Trailer Magazine March 2024

PUBLISHER

John Murphy

john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee

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EDITOR

Peter White

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William Craske william.craske@primecreative.com.au

Louise Surette

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From the Editor’s desk

Future nostalgia

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ARTICLES

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COPYRIGHT

Trailer Magazine is owned by Prime Creative and published by John Murphy.

All material in Trailer Magazine is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher.

The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information Prime Creative will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

The opinions expressed in Trailer Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

Tzaneros, addressed the current state and potential future of Australia’s supply chain industry. He suggests we all need to be appropriately prepared.

Following the return of those who took time off for the Christmas and New Year’s period, Tzaneros is anticipating the global supply chain to experience many varying challenges in 2024. Shortages in skilled labour, local road closures, pallet accessibility, industrial disputes, shipping delays in the Red Sea and a possible Covid-19 comeback, he outlined, are all valid threats.

“With all these potential issues at hand, proactive planning in this current global logistics climate is absolutely critical,” said Tzaneros. “Increased inventory, higher shipping rates, storage of FCL or palletised goods, access to stock is cheaper than a loss of customer.”

However, despite the challenges of 2023, and escalating geopolitical tensions into 2024, business leaders are remaining surprisingly optimistic according to new research from Economist Impact and port operator, DP World.

The primary driver is a growing belief that technology will transform the efficiency and resilience of supply chains. Unveiled at the World Economic Forum in January, the global survey of 3,500 company executives found technologies which improve supply

chain efficacy and resilience to be the main source of optimism for business leaders when asked to assess the future of global trade.

Interesting enough, at the centre of this view is the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which 98 per cent of respondents reported are already using to revolutionise at least one aspect of their supply chain operations. A third of businesses are also utilising AI to deliver a reduction in overall trade operation costs and the same amount to enhance resource and supply chain planning.

On the other hand, the results found concerns that political instability, rising trade friction and global fragmentation could hamper growth are increasing. A fifth of businesses are distressed with higher tariffs, or uncertainties around tariffs, in key markets they export to or import from.

To prepare for what may be to come, Tzaneros said it is absolutely imperative that importers and exporters start changing their behaviour for supply and start thinking and acting in line with Covid-19 times.

“Business became resilient during these testing times,” he said, “and it became very clear that ‘just in time’ was an outdated model, and ‘just in case’ was the new norm.”

DROP

FLAT DECK

March 2024

8 Industry news

Business partnerships, people movements, developments that bolster freight productivity and more.

26 Economy

Decarbonisation, diversification and digitalisation are the ‘Three Ds’ the Federal Budget should invest in according to Ai Group.

28 Refrigerated transport equipment

See the latest cold chain technologies in road transport.

34 Trailer builder

Australia’s trailer manufacturing industry is as strong as ever.

42 Agriculture equipment

Croplands Equipment is introducing a new line of 13,000-litre boom sprayers in collaboration with BPW Transpec.

44 Trailer building materials/components

A showcase of the products and services that keep trailers on the move.

64 Special report

ARTSA-i Data analytics reflects on the past decade of heavy vehicle market data.

66 Haulmax Tyres Trailer Builder Showcase

A list of Australian manufacturers across all major categories from general freight to heavy haulage to tankers.

76 Infrastructure spotlight

What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month.

78 World map

There are plenty of opinions as the American trailer industry assesses the future.

80 Fleet of the month

Wickham Freight Lines maintains an enviable reputation among its peers as a steadfast and reliable long-distance carrier.

82 What’s on

Upcoming shows and field days.

60

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Queensland Govt shifts heavy vehicle compliance to NHVR

Tasman Logistics Services announces joint venture

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is transitioning heavy vehicle regulation services to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Currently, regulation for heavy vehicles is managed by TMR.

However, under the changes these services will transition to the NHVR, resulting in a more consistent approach to compliance and enforcement nationally.

This is part of a national reform program to ensure the regulation of heavy vehicle movements throughout Australia is safe and efficient.

Transport and Main Roads Minister and Minister for Digital Services, Bart Mellish, said the transition will improve road safety outcomes for Queensland road users.

“The transition of heavy vehicle compliance activities to the national regulator will ensure a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement and will deliver a best practice regulatory approach across all jurisdictions,” he said.

“TMR has been working closely with the NHVR, to ensure a seamless transition for our people and our customers.

“Following the transition TMR will continue to be directly responsible for delivering regulatory and compliance

activities for light vehicles including passenger vehicles and tow trucks under 3.5 tonne.”

The change will come into effect on 20 April 2024.

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto, said the transition of services in Queensland is a significant milestone for the NHVR as it finalises its 10-year journey in becoming a national regulator.

“I am thrilled we are a step closer to achieving our aim, of having a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement from the roadside to interventions, borderless operations and delivering timely, national responses to critical compliance issues,” he said.

“I look forward to working with our industry and government partners as we move into a phase of harmonisation to embed national consistency within the heavy vehicle sector across regulatory processes, compliance and enforcement standards.”

Queensland is the final jurisdiction to transition these services to the NHVR.

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have already transitioned.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory have not adopted the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

A new integrated supply chain company has emerged.

Tasman Logistics Services has partnered with Aviva Prime Philippines to launch Aviva Tasman Corporation.

“Our new partnership specialises in sourcing food products direct from farmers and distributing across all of the Philippines through our facilities and logistics network in a manner not seen before,” said Tasman Logistics Services CEO, Ivan Vanis.

“I am so proud of our combined efforts to put all of this together. Following the successful completion of our first food project together, which was done with absolute precision and quality exceeding all of our customers expectations.”

Last year, Tasman Logistics Services acquired Ryans Group.

Also, Katharina of Tasman Logistics Services was presented with the Female Leadership Award at the 2023 Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIAs)

Vanis was the recipient of the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the 2020 AFIAs.

Image: Tasman Logistics Services.

Victoria

13-21 Bliss Court, Derrimut VIC, 3026

Tel -(03) 9369 0000

Queensland

1/15 SeeanaPlace, Heathwood QLD, 4110

Tel -(07) 3372 2223

Western Australia

5 Freight Road, Kenwick WA, 6107

Tel -(08) 9350 6470

Urgent call for level crossing reform

Rail operator, Pacific National, has called on industry and government to convene a national summit on level crossing safety.

The call for action follows a fatal collision on New Year’s Eve at a level crossing on the Barrier Highway at Bindarrah in South Australia (near the New South Wales border) that resulted in the the tragic deaths of two experienced Pacific National train drivers, Mick Warren and Kevin Baker, when the locomotive they were driving was struck by a heavy vehicle.

This is in addition to hundreds of near miss incidents that occur at levelcrossings each year, weighing on train and vehicle drivers’ mental health and putting everyday Australians seconds from death.

There are more than 23,000 level crossings in Australia many of which involve constant interactions between rail operations, road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Excluding trespass and suicide, accidents at level crossings

account for the largest number of railwayrelated fatalities involving members of the public.

Proposed topics for discussion and immediate action at the summit include a full audit of the nation’s level crossings to identify at risk locations, industryled solutions to improve behaviour and safety around level crossings, increased investment in technology and infrastructure, increased penalties for blatant indiscretions and joint industry public education campaigns to protect drivers, among other measures.

In addition, on behalf of the families impacted by the tragic collision on New Years Eve, Pacific National has committed to a public advertising campaign to further educate the community and road users on railway level crossing safety. This builds on existing industry and government campaigns that run annually.

This follows calls from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) to introduce a zerotolerance approach to level-crossing

safety, with cameras at all level-crossings nationwide.

“On Friday, I spent time with the families of Mick and Kevin, and what’s abundantly clear is no person should have to experience this type of grief,” said Pacific National CEO, Paul Scurrah.

