winner of the EROAD Health & Safety award.

My military career in the NZ Army has been instrumental in shaping my current role. The experience provided me with exceptional leadership training and opportunities that have proven invaluable. The skills I developed in teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving are directly applicable to my current position. While I believe a career in the New Zealand Defence Force can offer solid foundations for Truck & Driver | 45

Driving the economy

Keeping cyclists safer around trucks

By David Killick

A ROW OF ORANGE CONES has been placed to the front and left of a Fulton Hogan Fuso dump truck, which is parked just off a busy main road in Christchurch. If a cyclist comes within the cones, they will be in the driver’s blindzone – and at extremely high risk of being injured if the truck moves left. Cyclists should understand the situation they are in. The size of blindzones around heavy vehicles varies depending on the vehicle type, the mirrors it’s fitted with, and the size of the windscreen, explains Share the Road coordinator, Richard Barter. This simple but effective message is at the heart of Share the Road, a programme designed to improve safety and understanding for both cyclists and truck drivers. It’s a clear demonstration of the maxim that there’s nothing like real-world, hands-on experience. Next, Richard encourages cyclists to step up into the cab to see the scene from the driver’s perspective. On the right side, there’s a good view down the side of the truck. A cyclist is clearly visible, as Richard demonstrates. However, look at the lefthand (nearside or passenger’s) side mirror, and there is no sign of Share the Road coordinator Richard Barter is clearly visible in the mirror on the truck driver’s side. The other side is much harder.

46 | Truck & Driver

the cyclist in the main mirror. He is just visible if you look hard in the small additional wideangle mirror. Then he appears again as he comes alongside your door. If the driver is slowing down or speeding up and about to change lanes in an urban environment, it’s easy to see that this could turn out to be a deadly move. Richard’s main message, to both cyclists and truck drivers, is the need to look out for one another and be careful. For cyclists, that means riding where they can be seen, indicating their intentions and choosing safe routes. For the drivers it means understanding the benefits of following and passing a cyclist safely (hint, you are more likely to get their cooperation) and why they ride out from the curb (hint, it is safer). I remember when getting my motorcycle licence being taught, if possible, to line up roughly in line with the driver’s offside, or righthand wheel so you can be seen more clearly, and also to do frequent head checks frequently. Obviously, on a bicycle that position may not be possible on a busy main road, but you can still do head checks and practice good observation skills.

For the truck driver, head checks are not so easy, if at all, so relying on the mirrors is the only way to check around you. Some new cars and trucks now have blind spot warning systems, and in Europe these are becoming mandatory for trucks. Separated, off-road cycle lanes may be the safest solution but the reality is that traffic does mix, so defensive driving and cycling are essential skills to have. Richard Barter, who is based in Auckland and has background in the transport industry, has been running Share the Road since 2015. The campaign, which has been funded by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, consists of Blindzone Workshops and Demonstrations for cyclists as well as Toolbox Workshops for heavy vehicle drivers. Thousands of HV drivers and cyclists have been through the programme. While in Christchurch, Richard held five workshops with Fulton drivers and staff, some of the 8,000 or so drivers who have been through workshops over the years. “People who ride bicycles can be a great source of stress for drivers, and it’s invaluable to be able to discuss their concerns and realities,” Richard says. “It was also extremely valuable for cyclists to be able to climb into the Fulton Hogan truck during the drop-in sessions to understand what a driver can and cannot see.” When I caught up with Richard, continuing government funding was uncertain and it is now on hold for the time being. However, some companies, such as Fulton Hogan still do share the road training as they see the benefit in developing their staff and local communities. With roads becoming busier – and more people deciding to get ion their bikes for health and environmental as well as cost reasons – the courses are certain to meet a growing need for some time to come. • To find out more about Share the Road or to book a course, call Richard Barter 021 277 1213. Email: richard@sharetheroad.org. nz, or see: www.sharetheroad.org.nz.

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After years of buying only old, secondhand trucks, Dirtworks now has a modern fleet, with this 2024 Mercedes-Benz Arocs its current flagship. It went on the road just in time for Dirtworks to partner with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – the Merc’s bulk body and trailer carrying branding supporting the fundraiser.

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FUSO’s 510 Shogun is now the backbone of the 18-truck Dirtworks fleet, with six of them bought in the past year or so.

STANDING AT THE HIGHEST POINT ON THIS RURAL WAIMAUKU property, Iydden Wood is clearly proud of the place. Below the 40-year-old is his company’s work of the past eight years – work that makes this part of his Dirtworks operation look to me kind of like a landscaper…..but on an enormous scale. There’s a least a kilometre of wide, sweeping, heavy-duty concrete roads (almost 200-millimetre-thick). And, directly in front, a whole valley now being given a massive makeover. And, whereas your typical landscape company might run a ute or light truck, a little digger and maybe a Bobcat mini excavator, the property below us is crawling with 20 to 30-tonne earthmoving machines owned by Iydden’s business…. And with heavy trucks – some of them also wearing the blue and white Dirtworks livery. This place is all about Dirtworks’ core business: It’s a company that, for the past 16 years or more, has operated tipping sites for clean and managed earth fill. And has, increasingly, carted the unwanted spoil from earthworks generated by Auckland’s relentless, sprawling expansion, with its own growing fleet of trucks. The Waimauku property is Dirtworks’ flagship achievement – the company’s first managed fill site owned and developed from the ground up. There’s been eight years of hard work to get it to where it is now – from a site that started out as poor rural farmland….and is now one of Auckland’s largest clean and managed fill tip sites. Now, four years into its evolution, the hilly property is being transformed into a flat elevated area of pasture – requiring fill to a depth of up to 35 metres. Iydden reckons that nearly every aspect of the property has been enhanced or improved throughout its transformation. Native trees scattered through gullies and wetlands form part

of the environmental offsets required by the site’s resource consents, with an additional seven hectares of trees also planted offsite. Ask Iydden if he’s proud of what he’s achieved here and he’s absolutely adamant: “It hasn’t been just me – there’s a huge team behind me all the way and those guys have worked jolly hard: It’s certainly not a one-man-band. “Lots of people have put in a huge effort along the way, and I’m very grateful for that.” In the beginning though, it was just Iydden – a genuine oneman-band as he got started in business on Auckland’s North Shore…at the age of 19. He had been driving a truck for six months – running an old T-Line International “for a friend of mine, before doing my own thing.” He was, he explains, “pretty obsessed with diggers and dozers….I guess I had a bit of a passion for that. “So I went and hired a digger and started doing work for neighbours.” His Iydden Wood Contracting soon became Dirtworks – and when he found enough work, he borrowed $50,000 and bought a 12-tonne digger. The early days involved 12-hour days, with office work to look forward to in the evenings. Six months in, he owned two trucks – and about a year later he realised he needed another staff member to help with all the machine hours, while he hunted for more work. “I hired the first guy and he was great. And yeah, it kind of grew from there – I found a niche and my best mate came on board to help me do the office side of things.” That niche was clean fill tipping – finding suitable sites for tipping clean or managed fill. Says Iydden: “The core business hasn’t really changed since Truck & Driver | 51

then. We’re just doing it on a much larger scale. “Essentially, subdivision developers (or contractors doing the developers’ earthworks) “would accumulate large amounts of unusable dirt and ask: ‘Can you take this material?’ It was often a matter of loading it out, trucking it, and tipping it – just like we do now, though sometimes it was as simple as cart and tip.” But like any business, it has faced its fair share of challenges. The consent process is slow, difficult and very risky. “You’ve got to be prepared to lose two or three years of work, potentially millions of dollars, especially if you’re having to buy the property. “I had times when I was very, very aware that if I didn’t get a consent in the next month, I basically wouldn’t have a business! “But we pushed through – made it work.” During Dirtworks’ early years, Iydden was hesitant to get involved in cartage of the dirt. “At first, I wanted nothing to do with it – I was focused on running the fill sites and felt: ‘I’ve got enough on my plate.’ I didn’t have the capacity or the funds.” But getting into the transport side of the business eventually became a natural progression for the company, with customers asking for cartage to be included. “Once I started landing really big contracts and bigger

52 | Truck & Driver

consents, I could then afford to get trucking under the belt.” While Dirtworks was still routinely sub-contracting up to 40 trucks a day on some big jobs to deliver the fill to its sites, Iydden began to gradually buy up second-hand trucks to create his own fleet. “It really was a case of going around looking for a truck that was good value – maybe it was a Mitsi, Isuzu or a Hino. I’d bring my mechanic to check it over and we’d assess what it would cost to keep it running. “And you know, before I knew it, I had say 10 of these old units. They were working fine and they did the job, but they needed work. “The bins were falling apart and a couple of great guys in the workshop would work through the night to repair these trucks that I kept buying! “Ironically, I’ve still got some of the old chassis from those artic tip units, since then we have fabricated and installed our own bins on them.” These old and needy trucks provided the company with a good way to shift large quantities of dirt for a low cost. And they added significantly to the Dirtworks package: “We got known as the one-stop-shop…”

Clockwise, from top left: Hino 700s – here lined up ready for sale – were favoured by the company from 2014 till two years ago....2004 Nissan Diesel was the first truck Iydden bought and is about to get a makeover....articulated dumptruck works at the Waimauku tipsite, with one of the company’s eight excavators....the formerly mixed fleet included this Freightliner Argosy....2024 Freightliner Coronado was bought to work in front of the company’s sole five-axle trailer, replacing a Western Star.

Truck & Driver | 53

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Iydden Wood at the company’s Waimauku managed fill site. The valley below is being given a massive makeover.

The company became even more attractive to potential customers when it got its own Waimauku tipping site up and running….with a weighbridge installed. It enabled Dirtworks to secure larger contracts, including work on part of Auckland’s huge City Rail Link project, as well as providing bulk cartage and tipping services for the State Highway 16 motorway extension to Westgate – a two-year project, Dirtworks handling 86,000 cubic metres of fill. Although siteworks is not the company’s primary purpose, it also did the site excavation, hardfill supply and other establishment work for a 36 apartment Kainga Ora project in Henderson. Dirtworks currently works alongside “some of the Auckland region’s largest and most established civil contractors.” The growing truck fleet prompted a Dirtworks relocation around 2014 – from an overcrowded yard in Whenuapai, to an old fruit processing operation nearby – which it converted to its company HQ, workshops and truck yard. The fleet was up to 10 or so trucks at that point – enough that “we had to park the trucks in a very specific order in the old yard. It would take a good while to fit them into this little yard… It was pretty tight,” Iydden recalls. Around the same time as the Waimauku tipping site started up, Dirtworks bought its first brand-new truck. In fact….not just one, but four Hino 700 6x4s. Until then, the fleet had been a real mix – whatever was considered a good deal. That included a Freightliner Argosy, FUSOs, Hinos, Isuzus, DAFs, an International cabover…even a Western Star conventional. By 2021, the fleet comprised eight truck and trailer units, four tractor units and a handful of truck-only six wheelers, which were used predominantly for the City Rail Link project. A fleet renewal programme began, with the business

investing in bulk units. Within 12 months the truck and trailer fleet had grown to 14, while the six-wheeler fleet dropped to just a couple. Iydden credits general manager Lewis Morgan, who joined Dirtworks three years ago, for raising the standard, quality and the look of the fleet in the last two years. His renewal programme has seen eight new trucks bought in the past two years – so that over half of the current fleet’s 18 trucks are less than three years old. In mid-2023 Dirtworks ushered in a new era for its truck fleet, with the first FUSO Shogun 510 put to work – Lewis favouring the FUSO’s warranty period, service intervals, power output (particularly its 2500Nm of torque), its driver safety and comfort. And, as he adds: “It looks good in our branding too!” Late last year the second stage of the fleet renewal programme ramped up, due to the R&M on the ageing fleet starting to increase and the seven-year-old Hino 700s ending their warranty period. The search for a supplier who could best provide a product that suited Dirtworks’ needs resulted in the purchase of five more Shogun 510s….plus a 2024 Freightliner Coronado and a 2024 Mercedes-Benz Arocs, from the same supplier. The future outlook for the fleet looks much the same as the past 12 months, Lewis outlining a plan to replace the remaining five older units in the truck and trailer fleet – three 8x4 DAFs and two 2018 FUSO HDs. “Hopefully we will put a couple of short five-axle steel trailers on the road to accompany the two new 6x4s.” Lewis has also completed a rebranding of the fleet – standardising the bins to the company’s dark blue, with truck cabs now boasting stylish blue and silver striping, Dirtworks signwriting and its bull logo, rather than the former plain blue on white. Truck & Driver | 55

The upgraded fleet has also delivered new efficiencies: The new 510hp/2500Nm FUSOs, all with AMTs, replaced 440-480hp Hinos. Says Lewis: “When we put the first two on, we started doing comparisons on a job we had in Hobsonville, and we were getting to our destination, on average, about seven to nine minutes quicker …in a 25-30-minute trip!” The biggest hill en route saw the FUSOs “get up there at about 48-50km/h loaded, whereas the Hinos were doing about 29. At every set of traffic lights or intersection, that torque is just able to pull you through a lot easier.” Apart from being better on fuel, the trucks are delivering better turnaround times – less hours per day that drivers are having to operate, and reduced repairs and maintenance. “Only about 12 months ago we were at a point where the onebay workshop was clearly not enough for the size of the fleet. “However, with buying all these new trucks, it’s gone the other way now and we can handle it.” Iydden, who values productivity, efficiency and value for money ahead of glamour, glitz or a love of trucks, does have a soft spot for one truck in the fleet. Dirtworks’ oldest truck – a 2004 CW330 Nissan Diesel 6x4 – has been left out of the truck replacement programme….and is about to get a makeover. He explains: “That’s my old girl – the first truck I bought. It had done really low Ks, even though it was an old truck – and I just never had a need to sell it. “It’s quite a classic – carries a bit of sentimental value. Ironically, it has a very slim maintenance cost rate.” Even

compared to some of the newer trucks. “It’s still running strong and I always get a little chuckle when I see it on the road doing its thing…” Iydden and Lewis see the current fleet size as being about right. It is also, says Iydden, more scalable, compared to Dirtworks’ core business: “It’s a lot harder to multiply a managed fill site, due to the high risks and difficulty in finding the right site.” Dirtworks has in the past put some of its earthmoving machinery on civil and commercial construction jobs, but these days the task of operating the Waimauku tipping site keeps its machines constantly busy. “We get pretty tapped, as the volumes that we do here are higher than most sites. So that keeps our machines busy,” says Iydden. So Dirtworks currently runs a heavy machinery fleet comprising one 30t articulated dump truck, five 20t excavators and three 30-tonners, two D65 bulldozers and two D85s. It’s a lineup that seems surprisingly big……until you hear some of the numbers involved here, such as the site’s approved capacity for 2.7million cubic metres of fill. Says Iydden: “Around 80% of the fill that comes in daily is through Dirtworks own trucks and our trucking partners. Each of our trucks usually does four or five loads a day.” Subcontractors step in to assist with extra loads where needed – some days that requiring an extra 20-25 truck and trailers on contract. The tip is open to all (pre-approved) account holder customers, provided the fill they’re bringing has been tested

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One of the new FUSOs shows off the company’s standout new livery - part of the fleet renewal programme. and meets strict clean or managed fill specifications. Coping with the demands of the daily tipping is one thing, but as Iydden says, there’s also a lot involved in the maintenance side. He spent 10 years looking for a site like this – so finding it “wasn’t really a fluke.” Then its infrastructure had to be built to ready it for business. The work of operating and developing a fill site is ongoing: “You’re always doing it. “We’ve got five or six really large silt ponds, and you’ve got to build them and then you’ve got to maintain them.

