ISSUE No.4 SUMMER 2007/08
Boom Town How the west is being won
Flying High Sargent and Hino
Testing Times The new 700 gets Australian-ised
2 | Torque | AUTUMN 2007
Inside Line What a fantastic year 2007 has been for Hino! Customers have welcomed 15 per cent more new Hino trucks into their businesses than ever before, and by the end of the year Hino Australia will have delivered 6000 new Hinos. It is a remarkable result that is testament to all the hard work put in by our growing and committed network of dealers. However, this must sound pretty boring for our customers – why should they care if Hino sells more trucks? The fact is that the increasing number of new Hinos being delivered in Australia works in the customer’s favour in a number of ways. Firstly, the more Hinos that are sold,
the more investment that Hino and its dealers will make in the back-end of the business. We need to ensure that Hino’s level of after-sales service is continually improving – even though the number of Hino trucks on the road is rapidly rising. Secondly, more Hinos on the road means that Hino is a tried and trusted brand that you as a customer can be proud to own and include in your fleet. And, most importantly, the more Hinos we sell in Australia the greater role this country plays in Hino’s global plan. Hino recently sent a team of engineers to Australia to drive a developmental Hino 700 prime mover 12,000 kilometres around the country.
The drive began in Sydney before moving on to far north Queensland, Darwin and Alice Springs, then headed west to Perth and the finish line at WA Hino. The evaluation represented a huge coup for Hino Australia, with the test being a rare developmental activity for Hino anywhere outside Japan. The purpose of the trip was to accurately gauge the revisions and developments needed to help tailor the 700 to Australia’s unique conditions. A handful of trucking journalists drove the truck in Western Australia, and left raving about its performance. The trip ultimately proved a resounding success, and it all points towards a successful launch of the new
Hino 700 in the new year. Turn to page 10 to find out more about the journey. Speaking of the new year, it should prove to be another massive one for Hino with the 500 medium and 700 heavy-duty range, a new 300 Hybrid model, and new bus products all due to arrive over the next 12 months. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Hino’s customers and staff all the very best for Christmas and the new year. Thank you for a successful 2007 and I’ll see you next year for an even more successful 2008. Steve Lotter Chief Operating Officer Hino Motor Sales Australia
Hino Australia COO Steve Lotter (third from left) celebrates the success of the Hino 700 development drive with the team of engineers.
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The ASV – Hino’s heavy duty concept truck – showcases a range of advanced safety features.
Star attractions at the Tokyo Motor Show
Hino revealed concepts at the prestigious Tokyo Motor Show in October that point to the potential future of the coach and heavy commercial vehicle industry. The emphasis was mainly on the environment and safety, and included: • a business-class coach • a clean diesel system which surpasses long-term emissions regulations • significant upgrades in cabin ergonomics • increases in driver visibility to the benefit of both occupants and other road users Hino’s heavy duty safety concept truck ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) contains features which are production-capable. Several have been adapted from premium passenger car technology, and can be introduced into the commercial vehicle market with significantly reduced lead time. 4 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08
ASV features include: • A Panoramic View Assist system which uses cameras positioned around the vehicle to capture side and rear vision and project it on to a monitor above the driver’s head. It is a significant development on the rear-view camera which is finding increasing favour, especially in SUV applications. • An infra-red camera which captures and enhances images of pedestrians and obstacles in low light. The vision is also projected on to the monitor in the driver’s field of view. • Newly developed rear-view mirrors which assist visibility at high speeds and when turning right and left. • An adaptive front lighting system which in effect allows the driver of the vehicle to see better around corners. The system reacts to steering input and allows the primary lights to move with the direction of travel either at intersections or on bends.