“Tragedies at level crossings devastate entire communities and the message isn’t getting across loud enough. Losing concentration or being reckless about safety at a level crossing can kill.

“We are calling on federal and state governments to engage with industry on improved protections. This isn’t about pointing the finger at drivers or pedestrians but working together to overcome complexities and simply do better. If we don’t, more Australians will be subjected to senseless deaths.

“It can take up to 2km for a fully loaded freight train to stop. It takes a vehicle or a pedestrian a moment of clear thought and mere seconds to stop. Slow down, stop and cross with care.”

JCT Transport & Logistics announces new venture

Dedicated same day haulage specialist, JCT Transport & Logistics, has launched a new business division.

The JCT Express Haulage venture involves the expansion of its service profile which will include ad hoc services alongside the dedicated, permanent hire, and contracted logistics options it already provides.

This marks JCT’s competitive entry into the general freight sector where it aims to offer customers premium service

options ranging from couriers to taxi trucks and right through to semi-trailers and B-doubles.

“With many years of expertise and a team of dedicated transport professionals, we are well-equipped to provide clients with top-tier transport solutions which through careful consultation, we tailor to the unique and specific needs of our clients,” said Shaun O’Connor, JCT National Transport Manager.

With a focus on dedicated, permanent hire, and contracted solutions, JCT will continue to offer premium crane truck services as it expands and enters the general freight market this year.

“Our commitment to quality, safety, and excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to continuing to serve our much-valued customers and transport partners with the highest level of service across both divisions throughout 2024 and beyond,” said O’Connor.

AirRoad founder to enter semiretirement

AirRoad Group founder, Tim Paine, recently celebrated his 80th birthday and will step down from his position as Chairman.

He started the logistics company with a single depot in Sydney in 1989.

Today, AirRoad provides national road freight distribution, express and specialised transport and supply chain management services.

To bolster its delivery performance, the organisation has national offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

It also has strategically located freight terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Townsville to deliver to metropolitan, regional and rural areas Australia-wide.

Going forward Paine will continue to

serve on AirRoad’s Board of Directors.

“Thanks for everything you have done Tim,” the company said in a statement. “We wish you all the best.”

Matahari Logistics Director, Ian Pemberton, praised Paine for being a true gentleman who built a passionate and successful business: “Congratulations on a well deserved retirement.”

Direct Freight Express Managing Director and founder, Joe Catania, wished Paine a long and healthy semi-retirement.

“You have built a beautiful business,” he said. “Congratulations to you and your team.”

AirRoad is backed by Senko Group following its investment as a majority shareholder in 2021.

Image: AirRoad Group.

NSW Government announces freight reform program

New South Wales Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen, has announced a policy reform program to address key issues facing the state’s freight industry.

The Freight Reform Program will deliver prioritised and practical policy reform focused on the key current and emerging challenges facing the NSW freight network.

It will also look to identify short, medium and long-term actions for Government to support the ongoing improvement of freight transport across NSW.

The policy reform will focus on the different parts of the supply chain, with ports, rail, road and intermodal facilities all considered as part of a coordinated supply chain to determine the right policy framework to optimise safety, sustainability and productivity.

According to Haylen, NSW’s freight network is still too disjointed and inefficient, with policy and infrastructure bottlenecks right across the supply chain.

“Safe, sustainable, and productive freight

transport is critical to support the people, businesses and industries of NSW,” she said.

placed to lead us through this significant reform in freight transport policy.”

“A more productive freight sector can deliver reduced costs for businesses and lower retail prices for ordinary people right across NSW.”

The program will be led by Transport for NSW under the leadership of an Independent Advisory Panel of experts, all who have deep experience in the freight and logistics sector.

The panel, consisting of Dr Kerry Schott, Lucio Di Bartolomeo and Dr Hermione Parsons, will report to Haylen who will assist in the development of a new freight strategy.

“The appointment of the Independent Advisory Panel will work with my department and provide independent and expert advice on the Program,” Haylen said.

“I have confidence that with their diverse expertise in their fields, the Panel is well

Immediate priorities for the panel will include consideration of the determination of compensation to be paid by the Port of Newcastle for increasing container operations as part of NSW port policy.

The panel will also review and consult with industry on the recommendations made by Ed Willett’s review of the port regulatory framework and the regulation of the movement of containers at Port Botany.

Willet is the Independent Reviewer for the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995 and Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy Review.

There will be a comprehensive stakeholder consultation undertaken as part of the program.

It is intended that the first phase will follow the release of a Discussion Paper and is expected to occur in in the first quarter of next year.

Team Global Express backs NHVR safety campaign

Team Global Express is actively participating in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) We All Need Space campaign.

The NHVR’s We All Need Space campaign focuses on simple yet vital tips to increase safety around heavy vehicles. It looks to raise awareness on overtaking trucks and caravan etiquette, while encouraging light vehicle drivers to remember that trucks have much larger blind spots and need more space to stop.

By placing the campaign’s stickers on its vehicles, Team Global Express is aiming to educate light vehicle drivers on the critical importance of maintaining safe distances with trucks on the road.

“Through our efforts, we embrace the message that everyone, regardless of their profession, needs space to ensure safety on the roads,” a Team Global Express spokesperson said.

“This initiative underlines our commitment to promoting road safety and

fostering a safer driving environment for all.”

A study conducted by the NHVR surveyed 1,000 drivers across Australia and found that half of motorists (51 per cent) experience anxiety or nervousness when driving near heavy vehicles. The survey revealed that although drivers believe they have some understanding of how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles, just 32 per cent feel very knowledgeable about the rules.

Image:

Linfox builds on 34-year partnership with Myer

Transport and logistics company, Linfox, and department store chain, Myer, have extended their partnership for an additional seven years.

Linfox reportedly became Myer’s preferred carrier in 1989. It currently provides transport services from Myer’s distribution centre to all Myer stores across every major city in Australia except for Northern Territory and Tasmania.

For more than 30 years, Linfox has upheld supply continuity amid periods of unplanned demand, environmental

challenges and economic changes.

“Myer is committed to getting our product to customers in the quickest and most efficient way and Linfox, our domestic freight partner, is instrumental in ensuring we deliver against this key strategic pillar,” said Myer Executive General Manager Supply Chain, Tony Carr.

“Myer and Linfox have a longstanding and trusted relationship built on their leading service, reliability and innovation that ensures we are stocking stores and

DCs in the most efficient and productive way.”

Andy Gissing, General Manager Merchandise Linfox Retail, has been committed to this partnership for more than 20 years.

“Linfox and Myer have a unique and inspiring history,” he said.

“The deep level of trust that has developed over the years is the cornerstone of this relationship. We look forward to continuing our journey and supporting Myer into a safe and sustainable future.”

Board appointment to bolster Qube operations

An executive with experience across agribusiness, mining, manufacturing and the chemical industry has joined Qube.

James Fazzino has been appointed to the Qube Holdings Board of Directors effective 22 February 2024.

In particular, Fazzino was Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive

Officer and Managing Director at industrial chemicals manufacturer Incitec Pivot Limited where he led the successful globalisation of the business including the construction of two large chemical plants in Australia and the US.

Fazzino is a Non-Executive Director of energy infrastructure business APA

Group and Chair of its Sustainability Committee. He is also a NonExecutive Director and Chair (elect) of Rabobank Australia Limited, Chair of Manufacturing Australia and a former Chair of Tassal Limited.

Qube Chairman, Allan Davies, welcomed Fazzino to the Board.

“James has broad executive management and board experience and deep financial and relevant industry knowledge,” said Davies. “James’ mix of skills and experience will be valuable to Qube’s operations and strategy and I look forward to his contribution.”

