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Agspread Haulage Co – 25th Anniversary
Profile: Agspread Haulage C0 - 25th Anniversary
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When John Branchi began his agricultural spreading business — Agspread — 25 years ago, little did he know how large and diverse his business would become.
By Russell McKinnon
Agspread Haulage Co support Australian manufacturing and have recently taken delivery from Vawdrey Australia of a 36.5 metre Flat Deck B-Triple combination, two x 14 Pallet A Trailers, and one x 22 Pallet B Trailer running on Hendrickson Intraxx and Alcoa Aluminium Rims as well as a specialised set of DG Rated trailers
With wife Vicki by his side and two young sons — Travis and Aron — he grew his Southwest-based business to the stage where his sons would take over and eventually steer a different path — hauling bulk materials throughout Western Australia and interstate, for the mining, civil and agricultural sectors.
The South-west is a busy pocket of the State with many large operators, but Agspread has gained a justifiable reputation as an industry leader, delivering on time and with a cost-effective solution.
By offering a professional service — based on strong performance and safety/ compliance — Agspread has been able to grow and expand the business, offering a wide range of specialised logistics services for its large clientele.
The name Agspread encompassed the business of years gone by, supplying agricultural spreading solutions to the South-west and Wheatbelt. The move into bulk haulage supported the business model and growth of its operations, eventually
As Australia’s largest independent family-owned trailer manufacturer with 47 years in operation in Dandenong Melbourne, Vawdrey Australia is Proud to be partnering with Agspread Holdings Pty Ltd supply chain & 25 years in business. A Special Congratulations to Travis & Aron Branchi & staff with your 25 years in business servicing Western Australia & other states. Vawdrey Australia has recently delivered to Agspread Holdings Pty Ltd a 36.5 metre Flat Deck B-Triple combination, Two (2) x 14 Pallet A Trailers & One (1) x 22 Pallet B Trailer running on Hendrickson Intraxx & Alcoa Aluminium Rims, a specialised set of DG Rated trailers & with Vawdrey service centres based in every state, Agspread Holdings Pty Ltd can be assured of full back up & support Australia-wide.
moving away from contract spreading, but with the transport of such a diverse range of products, the name can sometimes confuse customers.
“Our name and the colours of our brand are something we are deeply proud of. Our clients know what Agspread stands for and the quality of service that it entails, in whatever industry we work in,” Travis says.
Travis and Aron are now the directors of the company with Travis spearheading the push for bulk haulage in 2005. Parents John and Vicki happily handed over the reins to the company about 10 years ago. With more than 45 years of experience in the transport industry between them, the company is in good hands, and continues to go from strength to strength.
“We started as kids in the business. I began in 1995 driving agricultural spreaders and Aron entered the company in 2000, running the agricultural side of the business and today he looks after the dayto-day operations of the entire business,” Travis says.
While Travis drives the business development and maintaining strong relationships with clients, Aron also assists with business development and tends to the fleet’s performance among his many tasks.
The change in the business model in 2005 allowed the company to supply bulk haulage to the agricultural and mining industries, including specialised dangerous goods throughout Australia.
The first prime mover came in 2005 and the inventory now contains 30 prime movers and 160 trailers, including specialised tankers.
“We still have clientele from 25 years ago, which we provide a seasonal service for, and are extremely grateful for their continued support. Even if our services have expanded, our agricultural roots still play a big part of our identity,” Travis says.
Helping celebrate the quarter-century of business operations will be the arrival of the 25th Volvo truck. Four are coming in the latter part of the year to replace the last of the different-branded trucks.
With the industry heading toward Volvo as a key component, Agspread said that shifting its entire fleet to Volvo was a “no-brainer”.
“Their reputation in the industry
is second to none. Not only are they safe, innovative and reliable, the service provided is outstanding,” Aron says. “We look forward to continue working with Volvo/Truck Centre in the future as our preferred prime-mover supplier.”
Another key component of any successful transport company is their trailer fleet and Agspread put their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting Australian manufacturers. Agspread has recently purchased another brand new set of flat top trailers from Vawdrey Trailers as they increase their fleet due to new contracts across WA.
“We are pleased to be using Vawdrey again as our supplier and manufacturer of our Flat Bed Trailers. Their manufacturing quality and price has seen us purchase 18 trailers over the years.”
The Covid-19 crisis has had limited impact on the mining sector and Agspread has found the period to be one of the busiest on record.
Business manager Callum Yates says: “With the industries we service, we have been fortunate that the sector has continued at a rapid pace during the .../ continued on p21
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.../ continued from p18 current pandemic. The last six to eight months have been the busiest period in the company’s history, and it’s enabled us to expand our current clientele and our existing contracts.”
Callum has been in the transport industry for more than 15 years and previously was operations manager before undertaking a role as business manager through recent expansion and growth. His forté is business strategy, compliance management and project management.
Agspread has expanded its operations to include depots in Kalgoorlie and Kwinana, giving it greater scope as the company provides specialised logistics services throughout the Goldfields, Pilbara and throughout South Australia.
The viability, integrity and performance of the company has seen staff retention become a cornerstone of day-to-day activities.
Agspread employs 30 drivers/operators in its current fleet, all with a high level of experience. Each driver has relevant licences for the industry and Agspread provides ongoing training and support to improve their operational skills.
Agspread has always operated a fully staffed workshop, heavy-vehicle workshop from its depot in Australind and workshop manager Martin Visser has been in the role for the past 13 years. He leads an experienced team of seven mechanics, who ensure a high level of workmanship and compliance.
Included in the staff of 45 are Travis’ wife Nicole (accounts manager) and
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Aron’s wife Theresa (compliance manager). Also, Travis’ motherin-law Debbie Carroll (financial controller) rounds out the family connection at the Australind head office. Debbie has been managing the finances for more than 10 years. Mum Vicki has retired as a director, but still has a keen interest in the business.
The increase in administrative staff has seen the need for a new head office. The new space has grown from the three-person office into what is now space for 20 staff, giving the company room for the facilities needed to run and maintain its ever-growing fleet and workforce.
Agspread’s capabilities are not just confined to bulk haulage, but also to material cartage, truck and plant hire and the supply of bulk materials. Cartage includes lime, fertiliser, ballast, grain, iron ore,
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Agspread can operate in semi, double, triple and quad configurations, all with GPS tracking, and dedicated equipment to avoid contamination. The full range of truck-trailers includes end tippers, side tippers, flat beds, drop decks, skels, ISO-tainers, DG tankers, water tankers.
Agspread has a band of loyal and dedicated suppliers, some of which have been with the company from the very beginning. Their continuing quality of on-time and cost-effective products and services allows Agspread to provide the quality of service its own customers have become accustomed to.
“We try and keep it local wherever possible. We can’t do what we do without our suppliers and service contractors,” says Callum. “We don’t run a 9-5 business, which our suppliers understand.
“From Swan Towing keeping our trucks moving at times of need, through to Mason Signs and the brilliant work they do in .../ continued on p24
design and branding of our equipment, we thank all our suppliers including Hosepro South West, South West Oil, Jamieson and BHR Papalia, and everyone else, for the past 25 years and look forward to continuing these relationships for many years to come.”
With the first 25 years now behind Agspread, it’s now time to focus on the next quarter century.
www.agspread.com.au | T: 08 9797 2439
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