The system is now used on top-of-theline Lexus models. • Most importantly, inside the cabin an Integrated Operation Touch panel places all ancillary controls on one panel. The improvement in driver attention and reduction in fatigue promoted by ASV features is considered to be significant. Another standout exhibit was the Hino Selega Premium luxury touring coach. The concept coach emulates the latest trends in airline configuration and specification – accentuating quality rather than quantity. It is being promoted as a ‘first class’ touring coach. It has two leather seats per row to accommodate a substantially smaller number of passengers in far greater comfort than previous models. The seats have a large reclining angle and are equipped with luggage consoles and retractable tables.
Large-sized personal monitors are a feature of every seating position. Hino uses photochromatic glass to control the amount of sunlight which enters the coach at each seating location. The coach is also equipped with a top-quality galley. The concept coach has been developed in response to demand from premium touring companies to meet new requirements of high-net-worth customers. Hino also revealed the new A09C DPR diesel engine, which has lowered displacement by better than 15 per cent, met long-term emission standards out to 2015 and has retained existing performance capability. The comparatively small and lightweight 8.9-litre engine has become a benchmark for future development, with plans to introduce a 300 and 320ps version to the Australian market by mid-2008.
Hino Hybrid for Darwin City Council Darwin City Council has taken delivery of a Hino Hybrid, the first-ever lightduty hybrid-powered truck to serve on government duties in the Top End. The innovative Hino Hybrid was delivered by local dealer Vanderfield Hino. Darwin’s Lord Mayor, Alderman Garry Lambert, said the introduction of alternative sources of energy was high on the council’s priority list and part of its Environmental Management Plan. “We are pleased to purchase this vehicle and lead the way with environmentally friendly hybrid commercial vehicles in Darwin,” Ald. Lambert said. “The council will evaluate its performance and cost-effectiveness to establish whether we will introduce more into our fleet as they become available.”
The Hino Hybrid is joining a Toyota Prius in the evaluation process undertaken by the council. It has been fitted out for concreting repair duties in the municipality. The Hino Hybrid combines a 4.0-litre 110kW diesel engine with a 23kW electric motor that run in parallel. The diesel engine in Hino Hybrid easily meets stringent Euro IV emission requirements. As part of the handover, Vanderfield Hino hosted a brief technical rundown for the Darwin City Council workshop and drivers at the council’s depot. The briefing covered the unique technical aspects of the Hino Hybrid and provided an opportunity for the council staff to drive the vehicle. This was followed by an informal question and answer session.
Hino brings in the heavies at Paskeville
Darwin Lord Mayor Alderman Garry Lambert (left) receives the key to the city’s first Hino Hybrid from Aaron Heath of Vanderfield Hino. The CMI Hino Adelaide display of Hino 700s at the 2007 Paskeville Field Day, South Australia.
Hino’s fast-growing heavy duty trucks, the Hino 700s, were star attractions at South Australia’s Paskeville Field Day in late September. Australia’s oldest field day was celebrating its 110th anniversary, but it was the new range of Hinos that caught the eye of prospective truck buyers. According to CMI Hino Adelaide sales manager Chris Morrison, Hino’s presentation of nine trucks attracted plenty of attention – and enquiries. “The drought has made it tough in this part of South Australia but there were still around 50,000 people in attendance, so it was very important for Hino to have a presence at Paskeville,” he said. “We had a cross-section of our entire range – including 300 and Ranger Pro but with an extra emphasis on 700 – which generated a healthy number of enquiries.” CMI Hino showcased two FS models and one SS.