Fazzino graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Economics (Hons). He is a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow of La Trobe University, a fellow of CPA Australia and was a past co-convenor of the Energy Group of the Champions of Change Coalition.

James Fazzino. Image: Qube.

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Rio Tinto announces $375M deal

A Rio Tinto joint venture has entered a sales agreement to enhance operational efficiencies in the Pilbara.

Dampier Salt – which is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (68 per cent), Marubeni Corporation (22 per cent) and Sojitz (10 per cent) – is purchasing the Lake MacLeod salt and gypsum operation in Carnarvon, Western Australia, with privately owned salt company, Leichardt Industrials Group.

This deal is expected to close by this year’s end.

“The sale of Lake MacLeod will enable Dampier Salt to focus on enhancing

operational efficiencies at its remaining two Pilbara operations, while allowing the new owner of Lake MacLeod to maximise its potential,” said Rio Tinto Managing Director Port, Rail & Core Services, Richard Cohen.

He added that until the completion of the sale, the Dampier Salt leadership team will focus on safety, deliver on their plan and maintain respect for all people at Lake MacLeod and in the Carnarvon community.

“We are pleased Leichhardt has committed to retaining all Lake MacLeod employees, ensuring continuity of operation and providing job stability to the

130-strong workforce,” said Cohen.

Lake MacLeod is one of three solar salt sites owned by Dampier Salt, which also includes operations in Dampier and Port Hedland. It is located within Baiyungu country in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, 70 kilometres north of the town of Carnarvon, including a ~1.5 Mtpa salt operation, ~1 Mtpa gypsum operation as well as a deepwater port at Cape Cuvier.

Dampier Salt is reported to be the world’s largest seaborne salt exporter with annual production capacity of approx. 10 million tonnes.

Team Transport & Logistics celebrates award win

For the third consecutive year, Team Transport & Logistics has been awarded for its unparalleled dedication and exceptional performance.

Global logistics firm, Expeditors, has presented Team Transport & Logistics with a Service Provider of the Year award.

This win, according to Team Transport & Logistics, is the result of building strong foundations, understanding Expeditor’s needs, aligning with their goals and consistently delivering ‘top-notch’ service.

The partnership reportedly thrives on tailored solutions where Director Steve Skinner and Operations Manager Troy

Nankervi analysed Expeditors’ logistical needs and challenges. They developed strategies to address specific pain points and contributed to the success of the supply chain.

Team Transport & Logistics General Manager, Kylie Wilkinson, said that shared success is sweeter than individual success.

Dean Penrose, Team Transport & Logistics Sales Manager, added it was an honour to be named Expeditors’ Service Provider of the Year once again.

“This award is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, and it reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. A wonderful achievement for all our staff,” he said.

Expeditors, founded in 1979, is a Fortune 500 company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, US. It operates in 346 locations and 101 countries and has more than 19,000 employees. Core services are supply chain, transportation, customs and compliance and warehousing and distribution. In 2022, this organisation reported revenue of more than $17 billion USD.

Image: Team Transport & Logistics.

Trailer publisher first to use paper-wrapping mailing machine

Prime Creative Media is Australia’s first publisher to send paper wrapped magazines at scale, in partnership with its printing and mailing supplier, FSG.

FSG, based in Bayswater, Victoria, purchased the country’s first ever paperwrapping mailing machine in January this year.

Imported from UK supplier, Norpak, the machine’s ability to wrap publications in paper will eliminate plastic wrapping for several Prime Creative Media titles, including Trailer

“It’s the evolution of the mailing industry to abolish the use of single-use plastics in mailing magazines,” said FSG Mailing owner and Director, Michael Murphy.

“This follows the government’s move to get disposable plastics out of our Australian systems.”

Up until this technology was in place, the only alternative option to plastics for publishers was paper envelopes.

Murphy said this was cost prohibitive for many clients, because the price of producing and printing the envelopes was high – in addition to the labour of

either hand inserting magazines into the envelopes, or using very expensive equipment to insert into the envelopes and seal them.

This added a significant increase to mailing costs.

Although mailing houses like FSG have experimented over the years with bioplastics and recy-clable plastics, Murphy said the technology never quite worked out.

“We tried to use bioplastics but the settings on the machines – which use heat to seal them – make it very difficult,” he said.

“Even for those companies who worked out how to mail them, it was a challenge for consumers to separate the plastics at the end of the process, or find appropriate disposal.

“Eventually, we saw that the only real option was paper.”

Murphy came across this technology through his supplier UK company, Norpak, who previously supplied his plastic wrapping machine.

“They introduced us to the idea because

they saw what was happening in the European Union with the phase out of single-used plastics,” he said.

“With the Australian Government making similar moves towards a full phase out of single-use plastics, we think that this machine will be the catalyst to push the movement along in the mailing industry.”

Murphy noted that in Europe, where it was put into commercial use 18 months ago, it has al-ready taken off.

“The first person to use the machine really took a leap in the dark,” he said.

“Now he has 13 of these machines, and those plastic wrapping machines are sitting there not being used – they are becoming museum pieces.

“That will be the future in Australia now that this machine has arrived.”

An additional environmental benefit to the machine is that because the addresses are printed directly onto the paper wrapping, it eliminates the need for flysheets – the paper that lists the addresses and is placed onto a magazine.

FSG owner, Michael Murphy, and Prime Creative Media COO, Christine Clancy. Image: Prime Creative Media.

This improves efficiency, as it limits the printing and transportation of flysheets.

It also means that only a small amount of more paper is being used in with the new system, once you take into account the paper used in flysheet printing. And of course, this opens up a vast array of options in using recycled and sustainable paper products.

The only drawback, Murphy said, is that the paper is less weather-proof. In Europe many people live in apartments instead of houses, and magazines are delivered in post boxes or through slits in doors.

He said it will be interesting to see how the paper stands up to Australia’s climate, but is confident it will work well.

That being said, he noted the price of an occasional damp magazine is one worth paying to save thousands of tonnes of plastic wrapping from going to landfill every year.

Prime Creative Media COO, Christine Clancy, was on site at FSG in Bayswater to witness the first publications being sent out in paper-wrapping.

“It’s such an honour to watch history in the making, to see our publications make this first step in reducing single use

plastics in our environment,” she said.

Clancy said the company has long been involved in supporting the growth of the waste management industry, through its publications Inside Waste and Waste Management Review, along with its annual Waste Awards.

“After years of reporting on the challenges of single-use plastics in the waste industry, it’s so wonderful for us to play a proactive part in it by reducing our own use,” she said.

“We’re fortunate to have FSG as a partner to help make this happen.”

New update on $1.7B Rockhampton Ring Road project

The Australian and Queensland governments have shared an update on the $1.73 billion Rock-hampton Ring Road project.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Steven Miles recently celebrated construction progress on the project, which is now fully funded by both levels of government.

The full 7.4-kilometre Rockhampton Ring Road will be delivered with an increased Australian Government commitment of $1.2 billion and an increased Queensland Government commit-ment to $530 million.

Upon completion, the Ring Road is expected to transform Rockhampton and will be a critical new artery for Central Queensland and the broader Bruce Highway.

According to Miles, it will also benefit the transport sector by allowing more productive travel for operators moving freight around the state.

“When complete, big trucks will avoid 19 sets of traffic lights through the middle of Rockhamp-ton, which has long been regarded as the pinch point for travel on the Bruce Highway,” he said

“That is critical for Queensland’s economic growth.”

The Rockhampton Ring Road project was announced last year, and according to the Queensland Government, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Late last year the Australian and Queensland governments confirmed construction would be underway on the Rockhampton Ring Road by the end of 2023, and here we are two months into construction to deliver this

essential infrastructure project for Central Queensland,” Albanese said.

