A Kiwi OEM

The move has been something we’ve been aiming for for a long time,” says Intertruck New Zealand managing director Comer Board. We’re talking about the company’s new all-in-one head office and assembly plant on Kaweroa Drive, Tauriko, in the rapidly expanding southwestern outskirts of Tauranga.

As you read this, the company will be celebrating its first anniversary at the site, after starting operation in August 2022. In 2021, Intertruck invested $20 million into the 1.4ha site.

The head office includes a truck dealership, parts distribution centre, new and used vehicle sales, a new truck compliance centre and an independently operated VTNZ inspection lane.

The service facility is fully equipped, with a rest area for drivers and customers.

The assembly plant includes engineering, two paint booths and a righthand drive production division.

“We analysed the old Mt Maunganui plant and where we could improve,” explains Comer. “We moved from dedicated cabover and conventional lines to a stallbuild setup, similar to how a trailer manufacturer builds their units. So, we have four stalls and alongside the chassis are bins from which the operator can simply grab their components and assemble the vehicle. It’s more time efficient.

“This month, we’re up to where we want to be with volume. Our aim was for five to six trucks per month, which is where we’re at now. It’s taken a lot of hard work. We’ve employed a new plant engineer who has had a good vision and has set the plant on to a point where we can’t get much more efficient.” and manoeuvrability have been top-drawer despite the bonnet, with no need for tight emergency U-turns in Nunga’s day-to-day rovings as yet.

A sign of the times, Comer comments that advertising for assembly operators earlier this year resulted in 75 applications!

“Communications, closer working between teams and staff – it’s all benefitted. Intertruck is in its 29th year now. We want to prove to our customers that we are long-term. We invested a lot of time and money into this operation, and we’re going to continue on,” he says.

The X-15 under that stubby bonnet raises it above its dropsider stablemates, too. And, as Todd puts it, there aren’t many options for this application in the +600hp, H-plated realm.

“As far as a dropside or bulk truck goes, I rate the RH. I wouldn’t have any problems buying another when it’s time to replace the Isuzus, and really, what options have we got? There’s not much by way of cabovers unless we go Japanese, and if you want the horsepower, it probably would be one [RH] over a European.”

Porangahau calling… not this time!

Having spent a few days in the company of this RH, we’re excited to get to grips with one in perhaps a more traditional application – and even more to see how Intertruck keeps up the model’s development.

Specifications

International RH R8-BT 8x4

Tare: 11,340kg

GVM: 31,000kg

GCM: 70,000kg

Wheelbase: 5900mm

Engine: Cummins X-15

Capacity: 15.4L

Power: 458kW (615hp)

Torque: 2779Nm (2050lb/ft)

Emissions: Euro-5 via SCR

Transmission: Eaton Roadranger RTLO 20918B 18-speed manual

Clutch: 7-spring twin plate ceramic, 15.5in plate, manual adjust

Chassis: 260 x 91 x 8mm, 120,000lb yield, 9900mm overall length, 980mm height

Front axle: Meritor MFS-14-143A

Front axle rating: 12,000kg

Front-suspension: Parabolic springs

Rear axle: RT 46-160GP XLF, 4.10:1

Rear-axle rating: 19,000kg

Rear suspension: IROS-GP 4-bag air

Brakes: Disk. Electronic Brake Systems with ABS and Traction Control

Auxiliary braking: Jacobs Engine Brake

Fuel: 435L

DEF tank: 95L

Wheels: Alcoa alloy

Tyres: 275/70 R22.5

Electrical: 12V

Cab exterior: Day cab, dual 26in air horns, stainless visor. Additional: dual vertical chrome exhausts, logspec Ali-Arc bumper, bug deflector

Cab interior: Premium trim upgrade, slate grey diamond vinyl trim, chrome door handle bezels, slate grey centre storage console between seats, 35% tinted door glass. ISRI 6860/875 driver’s seat with air back and lumber supports. USB connector, digital audio system with Bluetooth

Special thanks

Bruce and Todd Stephenson – possibly the nicest, most obliging father-and-son duo in New Zealand road transport – thanks as ever for allowing us into your operation and affording us the time with your newest addition.

To Nunga – what a character, a driver of the old school who holds no punches. Thanks for having us along and chaperoning us for a couple or three days. Thanks also to Doug Brightwell for access to your yard (and the awesome memorabilia we were allowed to pinch) and Darren Cooper for access to the farm.

And Comer Board and Hugh Green at Intertruck –once again proving that Kiwi engineering can keep up with the best of ‘em. Thanks for the insight into the RH’s development.