“And then you’ve got your infrastructure of the fill: You’ve got your structural work at the bottom; you’ve got your drainage – we must have more than 10 kilometres of sub-soil drainage, all needing to be in place at the right height, grade and location – and a record kept of it. “You basically spend your summers preparing for the winters. Gotta love these Auckland winters and dealing with the material they produce! “Right through the summer we prepare the wet pits for clean and managed fill. We prepare the structural walls, the drainage, the tip heads and all related infrastructural work.

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Top: The tipsite has an approved capacity for 2.7 million cubic metres of fill. It keeps a fleet of eight excavators, four bulldozers and one ADT busy. Above left: General manager Lewis Morgan has driven the fleet renewal over the past two years. Above right: Dirtworks’ workshop at Whenuapai carries out extensive R&M work on the truck and earthmoving fleets. Below: Around 80% of the fill arriving daily is delivered by the company’s own trucks.

58 | Truck & Driver

“We’ve probably got nine or 10 elevated tip-heads that a truck and trailer can spin around on. Just building one of those takes a pretty fair amount of work, depending on their required elevation.” Also, part of the consent conditions is to mitigate what potential value there was in the site before: “The amount of planting and wetland we’ve created as part of this project means that the end ecological benefit to the environment is far greater than if we hadn’t started it at all. “What was previously heavily grazed farmland, with no fencing through the wetlands, is now heavily planted with well-established native bush, with well-preserved wetlands that are covenanted indefinitely. We are proud of this and consider it a huge benefit to the environment.” In addition to his own first-hand, hard-earned experience, Iydden can call on the support of 45 staff – 12 of them working fulltime at the tipping site. And, he points out, he has really experienced team members. Consent manager Jarrod Corbett’s work is, for instance, “extremely important to how Dirtworks operates, both from a developmental perspective, but also around compliance. “This a passion area for Jarrod, with sustainability and environment a big focus for him.” The day to day running of the business sits with Lewis, while commercial manager Tom Sinclair

plays a critical part in securing and consenting projects (current and future). “Tom and I….we’ve done so many of these (tipping sites) now. Together we design the site with the help of the engineers. Tom is a valuable team member and close friend who has been with us for over 10 years. “Onsite you’ve got operations, which is headed up by Michael Neeley, who comes from a quarry background in the South Island, managing large complex operations. Mike is responsible for the tip site staff, including production and infrastructure, the onsite weighbridge team, and the workshop team, which is split between Whenuapai and Waimauku. “So there’s a huge team behind me that makes this all happen,” says NZ’s Ultimate Iydden. NZ’s Ultimate He says that the business’ success NZ’s Ultimate NZ’s Ultimate Touchless Wash Systems is largely due to the team – “who treat Touchless Wash Systems Touchless Wash Systems Touchless Wash Systems Dirtworks as their own in terms of outcome and how the business is seen by customers, contractors, staff and Save Time the public.”

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National Road Carriers

Intermodality and why all modes need road James Smith, GM Policy and Advocacy, National Road Carriers Association

E CURRENTLY LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS concerned about climate change but remains driven by consumerism. We want what we want when we want it. What we don’t want, is our Amazon order being delivered from 40,000 feet, directly out of an aircraft into our front yard or a train heading up our driveway. For that we want a van. The scale of New Zealand’s economy is small, in global terms. To get coastal shipping or rail happening at a level where politicians can say ‘we are moving everything back to rail’ does not stack up. We simply don’t have the freight volumes to prioritise one mode of transport. Few industries have direct rail or shipping connections. What we need to recognise is that road is rail’s biggest customer and key enabler – we need each other – and likewise for shipping. Officials need to factor all three modes into our 50year infrastructure planning and work towards greater efficiencies through better integration of the modes. And this is where intermodal hubs rise like oases in the desert. But instead of fertile land with offerings of food and water to tired nomads, intermodal hubs are an oasis of transport efficiencies, connectivity, and cost savings. Hubs like the Wiri Inland Port, Rolleston, Longburn and Ruakura Inland Port deliver efficiencies across the board by allowing goods to be seamlessly transferred between rail, road, and shipping. They are strategically located near ports, major highways, and rail lines, reducing the time and cost of switching between different transport modes. Not only are intermodal hubs of a size that support the global supply chain they also deliver lower overall supply chain costs, contribute to sustainability objectives by increasing the use of rail, and provide significant employment opportunities to the surrounding community. To lift intermodal capacity, New Zealand needs to have a strong focus on upgrading of the rail networks and infrastructure to increase capacity, speed, and reliability. Electrification of rail lines

and double tracking on key routes can make rail transport more competitive. Likewise enhancing port facilities to handle larger volumes of cargo efficiently and streamline the process of moving goods from ships to rail or road and continuing to upgrade major highways and improve connections between intermodal hubs, ports, and urban centres to facilitate smoother transfers between transport modes all need to be a priority. Northport and the Port of Tauranga both have port expansion projects underway, but frustratingly both are hampered by seemingly endless consent processes. These are a case in point for the need for the fast-track consents process - we all lose when our ports can't grow productivity. In a world where a reduction in carbon emissions looms closer, interconnectivity of systems, and sharing of data also needs to be considered. At the most basic level we need a nationwide digital platform that integrates road, rail, and maritime transport data. This system would allow for real-time tracking of goods, optimize routes, and ensure efficient scheduling across all transport modes. Using technologies such as GPS, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and data analytics to monitor and optimize the flow of goods, reduce congestion, improve scheduling, and prioritise infrastructure spending and investment. As the New Zealand economy starts to recover the freight task will take off again. If we are to go from the current scaled back starting position, we need all modes to be operating as efficiently as possible. The first step to achieving this is ensuring the network can deliver consistently and reliably. Our long-term planning needs to encourage investment, and we don’t care about who owns it, we just want investment that delivers reliability. We know the vulnerabilities of the network, so let’s look at how commercial entities can step up to bridge the gap. Let’s get the regulatory settings right and roll out that red carpet to get the infrastructure we desperately need underway. Because there is one thing, we all agree on, the taxpayer alone cannot foot the size of this bill. Truck & Driver | 61

National Road Carriers

NRC representatives recently appeared before a resource management hearing in support of Northport's expansion plans.

NRC busy with Government submissions

OVERNMENT ADVOCACY IS A CRUCIAL PART OF NRC’S WORK to create a better operating environment for members. We meet with the key people in government frequently and the NRC team has been busy making submissions over the last few months.

on volume of traffic to persuade some drivers to alter their time of travel or mode of travel. With every road controlling authority facing a funding shortfall for road maintenance it is likely many will seize upon TOU as a solution to bridge the gap.

Local Government Long Term Plans

City Rail Link level crossing closures show lack of planning

District and regional councils consulted on their long-term transport plans, and we submitted on many, appearing before council committees throughout the country either in person or via video link. Thank you to members who added local voices and real-world examples backing up the need to address underinvestment in roads. We appeared before a resource management hearing regarding the extension to the wharf at Northport and we will continue to support Northport as they take their case to appeal.

The Auckland City Rail Link (CRL) is one of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects. Once complete (due November 2025) trains will increase in frequency, creating a challenge where level crossings will be closed to be replaced by grade separation. The Takanini industrial area in south Auckland is adjacent to the Southern Motorway and the North Island main trunk railway with access via three level crossings that will have barriers down for 78% of the time from November 2025. Given the project's length of time in both planning and construction, the grade separation should have been completed before the increased rail traffic closes the crossings. Sadly, not. Auckland Transport does not have the project starting until 2025 with construction in 2028-2029 – a staggering lack of foresight. For transport operators there will be years of disruption that could have been mitigated if the projects were aligned. NRC is calling for greater connectivity between agencies and we will be looking to ensure Minister Chris Bishop’s new Infrastructure Agency provides a framework to co-ordinate projects to minimise disruption. Industry training reform NRC has attended briefings on the reform of the tertiary education sector, and we expect the review, and consequential restructuring will take some time. NRC is pushing for industry training to be controlled by the industry. We have attended several workshops with other associations in our sector and MITO, which provides on-the-job learning for people working in the automotive and commercial road transport sectors.

Central Government and Agencies This Government is moving at pace to lift productivity and the economic performance. This pace will continue and the period for consultations will remain tight, so if you see a request for feedback on an issue you have an opinion on, please get in touch. We have seen several examples where points raised in our submissions have changed policy. In September and October, we fed back on Health and Safety Act reform with MBIE, Long Term Insights Briefing for MOT, Road Funding reform for MOT and Regulatory Rules review with NZTA. Time of Use Charging Time of Use charging (TOU) is one of the levers the Government is looking to introduce to manage demand on congested parts of the transport network. While Auckland is where the focus has been when TOU charging is enabled by legislation, it could be used anywhere. TOU introduces variable charges to use certain roads depending 62 | Truck & Driver

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NRC Member Profile

Stealth Logistics thrives in car part delivery niche I

N EARLY 2023, NATHAN AND SHARLENE YOUNG TOOK A BOLD step into the automotive logistics sector by acquiring Stealth Logistics. Nathan’s strengths in operations and transport, paired with Sharlene’s expertise in sales and customer partnerships, made this venture an exciting chance to shape Stealth Logistics with their vision. Nathan and Sharlene say taking on this challenge wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable mentorship and development they have received from previous industry leaders and they can now share their experience with their own team. Exclusively focused on transporting auto parts—both new and used including delicate items such as windscreens, which require meticulous handling, they understand the importance of reliability and efficiency in today’s fast-paced business environment. “Stealth Logistics is a committed partner in the North Island’s automotive sector, with strategically located hubs in Auckland and Palmerston North,” says Nathan. Operating a fleet of 16 vehicles and multiple trailers, Stealth Logistics partners with several major automotive brands, delivering tailored solutions to meet their unique needs. “By leveraging a streamlined operating model and robust systems, our mission is to deliver consistent service excellence.” Nathan has just acquired a new UD truck and was driving it from Hamilton to Auckland when interviewed for this story. The truck it replaced had just clocked over a million kilometres since 2017. The company is working on upgrading its vehicles to Euro 6 specs, incorporating the latest safety features. “Our new truck absorbs the poor quality of our roads is part of our commitment to top-notch service. Our Tauranga unit does 500 clicks a day delivering to the suburbs and then out to small towns in the area.”

Sharlene and Nathan Young are committed to the expansion of their Stealth Logistics operation.

Sharlene says the business has also invested in modernising its operations with a new transport management system. “We chose Transvirtual as it offers our customers a range of streamlined options including EDI transfers, online consignment notes through our user-friendly customer portal, or direct support from our dedicated customer care team. “Our portal ensures transparency and visibility with features such as a cost estimate calculator, a straightforward product library, track and trace capabilities, and live proof of delivery or POD updates upon completion.” Nathan says Stealth's journey has faced its share of challenges. "The first six months were fantastic, but when the elections came around, we had to think strategically. This led to the implementation of an aggressive sales strategy focused on retention and driving growth.” The company strongly emphasises compliance and health and safety, investing in systems to ensure their drivers adhere to road rules and avoid fatigue. Partnering with NZI, Stealth Logistics is committed to core programmes aimed at maintaining high safety standards. “As a small, tight-knit team, we have fun while maintaining a strong work ethic. We recruit for attitude – while experience can be trained, attitude cannot. Our own experiences have taught us the value of openness and transparency, and we encourage our team to share ideas. The fresh perspectives of the younger generation challenge us to grow and innovate.” The couple say they encourage their team members to pursue their dreams, whether within the company or as they move on to new adventures. Ultimately, they aim to expand the business, establish strong management, and continue building on Stealth Logistics' reputation for reliability and excellence. Truck & Driver | 65

LEGENDS

Loaded with history ID Loader LTD

HE ID LOADER FAMILY BUSINESS - A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE in Whanganui Celebrating its 70th this year, ID Loader Ltd is a proud testament to what dedication, passion, and family values can achieve. Based in the quaint region of Whanganui, it’s a civil contracting company that has evolved from rather humble beginnings. Despite its evident growth, its third generation owners, cousins Justin and Hayden Loader, have created a vibrant modern business while retaining its core ‘close-knit’ integrity – and that’s why they are Southpac legends. The story of ID Loader began in 1954 when Ian Douglas Loader, the founder, and grandfather to both Justin and Hayden, made a bold decision to invest in a brand-new bulldozer, a move met with scepticism from many who believed it was too ambitious. However, Ian’s determination and skill quickly proved doubters wrong, laying the

66 | Truck & Driver

foundation for what would become a flourishing family business. Over the years, the operation expanded, and today, ID Loader employs over 60 staff. “Grandad bought the bulldozer brand new, and everyone gave him a bit of grief saying, ‘you can’t buy brand new with your first machine’. But he obviously proved them all wrong.” says Justin. Not only was the bulldozer investment a big deal financially but Justin says that it was a lifestyle change too, with a lot of work requiring travelling out of town. “Even for our fathers, a majority of their working life was away from Whanganui, chasing work,” recalls Justin. “We’ve probably been a bit luckier that there’s currently enough work for what we do in Whanganui. So, we’ve sized ourselves to stay close to the region and close to home.”