“This significant investment by the Australian and Queensland governments is a long-term, vi-sionary project for Queensland’s biggest highway, the lifeline for the state of Queensland that will unlock future economic growth, build flood resilience, reduce travel times, improve road safety and support jobs.”

Construction on the first $280 million package of works started in November 2023.

Both contractor joint ventures mobilised to site in November to start construction at key work locations in Parkhurst and on Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road in West Rockhampton.

Construction on this phase of the Rockhampton Ring Road is expected to take up to two years to complete.

Image: Zstock/stock.adobe.com.

Major contract awarded for Mount Ousley interchange

Registration opens for VTA State Conference 2024

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) is now accepting registrations for State Conference 2024, to be held from Sunday 17 – Tuesday 19 March at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island.

“The State Conference is the VTA’s premier professional development event, and I invite members, associate members, and other industry stakeholders to join us for three days of learning, networking and social engagement with fellow members, operators, and suppliers,” said VTA CEO, Peter Anderson.

Fulton Hogan has been awarded a major contract to design and build a new interchange in New South Wales.

The $390 million Mount Ousley interchange project will improve road safety by providing northbound access from Mount Ousley Road to the M1 Princes Motorway via an overpass, as well as providing better separation of cars and heavy vehicles.

When complete, the new interchange will include southbound heavy vehicle bypass lanes and safety ramps, a commuter carpark and a shared path and vehicle overpass for improved access between Mount Ousley Road, the M1 Princes Motorway and the University of Wollongong.

It has been revealed that detailed design work will start early this year. Transport for NSW and Fulton Hogan will work together throughout early work and the detailed design process to ensure the community continues to be informed about the project.

“We are one step closer to starting major work on this critical piece of infrastructure, which will not only improve travel times for motorists but also provide safer journeys and support growing freight movements to the south coast,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King.

“This stretch of road is known for traffic queuing and delays during peak periods.

Separating cars and heavy vehicles travelling southbound is a unique feature that will provide a safer environment for everyone using the road.”

An estimated five million tonnes of freight travels the M1 Princes Motorway each year, as one of the main road freight corridors to and from the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region.

Federal Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, said the investment in the Mount Ousley interchange is therefore essential.

“The M1 Princes Motorway is the only road in and out of the Illawarra capable of handling the volume and size of traffic needed to support commuters coming to and from Greater Sydney and our growing local industry,” she said.

“It is the economic artery that ensures products like new cars, trucks and buses from the Port make their way to the showroom floor and BlueScope’s world class steel can find its way to market.

“The Australian and NSW governments’ significant joint investment in this project show that we understand this is a busy and vital route for visitors to the region, locals, business and the freight industry.”

Early work will start in the coming months, including survey and geotechnical investigations, utility relocation and vegetation clearing.

Major work is expected to start later this year, with the project expected to take about four years to complete – weather permitting.

“The theme of our Conference this year is Future Freight Landscapes. Technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber-security are just a handful of issues that are upending economies, communities, and industries as we know it. And the transport industry isn’t exempt.

“We invite you to explore what you don’t know but should know about transport, with the VTA assembling experts from industry, regulators, academia, and government, to challenge our thinking and inform our discussions,” said Anderson.

Throughout the Conference, formal sessions will be interspersed with a range of networking and hospitality sessions, providing delegates with opportunities to socialise and gain new contacts from across the industry.

A trade exhibition during the Conference will feature new products and innovations from a range of industry suppliers, and we anticipate having the latest associated equipment from our domestic and international original equipment manufacturers.

“I look forward to sharing our provisional program over the coming weeks; delegates can be assured the calibre of presenters will be exceptional, in keeping with our reputation for providing a relevant, timely and contentrich State Conference,” said Anderson.

Image:

Jason/stock.adobe.com.

Monadelphous secures long-term project with Woodside

Engineering company, Monadelphous, is extending its maintenance and shutdown services agreement with Woodside Energy.

The existing agreement has been extended for a further three-year period with an additional option for the agreement to be extended for a further two years thereafter.

The value of the extension is approx. $180 million per annum – subject to final work scope required each year. Works include maintenance, shutdown and brownfields project services at the Woodside-operated onshore and offshore gas production facilities in Western Australia (Karratha Gas Plan, Pluto LNG, North Rankin Complex, Goodwyn.

The scope of work under the agreement includes maintenance, shutdown and brownfields project services at the Woodside-operated onshore and offshore gas production facilities located in the northwest of Western Australia, including Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto LNG, North Rankin Complex, Goodwyn A platform and Angel platform).

Monadelphous Managing Director, Zoran Bebic, said the agreement extension was a testament to the strength of the company’s relationship with Woodside, and Monadelphous’ safe and reliable delivery of services.

“We are extremely proud of the relationship we have developed with Woodside over more than 20 years and are delighted to continue supporting their operations well into the future,” he said.

Earlier this month, Woodside signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s SK E&S to enable studies on the potential development of a lower-carbon hydrogen value chain, including hydrogen, ammonia and other related products.

Under the MOU, Woodside and SK E&S plan to jointly explore opportunities relating to long-term ammonia and hydrogen offtake arrangements, equity participation in ammonia and hydrogen production projects, and project engineering supply opportunities.

In addition, both parties will consider

Silk Logistics appoints CFO

Silk Logistics Holdings appointed a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

James Nicholias commenced the role on 8 January and brings more than 20 years of financial experience from industries including logistics and supply chain, recycling, banking and infrastructure.

He has held multiple roles at Bingo Industries from 2017 to 2022 including Acting CFO, Group Financial Controller and General Manager for Finance Transformation and Investor Relations.

Prior to that he was the CFO at Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics – appointed in September 2022, day zero of the reset and turnaround under private equity.

Nicholias has also worked in senior finance roles with Australian Turf Club, JP Morgan, Macquarie Group and Deloitte.

“We welcome James to Silk, and look forward to his contribution as the company plans its next phase of consolidation and growth,” said Silk Logistics Managing Director and CEO,

existing and proposed government policies of South Korea and Australia that could help facilitate lower-carbon hydrogen value chain development.

Woodside Executive Vice President New Energy, Shaun Gregory, said the MOU reflected the increasing demand for largescale decarbonised energy solutions such as lower-carbon hydrogen and ammonia from Woodside’s industry partners in the Asia Pacific region.

“With more than 35 years of experience as a world-class developer and operator of complex energy production facilities, and as a safe and reliable energy provider, Woodside is well positioned to play a key role in the development of the hydrogen and ammonia value chain for partners in South Korea,” he said.

“This collaboration will help inform our development of the new energy products and services which could support our customers’ decarbonisation, unlock new market opportunities and support the broader Asia Pacific region in their climate goals and net zero aspirations.”

Brendan Boyd.

He added that Nicholias will work through a transition program with outgoing CFO Brendon Pentland prior to his leaving around March 2024.

For FY2023 the business reported revenue of $486.6 million, a 23.8 per cent increase compared to FY2022.

As for mergers and acquisitions, the integration of Fremantle Freight & Storage is reportedly on track to complete within the first half of FY2024.

Image: Rafael Ben-Ari/stock.adobe.com.

B-DOUBLE DROP DECK CURTAINSIDER

• Full mezz deck

• Hanging gates, toolboxes & provision for tow coupling

• Locally supplied curtains

B-DOUBLE FLAT DECK CURTAINSIDER

• Rear doors

• Gates, toolboxes & provision for tow coupling

• Locally supplied curtains

45’ Drop Deck with BiFold Ramp

• 12V Power Pack

• 3 Way Twist locks

• Machinery tie-down points in floor

40’ DROP DECK SKELETAL TRAILER

• 3 way twist locks

• Dangerous goods rated

• Container tilt airbag fitted

• CIMC

13.7-21.5m Extendable Flat Top

• 3 Way Twist locks

• Pneumatic warning flags

• Provision for tow coupling

40’ 3 WAY SKELETAL

• Standar & lightweight designs

• Side loader pads

• Provision for tow coupling

a long term commitment to Australia by investing in infrastructure to provide high quality products, support and service.