“We had a rigid tipper, a tipper and dog, a prime mover and tri-axle trailer, which really brought a lot of people into our stand area. “The 700 really has been a wellkept secret in the heavy duty market until now, but more and more people are picking up on its exceptional value, reliability and its driveability – it’s very nice to get behind the wheel and drive it.” The Paskeville Field Day is located 123km north-west of Adelaide on the Yorke Peninsula. This year it hosted approximately 750 exhibitors displaying $100 million worth of merchandise. “Paskeville was a big success for us in raising the profile of Hino’s latest models, and the 700 range in particular,” Mr Morrison said. “I know sales of the 700 have exploded nationally, and sales are building up very nicely for us. “Events like Paskeville really do have a positive impact on Hino in the market and for prospecting sales in 2008.” 5 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08
Hino keeps removalist moving A Western Australian-based removalist company is relying on Hino power to keep it competitive in the removal market. Australia National Removals Group (ANRG) is a family owned and operated company. It has been involved in
the removal industry for 35 years and operates in local, interstate and international removal markets. Three of the five trucks in its Perth fleet are Hinos. The company’s local removal footprint takes in Bunbury to the south, Geraldton to the north and Kalgoorlie 600km to the west. ANRG recently purchased a Hino
Ranger Pro 9 FG, with its combined fleet of five trucks travelling approximately 4500km per week. “We have had Hinos for many years and had no hesitation in adding the new Ranger Pro to the fleet,” said director Nick Panagopoulos. “In terms of cost-effectiveness, serviceability and simply getting the job done, Hino has never let us down.” The ANRG fleet carries 20-foot ‘High Cube’ containers, which have a capacity
of 38 cubic metres as opposed to standard 20-footers which hold 32 cubic metres. In addition to door-to-door removals, the trucks pick up furniture from railheads and deliver the goods to the customer’s new address. “The removal market is highly competitive and is very unforgiving when it comes to downtime,” he said. “We have a great relationship with WA Hino, which takes care of the servicing of our Hino fleet. “They do an outstanding job in keeping downtime to a minimum – which has a big impact on our bottom line.”
Three Hino Ranger Pros line up for the Australia National Removals Group in Perth, Western Australia.
Plumbers Supplies Co-op chooses Hino A Sydney-based plumbing co-operative has reacquainted itself with Hino by purchasing a Hino Ranger Pro FD, a move it believes will lead to more orders. The vehicle works out of the co-op’s Lidcombe bulk warehouse and delivers plumbing supplies to its Sydney branch network. “We’ve had Hinos on our fleet before, but this is the first new one that we’ve bought for several years,” said 6 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08
Plumbers’ Supplies Co-operative national purchasing manager, Matt Lassalla. “The decision to go for Hino was based on a wide choice of models, whole-of-life costs, and the fact Hino is now officially part of the Toyota Group of companies. “We have a number of Toyota HiLuxes and Camrys in our fleet, and we see similar brand values between Toyota and Hino – both are strong and reliable.”
Plumbers’ Supplies Co-operative has almost 4000 members serviced by an expanding branch network in New South Wales and Victoria. The co-operative’s primary objective is to provide competitive prices for plumbing supplies to its members. The Hino Ranger Pro will cover approximately 1500km per week, delivering supplies to the 16 branches located in metropolitan Sydney. Mr Lassalla said the company
was looking at adding more Hinos to its fleet. “We already have another Hino on order and are looking to expand even further,” he said. “Hino’s range of trucks fits our needs. I know that the driver of the Ranger Pro has stepped out of a Fuso and into the Hino – and he couldn’t be happier. “In fact, we have trouble getting him out of the truck!”