In terms of succession, the second Generation Loaders comprised of Hayden’s father, Ian Loader (Jnr), Justin’s father Allan Loader, their uncle Perry Loader and (in-law) Allan Chapman. With such a family lineage in the business, it’s easy to say that Hayden and Justin becoming involved was inevitable, however, it’s quite the opposite. “I guess I probably got a little bit of a passion for what we do as a child, I really enjoyed coming to work with dad and playing on the gear. I had always planned to be a mechanic, but thought it would be outside of the family business,” Justin says. “However, as time went on, I guess it was simpler to get a job in Loaders than somewhere else,” he smiles. Justin started at the very bottom, as a labourer, and has worked his way to the very top. “I’m happy that I’ve been able to do that. I guess I can relate to the guys a little bit better because of it,” Justin says. Hayden’s route was somewhat different. “I was involved, like we all were, as kids. You know, school holidays, working as a lollipop person, and a little bit of labouring here and there. But I went to Uni and did a business degree, and had my sights set on big-town or big-city living.” says Hayden. So, he moved to Wellington and worked in office environments for eight years. From there, he started his own family and the appeal of being close to home with extended family won out. “There was an opportunity within the company, so I started in a contracts management role, in the office. So, I skipped the trenches,” says Hayden. “Well, played,” Justin jokes. Though, Hayden does believe that jumping straight into the office does come with some negatives around day-to-day ‘ground level relatability’, but the pair appear to have all bases covered between them. It was around five years ago that Justin and Hayden took the reins of the company, and although it was already in good shape, they have set about structuring it further, pulling it more from being a general family business, to more of a true business.

“The family has its perks, but also has negatives. So, we’ve sort of tried to separate that a little bit more and create a modern business.” says Hayden. “We definitely still have family values within our business, but we push the business values as well.” Justin agrees, “that’s probably part of why we put in a GM, to have cut and dry expectations. It’s easy to push those against someone who’s not a family member to be honest.” They both say that by having a GM releases them more too, allowing them to be able to see what’s going on outside of sitting in an office. As the building industry introduces new environmental regulations and health and safety standards, Loaders Civil has adapted to meet these challenges head-on. They have incorporated a range of technological advancements in their operations, utilising GPS technology in earthmoving equipment and tracking systems for efficiency and compliance. This commitment to modern techniques doesn’t come at the cost of their dedication to quality; they pride themselves on maintaining their machinery and ensuring that each job meets the highest standards. “We’re right into technology.” says Justin. “And we keep our gear immaculate. So, we spend a lot of money painting, polishing, and tidying. We try to keep to top brands too, so obviously Southpac, with Kenworth trucks.” Justin adds that their kit has a lot of technology in it. They use e-road for tracking and GPS with their diggers. “We can program a site into it, so no tape measures anymore. The digger knows it all.” Not only has the gear changed since Loaders began 70-years ago, but so too has the business landscape, with more environmental issues, health and safety, and traffic management, has meant that there have been extra challenges that have come along. “There’s people inside our business now that would never have existed in our grandfather’s day,” says Hayden. “Compliance Manager, Health Safety Manager, Quality and all that sort of stuff that you have to have now to prove that you’re doing things well.” Justin agrees, “And obviously, with compliance and accreditations, the clients want to see that you can do all this stuff, and then you have

Truck & Driver | 67

to be audited. And so, there’s a whole range of things now that never existed, that it’s just part of the game now.” He continues, “if granddad was to come back today, he’d hardly know the place to be honest. It used to be about digging holes, but now it’s about talking about how you’re going to dig a hole and why, and what you’re going to protect to do it, and all that sort of stuff. So, it’s quite different.” Along with being the local go-to civil contracting firm, Loaders have also been involved in some huge projects, one of their proudest being a retaining wall at SH4 in Wanganui. It was a joint venture type setup with Higgins and Emmett civil, a multi-million dollar project with 100-tonne cranes. “Probably one of the best aspects of it was being involved from the very start of the project.” says Hayden. “NZTA allowed us, [Higgins and Emmett’s, the concrete panel suppliers], to get in a room with the designers. To be involved in a project from the beginning, and actually sort any issues before we even got on the ground, was pretty cool.”

68 | Truck & Driver

By its geographical location and size, staffing in a town like Wanganui could be a headache, however, Loader’s workforce also reflects its values, with many long-term employees, some of which having their own family members involved too. This creates a tight-knit company culture reminiscent of the family dynamic that has been foundational from the start. The Loaders recognise that happy staff contribute to exceptional work, and thus prioritise creating a workplace that views employees as integral to the business, not just as numbers. So, what of the future for Loaders, the answer to that is still somewhat fluid, with the next-gen Loaders yet to jump on board, although Justin reminds us that ‘he never thought he would work there’. In the meantime, both Hayden and Justin recognise that while they may not pursuing ‘global domination’, it’s their commitment to being the top civil contractor in Whanganui that drives their strategic direction. As a final note, when it comes to their spare time, Justin and Hayden’s families are deeply integrated into their lives, frequently spending quality time together and enjoying outdoor activities that strengthen their bonds. Whether fishing in Taupo or participating in local community events, the Loaders continue to uphold the values instilled in them by their grandfather: loyalty to family, dedication to quality work, and a commitment to the community. The pair end by saying, “we enjoy being home each night, so we guess that limits what we are. We’re never going to take over the world if we’re not willing to travel to do it, but I think we just maintain being one of, if not the, best contractors we know and keep enjoying having staff working for us. Doing jobs locally and being proud of what we’ve done.”

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10/13/2024 10:54:36 AM

FEATURE

t i r i p s

y t i n u m Com MORE THAN 300 TRUCKS SUPPORTED THE BIENNIAL Mitre 10 Mega Ride in a Truck Day and Truck Show in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday October 12. With perfect springtime weather, the trucks assembled at Mitre 10 Mega branches in Napier and Hastings to convoy to the Tomoana Showgrounds venue. And for the first time this year a third convoy of trucks headed up from Waipawa for the day. “The registrations were over 300 on Friday afternoon and I’m sure there were a few more trucks that turned up on Saturday,” says truck show committee member Mark Scofield. “The showgrounds were abuzz. We haven’t done the final count yet, but it looks like we sold over 3000 wrist bands.” Drivers who register for the show make themselves available to take children for rides. “It’s a great way to showcase the industry and to give people a chance to get up close to a big truck,” Mark says. “It’s become really popular with children and young families.” The event dates back to the early 1990s and raises funds to support the Little Elms Charitable Trust, Life Education Trust, St John Ambulance and the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust. “The best thing about the show is that every dollar that gets spent on the day goes to those charities,” Mark says. “We cover our costs with sponsorship, and we apply for some grants which pay for things like the bouncy castles and miniature train rides for the kids.

“One group that helps out a lot is the Hawke’s Bay branch of the Rapid Relief Team. They provide and staff the barbeques and look after all the food. “We used to get some transport companies to volunteer to run the food, but RRT now look after the whole thing for us.” The busy judging panel selected 21 Show & Shine category winners, and the public selected the Brett Marsh Transport Kenworth T909 for the People’s Choice honours. The organisers have announced the next Ride in a Truck Day and Truck Show will be held on Saturday October 10, 2026.

Top left: People’s Choice honours went to the Brett Marsh Transport Kenworth T909. Top right: Committee members Scott McLean, Mark Scofield and Shaun Parkes presenting Show & Shine prizes. Above right: Instant Green won the Best MAN prize.

Below: An impressive turnout from Emmerson’s Transport.

70 | Truck & Driver

Top: Alan Mills won the Best Classic prize with his 1974 Kenworth W924L. Above: Miniature train rides and RRF barbeques proved popular.

2024 Mitre 10 Mega Ride in a Truck Day Prize Winners Eastern Truck and Marine Best DAF – Agnew Transport CF 85 KRP485

Young Motors Best UD – Hawke’s Bay Heavy Haul CG 400 MYG66

Young Motors Best Freightliner – Austin Transport Coronado JKZ620

Truck Stops Best Volvo – Beale Trucking FH16 QRU665

Keith Andrews Trucks Best Fuso – Roadways ACM Shogun QDR388

Young Motors Best Western Star – Hall’s Transport 4884FX GUU637

Truck Stops Best Hino – JRP Ltd 700 Series QND691

NZT Group Best 1 million KM+ – Central Equipment Movers Kenworth K108 CVIUM8

TWL Best International – AWE McNicol 9870 MHP95

COF Hawke’s Bay Best Classic – Allan Mills Kenworth W924L 1974KW

Deakin Trucks Best Isuzu – Stephenson Transport C Series MEE867

COF Hawke’s Bay Best Fleet – Stephenson Transport

Eastern Truck and Marine Best Kenworth – Bevan Pittar Transport T659 QSB435

Kraft Engineering Best Logger – Shaun Thompson Log Cartage Kenworth K200 KQH122

Truck Stops Best Mack – Goodman Contractors Trident QDH453

Bay Tyres Best Overall – Hawke’s Bay Heavy Haul Kenworth K200 HVYHUL

Young Motors Best MAN – Instant Green 18.330 PHT628

Bay Tyres Best Overall runner-up – Midlands Scania S 770 QMJ855

Keith Andrews Trucks Best Mercedes-Benz – Farmers Transport Arocs PGA99

Kraft Engineering Best Stock Unit – Bay Stock Scania S 730 SW3DAS

Scania NZ Best Scania – Booth’s Blair Boyd S 730 V8S730

NZT Group People’s Choice – Brett Marsh Transport Kenworth T909 LUP309

Below left: Stephenson’s Transport won the Best Fleet prize.

Below right: Austin Transport line-up shows off gleaming chrome in the Hawke’s Bay sunshine.

Truck & Driver | 71

The new fh16 d17 The most powerful Volvo Truck yet.

Take a walk around.

Introducing our most powerful Volvo Truck yet, the FH16 D17. With 780 hp, the Euro 6 standard D17 is the most powerful engine ever put in a Volvo truck. It’s the fuel efficiency and the massive torque that makes this the perfect match for New Zealand’s most demanding applications.

Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress. volvotrucks.co.nz | 0800 683 683 | sales@mtd.co.nz

FEATURE

While electric trucks made most of the headlines, Scania put its 460R Super in the limelight after its win in the German Green Truck competition, where it averaged 23.61 litres per 100km on the test route.

Europe’s showcase By: Colin Smith

The biennial IAA Transportation expo in Hannover is Europe’s most important commercial vehicle and road transport industry show. We look at the some of the technology highlights and trends to emerge from the 2024 edition. WHEN THE IAA TRANSPORTATION EXPO AT HANNOVER RESUMED in 2022 – after a four-year Covid-19 interruption – the focus was on rapid advances in electrification. Two years further on and the September 2024 event was delivering a subtle shift in the messaging from the major truck and component manufacturers. The industry appears to be conveying it is on the road towards electrification and other energy alternatives with market-ready

products. And now it is time for governments to step up with serious efforts to establish the public EV charging and hydrogen infrastructure initiatives required to support the new technologies. IAA Transportation 2024 played host to 145 world and European product premieres, produced record bookings for test drives, and drew an estimated 145,000 visitors – a 10% increase over 2022. It also attracted nearly 1,700 exhibitors from 41 countries — a 21% increase compared to 2022.

Below both pics: There were nearly 1700 exhibitors and more than 145,000 visitors to the 2024 show.

Truck & Driver | 73

Left to right: Press conference time at Volvo Trucks, Iveco Group, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and DAF. The first major event of the Hannover show comes the evening before the Press Day opening with the International Truck of The Year (ITOTY) award presentation. Decided by commercial vehicle journalists from 24 European countries, the ITOTY jury selected the battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 as the 2025 winner. The title is awarded annually to the truck that makes the biggest contribution to innovations in road transport in terms of efficiency, emissions, safety, vehicle dynamics, and comfort. Since the introduction of the International Truck of the Year award in 1977, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has now won the title on ten occasions. The jury praised the advanced aerodynamics of the new ProCabin as well as the performance of the powertrain, the smooth acceleration and the vibration-free working environment. Among the technologies developed for the eActros 600 is a new electric axle, designed for 800 volts with two electric motors and a four-speed transmission, specifically for use in long-distance haulage. The electric motors generate a continuous output of 400kW, as well as a peak output of 600kW. The eActros 600 also features the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) cruise control and transmission control system, which automatically takes account of the topography, road layout and traffic signs for the most efficient driving style possible. The high battery capacity of over 600kWh – hence the model designation 600 – enables the electric truck to achieve a range of 500km while operating at a gross combination mass of 40 tonnes, without intermediate charging. In Europe the new eActros 600 will even be able to travel well over 1,000km per day with intermediate charging during statutory driver breaks. In addition to CCS charging up to 400kW, the eActros 600 will later also enable 1MW charging (MCS). Mercedes-Benz Trucks will begin series production of the eActros 600 at the end of November at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth. It Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks, with the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 which claimed the 2025 International Truck of the Year prize.