• Local production capacity for Semi-Trailers and Tankers with CNC cutter, welding machines and start-of-the-art heated paint shop.

• Comprehensive parts store stocking genuine CIMC parts, along with additional OEM sourced items.

• Dedicated service & repairs workshop.

• Total site area 51,000 sqm, with a 13,000 sqm workshop.

Program addresses gender imbalance in industry

A new round of grants are now open to drive equality in the workplace according to the Victorian Government.

Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins, has announced a further $1.3 million is now available for organisations through the Women in Energy and Manufacturing Funding Program.

This program, according to Hutchins, will support organisations with attracting, recruiting and attaining women.

“We want women of all ages, backgrounds and identities to have the careers they want – which is why

programs like this, are so important,” she said.

“I encourage all organisations that want to help more women get the job they want in the these traditionally male-dominated industries to apply.”

The first grants round supported a range of initiatives including mentoring programs for women run by the National Association of Women in Operations through virtual group and one-onone sessions and school awareness campaigns for solar energy careers run by Australian Women in Solar Energy.

Government response to AI an intelligent first step: Engineers Australia

Engineers Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s Interim Response to Safe and Responsible AI as a positive first step in balancing regulation and safety with innovation.

“Engineers Australia supports the Government’s commitment to a future where AI is both a force for good and responsibly managed,” said Engineers Australia CEO, Romilly Madew AO.

“We must pioneer a path that balances innovation with safety, ensuring AI’s benefits while protecting professionals, educators, students and the community.”

The Government’s announcement focused on ways to make sure the design, development, and deployment of AI in legitimate high-risk settings is safe and responsible, while ensuring that AI can continue being used in low-risk settings

largely unimpeded.

“This approach, blending regulatory and non-regulatory strategies in a risk-based framework, is not just about control – it’s about empowering responsible AI use across diverse sectors,” said Madew.

“We are particularly pleased with the announcement of an AI expert advisory body, which aligns with our recommendation for a specialised taskforce that includes engineering expertise, which is crucial in the development, implementation, integration, use and maintenance of AI systems and products.

“This advisory body should offer technical advice and expertise on AI development, adoption, and use, along with regulatory and non-regulatory options. AI regulation should strike a balance, blending risk

It also supported the Women in Trades project run by the Australian Manufacturing Union, which delivered a series of trade demonstration events, employer site visits and career expos with employers such as Nestle to attract young women to exciting careers and opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

Women are reported to account for just 32 per cent of Victoria’s manufacturing sector, and 33 per cent of the electricity, gas, water and waste services industries. The figures are even lower for women working in trades.

management and control systems. Tailoring regulation to diverse sectors, use cases, and risk profiles is crucial.”

Engineers Australia will continue to consult with government, industry, and academia, with a focus on regulatory guardrails.

“While this is a step in the right direction, we’d like to see the government working closely with engineering professionals on designing and building these systems with appropriate consideration of the ethics of AI systems, alongside the development of codes of conduct for professional practice,” said Madew.

“We will continue pushing for transparent and accountable AI development. Our call is for AI systems to be as reliable as they are revolutionary, ensuring they are tested, transparent, and trustworthy.”

Dangerous Goods risk assessment update

International practice has influenced a change in the way risk is assessed for the transportation of Dangerous Goods (DG) in specific scenarios.

Austroads has proposed a new approach for assessing whether the risk resulting from the transit of DG is lower on a tunnel route or lower on an alternative surface route.

The approach, according to Austroads, largely draws on European experience where countries like Austria, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland have national methodologies that offer an official evaluation procedure.

Prior to the release of this Austroads methodology no such national method existed in Australia or New Zealand.

Austroads said the decision to restrict DG traffic through tunnels should also consider environmental and ecological risks, with community, social and economic benefits.

“Neither Australia nor New Zealand have a standardised risk assessment approach

for considering risk to life associated with how we route dangerous goods,” said Austroads Transport Infrastructure Program Manager, Ross Guppy.

“By providing this method, we address a need of road authorities to have a rational documented risk-based input to the multifacetted decisions that must be made about routing dangerous goods through tunnels.”

The Australasian approach is based on a Dangerous Goods Quantitative Risk Assessment Model (DG-QRAM) – an internationally applied software jointly developed by PIARC (World Road Association) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“One of the main advantages of DGQRAM is the ability to estimate the risk of dangerous goods transport through both a tunnel and an alternative open-air route, enabling a comparative risk assessment to inform route evaluations and regulatory

decisions,” said Guppy.

The application of the methodology in the Australasian context is demonstrated in a case study of a hypothetical tunnel, illustrating the stages of the comparative assessment, with incorporation of risk mitigation measures.

The DG risk assessment guidance is provided as a series of three reports that should be read and applied together.

Image: Donald/stock.adobe.com.

Federal Budget investments could be transformative for industry

Decarbonisation, diversification and digitalisation are the ‘Three Ds’ the Federal Budget should invest in according to Ai Group.

The national employer association recently released a submission to the Federal Budget outlining the need for government to invest for the long-term as industry navigates the challenges of uncertainty, inflation and a slowing economy.

“Australian industry enters 2024 feeling anxious and pessimistic about the immediate future,” said Ai Group CEO, Innes Willox.

“While the Australian economy continues to slow, global uncertainty is growing and inflation and labour shortage pressures appear to be persisting longer than expected.

“Yet Australian industry also has to keep an eye on longer-term transformational challenges: the ‘Three Ds’ of decarbonisation, diversification and digitalisation.

“These transformations have a longterm time horizon measured in decades, not years. But they cannot be ignored, as getting them right will be key to Australia’s future wealth and prosperity.”

Ai Group said an effective and successful 2024-25 Federal budget will help industry manage this tension between short-term challenges and long-term investment needs. It should focus on:

• Decarbonising industry by promoting investment, reforming regulatory barriers and supporting skills for energy transition opportunities;

• diversifying industry through innovation programs, trade promotions efforts and a commitment to skilled migration;

• digitalising industry through automation, AI, data stewardship and cybersecurity investments.

“Overarching these proposals is the pressing need for reform of Australia’s taxation system,” said Willox.

“This should deliver tax simplification, minimise ‘bracket creep’ and other unplanned fiscal changes, unlock opportunities for productivity-enhancing changes, and support the aspirations of

people wanting to work harder and earn more.

“Underpinning our capacity to meet our challenges in the short and long term is the need for a clear-eyed focus on developing a workforce with the skills to thrive in a decarbonised, digitalised and more diverse future.”

Ai Group’s submission is reported to highlight key areas in which deep work is still needed in order to embed a tertiary education and training sector that allows Australia to achieve its human capital potential. Recommendations include:

• A tertiary education body, including VET, with appropriate industry representation that provides national governance, analysis, expert advice and a funding model that considers the impacts on VET and drives parity of esteem between the sectors.

• The setting of new longterm targets that address overall participation and attainment in higher education into the future, in concert with VET target setting, to meet projected workforce needs.

• E xamine the level of funding for the tertiary education system to ensure it

enables quality outcomes across VET and higher education and is equitable across the sectors.

• Progress reform of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

• Provide Government support for all apprenticeships and traineeships of no less than 30% in wage subsidy across two years.

• Reinstate the fixed monetary completion incentives of $2500 to employers.

• E xtend the support currently available to apprentices in priority occupations of up to $5000, to assist in the completion of their training to all endorsed apprentices and traineeships without exception.

• Develop a national framework for skills transferability.