North Sydney Council turns to Hybrid North Sydney Council has taken delivery of what it says will be the first of a number of Hino Hybrids. The move to adopt hybrid technology is part of the Council’s policy of reducing carbon emissions in its vehicle fleet, according to the Council’s fleet manager, Cameron Sim. “Council has long had a policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from its fleet,” he said. “So when the need arose for a suitable vehicle for cleaning out stormwater pits across the council
area, it seemed ideal that the two go together.” The North Sydney Council Hino Hybrid has been fitted out to undertake excavation work to locate underground services such as gas and electricity lines, or when Council is reconstructing footpaths and roads. In addition, it is the perfect tool for undertaking the task of clearing debris from stormwater pits. It has a high-pressure pump with auxiliary hose that helps loosen debris, while it simultaneously uses a highvolume blower to suck any debris back
into the tanks on the vehicle. The machine is also capable of using high-pressure water to excavate a hole, while simultaneously sucking up all debris. “The Hino Hybrid has been performing exceptionally well, and we will be adding more to our fleet in the years ahead,” said Mr Sim. “In addition to the benefits of significantly lower emissions and fuel consumption, the hybrid has a massive amount of low-down torque that has no trouble moving the 5000kg tare weight. “The extra grunt doesn’t come at
a price, because the Hino Hybrid has great fuel efficiency of up to 8.0 litres/ 100km, which is quite exceptional for a vehicle of this weight.” The council’s decision to add Hino Hybrid to its fleet is based on the success of its procurement of Toyota Prius hybrids over several years. “We presently have 13 Toyota Prius in the fleet,” said Mr Sim. “They have replaced Toyota Corollas and other similar sized vehicles, and have each saved about 30 to 40 per cent in fuel costs and emissions.”
Hino launches new training course Hino Australia has developed and launched an advanced electronic training course for dealerships which is at the forefront of the commercial vehicle industry. The four-day course was written by Hino Australia trainer Sergio Bonvini and took 500 hours of development to complete. The course was initially prompted by Hino’s launch of Australia’s first hybrid commercial vehicle – but its curriculum spans all vehicle electronics. The dedicated Hino Automotive Electrical Training course will provide major upskilling across Hino’s 32 dealerships around Australia. The course includes modules on electric theory, practical classroom activities and workshop tasks, and covers all models in the Hino line-up.
To provide the best learning outcomes, each class is limited to 10 people. Participants are introduced to the most up-to-date Diagnostic Explorer technology and are required to perform electrical diagnostics on Hino Engine Management Systems, ABS, Easy Start, SRS airbags and the Hino Hybrid system. In order to receive official accreditation, all participants are required to complete a competencebased questionnaire at the end of each day’s session. “The response from the participants has been very positive so our objective of providing even better customer service is being achieved,” Mr Bonvini said. “The goal is to further increase workshop efficiency and create even less downtime for customers.”
Hino Automotive Electrical Training Course trainer Sergio Bonvini (centre) instructs Hino technicians at Hino Australia’s Sydney workshop.
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On the go
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Seafood Direct purchased this Hino 616 automatic as a mobile outlet enabling it to sell its produce at the Powerhouse Farmer’s markets in Brisbane. Owner Wayne Slessor says the new Hino is smooth, comfortable and easy to drive, and is a key part of his retail operation. He says the Hino helps him sell between 2000 and 3000kg of seafood over a weekend, and he is delighted that it is the same colour as the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow he bought 25 years ago, and still owns.
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Western Wholesalers is based in Charleville in central Queensland. Its Hino Ranger Pro 12 does three 600km runs a week to Toowoomba and back, carting milk or other cold beverages in its refrigerated body. Western Wholesalers’ Mark O’Brien credits his dealer, Vanderfield Hino, with providing the optimum transport solution through its understanding and dedication to the company’s needs. Reliability is vital in these parts, and for good reason – this Ranger Pro covers 250,000km per annum.
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Rivenlee was established in 1998 to produce custom-built horse floats, and has a Hino Ranger Pro 7 that it uses to configure horse floats for Hino owners. When customers ask which brand of truck they recommend, the answer is Hino. The reasons? Cost effectiveness, wide choice of wheelbases and a low cab height to better facilitate the construction of Rivenlee’s custom-built bodies.
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Hertz in Western Australia acquired two Hino Hybrids which it subsequently sub-contracted out to Toll to undertake distribution and pick-up duties in the northern and southern suburbs of Perth. The decision by Hertz to purchase the two Hino Hybrids was based on its commitment to sustainable business practices as an Environmentally Protected Accredited Business, awarded by MTA Western Australia.