74 | Truck & Driver

says the first eActros 600 customer vehicles will be registered before the end of 2024. MAN Truck & Bus also had reason for pre-show celebrations with the ITOTY jury awarding the Truck Innovation Award 2025 to the MAN hTGX hydrogen-powered combustion truck. MAN is developing H2-fuelled combustion engine trucks to complement its battery-powered electric portfolio of zero-emission vehicles. The company will be the first European truck producer to set up small series production for hydrogen combustion trucks. The MAN hTGX is powered by the 16.8-litre H4576 six-cylinder inline hydrogen engine. An estimated range of about 600km is made possible by the 700-bar hydrogen storage tank with a capacity of 56kg. The small scale production run – initially planned with around 200 units – will be delivered to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and selected non-European countries as early as 2025. MAN says the hTGX offers an alternative zero-emission drive variant for special applications, for example for the transport of heavy goods – such as in construction, tank transport or timber transport. The hTGX can also be an alternative to battery-electric trucks for use in areas without adequate charging infrastructure or for markets where sufficient hydrogen is already available. The MAN electric truck line-up is also growing with the debut of the 12-tonne eTGL at IAA Transportation 2024. Sales will start in Europe from April 2025 as the eTGL joins the eTGS and eTGX models, giving MAN a range of eTrucks covering 12-42 tonnes GVM. The eTGL for light distribution roles offers a payload of up to 6.6t, a range of 235km and an estimated fast-charging time of about 30 minutes. “With its high payload, short charging times and optimum range for urban logistics, the eTGL perfectly rounds off our eTruck portfolio,” says Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus. The eTGL shares much of its design with diesel engine TGL models apart from the electric motor and two-speed gearbox, which is positioned centrally in the frame and delivers 210kW to the rear axle via a cardan shaft. Two batteries offer a usable capacity of 160kWh and charging is via CCS connection with up to 250kW capability – allowing 10-80% SoC charging (335A) in 30 minutes, making it suitable for fast-charging during driving breaks. The 4500mm wheelbase can be combined with body lengths of 6200-7300 mm, and the day cab offers a particularly low entrance which is ergonomically designed for frequent entry and exit. A central, fully digital 12.3-inch display provides comprehensive information on the battery charge status, range, current energy requirements and recuperation in addition to the usual driving data. Scania split the IAA Transportation spotlight with five trucks on display, representing three different ways of reducing CO2 emissions

through biodiesel, biogas or electrification. Having already rolled out electric trucks for urban and regional transport roles, Scania’s big EV news at IAA Transportation 2024 was its long-haul and heavy electric solution. The Hannover show was the debut for Scania’s new electric EM C1-4 driveline. It has one electric motor, four gears and is available in five different power levels (up to 450kW). The EM C1-4 will be the volume powertrain in Scania’s portfolio of BEVs and has the potential to power a broad variety of applications. In many ways it can be considered the equivalent of a 13-litre combustion engine. The driveline was shown a 4x2 tractor model with 400kW output designed for 40t GCM work with a 728kWh battery pack – providing a range of at least 530km before it needs to charge. Scania EV models are built on a modular concept and the company says customers are better off considering the range they actually need over maximising the potential range. There is no point in carrying around more batteries than an assignment calls for. For example, to select an installed capacity of 520kWh would mean increased payload and the opportunity for a shorter axle distance. Also on display was the 460 R Super model which recently claimed the German Green Truck Award. The annual “Green Truck” test is organised by the magazines Trucker and VerkehrsRundschau. It began in 2011 and has been held 14 times with Scania winning on nine occasions. The best truck in the test is identified by applying a formula that covers all the relevant aspects of being transport-efficient and sustainable: fuel consumption, average speed, used AdBlue volume and the weight of the truck (the lighter the better). The actual data using in the Green Truck formula shows the 460 R Super model consumes 0.41 litres of fuel per 100km less than the runner-up. Taking into perspective the fact that a long-haul truck in Europe travels something like 150,000km each year, this makes Scania’s more than 600 litres per year better off than the nearest competitor. At 7,040 kg, the Scania truck was also the lightest vehicle, and achieved the highest average speed on the test route, at 79.70km/h. Scania also introduced an updated version of its CCAP system (Cruise Control with Active Prediction) in May 2023, something that is believed to have given an edge in the Green Truck test. Volvo Trucks used the IAA Transportation platform to reinforce that 2024 is the biggest year of new model introductions in its history. It showcased the global scope of its product strategy by including the new North America market VNL model in the European show lineup – alongside its new FH Aero flagship model for Europe and other world markets. The innovations adopted by the FH Aero design are targeted at a 5% reduction in fuel consumption but Volvo President Roger Alm says feedback from customers is pointing to a 7-8% improvement. The latest efficiency gains mean Volvo Trucks on average consume

20% less fuel than only five years ago. Recent model introductions have expanded Volvo’s electric range from six to eight models and the newcomers include the FM Low Entry for urban roles, a truck which is unique in only being available as a BEV model. The eight variants give Volvo the widest range of EV trucks of any manufacturer. Alm also previewed the new FH Electric Long Range model that with the introduction of a newly developed e-axle along with new battery management will allow a 600km range. Volvo’s main stage was something of a departure from its entirely electric presentation at IAA Transportation 2022. This year the brand was also showcasing its new 17-litre D17 diesel engine offered in outputs up to 780hp and 3800Nm. Volvo also continues hydrogen development through the cellcentric fuel cell joint venture with Daimler Truck and says its research in hydrogen combustion engines should see customers trialling the technology as soon as 2026. There was also an extended range of vehicles powered by a diversified range of energy sources – including HVO, natural gas, biomethane, electricity and hydrogen – on display at the Iveco stand. Highlights included the global premiere of two new battery electric vehicles – the S-eWay heavy-duty truck in rigid configuration and the light chassis/cab eMoovy. Iveco says the S-eWay ‘Rigid’ has a driving range of up to 400km and offers rapid charging capabilities that can provide 200km of additional range in less than 45 minutes. The new vehicle is equipped with an FPT Industrial electric axle and offers a total battery capacity of up to 490kWh, making it optimal for urban and regional transport. The new model widens the heavy-duty electro-mobility offer of the S-eWay line-up, which already includes the tractor version. The eMoovy is the latest initiative in the partnership between Iveco Group and Hyundai Motor Company. Previously this has seen Hyundai fuel cell technology being trialled in Iveco Daily models. MAN Trucks introduced the electric eTGL aimed at the 12-tonne distribution segment.

Truck & Driver | 75

Scania’s new long-haul electric models can have up to 728kWh of battery capacity.

Offering a range of up to 320km with a 76kWh battery capacity, the eMoovy has a fast-charge capability than can add 100km of additional range in less than 10 minutes. The eMoovy is manufactured by Hyundai and locally customised and distributed on the European market by Iveco. It shares interior and exterior design themes with the Hyundai Staria MPV to create a fully battery electric chassis cab light commercial in the 2.5 to 3.5t segment. Also on the Iveco stand, was a prototype S-Way equipped with a special XCursor 13-litre Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine. The XCursor 13 is a multi-fuel single base engine designed with a common core and optimised to run on multiple fuels including diesel, natural gas, hydrogen. Iveco also showed a hybrid heavy-duty truck concept featuring an electric axle and the Cursor 9-litre H2 engine range-extending system. The Cursor 9 H2 is a zero CO2 emission solution for heavy-duty transport, along with the new N67 Hythane prototype fuelled by a blend of hydrogen and methane. These propulsions were developed by FPT Industrial, the Iveco Group brand dedicated to the design and production of low-

Above: New single stack fuel cell from cellcentric will be capable of developing up to 375kW.

Below: China’s BYD brand introduced the 19t ETH8 electric truck to Europe.

76 | Truck & Driver

environmental impact powertrains. For DAF the Hannover show provided an opportunity to showcase the full range of New Generation XD, XF, XG and XG+ models it has introduced recently in Europe as well as an expanded lineup of XB, XD and XF Electric models. Ongoing development sees further efficiency gains from the Paccar MX-11 and MX-13 engines with the introduction of new valve timing, a dual drive coolant pump and 2-cylinder air compressor. Turbo and EGR systems have also been updated with new fuel injectors supporting excellent efficiency, reliability and durability. Rear axle innovations include new pinion design and new ratios. DAFs electric XB, XD and XF models for city, regional and long-haul applications offer zero emission ranges up to 500km and feature LFP (Lithium, Ferro, Phosphate) batteries which are Cobalt free and offer outstanding thermal stability for highest safety. A number of Paccar Powertrain displays showcased the latest and future sustainable driveline options including an MX-13 engine prepared for HVO and B100 FAME biodiesel, a new Paccar e-Motor, both fuel cell and MX hydrogen engine technology and a new Paccar E-Axle. Another fuel cell development on show in Hannover was the new single stack system from cellcentric, being developed for long-haul heavy-duty transport. The cellcentric joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group was founded in 2021 and its NextGen fuel cell system was previewed in Hannover. With a total weight of less than 400kg, this new system is designed to fit into conventional 13-litre diesel engine compartments and will develop up to 375kW (more than 500 horsepower) continuous net power. Compared to cellcentric’s earlier BZA150 dual stack system (announced in 2022), the NextGen fuel cell achieves 20% less fuel consumption, 40% reduction of waste heat at 300kW net power, 40% more power density and a 40% reduction of complexity. China’s BYD brand has made significant inroads into New Zealand’s passenger car market and the company bills itself as the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries. Making its European debut at IAA 2024 was the BYD ETH8 eTruck, a 19t (GVM) zero-emission emission solution for a range of transportation applications. BYD says its e-Truck Platform has been developed in-house exclusively for electric trucks and the ETH8 can be adapted to suit many transport requirements, including logistics and sanitation operations. There are two wheelbase options – 4500mm and 5700mm – for the 4x2 and the electric motor produces 180kW and 450Nm of torque matched to a four-speed transmission. A 255kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack is 100% cobalt-free and provides a driving range of up to 250km with 20-100% charging with two hours

The Cummins presentation included details of the Euro 7 spec X10 engine (below left) and the hydrogen combustion X15H version of the 15-litre engine (below right).

Trust Ixom and SCR for dependable AdBlue supply in NZ. Leading German trailer manufacturers, including Kässbohrer and Krone, as well as trailer running gear and axle supplier BPW, are adopting the TrailTrax technologies. ZF’s TrailTrax system provides driving propulsion as well as brake energy recuperation, generating up to 16% in energy and CO2 savings when combined with an ICE powered truck. The system can also reduce CO2 emissions up to 40% with plug-in charging. By integrating ZF’s electrified axle, 23017 Ixom FP Blue NZT.indd 1 1 in NZTa2047 GO Clear Ad.indd the AxTrax2, into trailer running gear combination with other associated system components, it effectively converts an ICE truck-trailer combination into a hybrid, while extending the range of an electric vehicle. “TrailTrax technologies offer significant potential to reduce operational costs and CO2 emissions in road freight transportation. Energy losses, including brake friction, air drag, and rolling resistance, are major causes of fuel inefficiency, but with our TrailTrax concept, we can make a big difference,” says Dr. Bernd Meurer, who is responsible for the

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using a 120kW DC charger. Among the features of the ETH8 is a spacious cabin with a large 10.1inch touchpad display screen ensuring easy reach and clear visibility of instrumentation. At the smaller end of its electric vehicle line-up BYD also used the IAA 2024 expo for the global premiere of its E-VALI light commercial, which offers 3.5t and 4.25t GVM models for last-mile and parcel delivery services. The E-VALI is equipped with the latest BYD Blade Battery technology, offering a range of 220 to 250 km (depending on variant). Another electrified debut at this year’s show was ZF’s electrified trailer concept, branded as TrailTrax. As trucks become more fuel-efficient, trailers are emerging as a key technology area where further carbon emission reductions can be made. ZF’s Trailtrax electric trailer concept integrates its in-house developed 210kW AxTrax2 e-Axle, trailer EBS, and battery system box into a trailer.