• Introduce a lifelong learning funding model that includes a framework of learning entitlements and income contingent loans.

“The budget should provide the framework industry needs to continue to invest and innovate for long-term transformations, even while business conditions are difficult in the short-term,” said Willox.

Refrigerated stash

SLR Trans has expanded its Schmitz Cargobull fleet of more than 20 combinations with the delivery of a new B-double refrigerated trailer.

Now, it will go all in as it looks to build on its collection even more.

Brisbane-based refrigerated transport company, SLR Trans, specialises in moving a range of temperature-controlled freight including dry, ambient, chilled and frozen goods. Not only that, it offers a comprehensive logistics solution designed to streamline the supply chain and reduce operational complexities by utilising its storage and cross dock facilities for these freight tasks.

As a proud Australian and family-owned and operated business, every aspect of the SLR Trans business is aligned with old-fashioned values of integrity, honesty and commitment to customer care and excellence.

This is where SLR Trans COO, Aumar Moosa, says the company distinguishes itself.

“What sets us apart from the rest is our commitment to providing superior service throughout the SLR Trans journey from start to finish,” he says. “We provide tailored linehaul, short haul, metro and home delivery temperature-controlled

transport solutions for temperature sensitive goods for businesses of all sizes.”

SLR Trans’ journey began back in 2013 as a small company averaging 200 deliveries a week. Its humble beginnings came about from the dream of founder and CEO, Jimmy Gupta, to one day own his own refrigerated transport company working as a driver alongside his wife, and now Director and Finance Manager of the company, Shubhi Aggarwal.

Jimmy’s passion for the refrigerated transport industry, combined with firsthand knowledge gained from years of practical experience within this space, is what helped him to identify a critical gap in the local service providers – a tailored refrigerated transport solution.

“He believed the ‘one size fits all’ principle prevented businesses from achieving cold chain efficiency and integrity, and this is what fuelled the inception of SLR Trans,” Aumar says.

SLR Trans’ growth has been steady, with milestones

marking almost every year since its inception. By the end of 2020, for example, SLR Trans had expanded to the point where it was completing over 45,000 deliveries per week. Today, SLR Trans credits its progress to the sheer perseverance, hard work and dedication of every team member.

“We look forward to achieving and celebrating even more milestones as we continue our steady progress towards becoming the refrigerated transport provider of choice for businesses across Australia,” Aumar says.

It was in January of 2022 when SLR Trans crossed paths with Brown and Hurley Yatala. Jimmy and Aumar were invited to the dealership by Trevor Cox to view a new European Schmitz Cargobull 24-pallet freezer capable trailer, and since

Images: Brown and Hurley.

It has now accumulated over 20 Schmitz Cargobull trailers.

SLR Trans’ fleet of Schmitz Cargobull trailers travel from Melbourne to Brisbane through Sydney to move bulk goods at -22°C and ambient temperatures. In these operations, Aumar says Schmitz Cargobull’s loader bars in particular have come in handy by allowing operators to double stack pallets and eliminate manual handling.

“We use the typical loader bars to double stack pallets,” he says. “They are heavy for the drivers to lift, and there is quite a lot of manual handling involved. Without Schmitz Cargobull’s vertical double loader system, the drivers would have to load and unload around 32 decking loader beams which weigh around 10 kilograms each on a B-Double load from the back of the trailers and stow away underneath the trailer. Some of the bars become rusty overtime as well, so Schmitz Cargobull’s loader bars have really helped them.”

Because of the agility, performance, user-friendliness and pleasing aesthetics of the Schmitz Cargobull product, SLR Trans purchased another two B-double refrigerated units. The first has recently arrived and is already making its mark in SLR Trans’ interstate freight tasks.

“Due to Schmitz Cargobull’s robust technology, the refrigerator doesn’t have to work as hard and the temperature

body, making fuel consumption extremely efficient,” Aumar says. “It’s good on fuel, and it’s good for double stacking pallets with the drop-down loader bar system.”

Schmitz Cargobull’s Ferroplast panel, patented in 1978, remains to be the backbone of every refrigerated or ambient trailer body sold under the Schmitz Cargobull label.

Since the product was launched, the company has delivered hundreds of thousands of Ferroplast-based trailers worldwide, indicating just how popular the technology is within the wider transport community.

Thanks to the Ferroplast thermal technology in the refrigerated Schmitz Cargobull boxes, Aumar says his bodies don’t sweat in the extreme heats faced in Australia. The technology also prevents moisture from penetrating through the body’s vapour, resulting in less fuel consumption and better performance from the A500 Thermo King unit – SLR Trans’ preferred refrigerator on all of its Schmitz Cargobull trailers.

Apart from the drop-down loader bars, Schmitz Cargobull’s fuel tanks are another feature SLR Trans is extremely fond of. Aumar says they are accessible from both sides of the trailer, carry a good amount of fuel, and distribute the weight equally across the trailer.

from Schmitz Cargobull can be seen in its use of the trailer’s multifunctional floor.

“The smooth floor is brilliant to wash out the dust and debris from the wooden pallets,” Aumar says. “It comes with a smooth non-slip barley grain patterned floor which is silent when loading and unloading goods on dolly wheels. It puts less friction on the forklift wheels as well, unlike the air flow floors, but most importantly it is very hygienic and easy to clean.”

Choosing Schmitz Cargobull for its refrigerated transportation needs, Aumar says, has proved its worth.

“Schmitz Cargobull is a big win, for sure,” he says. “It means there is one less worry for the allocator who juggles between air flow floors and flat floors depending on the load carried. We are always excited to receive a new Schmitz Cargobull trailer, and Trevor Cox does a good job keeping us up to date with the progress and upcoming deliveries.”

Going forward, the plan for SLR Trans is to stick with Schmitz Cargobull and to keep adding its trailers to the fleet.

Cargobull Australia

Unit 2, 221 Browns Road, Noble Park North 3174 VIC

Ph: 03 8794 6600

Web: www.cargobull.com.au

A driving force

On the back of its recent expansion, CoolWay Trans has acquired five new B-double sets fitted with Carrier Vector HE19 refrigeration units.

CoolWay Trans, since establishing around 10 years ago, has prospered in its national transportation within the temperaturecontrolled sector and Less-ThanTruckload (LTL) network. The business has grown from having one single vehicle to over 140 pieces of equipment.

Accompanied by an expanding national footprint, the company’s niche market has served it extremely well. CoolWay now runs distribution centres (DC) in every capital city in the country.

The fleet’s most recent expansion saw it relocate to a new and second site in Glendenning, New South Wales. Between the two locations, CoolWay has a total of around 9,000 square metres of DC and

hardstand storage and preventative maintenance.

CoolWay Commercial Manager, Mark Williams, says the new facility allows the business to control its own destiny.

“We have the flexibility to maintain our equipment when it suits us during times where there might be a bit of downtime,” he says. “So, we can service them, we can maintain them, and we can keep them clean and tidy. We can control the direction of the business.”

From the beginning, Carrier Transicold had always been CoolWay’s preferred refrigeration supplier for its trailer and rigid units. It has also played a big part in the fleet’s growth – Coolway Managing

“Carrier has played a major role in the success of the company, because they make sure everything gets delivered on time, in temperature, and that’s what we sell for,” he says. “They have a major role in our operations.”

CoolWay recently took delivery of five B-double sets fitted with Carrier’s diesel-electric Vector HE19 refrigeration units. The combinations, which arrived last December, have already completed multiple trips to Perth and will soon travel routes from Sydney to Perth, Sydney to Adelaide and along the east coast of Australia carrying multi-temperature LTL pallets.

