TRAILER BUILDER
It’s O’Phee for me QUEENSLAND-BASED JARRATT TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS HAS INVESTED IN FOUR NEW SETS OF O’PHEE B-DOUBLE FLAT-TOPS (ONE IS A DROP DECK REAR) THAT HAVE BEEN PUT TO WORK PRIMARILY CARTING FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE ENERGY AND PROJECT SECTORS AND BALES OF COTTON FROM NEW SOUTH WALES AND QUEENSLAND INTO THE PORT OF BRISBANE AND REGIONAL WAREHOUSES. The long-standing and mutually beneficial
thing both businesses have in common is an
been waiting 14 years for this phone call –
relationship between The Drake Group’s
all-pervasive reliance on O’Phee Trailers to
we’re in.’
O’Phee Trailers and Jarratt Transport
get the job done.
“I made five phone calls within a week and
Solutions means that when the time came
“We’ve never owned a trailer that wasn’t
gained four drivers, and we have a line-up of
to bolster the trailer fleet, Managing Director
built by Mick O’Phee,” Phil states.
drivers waiting to come onboard when we
Phil Jarratt was more than happy to continue
“We used to run convertible trailers and we
get the new combinations this year.”
the tradition.
bought the first one built at each of O’Phee’s
Phil says the key to the success of their
The business is based at the Port of Brisbane.
new premises at Rocklea.
business is open communication, along with
It’s an ideal location given the large volume
“Our first O’Phee trailer was bought second
respect and appreciation of the drivers’ and
of freight Jarratt Transport Solutions
hand in 1990 and by 1997 when our
abilities, work ethics and skill sets.
moves on and off the port including large
business was really cranking, we bought
“They like the way they can talk to our
quantities of cotton bales from regional
three B-double sets in one hit. At the time
Transport Manager, Ops Manager and
areas – everywhere from Emerald in central
the business was sold we had around 35
accounts people, or they can ring Jodie or
Queensland to Hillston in southwestern New
O’Phee trailers and six dollies.”
myself and receive the same interaction from
South Wales.
Phil explains that they sold that business in
each of us,” Phil says.
Jarratt Transport Solutions took delivery of
2007 and “took a bit of gardening leave”
In addition to having his previous drivers
four sets of the O’Phee B-doubles late last
before resuming activities in 2011, although
back, Phil adds that, “it’s pretty nice to be
year and will receive another four sets in
from then until late last year the operation
dealing with Mick O’Phee again.”
May this year, ensuring the team at O’Phee
was run entirely with a loyal team of subbies,
Phil explains that in addition to being a
Trailers is kept on its toes.
who are still with the business.
valued equipment supplier, Mick O’Phee is
Phil Jarratt explains that he and his wife
Seemingly indicative of the calibre of the
also a very close family friend.
Jodie formerly owned a transport company
earlier business, Phil says that all of his
“We might not be his longest standing
that at its peak was loading up to 200 trucks
current drivers were working with he and
client, but we are right up there,” Phil says.
per day. They sold it in 2007, meaning this
Jodie in the earlier years.
“I reckon over 30 years is a pretty good
is their second time around. One important
“I rang the old crew and they said, ‘we’ve
crack – we’ve never placed an order for a
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Trailer Magazine MARCH 22