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TrailTrax programme at ZF. “Successfully managing this transformative technology will require the combined efforts of all industry players. We are pleased to see our technologies are gaining traction among leading trailer manufacturers as well as fleet operators across the globe, who recognize the potential that TrailTrax can bring towards achieving sustainability goals.” Several leading trailer manufacturers presented electrified trailers equipped with TrailTrax technologies at IAA Transportation 2024. ZF is collaborating closely with Kässbohrer to develop and electrified curtainsider, which features the system integration of TrailTrax while Krone has developed a reefer trailer with the TrailTrax system installed. Field tests of Kässbohrer trailers are

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Iveco introduced a rigid version of its electric S-eWay truck.

expected to commence from 2025 across Europe under the ZEFES (Zero Emissions flexible vehicle platforms with modular powertrains serving the long-haul Freight Eco System) project funded by EU. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles had big news at Hannover with the world premiere of the seventh generation Transporter range. Boasting an unmistakable evolution of the design of its six predecessors – dating back to the T1 original of 1949 – the new Transporter will be available with diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric drive options. The e-Transporter has a battery capacity of 64kWh. Volkswagen says the new model offers more space, more payload, increased maximum trailer weight and improved efficiency. A 1.33t payload capacity represents an increase of 130kg and with a long wheelbase and high roof, the panel van’s stowage volume increases to 9.0m3. Volkswagen has also increased the maximum trailer weight by 0.3t, which now reaches up to 2.8t (braked, with 12% gradient). The T7 line-up includes panel van, crewbus, platform and Caravelle (9-seater passenger) variants and as a double cab with platform body and long wheelbase. The crewbus and panel van versions are optionally available with a high roof and an extended wheelbase. Cummins presented its latest integrated driveline concept at IAA Transportation 2024 with the capability to partner with advanced diesel, diesel-hybrid and zero-carbon hydrogen powertrain options. The driveline features advanced diesel and hydrogen internal combustion engines from the Cummins HELM platforms, as well as front and rear axles, brakes, aftertreatment systems and technologies from Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions brand of Cummins. The company’s acquisition of Meritor, Siemens Commercial Vehicles and Jacobs Vehicle Systems in recent years, means Cummins can now offer full powertrain capability. The fuel-agnostic HELM platform features a series of engine versions that are derived from a common base. Below the head gasket of each engine are largely similar components and above the head gasket will have different components for different fuel types – either advanced diesel, natural gas or zero-carbon hydrogen. Each engine version will operate using a different, single fuel. Included in the HELM fuel agnostic engine family is the new X10 engine, with ratings from 240-335 kW (320-450 hp), which extends Cummins’ heavy-duty performance down to a 10-litre displacement and also meets upcoming Euro 7 ultralow emissions standards. With peak torque of 2300Nm, the X10 is designed for 26-44 tonne truck applications. Cummins also showcased its hydrogen internal combustion engine technology with the X15H – part of the company’s 15-litre platform.

With power ratings from 298-395kW (400-530hp) and peak torque of 2600Nm, the X15H offers an operating range comparable to current diesel engines, ideal for heavier-duty or longer-range applications. The X15H is slated for production toward the end of this decade. Cummins also highlights that hybrid vehicles can play a role in achieving carbon reduction goals in line with upcoming regulation, as an interim solution while infrastructure for zero-emissions technologies gain scale. “As the commercial vehicle industry in Europe approaches Euro 7 and CO2 Heavy Duty Vehicles regulations, the need for diverse power solutions is more critical than ever,” says Jane Beaman, Vice President – Global On-Highway and Pick-Up Business at Cummins. “As we look toward the next decade, when carbon reduction targets intensify and infrastructure remains challenging, hybrid powertrains could help to eliminate range anxiety, enhance operational flexibility and contribute significantly to vehicle manufacturers’ CO2 reduction targets.” Accelera displayed several of its next-generation technologies at IAA, including a modular 300kW hydrogen fuel cell engine, compact high-power e-axles, next-generation batteries and efficient traction systems. Many of these products can be easily integrated into existing commercial vehicles or paired with other Accelera products, providing a seamless transition to lower- or zero-carbon applications for customers. The next IAA Transportation will take place from September 1520, 2026, in Hannover, with Press Day on Monday, September 14, 2026. ZF is exploring hybrid possibilities with its TrailTrax powered trailer technology.

Truck & Driver | 79

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FEATURE

Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill hosts the Hall of Fame gala dinner.

Celebrating the class of 2024 THE 2024 CLASS OF INDUCTEES TO THE MOBIL DELVAC 1 NEW Zealand Road Transport Hall of Fame was announced at the annual gala dinner in Invercargill on September 27. Five men were honoured at this year’s function hosted at Bill Richardson Transport World. Russell Pellowe, Jeff Fleury, Don Hutchinson, Peter Rae and Forbes Knight are the 2024 inductees, expanding the hall to 73 members since the inaugural class was announced in 2012. The brainchild of Invercargill-based HWR directors, Jocelyn (Joc) and Scott O’Donnell, the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame showcases the outstanding contributions individuals have made to the New Zealand road transport industry. Each year, up to six individuals are inducted. HWR group chief executive Anthony Jones says all the men recognised at this year’s event have had significant impact on the road transport industry here in New Zealand. “Each of this year’s inductees show a great passion for our industry, and have each played a vital part in shaping what it is today. “Celebrating these men and all they have achieved is what the NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame is all about. Russell, Jeff, Don, Peter and Forbes join a select few stalwarts of our industry, who have been recognised for their efforts in forging the sector into what it is.” Jeff Fleury Jeffrey (Jeff) Morris Fleury was born in Mosgiel on October 27, 1953. He is married to Anita Fleury and dedicated his career to enhancing road safety and transport compliance in New Zealand. Jeff began his professional journey in 1969 as an apprentice mechanic with New Zealand Express Co. in Dunedin, followed by a stint at Hyslop Blair Transport in Outram. His career advanced with roles at the Ministry of Transport from 1975 to 1993, where he served as a vehicle inspector. From 1993 to 1998, he was branch manager for Vehicle Testing New Zealand in Dunedin. He continued as a vehicle compliance officer for Land Transport Safety Authority from 1998 to 2006 and worked as a vehicle safety officer for the New Zealand Police’s Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit from 2007 to 2013. Jeff joined the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) in 2013 as a vehicle specialist, a role he held until his retirement in March 2023.

Jeff’s commitment to road safety was evident throughout his career. His involvement with law enforcement began in 1999, responding to a troubling series of heavy vehicle crashes in South Otago, including a catastrophic accident with six fatalities. Jeff’s engagement at crash scenes allowed him to provide expert advice on accident causes and prevention strategies. A significant achievement in Jeff’s career was his leadership in a national seat belt campaign for heavy vehicle drivers. Noticing a high incidence of fatalities involving unbelted drivers, Jeff led a campaign that combined education and enforcement, collaborating with the Road Transport Association and the Otago/ Southland Heavy Motor Vehicle Safety Group. This initiative, marked by the use of fluorescent seat belt covers, significantly increased seat belt usage and served as a model for national campaigns. Jeff also addressed heavy vehicle rollovers through “Jeff’s Roll Over Prevention Training,” which he first presented with NZTA funding in April 2016. His training, which included a lecturing visit to the New South Wales Government forestry department, effectively translated complex scientific data into actionable advice for drivers. Despite challenges in gathering real-time data, Jeff’s training sessions continued to impact drivers positively, with 231 presentations across New Zealand reaching 7,325 drivers. Even after retirement, Jeff delivered prevention sessions to an additional 873 drivers in his first year alone. In 2003, while with the Land Transport Safety Authority, Jeff conducted a nationwide brake survey of heavy vehicles, revealing that 65% of the vehicles tested failed to meet safety standards. His findings led to regulatory changes that improved safety across the board. Jeff’s investigative rigour was highlighted by his work in 2013, where his conclusions on a crash investigation led to a coronial review, demonstrating his commitment to uncovering the truth. Additionally, Jeff was a founding member of the “Drive to Survive” programme, targeting high school students in Otago, his role educating them about vehicle modifications and handling. His ability to engage with diverse audiences underscored his dedication to road safety. Jeff was also proactive in recognising industry and driver contributions, advocating for support for drivers and their families when commercial drivers were not at fault in serious crashes. His Truck & Driver | 81

Jeff Fleury, pictured with wife Anita and family, has dedicated his career to safety and compliance in the road transport industry. legacy is marked by his empathy for the industry and relentless pursuit of road safety improvements. Jeff’s retirement marked the end of an era for NZTA, leaving a lasting impact on road safety in New Zealand. Russell Pellowe Born in Dunedin, Russell Pellowe became the family’s male figurehead after his father’s death during his teenage years. He attended Green Island Primary and King’s High School, excelling academically before pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at Otago University. Russell quickly secured a position with a government agency and advanced rapidly. Through his involvement in sports clubs and the Green Island Jaycees, Russell met Bill Auld, the company accountant at Fulton Hogan. Impressed by Russell’s skills, Auld arranged for him to join Fulton Hogan in 1966 as a clerk in the Fairfield office. Russell’s early responsibilities included handling cash payments for the 67 staff, often at the Commercial Tavern, which led to some humorous situations. As Fulton Hogan’s trucking business grew following a 1955 merger with Maxwell Bros., Russell’s role expanded. His partnership with Ralph Maxwell was crucial in developing the transport division, including a major investment in waste disposal. In 1968, they purchased a small industrial waste business in Dunedin. By 1979, they established New Zealand’s first purpose-built refuse transfer station on Fryatt Street in Dunedin, which later merged with Auckland’s Northern Disposal Services to form Envirowaste. Fulton Hogan eventually sold Envirowaste in 2007 for a substantial profit, highlighting Russell’s contributions. The 1980s brought changes to New Zealand’s road transport sector with the removal of distance regulations. As a Fulton Hogan director, Russell played a key role in adapting to these changes, overseeing fleet upgrades and redesigns, including the Maxwell Bros. freight yard and the Alexandra Transport fleet. This expansion extended services beyond construction to general

Family members of the late Russell Pellowe (pictured, right) celebrate his induction to the Hall of Fame.

82 | Truck & Driver

freight, focusing on Christchurch south. Under his leadership, Fulton Hogan acquired JC Mowat & Sons, expanding into heavy haulage and bulk cartage. Russell’s enthusiasm, analytical skills, and negotiation abilities significantly benefited the company. He developed costing and pricing models for transport services and played a key role in rate negotiations and tendering in construction. In the early 1990s, Russell led the establishment of collective agreements for Fulton Hogan staff in the Otago region, adapting to changes in employment law. He was also a strong supporter of the New Zealand Road Transport Association (NZRTA), earning honorary life membership in 1993 for his service. Russell’s management style was inclusive and personable, reflecting his family values and the traditional Fulton Hogan culture. He was known for his hands-on approach and commitment to staff, exemplified by his quick action to repair a staff member’s home during a work trip. Russell continued to play a crucial role as regional manager in Dunedin and later as a director of the expanded Fulton Hogan Group. He was instrumental in establishing a share scheme, allowing staff to become shareholders and fostering loyalty. This scheme remains active, with over 2,700 employees holding shares. As Fulton Hogan expanded into the North Island, Russell ensured the company’s culture remained intact. He was heavily involved in negotiating group purchases, acquisitions, and international ventures. After spending his career in Dunedin, he moved to Christchurch in 2001 to continue as executive director with responsibilities across New Zealand and Australia. Russell served on the Fulton Hogan Board for 20 years and held directorships and chairmanships in several joint ventures, including Blackhead Quarries, Horokiwi Quarries, and Envirowaste. He retired in 2003 due to health issues, leaving a lasting_ legacy of significant contributions to Fulton Hogan’s growth in New Zealand and Australia. Don Hutchinson Born in Upper Hutt in 1961, Don Hutchinson grew up in Johnsonville,

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Don Hutchinson’s engineering abilities have been invaluable to the road transport industry. where his family operated a local pharmacy. At 16, he juggled part-time work for a bricklayer while driving an old Bedford truck and helped in the family business after college hours. Don began his career in 1980 with the Ministry of Transport’s traffic engineering branch. During this time, he completed a New Zealand Certificate in Civil Engineering and pursued postgraduate studies in transport planning, management, and control at the University of New South Wales. Don’s interest in traffic engineering grew from the challenge of managing the unpredictable nature of human behaviour and its interaction with road systems, contrasting with the more controlled outcomes of civil engineering. His curiosity about improving the safety and productivity of the heavy vehicle fleet led him to focus on vehicle size, mass, and configurations. He became a pioneer in adopting performance-based standards (PBS) to evaluate innovative vehicles against traditional benchmarks. This work contributed to the development of various policies, permit regimes, and new legislation, including the vehicle dimensions and mass rule and the high productivity motor vehicle (HPMV) scheme. Additionally, he played a crucial role in introducing static roll threshold legislation to New Zealand and authored

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the truck loading code and sections of the road code, along with numerous other safety initiatives. In the early 2000s, Don transitioned into senior management roles, collaborating with multiple ministries and ministers to enhance vehicle regulations in New Zealand. Despite moving into these leadership positions, he remained deeply involved in practical aspects of the field and returned to a practitioner’s role later in his career, planning to continue in this capacity before transitioning into retirement. Reflecting on his career, Don highlights the value of engaging with the industry and learning from it. He emphasises the oftenoverlooked contributions of truck operators, trailer builders, and freight industry businesses. He has faced significant challenges, including investigating fatal crashes and serving as a court witness in cases involving misbehaving operators. Throughout his career, Don has earned widespread respect in the heavy transport industry. His collaborative approach and problem-solving skills have made him a valuable partner to industry associations such as Transporting NZ, National Road Carriers, Log Transport Safety Council, NZ Truck-Trailer Manufacturers Federation, Motor Industry Association, and the Institute of Road Transport Engineers New Zealand (IRTENZ), where he has been a member since

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Forbes Knight has a long career in the Otago transport industry and contributing to local community groups. 1995. His efforts have facilitated numerous industry initiatives and advancements. Don Hutchinson’s career, spanning over four decades, is marked by his dedication to improving vehicle safety and efficiency, his proactive involvement in industry regulation, and his commitment to collaboration and continuous learning. Forbes William Knight Forbes was born January 14, 1932, in Dunedin and grew up in Waipori, where his father worked on the power scheme. He began his schooling at Waipori Falls School and later attended Kuri Bush for secondary education. During his youth, Forbes drove cattle to Green Island and worked for John Hay at Waipori Gorge. At 17, Forbes started working for Dunedin City Corporation. He

then moved to Balclutha, staying at the Crown Hotel, where he was advised to contact Jimmy Wilson at Clutha Carrying Co. After a successful test drive in a GMC, Forbes was hired and began working with trucks and unloading freight. He later obtained his heavy traffic licence and moved to Inch Clutha to live with Alf Bichan. In 1954, Forbes and Roy Tosh purchased Millers Flat Carrying Co from Laurie Brady, acquiring three Ford V8 trucks and a special licence for livestock transport to Burnside. This licence allowed them to handle multiple daily loads. Forbes married Grace, and they had three children: Rosalind, Richard, and Jillian. Richard followed his father into transport and rugby, eventually managing South Otago Transport. Initially focused on gravel transport, Millers Flat Carrying