“They’ve been faultless,” Mark says. “With the finish on the trailers coupled up with the efficiency of the refrigeration units, they’ve been perfect. They basically haven’t stopped since we’ve taken delivery of them – from the initial install to all the pre-trip inspections that have been

L-R: Carrier Transicold NSW Service Manager, Dean Coffill, CoolWay Trans NSW/ ACT State Manager, Michael Mihailovic, CoolWay Trans Commercial Manager, Mark Williams, and Carrier Transicold NSW Sales Manager, Darrin Klein.

Fast fact

The Carrier Vector HE19’s use of a hermetically sealed scroll compressor and economiser helps to deliver a 40 per cent increase in refrigeration capacity during pull-down, while reducing the chance of refrigerant escape by 50 per cent.

used in a road train combination which travelled to Perth, and in an A-double combination between Sydney and Melbourne.

CoolWay has found the Vector HE19s throughout all of the 10 trailers to be extremely efficient on fuel. So much so, that its several trailer orders lined up for the near future are all set to feature Carrier’s all electric E-Drive technology.

reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent, improves unit weight by 10 per cent, and brings lower noise levels with up to 15 per cent savings on maintenance costs, compared with predecessors.

“They give us that peace of mind that, whether we’re running confectionary chilled or frozen goods, they will maintain the temperature without any fault,” Mark says. “These new ones are a little bit overspecified for our setup, but they pull down quickly, they hold temperature and they’re extremely good on fuel. Once the doors are sealed up and they’re pulling down and have reached their temperature, they maintain it with the combination of the MaxiTRANS trailers.”

Carrier’s Vector HE 19 temperaturecontrolled trailer system features patented all-electric technology, which means the unit is powered by AC electricity generated by the diesel engine while in transit and also when plugged into mains power while stationary.

Since its launch, the internal architecture of the Vector HE 19 has been significantly redeveloped. Its modern design now

The high efficiency unit has been built around Carrier Transicold’s E-Drive all-electric technology, which works by removing the mechanical transmissions found in conventional belt-driven equipment and engine power into electricity via a generator, which drives the refrigeration system. This provides the benefit of a sustaining refrigerant containment for a projected average annual leak rate of less than three per cent.

The Vector HE 19 system combines the E-Drive technology with an improved multi-speed engine design, bringing fuel savings of up to 30 per cent when compared to the previous Vector 1950 – the equivalent of saving 5.4 tonnes of CO2 annually. It is also 82kgs lighter, operates at 3dB (A) lower, and has engineless options available for emissions reductions.

To CoolWay, it was clear from the start that Carrier cares about its customers. When Sunny and Anna used to work from their home office, Carrier’s NSW

Sales Manager, Darrin Klein, paid them a visit and made the decision for them for the unforeseeable future.

“He told me they treat everybody equally,” Sunny says. “To them, it didn’t matter if you buy one fridge or a hundred. It was the same.”

Now, CoolWay is replacing all of its fridges alongside Carrier.

“We are changing everything over 40,000 hours, and we haven’t had any breakdowns,” Sunny says. “Carrier has delivered and catered to all of our expectations. We are trying to be the best, and to be the best you have to partner with companies like Carrier who have the integrity and really do care about its customers.

“They’re such a big global brand and they still take care of all the little things for the small family-owned businesses, which is great. They will give you the best advice, not based on selling a product. They will give you the right product to suit the trailer, and that’s what I like about them. They’re an excellent company with an excellent product.”

Images: Carrier Transicold.

Fleet solutions for success

Scully RSV’s hire, sales and manufacturing prowess have allowed companies like Rum City Foods to transform their business and bring their offerings to a new level.

Scully RSV, renowned for its broad solutions and ability to partner with customers throughout their journeys, has built its success on the foundation of dominant manufacturing capabilities and reliable vehicles for hire. It has been in business for over 30 years with these same values, and because of that, has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in servicing Australia’s transport sector.

It is Australian road transport which Scully RSV CEO, Andrew McKenzie, says is one of the most arduous tasks anywhere in the world. Therefore, it is essential for Scully RSV to get it right.

“With the unique operating conditions of our environment, the distances travelled and the loads we carry, there’s no other market in the world like it,” he says. “That’s why it’s so important to maintain Australian design on our refrigerated transport, and that’s what Scully RSV has done. We don’t take European or American designs, but what we do is look to their learnings.

“The tyranny of distance in Australia is that we can’t afford for our assets to break down. In Europe or America, you aren’t more than 100 kilometres from a major capital city and yet here in Australia we have one of the most geographically isolated capitals in Perth.”

Scully RSV understands the various

nuances and tasks that exist in the refrigerated road transport space, and from milk to meat hangers, custom doors and more, it has designed and built it all.

“What sets us apart is our ability to create incredibly bespoke solutions to our customers unique operating and contract requirements,” Andrew says. “Our manufacturing process is 100-per cent customisable, allowing us to create the perfect solution.”

Ranging from utes to 14-pallet trailers, Scully RSV builds its customised solutions using panel materials from a local supplier in New South Wales. From there, it assembles and builds each and every unit in-house in Brisbane. Being a local manufacturer, Andrew says, is something the business is very proud of.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to design and build truly world class solutions here in Australia,” he says. “We don’t look to import –we source local product. Because we do this, we work with our suppliers to manufacture only the most premium products available in Australia for our vehicles.”

Working with these local suppliers also means that Scully RSV is able to support and reinforce its purpose of connecting communities. By supporting local businesses, they then employ their local communities to produce the products that

make it into Scully RSV’s trucks.

“It’s this powerhouse combination of overseas learnings, applying it with our domestic suppliers, and creating a superior product that’s made by local communities, which reinforces why we design and manufacture in Australia for Australian conditions,” Andrew says.

Based in Queensland, Rum City Foods is a family-owned and operated business which has completely leveraged its service offerings with Scully RSV’s fleet solutions. The fleet now has over 40 rigids on the road as well as a range of vehicles purchased through Scully RSV.

Following its most recent venture which saw the company branch out into fruit and vegetables, Rum City Foods turned to Scully RSV for a range of A and B trailers. Rum City Foods General Manager, Scott McIntyre, says these units have transformed his operations.

“With the savings that they’ve implemented into my business, they’re brilliant,” he says. “Instead of running two or three trucks to one region we’re just running one semi-trailer. So, they’re costsaving, efficient and reliable.”

The trailers will travel to Brisbane three days a week to pick up fresh produce at the Brisbane Markets. They will first load out of Bundaberg with fruit and vegetables to take

Fast fact

Scully RSV founder, Damien Scully, originally approached Rum City Foods Managing Director, Kelvin McIntyre, in hopes of getting his support after completing his apprenticeship. Rum City Foods backed Damien and Scully RSV, and it hasn’t looked back since.

to Brisbane, and then will bring loads back to Rum City Foods’ Rockhampton facility to satisfy the needs of its customers.

Rum City Foods has been dealing with Scully RSV for several decades since its inception in 1978, and over that time, has benefitted significantly from its service and reliability.

“Their product is reliable, and they listen to our requirements,” Scott says. “If we have issues with their technology in the harsher environment of north Queensland, they listen to us, they rectify and they restrengthen in certain areas. They satisfy all of our needs, and they’re there to assist our growth.”

In the event of a breakdown or a new contract, Scott says Scully RSV allows businesses to keep trading – delivering on its promise to be a full service provider.

“Because our business is growing so fast, if we pick up a new contract and we physically don’t have enough vehicles in our own fleet, they’re only one phone call away,” he says. “Every build is different, depending on the contract that you’re servicing, so then we design it with a purpose-built body to fulfil that contract.

Then when they manufacture it, we return the hire truck and pick up our new trucks.”

To Rum City Foods, Scully RSV is an insurance policy every day. Scott says he is able to continue to service his customers in full and on time, because if there is ever a breakdown or a need for more vehicles, he has Scully RSV up his sleeve.