To be included in this section, please send an image (high res, min 1 meg) and 50-60 words about your business to kathryn.spivakovsky@hino.com.au
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Boom times for Hino in WA
The mining boom in Western Australia has generated extra demand right across the state’s powerhouse economy. While extracting soughtafter minerals from the ground is driving the boom, other sections of the WA economy are also riding this enormous wave of prosperity. Richards Mining Services values Hino
“When you add to that Hino’s comfort levels and reputation for build quality, it represents exceptional value for money.” Richards Mining Services provides Richards Mining Services has training and recruitment services to the purchased seven new Hinos in the past mining, transport and civil industries, 12 months. Its fleet also includes a specialising in training resource number of Hino Ranger Pros. development, mobile plant operator “One of the first trucks we bought training and assessment, and heavy was a Ranger Pro FD with 350,000 vehicle driver training and evaluations. kilometres on it, and it drove like new The success of its first highly utilised – we only sold it a short time ago,” Hino Ranger Pro 6 has led the company Mr Richards said. to recently invest in a number of new Richards Mining Services also Hino purchases. offers candidates hoping to kick-start a The decision to purchase four Hino TRD car controller Geoff Forshaw is the 700’s day-to-day driver. career in mining the chance to take part 700s – three FS models and one SS – to in its six-month on-site dump haul sand and gravel was based on truck traineeship. value and reliability. The traineeship is conducted “When you consider Hino’s reliability, in conjunction with one of Western serviceability, and the three-year driveAustralia’s premier mines, line warranty, opting for the Hino 700s Minara Resources. wasn’t a difficult decision,” Richards Mining Services also offers said Richards Mining Services’ a broad range of other services aimed Graeme Richards.
The Richards Mining Hino 700 outside its offices and training centre.
at reducing staff turnover, increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs caused by non-optimal use of plant and equipment.
Grazier chooses specialised Hino A West Australian cattle grazier has developed a very specialised application for his Hino 700. Weldon Beef is based in the rural town of Williams, 600 kilometres east of Perth, and uses a Hino 700 FS with a semi-trailer to cart up to 50 steers to and from its feeding lot. The Hino 700 drives 200 kilometres southwest from Williams to Mount Barker to pick up the cattle from a farm, before turning around and returning to its feeding lot. The cattle graze at the feeding lot and are then transported to the abattoir in Harvey, some 140 kilometres away.
The truck also carts hay to the Weldon Beef property for feeding of cattle. Weldon Beef’s Gordon Atwel said the Hino 700 was ideally suited to his company’s requirements. “It’s a beautiful truck to drive,” he said. “It’s a good unit for what we do, and it’s a really comfortable place to be. “We don’t really require huge weightcarrying capacity, but we need a lot of room for the cattle,” he said. “We run a seven-metre tray on the back of the truck with an 11.5-metre trailer which gives us plenty of room for around 50 steers. “As far as I know, this is the only Hino 700 configured like this in Western Australia. “It is the perfect truck for this part of the world and for the terrain and distances that most drivers travel around here. A truck of this configuration and with pretty good horsepower is exactly what we need.”
Weldon Beef’s Gordon Atwel says the Hino 700 is ideally suited to his company’s requirements.
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Australian testing for n A Hino 700 due for release in the second half of 2008 has just undergone a six-week trial around Australia.
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new Hino 700
Hino Australia president, Junsuke Ando.