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Left and right: Peter Rae was unable to travel to the gala dinner and his induction was accepted by his sons.

expanded by securing contracts with Fulton Hogan to transport gravel to the Roxburgh Dam. The business also grew to handle rural transport, including livestock, wool, and fruit. Despite pursuing additional rail licences, Forbes faced challenges due to the local rail line’s closure in 1969. The company excelled in fruit transport, becoming the first to transport apples from Roxburgh to Dunedin port, initially building crates in Millers Flat before outsourcing. In 1985, the business was sold to a partnership that failed, leading to its closure. Forbes then worked for the Apple and Pear Board for several years and continues to reside in Millers Flat, where Grace passed away after a long illness. Forbes Knight’s extensive community involvement includes: Transport: President of the Central Otago Branch of the NZ Road Transport Association for 20 years, Otago executive member (19601985), and convenor of the RTA Annual Golf Tournament in Roxburgh for 15 years. Rugby: Played rugby for Crescent and Millers Flat, represented South Otago and Otago Sub Unions, was president of Millers Flat Rugby Club (1964-1965), a delegate to the Otago Rugby Union (19561963), and a selector for the Otago Rugby Sub Union. Racing: President of Beaumont Racing Club for 22 years, life member of the club (2001), and also a life member of Otago Racing Club (2022) and honorary life member of Roxburgh Trotting Club (2016). Served as a timekeeper for Central Otago Trotting Trials. Bowls: President and secretary of Millers Flat Bowling Club, life member (1999), delegate to the Otago Bowls Association (24 years), and held a New Zealand Umpires Badge. Curling: Member of Manorburn Curling Club for 28 years, life member (1995). Athletics: Member of Millers Flat Sports Club since 1962, groundskeeper, and life member (2004). General: Member of Roxburgh Millers Flat RSA (since 1977), serving as president and welfare officer, with life membership (2013) and Royal NZ RSA Gold Star (2005). Received the Central Otago District Council Service Award (2003). Is a life member of Millers Flat Collie Dog Club (2022) and served on the Millers Flat Cemetery Trust since 1974. He retired from Roxburgh Golf Club in 1985 due to injuries from a bull attack. Peter Rae Currently based in Christchurch, Peter Rae has had a notable career in the transport industry characterised by innovation and leadership. He joined Waitaki Transport in 1965 as an accountant, shortly after the company’s establishment. Over time, Peter ascended to the role of managing director and, by 1987, acquired full ownership of the company. Under Peter’s leadership, Waitaki Transport emerged as a key player in North Otago’s transport sector, particularly noted for its involvement in the Upper Waitaki Hydro Development Projects. The company undertook a variety of tasks, including freight cartage, building transportation, metal cartage, and livestock movements, operating a large fleet from multiple depots in North Otago at its peak.

Peter’s leadership was crucial during several challenging periods. Notably, he guided the company through harsh droughts soon after his arrival. Despite these adversities, he ensured that employee wages were consistently paid, and no cheques bounced. Peter’s strategic foresight enabled Waitaki to capitalise on significant opportunities, especially in the hydro schemes, which involved bold financial decisions and substantial investments in new equipment. In 1971, Waitaki Transport made a substantial investment in 20 International Harvester ACCO 1820 tip trucks, followed by another 10 trucks later. By 1981, the company secured a $3.5 million cartage contract for the Upper Waitaki Power Scheme, an extension of earlier work. This contract necessitated the acquisition of additional trucks and established Waitaki as a critical player in transporting essential materials to the hydro projects, including large equipment and household goods. Beyond freight, Waitaki also became a leading house mover, relocating entire villages to accommodate power projects. At its height, the company operated 40 trucks and 35 buses to support the hydro schemes. Innovative solutions were required, such as installing night-store heaters in buses to ensure their operation during winter. Peter Rae was also a key driver of industry advancements. In 1979, Waitaki introduced one of New Zealand’s largest fleet maintenance workshops, a venture initially met with scepticism but later recognised as a significant asset. This facility serviced both Waitaki’s fleet and external clients. Peter’s contributions extended to broader industry efforts as well. He actively participated in the Road Transport Association in Otago and served as its president. In 1980, he received the Brennan Memorial Trust Travel Award, allowing him to study roading taxation and transport licensing systems in the United States, Canada, Britain, and Europe, which provided valuable insights for the New Zealand transport sector. By 1984, Peter shifted from day-to-day operations to focus on strategic leadership as chairman of the board. His vision led to the company’s diversification into property ownership and investment, with notable involvement in the National Property Trust and other ventures. Waitaki Transport Holdings Ltd evolved into Peter Rae Industries Ltd, under his leadership. In 2000, Waitaki’s livestock and rural division was sold to Owens Transport Group, and by 2017, the remaining transport assets were sold to Hoskins Transport Ltd, marking the end of Waitaki’s 52-year tenure in the road transport industry. Today, Peter Rae remains active in directorships and investment activities. Peter Rae Industries Ltd now focuses primarily on property investment, and Peter continues to be involved in the finance sector through stakes in Mutual Credit Finance Ltd and Efficient Market Services Ltd. Peter Rae’s career exemplifies his pioneering spirit, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the transport industry. Truck & Driver | 87

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FEATURE

Spring celebrations for Alexandra Above: McNulty’s new Western Stars provided an impressive sight at the Alexandra Blossom Festival.

Story and pictures: David Kinch

Below: Brandon ‘Bambi’ Bell stepped up to bring the Tuapeka DAF to the show and walked away with the trophy.

IMAGINE TAKING A COMPANY TRUCK – THAT YOU DON’T normally drive – and cleaning up the major prize at a popular annual truck show. That’s what happened to Brandon ‘Bambi’ Bell at the 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival Truck Show. Brandon had the pleasure of driving the new Tuapeka Transport (Road Transport Logistics) DAF XF stock truck to the show and then leading the Blossom Festival parade as this year’s “Star of the Show” winner. The 2024 DAF `Stockliner’ was judged “Star of the Show”, the award being sponsored by Cleanco Truck Wash Christchurch, Spark Palmerston North and Bluebridge. The September 28 show which is a key part of Alexandra’s Blossom Festival celebrations was again organised by Kate Booth, who worked tirelessly to make sure everyone got a free sausage from the Booth’s barbeque and all entrants went home with something from the show. Kate would like to thank all the amazing sponsors who supported the event. Sixty-five trucks entered the show this time around with a wide variety of makes and configurations on display. The majority of the gear was relatively new and the standard was very high which made the judges job a difficult one. Best Fleet was taken out by the team at Cromwell Transport who entered some immaculate Volvos. Booth’s owner driver, Blair Boyd, took home the Best Scania award and a Mainfreight 2024 Scania R 590, that was towing a tanker B-train, claimed the Furthest Travelled award coming all the way from Manukau. Truck & Driver | 89

2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival Truck Show – results: Star of the Show (sponsored by CleanCo Truckwash ChCh, Spark Palm Nth and Bluebridge) 1st – Road Transport Logistics DAF XF Best Presented Fleet (Blair @ Trucker’s Pride, ChCh) 1st – Cromwell Transport 2nd – Jones Contracting Best Presented Hino (Truckstops and MTD Trucks PN) 1st – Mainfreight 2nd – S.J. Allen Holdings Best Presented Volvo (Truckstops and MTD Trucks PN) 1st – Cromwell Transport 2nd – Cromwell Transport 3rd – S.J. Allen Holdings Best Presented Mack (Truckstops and MTD Trucks PN) 1st – McNeill Distribution 2nd – McNeill Distribution 3rd – Cromwell Transport

Best Presented Isuzu (CAL Isuzu) 1st – Mainfreight 2nd – Fulton Hogan Best Presented Kenworth (Southpac Trucks) 1st – Booth’s Logistics 2nd – S & B Civil 3rd – Booth’s Logistics Best Presented Scania (Scania NZ) 1st – Booth’s Logistics 2nd – Pipe Vision 3rd – Pipe Vision Best Presented Western Star (Patchell Trailers & Transpecs) 1st – McNulty’s Transport 2nd – McNulty’s Transport

Best Presented Stock Truck (Patchell Trailers) 1st – Road Transport Logistics Best Presented Bulk Truck (Patchell Trailers) 1st – McNeill Distribution Best Presented Curtainsider (TMC Trailers, Southpac Trucks & Straitline Canvas) 1st – A & L Coombs Contracting Best Presented Flat Deck (Roadmaster & Straitline Canvas) 1st – Jones Contracting Furthest Travelled (Truckstops & Bluebridge) 1st – Mainfreight Manukau Best Bling (Spark Palm Nth) 1st – A & L Coombs Contracting Oldest Truck (EROAD) 1st – McNeill Distribution 1985 Mack

2024 Sponsors: Scania, Southpac Trucks, CleanCo Truckwash ChCh, Straitline Canvas, TR Group, Domett Trailers, CAL Isuzu, Roadmaster, Bevan Hall Fleet Sales, Bridgestone, Sime Darby/Truckstops, TMC Trailers, MTD Trucks, Spark Palm Nth, Trucker’s Pride, Gallagher Insurance, StraitNZ Bluebridge, Patchell Trailers, EROAD, Transpecs.

Top: Tuapeka DAF `Stockliner’ won the Star of the Show prize.

Left: Booth’s always supports the Alexandra show with an impressive line-up of trucks.

Below: Cromwell Transport took out the Best Fleet award with this FH Volvo and a load of spreader units.

90 | Truck & Driver

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K & L Distributors Ltd is a locally owned and operated company who for over 30 years has been providing lubricant solutions to the Waikato, BOP, King Country and Auckland areas. We pride ourselves in exceeding our customer’s expectations in terms of service, delivery and a premium range of products.

Westland Engineering Supplies 03-768 5720

We look forward to offering you tailored and profitable lubricant and fuel solutions for your business. Alongside our Caltex Lubricants we also provide Onsite Diesel Refuelling and Bulk Diesel and Petrol deliveries. K & L Distributors Ltd 17 Maui Street Hamilton 3200 07 849 2943 www.kandldistributors.co.nz Hamilton@kandldistributors.co.nz Brent Rowe

0274 939 024

Delo® 400 SLK with ISOSYN® Advanced Technology

For your nearest Oil Shop Freephone 0800 372 374

TD34793

Delo® 400 SLK with innovative ISOSYN® Advanced Technology is here. Delivering industry leading durability, reliability and efficiency. It works in synergy with the changing conditions in your engine to maximise protection, optimise performance and extend oil life.

Brett and Nikita Mabey (Madstar Trucking) have a new Scania R 660 B8x4NA logger contracted to Pan Pac in Hawke’s Bay. The Euro VI DC16 V8 develops 660hp and 3300Nm of torque and drives to an Opticruise G33 14-apeed AMT with 4700D retarder and RB735 hub reduction rear end. The R 660 rides on spring front suspension and air rear suspension and features ABS/EBS braking, ESP, AEB and adaptive cruise control. A new Patchell shorts unit is paired with a refurbished Patchell 5-axle multi trailer. Features include scales, V8 trim, fridge, Durabright alloys, drop visor, Broshmik stone guard, and ExTe chain tensioners. Sign writing by Caulfield Signs and sold by Callan Short.

September slow down THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO NEW ZEALAND’S new truck and trailer sales. The general economic slowdown is reflected by lower September new truck registration figures, according to NZ Transport Agency data. There were 425 registrations of new trucks with a GVM above 4.5 tonnes and the year-to-date (YTD) total has reached 4194 units in the first nine months of 2024. The September total is well down from last year’s 587 registrations, and the YTD total represents a 9.8% decrease on the same period last year (4648 registrations). For context, the total new vehicle market (passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial) is running 16.1% (18,057 units) behind 2023 levels through the first nine months of the year. The trailer market is also slowing, with 83 registrations in September and 1123 YTD. This makes it 52 registrations behind the same time last year and falls well short of 2018’s record of 1312. In the overall heavy truck market (above 4.5t GVM), Isuzu was the September market leader with 64 new registrations to increase its YTD total to 820 units and slightly increase its lead over Fuso (711/58). Scania (494/53) retains third place, comfortably ahead of Hino (438/50) and Volvo (314/43) to complete the top five rankings. Mercedes-Benz (220/35) moves ahead of sister brands DAF (218/20) and Kenworth (217/23) into sixth position. Iveco (187/24), UD (161/18) and Foton (114/13) hold their positions month-on-month to round out the top-10 in the 4.5t to max category. In the 3.5-4.5t GVM crossover segment, Fiat (239/26) extended its

lead over LDV (186/25), Ford (134/11) and Mercedes-Benz (100/9). The top 4 brands account for an 81.0% share of this market segment. In the 4.5-7.5t GVM division, the top four held their places, with Isuzu (280/18) leading Fuso (245/6), Mercedes-Benz (128/31) and Hino (101/14) In the 7.5-15t GVM segment, Isuzu (335/25) holds a dominant lead over Fuso (243/24) while Hino (129/18) remains in third. Hino (67/5) continues to lead in the 15-20.5t GVM division with Isuzu (51/3) and Fuso (51/4) now tied in second ahead of UD (28/2), Iveco (13/2) and Scania (10/1) to complete the top six. The tiny 20.5-23t segment produced four registrations during September. Scania (9/1) continues to hold the top spot ahead of Fuso (5/1) in second followed by Isuzu (3/1), Sinotruk (2/0), Iveco (1/0), Hino (1/0) and Mercedes-Benz (1/1). The premium 23t to maximum GVM division sees Scania (475/51) continuing to achieve strong sales. Scania’s 51 registrations ranks it number one for September and lifts its YTD total to 475 units, representing a 23.0% share of the market. Volvo (312/43) retains second while Kenworth (217/23) edges ahead of DAF (216/20) into fourth. Fuso (167/20), Isuzu (151/17), UD (127/16), Mercedes-Benz (78/3) and Iveco (46/5) all retain their positions – rounding out the top 10 brands. Trailer market leader Fruehauf (160/13) remains in the top spot YTD ahead of Domett (110/4) and Roadmaster (93/3). Transport Trailers (75/9) and TMC (72/8) both managed to sneak ahead of Patchell (70/3). MTE (53/3), Fairfax (38/3) Transfleet (37/2), and CWS (31/2) retain their positions to complete the top 10. Truck & Driver | 93