The 10,000km journey, with the vehicle loaded at 42.5 tonnes, began in Sydney before heading to Townsville, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. The objective of the trial was to cover a wide variety of climatic and topographical conditions. “The number of different road surfaces in Australia is arguably the highest in the world. The very hot climates in the north will prove how well these big Hinos handle the toughest conditions Australia can dish out,” said Alex Stewart, Hino divisional manager – Marketing. Hino sent several engineers from Japan to conduct the test. They monitored the performance of the truck and reported on a range of parameters, with the information being sent back to Hino Motors Limited in Japan for further evaluation and comparison. “The engineers measured a number of key performance areas, and I think it proved how tough and durable Hino’s heavy-duty range really is,” Mr Stewart said. “The feedback from existing Hino 700 customers is very positive in terms of overall performance and the fact that they are comfortable and easy vehicles to drive. “The expansion of the 700 range in 2008 will help spread the word on how good these trucks are.” The test truck completed the long journey at the Perth premises of WA Hino, where it was greeted by Hino Australia president Junsuke Ando and chief operating officer Steve Lotter, who waved the chequered flag as the truck arrived. 11 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08
Top: The Hino 700 is put through its paces. Right: The celebrations begin at the completion of the development drive at WA Hino.
Mr Ando and Mr Lotter then celebrated with the Japanese test crew, covering the truck in champagne to commemorate the completion of a hugely significant trial. The test was an important step in the process of Hino Australia’s plans to introduce new heavy-duty product to the Australian market in 2008. Hino is upgrading and expanding its 700 heavy-duty truck line-up from three to five models in 2008. The truck on trial in Australia was an example of the high-roof model that will arrive around the middle of 2008 and feature the highest power output to ever be offered in a Hino truck in Australia.
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The new Hino FS420 and FS440 will be arriving earlier in the year and will feature a new power grade. They will replace the current 4150 and 4562 respectively. These two new models will have a new power rating of 321kW, up from 302kW on the models they replace. “Hino’s share of the heavy-duty market is growing, up by 61 per cent on last year, and the updating of our 700 range in 2008 will help to further boost growth in this segment,” Mr Stewart said. “The engineers came away from the test with a few changes they wanted to make to the truck before production begins.
“We had some journalists drive the test truck in Western Australia and they were very excited by its performance.” The test was the first of its kind ever conducted by Hino outside of Japan, representing a huge coup for Australia. “Conducting this trial in Australia is a tremendous vote of confidence by Hino Japan in this country, and truly shows just how important this market is to Hino globally,” Mr Stewart said. “Hino’s global president, Mr Shoji Kondo, has said that to be the world’s number one truck manufacturer, Hino needs to be Australia’s number one truck manufacturer.
“As a result, Hino Australia is working closer than ever with Hino in Japan to provide the Australian market with products that are specifically designed for it. This test is a perfect example of how committed Hino is to getting that right. “More than ever, Hino is working to give us the products that we want here in Australia. “For example, we will be launching a range of new 300 light-duty variants in the new year to fill some key holes in the domestic market.” This new, closer relationship between Hino’s product specialists in Australia and Japan can only mean good news for local truck drivers.
TRD takes Hino to the top
Simon and Sue Evans dominated 2007, winning every rally in a stunning season.
Hino’s first season sponsoring Toyota’s TRD rally team has seen remarkable success in the Australian Rally Championship. TRD’s Simon Evans became the first driver in Australian Rally Championship Super Series history to win every heat in a season following his victory in Heat 2 of the season-ending NGK Rally of Melbourne. Evans took out both heats of the final round – as he has done at the previous five rounds – in claiming a crushing championship victory. Evans and his co-driver wife Sue were both pleased they achieved their historymaking moment at their home event in front of a large contingent of family and friends. “It feels pretty special to be the first driver to clean-sweep a season,” said an emotional Evans. “I put a lot of pressure on myself and to get to the end of it … I have really started to appreciate what we have done. “This victory really rams home what Sue and I and the team have achieved. Our will and desire to win was so great this year. I didn’t plan to win every heat of every event but we have, and we’ve won the championship in style. It has been great fun and Sue and I have had an absolute ball. “I was really nervous at the start of the final stage because I knew we pretty
much had it all wrapped up. But it all went well and we now can switch our focus to next year and an exciting new challenge with the S2000 Corolla.” The duo was honoured after the final stage at the Healesville Sportsground with a lap of honour, where Simon took
the liberty of performing a series of crowd-pleasing doughnuts. Team-mates Neal Bates and Coral Taylor finished Heat 2 in fourth place and, despite being disappointed with their Sunday performance, did enough during Heat 1 to claim third overall for the rally.