4501kg-max GVM Brand ISUZU FUSO SCANIA HINO VOLVO MERCEDES-BENZ DAF KENWORTH IVECO UD FOTON HYUNDAI VOLKSWAGEN MAN SINOTRUK MACK INTERNATIONAL FIAT SHACMAN DENNIS EAGLE FREIGHTLINER BUSHMASTER JAC WESTERN STAR KAHU EV OTHER Total

Vol 820 711 494 438 314 220 218 217 187 161 114 66 43 42 35 26 19 17 11 7 6 6 5 5 2 10 4194

2024

% 19.6 17.0 11.8 10.4 7.5 5.2 5.2 5.2 4.5 3.8 2.7 1.6 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 100

3501-4500kg GVM Brand FIAT LDV FORD MERCEDES-BENZ VOLKSWAGEN IVECO RAM RENAULT CHEVROLET ISUZU OTHER Total

Vol 239 186 134 100 62 50 28 10 3 1 1 814

2024

% 29.4 22.9 16.5 12.3 7.6 6.1 3.4 1.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 100

4501-7500kg GVM Brand ISUZU FUSO MERCEDES-BENZ HINO IVECO FOTON HYUNDAI VOLKSWAGEN FIAT RAM JAC Total 94 | Truck & Driver

Vol 280 245 128 101 97 67 52 43 17 9 5 1044

2024

% 26.8 23.5 12.3 9.7 9.3 6.4 5.0 4.1 1.6 0.9 0.5 100.0

September Vol % 64 15.1 58 13.6 53 12.5 50 11.8 43 10.1 35 8.2 20 4.7 23 5.4 24 5.6 18 4.2 13 3.1 9 2.1 3 0.7 3 0.7 3 0.7 2 0.5 1 0.2 0.2 1 0.2 1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.2 0 0.0 425 100

September Vol % 26 25.0 25 24.0 11 10.6 9 8.7 6 5.8 21 20.2 3 2.9 3 2.9 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 100 104

September Vol % 18 18.8 6 6.3 31 32.3 14 14.6 12 12.5 5 5.2 6 6.3 3 3.1 1 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 96 100

23,001kg-max GVM

Automotive parts distribution between Auckland and Palmerston North is the role for the new Stealth Logistics UD Quon CW26-400AS. The 6x4 Quon has a Fruehaufbuilt 16-pallet body fitted with StructurFlex curtains. The 11-litre GH11 engine is paired with an Escot VI 12-speed AMT along with 8-airbag rear suspension and disc brakes. TCC Solutions applied the signage.

7501-15,000kg GVM Brand ISUZU FUSO HINO FOTON IVECO HYUNDAI SHACMAN UD TRUCKS MERCEDES-BENZ MAN KAHU Total

Vol 335 243 129 47 30 14 8 6 5 1 1 819

2024

% 40.9 29.7 15.8 5.7 3.7 1.7 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.1 100

September Vol % 25 29.1 27 31.4 18 20.9 8 9.3 5 5.8 3 3.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 86 100

15,001-20,500kg GVM Brand HINO ISUZU FUSO UD IVECO SCANIA MERCEDES-BENZ BUSHMASTER VOLVO DAF MAN Total

Vol 67 51 51 28 13 10 8 6 2 2 2 240

2024

% 27.9 21.3 21.3 11.7 5.4 4.2 3.3 2.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 100

September Vol % 5 27.8 3 16.7 4 22.2 2 11.1 11.1 2 1 5.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 5.6 18 100

20,501-23,000kg GVM Brand SCANIA FUSO ISUZU SINOTRUK IVECO HINO MERCEDES-BENZ Total

Vol 9 5 3 2 1 1 1 22

2024

% 40.9 22.7 13.6 9.1 4.5 4.5 4.5 100

September Vol % 25.0 1 1 25.0 1 25.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 25.0 4 100

Brand SCANIA VOLVO KENWORTH DAF FUSO ISUZU HINO UD MERCEDES-BENZ IVECO MAN SINOTRUK MACK INTERNATIONAL DENNIS EAGLE FREIGHTLINER WESTERN STAR SHACMAN OTHER Total

Vol 475 312 217 216 167 151 140 127 78 46 39 33 26 19 7 6 5 3 2 2069

2024

% 23.0 15.1 10.5 10.4 8.1 7.3 6.8 6.1 3.8 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.3 0.9 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 100

Trailers Vol Brand FRUEHAUF 160 110 DOMETT ROADMASTER 93 TRANSPORT TRAILERS 75 TMC 72 PATCHELL 70 M.T.E. 53 FAIRFAX 38 TRANSFLEET 37 31 CWS JACKSON 28 28 TES FREIGHTER 27 LOWES 25 HAMMAR 20 MILLS-TUI 17 TANKER 16 EVANS 13 11 KRAFT LUSK 11 MTC EQUIPMENT 9 STEELBRO 9 TRT 9 PTE 8 SEC 7 WARREN 6 MD ENGINEERING 6 LOHR 5 FELDBINDER 5 COWAN 5 WHITE 5 KOROMIKO 4 SDC 4 TEO 3 OTHER 103 Total 1123

2024

% 14.2 9.8 8.3 6.7 6.4 6.2 4.7 3.4 3.3 2.8 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 9.2 100

September Vol % 51 23.1 43 19.5 23 10.4 20 9.0 20 9.0 17 7.7 13 5.9 16 7.2 3 1.4 5 2.3 2 0.9 3 1.4 2 0.9 1 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.5 1 0.5 221 100

September Vol % 13 15.7 4 4.8 3 3.6 9 10.8 8 9.6 3 3.6 3 3.6 3 3.6 2 2.4 2.4 2 1 1.2 3.6 3 2.4 2 5 6.0 1 1.2 3 3.6 1 1.2 2 2.4 0 0.0 1 1.2 0 0.0 1 1.2 1 1.2 1.2 1 0 0.0 1 1.2 1 1.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 1.2 1 1.2 0 0.0 1 1.2 0 0.0 6 7.2 83 100

A new Kenworth T659 for Tipene and Lynsey Rangi (T&L Partnership) is carting logs for Pan Pac in Hawke’s Bay. The 8x4 Day Cab has a 620hp Cummins X15 (Euro 5), Eaton Roadranger RTLO20198B 18-speed manual, Meritor MT21-165GP rear end with dual axle locks and 4.56:1 ratio, Hendrickson Primax PAX462 air suspension, disc brakes and Big Foot CTI. The specification includes gold gauges, polished alloy bullbar, Durabright alloys, offset front rims, fridge in centre console, air seats package, hands free phone in touchscreen radio with MP3 player, wood dash panels, and air conditioning. Factory paint, drop visor painted in cab colour, stainless extras to cab with twin exhausts and intakes, 7-inch exhaust stacks are included in the specification. The T659 has Patchell logging gear and tows a 4-axle Patchell trailer with air suspension, alloy wheels, and scales. Cab graphics by Darryn Caulfield at Caulfield Signs in Rotorua and sold by Mark O’Hara.

A second new Scania P 450 B4x4HZ has joined the Elsworth Fertiliser Spreading fleet at Reporoa. A 13-litre 450hp DC13 engine, Opticruise GRS905 12-speed with clutch on demand transmission, RP835 rear axle, parabolic leaf suspension front and rear and drum brakes feature on the specification list. The XT-spec P 450 is fitted with a new McMaster fertiliser bin, V3 electronics, TracMap, Bigfoot CTI, TRS wide wheels, RVE leather interior, and Broshmik stone guard. Signwriting by Caulfield Signs Rotorua and sold by Callan Short.

Mt Maunganui’s McFall Fuels has a new Volvo FH 16 600 fuel tanker working in the Bay of Plenty region. The 8x4 rigid with 600hp 16-litre engine and 12-speed I-Shift transmission is being driven by Hayden Holmberg and was sold by Blair Stapleton at MTD Trucks.

Truck & Driver | 95

The new flagship for Dibble Transport (1997) Ltd is a Kenworth T909 with 28-inch integrated sleeper cab. The truck was 18 months in the making with a specification selected by managing director Mitchell Stamp. Driven by Greg “Chops” Russo, the T909 travels the central North Island with the occasional trip to the South Island. The drivetrain includes a 600.615hp Cummins X15, Eaton RTLO 20918b 18-speed Roadranger, Meritor 46-160 rear axles with full X-locks and 4.3:1 ratio, Meritor MFS73 front axle and Airglide 460 rear suspension. The cab and chassis are factory painted in Dibble Blue and the exterior features include twin 420-litre fuel tanks, matching 170-litre hydraulic oil and AdBlue tanks, stainless sun visor, fuel tank trims, lower bumper lip, air cleaner and light bar. The cab offers a refrigerator, dual ISRI 6860/870 air ride leather trimmed seats, and crimson trim. Transport Trailers built the 5000mm alloy bin and 7700mm 5-axle trailer. Sold by Adam McIntosh.

A new Western Star 4884 FXC 8x4 tractor unit is on cement tanker duty for Cromwell’s Brian McNulty. A 560hp Detroit DD15 and Eaton RTLO-20918B gearbox have been specified for the Day Cab with a Meritor RT46-160GP rear end, 4.30:1 ratio and Airliner AL46K rear suspension. Custom Trucks completed the tractor set-up. Sold by Owen Humphries.

96 | Truck & Driver

Napier’s Sandford Transport has a new DAF CF 530 6x4 in its familiar blue and orange colours for bulk tipper work around the lower North Island. It’s the second new DAF for driver Dave Sutherland (pictured) who has worked for Sandfords for about 10 years. The Paccar MX13 with 530hp drives to a TraXon 16-speed AMT and features include disc brakes, full safety package with advanced emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and B-pillar blind spot camera system. A heated driver’s seat and fridge provide a touch of luxury in the sleeper cab. The DAF has a Transfleet alloy tip bin painted metallic silver and tows a matching refurbished 4-axle trailer. Sold by Adam McIntosh.

BENEFACTORS

TD33501

18th JANUARY 2025 Bombay Rugby Club

POWER IS NOTHING WITHOUT CONTROL

M. 0277 696 179

E. ropeworxnz@xtra.co.nz

NZ DISTRIBUTOR

Five new Volvos are working in the North Island for Big Chill Distribution. The TR Group units include a trio of FH 540 trucks and a pair of FM 500 tractor units with 13-litre engines (540hp/2600Nm and 500hp/2500Nm) and dual clutch Volvo I-Shift 12 speed AMTs. The specification includes 8-airbag rear suspension, disc brakes, Volvo advanced safety suite with LCS LKA, DAS, ACC, EBA, and passenger side view camera. The Volvos work with Fairfax bodies and trailers equipped with Transcold refrigeration units. Raymond Artist Signs did the signwriting. Sold by Blair Stapleton.

Micah Luxford at Matamata’s Luxford Earthworks is the owner and driver of this new UD Quon GW26 460 tipper. A 460hp GH11 engine with 2250Nm of torque powers the 6x4 which has the ESCOT-VI 12-speed AMT, Meritor rear axles and safety pack including ABS/EBS, Traffic Eye Brake and Cruise Control System with Auto Stop, Lane Departure Warning System, Electronic Stability Control, Automatic Hill Start Assist, Smart Blind Spot Information (BSIS) and Smart Lane Change Support (LCS). The charcoal painted tipper bin is by Cambridge Welding Services and extras include an Ali Arc front bumper, Airplex sun visor and stone guard, and ISRI air auspension drivers seat. Sold by Nigel McFadyen.

98 | Truck & Driver

Te Rapa-based GT Freighters owned by Grant and Debbie Tracey have put a new Kenworth K200 8x4 2.3 Aerodyne sleeper on the road. Euro V Cummins X15 600.615hp performance teams with an Eaton FO-20E318B-MXP Ultrashift Plus transmission. Meritor dual MSF66-122 drum braked front axles are fitted with Meritor MT21-165GP axles in the rear with dual diff locks and Airglide 460 rear air suspension. Interior features include tinted door windows, touchscreen audio, UHF and CB radio, factory fitted 30-litre fridge, and gold bezel VDO gauges. Extras on the exterior include left- and right-hand side sleeper doors, slimline twin air intakes, Dura-bright outer wheels, Michelin tyres, slimline cab extenders, and LED lighting. The truck and curtain graphics on the Roadmaster body and 5-axle trailer are by Truck Signs Mount Maunganui with the cab and visor painted by Fleet Image Te Awamutu. Sold by Tim Finlay.

Northern Linehaul’s new Scania S 770 A6x4NA is carting interisland general freight for the Taupo-based company. The tractor unit tows a mix of quad reefers and 6-axle B-trains in both curtain and flat deck set-ups. A 770hp Euro 6 DC16 drives to an Opticruise GRSO926R 12-speed AMT with 4100D retarder, and RB735 hub reduction rear end. Suspension is by springs at the front and air at the rear with ABS/EBS disc brakes and safety package including adaptive cruise and lane departure warning. Features include scales, leather trim, fridge, Dura-bright alloys, drop visor, Euro-style stone guard, light bar with spot lamps, coffee machine and microwave. Sold by Callan Short.