The TRD rally team collected its second straight title in 2007.
Bates struggled for grip in his S2000 Corolla throughout the second heat, finishing more than one minute behind Evans. However, the three-time champion was pleased with the 100 per cent reliability of the S2000 Corolla in its development year, something that assisted him in securing second in the drivers’ title to lock in a TRD 1-2. “It was a very tough rally,” said Bates. “We ended up third overall so we can’t complain. “The car has been unbelievably reliable and it is pretty remarkable that both our cars have finished every heat for the last two years – it is a real credit to Toyota, the entire crew, drivers and codrivers. It is amazing that we have had such a great run and it is very satisfying. “Simon and Sue have done the most unbelievably fantastic job. They have been perfect – they’re on top of their game and are the best crew in Australian rallying at the moment by a considerable margin.” The NGK Rally of Melbourne was the last event for the Group N (P) Corolla, with Evans set to switch to an S2000spec Corolla for the 2008 season that kicks off in early March. 13 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08
o t t e r c e s The
a m s ’ t Sargen
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s s e c c ajor su Brisbane-based Sargent is one of the country’s most progressive truck and four-wheel-drive rental specialists, with 20 branch locations and a fleet of 3000 vehicles across the country. The company’s Brisbane headquarters is still one of its major hire outlets – and that’s where you’ll find managing director Mary-Ann Strelow, on the first floor of an office building behind a forecourt crowded with vehicles. Sargent came into being following a merger between Four Wheel Drive Hire Service and Sargent Truck Lease in July 2007. The company now runs Hino 300 (616 and 916) light-duty trucks and Ranger Pro GH medium-duty trucks, mostly as curtain-siders. Mary-Ann has been with Four Wheel Drive Hire Service and Sargent for 20 years, initially in a clerical position. She began by revolutionising the company’s office system before taking on her senior managerial and strategic role. Talking to Mary-Ann is a lesson in enthusiasm. “The trucks we purchase are crucial to the success of our business,” she said. “Our fleet must be reliable, and of a high standard of quality – our clients expect the best from us. Hino products tick the boxes in terms of reliability and quality.” She said the other key aspect for Sargent when choosing a truck was her company’s relationship with the dealer, and the service and training the dealer offered. “Our truck customers are usually large roadtransport and logistical companies, while our 4WD clientele is strongly involved in the industrial sector, mining, construction, gas and water, pipelines and infrastructure projects. “There has been growth in all these industries, and there is strong potential in the truck division.”
Mary-Ann said Sargent prided itself on being able to offer its customers a complete solution package. “We meet with the customer and we listen to exactly what they want. We then develop a package that is not just about providing vehicles, but encompasses servicing and reporting. “Given that we offer servicing as part of our package to the customer, it is crucial that our supplier is forthcoming in helping train our mechanical tradesman. “The quality of that training affects how long the vehicle is off the road, and our final product offering.” Mary-Ann said Sargent’s biggest challenge was keeping up with the growth in customers’ businesses – and its own. “It is sometimes quite difficult to keep ahead of the demand,” she said. Sargent’s immediate challenge was to cement and maintain its position in Australia. “We must grow our three channels of business: rental, leasing and maintenance solutions,” Mary-Ann said. “These channels will grow with increased locations, greater fleet numbers, cross-selling of products and customer growth. “Internally, we continue to challenge and improve our business processes. Once we have confirmed our base in Australia, we will look at supporting our customers globally.” Mary-Anne has high praise for Hino. “Sargent and Hino maintain a strong relationship with regular communication, support and service,” she said. “Just as we strive to be more than an everyday supplier for our customers, we rely on Hino to continue to be much more than a supplier to us.” 15 | Torque | SUMMER 2007/08