Austin Transport’s new Kenworth K200 is an 8x4 2.3m Aerodyne sleeper with Fruehauf curtainsider body and 5-axle trailer for general and fruit cartage in Hawke’s Bay. It’s powered by a 620hp Cummins X15 with Eaton Roadranger RTLO20198B manual 18- speed transmission. Meritor MT21-165GP diffs have dual axle locks and a 4.10:1 ratio with Airglide 460 8-bag air suspension. Extras include crimson trim, gold gauges, polished alloy Kentweld bumper, Dura-bright alloys, offset front rims, fridge under bunk, air seats package, wood dash panels, and air conditioning. Styling touches include a stainless drop visor, stainless twin intakes, grille bars, and roof kit with extra lights. Cab graphics by Darryn Caulfield at Caulfield Signs in Rotorua. Sold by Mark O’Hara. Truck & Driver | 99

TRANSPORT, DIESEL & MARINE

THE RIGHT PARTS…THE RIGHT PRICES…RIGHT HERE! CAB COMPONENTS - Panel Parts - Mirrors - Glass - Bumpers

DRIVELINE PARTS

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ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Headlamps - Tail Lamps - Starter Motors

- Alternators - Sensors - Switches

ENGINE KITS - Filtration - Turbo’s - Injectors - Hoses - Cooling systems - EGR parts - DPD parts

- Disc Pads - Rotors - Drums - Valves - Linings - Seals - Studs & nuts - Gaskets - Speed sensors - ABS pulse rings - Hub caps - Brake shoes - Brake hardware kits

SUSPENSION

TRANSMISSION - Overhaul Kits - Roadranger - ZF Parts - Filters

HUB & BRAKE COMPONENTS

- Gaskets - Seals - Counter shaft brakes

CLUTCH KITS - Spicer - OEM - Pedal Shafts

- Forks - Clutch brakes

- Air Bags - Springs - Shock Absorbers - Pins & Bushes - Sensors - Valves - Torque rods & bushes

SUPPORTING ALL YOUR TRUCKING NEEDS

AUTO AIR CONDITIONING

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MECHANICAL SERVICE & REPAIRS

AVAILABLE AT OUR PENROSE & PAPAKURA LOCATIONS EG33893

Ph: 0800 501 133 www.tdm.co.nz

Specials valid while stocks last.

8 Prescott Street, Penrose, Auckland Email: ray@tdm.co.nz | john@tdm.co.nz

KE TS

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY CrediFlex is built on credibility, flexibility, honesty, and integrity. Our Financial Advisers put the right solutions in place to help you grow your business. It’s not about saying yes or no, it’s about understanding what you need and how to deliver the best result for you. CrediFlex partners are nationwide, allowing us to get in and get it done, no matter where you are.

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EG34731

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crediflex.co.nz

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Smarter Sampa Solutions TRT are New Zealand agents for Sampa

Sampa manufactures longer-lasting, highly durable spare parts with unique designs for the aftermarket, suitable for European and American style heavy duty trucks and trailers since 1950. We carry aftermarket parts to keep you on the road.

Service Exchange Transmissions SAVE TIME AND GET BACK ON THE ROAD FASTER WITH REMANNED UNITS! TRT’s service exchange program is designed to save time and get a truck back on the road faster and more economically. We take your old worn or damaged transmission and send you a quality remanufactured product from our stock. We offer a wide range of service exchange units, with the option to exchange for either remanned or new.

TD34700

We stand behind our quality workmanship and offer a 12-month warranty* on all service exchange units. Talk to your TRT rep today. *Contact us for terms and conditions

CALL US TODAY TO TALK WITH OUR PARTS TEAM PH: 0800 452 155 www.trt.co.nz

THURSDAY 20th – SATURDAY 22nd MARCH 2025, TD34700

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EG31450

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LET OUR PROVEN, FULL SERVICE SOLUTION TURN YOUR IDLE INVENTORY INTO CASH....

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Talk to our team today HAYDEN WOOLSTON M: 027 448 8768 E: HAYDEN@TRUCKER.CO.NZ

0800 856 700 (09) 8186 287 sales@hoisthydraulics.net

EG30643

WHEN YOU NEED A REPLACEMENT HOIST it pays to ring Hoist Hydraulics

6860/875 PRO

6860/875

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OEM SEATS AND CERTIFIED BRACKETS AND HARDWARE TO WORK FOR ALL BRANDS!! HINO, ISUZU, FREIGHTLINER, MERCEDES, KENWORTH, UD NISSAN, DAF AND MORE...

104 | Truck & Driver

WHEEL SEALS WHEEL WHEEL WHEELSEALS SEALS SEALS Four outside diameter seal points to ensure Four Four outside Four outside outside diameter diameter diameter sealseal points seal points points to ensure to ensure to ensure Four outside diameter seal points to ensure Unique multi-zone labyrinth design provides the best protection andlabyrinth thedesign lowest friction Unique Unique Unique multi-zone multi-zone multi-zone labyrinth labyrinth design design provides provides provides multi-zone design provides theUnique the best the best protection best protection protection andlabyrinth and the and the lowest the lowest lowest friction friction friction the best protection and the lowest friction

Roadranger Rebuilt and or Factory New + Spicer Clutch to suit – $POA Rubber front face protects from brake heat Rubber Rubber Rubber front front face front face protects face protects protects from from brake from brake brake heat heat heat Rubber front face protects from brake heat reduces run-in period, reduces required torque andreduces keeps the seal cool from therequired outset reduces reduces run-in run-in run-in period, period, period, reduces reduces reduces required required torque torque torque run-in period, reduces required torque andreduces and keeps and keeps keeps the the seal the seal cool seal cool from cool from the from the outset the outset outset and the seal cool from theprevents outset Largekeeps crumple zone/safety gap internal damage Large Large Large crumple crumple crumple zone/safety zone/safety zone/safety gapgap prevents gap prevents prevents Large crumple zone/safety gap prevents internal internal damage damage damage 2ND HAND internal internal damage Wide inside diameter with three rubber-ribbed points toinside ensure proper sealing capability Rebuilt Wide Wide inside Wide inside diameter diameter diameter with with three with three rubber-ribbed three rubber-ribbed rubber-ribbed Wide diameter with three rubber-ribbed points points toinside ensure to ensure to ensure proper proper proper sealing sealing sealing capability capability capability Rebuilt points points to ensure proper sealing capability

Core Change may apply RTLO14918 RTLO16919 RTLO18918 RTLO20918

Rebuilt RTLO18918AS3 FO-18E318BMXP Rebuilt FO-20E318BMSP Rebuilt Factory New & RebuiltSEAL RANGE MERITOR WHEEL MERITOR MERITOR MERITOR WHEEL WHEEL WHEEL SEAL SEAL RANGE RANGE RANGE RTLO22918 WHEEL RebuiltSEAL MERITOR SEAL RANGE SKF Part No. INDUSTRY CODE E-BARRIER RTLO18918AS3 Rebuilt CLASSIC SKF SKF SKF Part Part No. Part No.No. INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY CODE CODE CODEE-BARRIER E-BARRIER E-BARRIER Part No. INDUSTRY CODE E-BARRIER

MER0113 MER0113 MER0113 MER0113 MER0113 MER0123 MER0123 MER0123 MER0123 MER0123 MER0136 MER0136 MER0136 MER0136 MER0136 MER0143 MER0143 MER0143 MER0143 MER0143 MER0164 MER0164 MER0164 MER0164 MER0164 MER0173 MER0173 MER0173 MER0173 MER0173

40136 40136 40136 40136 40136 42623 42623 42623 42623 42623 35066 35066 35066 35066 35066 46305 46305 46305 46305 46305 43764 43764 43764 43764 43764 47697 47697 47697 47697 47697

708 708708708 708 701 701701701 701 704 704704704 704 702 702702702 702 705 705705705 705 709 709709709 709

MER0213 MER0213 MER0213 MER0213 MER0213 MER0223 MER0223 MER0223 MER0223 MER0223 MER0236 MER0236 MER0236 MER0236 MER0236 MER0264 MER0264 MER0264 MER0264 MER0264 MER0273 MER0273 MER0273 MER0273 MER0273

40129 40129 40129 40129 40129 42627 42627 42627 42627 42627 35058 35058 35058 35058 35058 43761 43761 43761 43761 43761 47692 47692 47692 47692 47692

808 808808808 808 801 801801801 801 804 804804804 804 805 805805805 805 809 809809809 809

Part No. INDUSTRY CODE E-BARRIER Part Part No. Part No.No. INDUSTRY INDUSTRY INDUSTRY CODE CODE CODEE-BARRIER E-BARRIER E-BARRIER Part No. INDUSTRY CODE E-BARRIER

EASY-FIT & TOUGH DESIGN FOR SUPERIOR EASY-FIT EASY-FIT EASY-FIT && &TOUGH TOUGH DESIGN DESIGN DESIGN FOR FOR FOR SUPERIOR SUPERIOR SUPERIOR PROTECTION & OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE. EASY-FIT &TOUGH TOUGH DESIGN FOR SUPERIOR PROTECTION PROTECTION PROTECTION & & OPTIMUM & OPTIMUM OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE. PERFORMANCE. PERFORMANCE. PROTECTION & OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE.

STEMCO NATIONAL 37 VOYAGER STEMCO STEMCO STEMCO NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL 37 37 37 SKF STEMCO CLASSIC CLASSIC CLASSIC VOYAGER VOYAGER VOYAGER NATIONAL 37 CLASSIC VOYAGER 40136 370036A 373-0113 40136 40136 40136 40136 42623 42623 42623 42623 42623 35066 35066 35066 35066 35066 46305 46305 46305 46305 46305 437643 437643 437643 437643 437643 47697 47697 47697 47697 47697 SKF

370036A 370036A 370036A 370036A 370065A 370065A 370065A 370065A 370065A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370025A 370025A 370025A 370025A 370025A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370048A 370003A 370003A 370003A 370003A 370003A NATIONAL

373-0113 373-0113 373-0113 373-0113 373-0123 373-0123 373-0123 373-0123 373-0123 383-0136 383-0136 383-0136 383-0136 383-0136 373-0143 373-0143 373-0143 373-0143 373-0143 383-0164 383-0164 383-0164 383-0164 383-0164 393-0173 393-0173 393-0173 393-0173 393-0173 STEMCO

APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION

TRAILER - STANDARD FORGE, DANA TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER - STANDARD - STANDARD - STANDARD FORGE, FORGE, FORGE, DANA DANA DANA TRAILER - STANDARD FORGE, DANA TRAILER - FRUEHAUF PROPAR TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER - FRUEHAUF - FRUEHAUF - FRUEHAUF PROPAR PROPAR PROPAR TRAILER PROPAR STEER -- FRUEHAUF MERITOR, EATON STEER STEER STEER - MERITOR, - MERITOR, - MERITOR, EATON EATON EATON - MERITOR, EATON TRAILERSTEER - MERITOR GENERAL PURPOSE TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER - MERITOR - MERITOR - MERITOR GENERAL GENERAL GENERAL PURPOSE PURPOSE PURPOSE TRAILER MERITOR GENERAL STEER - MERITOR FL941 -PURPOSE MFS STEER STEER STEER - MERITOR - MERITOR - MERITOR FL941 FL941 FL941 - MFS - MFS - MFS STEER - MERITOR FL941 - MFS DRIVE - MERITOR, DANA DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE - MERITOR, - MERITOR, - MERITOR, DANA DANA DANA DRIVE - MERITOR, DANA

APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION APPLICATION

Factory New EATON FS-8309A Transmission – ONE ONLY. Needs to be moved, Priced to sell. PLUS XL SKF SKF SKF SKF PLUS PLUS PLUS XLXLXL PLUS XL 40129 40129 40129 40129 40129 42627 42627 42627 42627 42627 35058 35058 35058 35058 35058 43761 43761 43761 43761 43761 47692 47692 47692 47692 47692

5NATIONAL STAR NATIONAL NATIONAL 5NATIONAL STAR 5 STAR 5 STAR 5 STAR 380036A 380036A 380036A 380036A 380036A 380065A 380065A 380065A 380065A 380065A 380001A 380001A 380001A 380001A 380001A 380048A 380048A 380048A 380048A 380048A 380003A 380003A 380003A 380003A 380003A

DISCOVER STEMCO STEMCO STEMCO STEMCO DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER 373-0213

TRAILER - STANDARD FORGE, DANA 373-0213 373-0213 373-0213 TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER - STANDARD - STANDARD - STANDARD FORGE, FORGE, FORGE, DANA DANA DANA 373-0213 TRAILER - STANDARD FORGE, DANA 373-0223 TRAILER - FRUEHAUF PROPAR 373-0223 373-0223 373-0223 TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER - FRUEHAUF - FRUEHAUF - FRUEHAUF PROPAR PROPAR PROPAR 373-0223 TRAILER PROPAR 383-0236 STEER -- FRUEHAUF MERITOR, EATON 383-0236 383-0236 383-0236 STEER STEER STEER - MERITOR, - MERITOR, - MERITOR, EATON EATON EATON 383-0236 STEER - MERITOR, EATON 383-0264 STEER - MERITOR FL941 - MFS 383-0264 383-0264 383-0264 STEER STEER STEER - MERITOR - MERITOR - MERITOR FL941 FL941 FL941 - MFS - MFS - MFS 383-0264 STEER - MERITOR FL941 -UNITISED MFS 393-0273 DRIVE - MERITOR, DANA, K-HITCH AXLE 393-0273 393-0273 393-0273 DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE - MERITOR, - MERITOR, - MERITOR, DANA, DANA, DANA, K-HITCH K-HITCH K-HITCH UNITISED UNITISED UNITISED AXLE AXLE AXLE 393-0273 DRIVE - MERITOR, DANA, K-HITCH UNITISED AXLE

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