“I can call on them, and they answer, they produce, and they provide,” he says. “Scully RSV is very diversified and they can

us in growing, we wouldn’t be here in the same position as we are today without Scully RSV.”

Contact

Scully RSV

Ph: 1800 728 559

Web: www.scullyrsv.com.au

Images: Scully RSV.

Scott McIntyre and Kodi Beeston.

Rapid and responsive

Australian shipping company, Sea Swift ,has taken delivery of a 45’ flat top and 45’ drop deck semi from CIMC Vehicle Australia to modernise its road transport fleet as well as increase productivity.

Sea Swift works to keep Northern Australia connected and is looking to expand further this year. It operates in Northern Australia, servicing remote and regional communities in Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory. The company provides freight and passenger services as well as maritime logistical support and operates container ships in addition to barges, tugs and landing craft.

With eight depots throughout the region, the shipping company – owned by the Queensland Government Insurance Fund – covers an extensive area and delivers general cargo, essential services and vital supplies to communities that rely on it.

Sea Swift is focused on investment in new shoreside and marine assets, growing its staff cohort and maintaining support of the local Northern Australian economy.

To support its endeavours, Sea Swift, over the past 18 months, has acquired trailing equipment from CIMC Vehicle Australia. The initial purchases included a 45’ flat deck and 45’ drop deck semitrailer which were received in December 2023. These trailers were optioned with Dangerous Goods (DG) wiring, 3-way container twistlock beams, road train provision, two toolboxes and a water tank.

“Our new trailers from CIMC will travel around the Cairns machine precinct areas and will be used for relocating containers (TEUs) from our depots to the wharf for loading on to vessels,” says Sea Swift Communications Officer, Georgia Buratto.

In addition to renewing the trailer fleet for its Cairns operations, the company is also expanding from two to three trucks.

“The new trailers will increase productivity and increase the speed in which we load vessels with more containers travelling to the wharf,” Georgia says – also noting other important features such as quick container pins and onboard supply ratchet straps.

While CIMC Vehicle Australia has supplied quality trailers spec’d for Sea Swift’s freight tasks, the trailer builder has also gone above and beyond in its customer service mission.

“We work closely with Ashley Hayes, Sales Manager QLD at CIMC Vehicle Australia, and he has been responsive and

provides a fantastic service,” Georgia says. “New Sea Swift staff came onboard, and Ashley was able to fill in the team about previous orders and the drawings and drafts of the product.”

CIMC Vehicle Australia has proven to be a responsive and reliable trailer supplier for Sea Swift.

“We are looking forward to using the trailers more as they are quite new to Sea

Fast fact

Sea Swift is reported to be Northern Australia’s largest shipping company. It has provided essential services and project freight in the region since 1987.

Image: Sea Swift.

Image: Sea Swift.

Trailer builder

New agreement expands Borcat trailer range

Borcat has entered a partnership with Haulmark Trailers to offer the Gincor Werx bottom trailers to the New South Wales market.

Haulmark Trailers is an Australian importer for Gincor Werx, a trailer manufacturer based in Canada, North America, with a range of vehicles backed by four decades of experience in the industry.

Haulmark itself also has an established footprint within Australia. Yet, in a bid to bolster its supply to New South Wales, it engaged with Borcat in hopes of coming to an agreement.

Following discussions with Borcat Managing Director, Paul Gallagher, Borcat will now supply the NSW market with Haulmark-Gincor live bottom trailers.

“They approached us and asked me if we were interested in being a distributor for their product,” Paul says. “They seemed to have thought that Borcat was a good fit. Having a fair bit of industry knowledge when it comes to the hot mix and aggregate game, we are a good fit for them.”

This new partnership will give the Borcat brand the ability to offer all types of live bottom trailers, strengthening its own portfolio while also broadening Gincor’s

presence in Australia.

“We’re expanding our offering to our customers,” Paul says. “Live bottom trailers are more prevalent today than they were 10 years ago, so we just want to be able to supply our customers with another highquality option.

“The Gincor product will allow us to do that. It’s a good product and it has been around for a long time. While it does come out of Canada, it is built for the Australian conditions, so it’s a very good fit for the market.”

Paul says Borcat has all of the contacts, knowledge and facilities required to support Haulmark and Gincor.

“Haulmark, being a long-established company in Australia with a good reputation, were looking to bolster with somebody with the same reputation,” he says. “We’ve been around for 60-plus years now, and so have they. I believe we are a good fit, which is why we are on board and are looking to move some of these trailers into NSW.”

Now pushing ahead with the agreement,

Borcat will put a couple of Gincor live bottom trailers to the test.

“We’re getting a couple of demo units up into NSW, so we’ll be able to give them a go and see what the Gincor product is all about,” Paul says.

As Haulmark takes care of trailer supplies, Borcat will reinforce this with its stock of spare parts in NSW.

“There will be parts readily available in each state,” Paul says. “Our customers won’t be let down on service. We work on the product we service here and will have the parts here, so we will look after people.

“This collaboration is about serving our customers here locally – offering sales, service and backup with our expertise. Haulmark and Gincor will have each state covered, so we can back that up here in NSW without going interstate.”

Contact

Borcat

Image: Haulmark Trailers.

Rentco, the first Australian Rental Fleet to bring to market the R/H Drive fully electric terminal tractor, the long awaited Terberg TY200-EV.

After testing the first 12 units to be delivered into Australia we are very happy with the results and these have proven to be the most comfortable carbon free emission option we can deliver to market.

The first four units were delivered in July of this year and have been tested by some of the counties largest freight companies in some of the busiest depots we have in Australia, with another 4 arriving this year and the remaining 4 will be delivered in Feb 2024. These 12 full electric terminal tractors will bolster what is already the largest terminal tractor fleet in the country.

Rentco takes its responsibility to a more sustainable future and reducing carbon emissions very seriously and is leading the way by delivering a ready to go true 100% electric terminal tractor to Australia’s transport industry.

For Terberg Rental enquiries, contact Paul Scott:

Tel: 0407 456 463 Email: paul.scott@rentco.com.au

Web: www.rentco.com.au

Lasting impression

Consolidated Group came across AAA Trailers without knowing what to expect and was blown away. Now, the trailer builder is replacing the company’s fleet.

Consolidated Group is a Western Australian company focused on civil earth works and plant hire services which has been servicing the mining, government, transport and construction sectors since forming in 2013.

With a range of plant hire and civil works equipment on hand and rental options for both wet and dry hire, Consolidated Group can cover a range of areas including civil and plant services, crushing and screening, defence, material and recycling, mining, transport and so much more.

The company has been built from the ground up by Managing Director, Theo Tsorvas, and his wife, Kate, who proudly run the family-owned business as a team.

Three years ago, Theo met AAA Trailers Director, Daniel Bull, and was instantly impressed by his offering. It’s why Theo then purchased his first set of trailers from the OEM straight away, and it’s also why AAA Trailers has been chosen to replace all of his old stock in the fleet.

“We went and had look at Daniel’s product, how he operated and how he delivered on it,” Theo says. “With the way he handled himself and his business, and how he offered his services, we went along with beginning to transfer all of our existing fleet across to AAA Trailers.” 60-plus trailer combinations down, the fleet is advancing at a rapid rate.

“The setups we’re using are pocket road trains, so two B-doubles put together with tri-axle dollies,” Theo says. “We’ve got C road trains as well, with an A trailer being put into it, alongside our standard B-doubles with tri-axles, side tippers, drop decks and low loaders.”

Consolidated Group’s expanding business has overtime seen the need for a bigger fleet. And, with AAA Trailers’ reliable service and fast delivery times, Theo says it has been able to get new units in a short timeframe.

“Not only are we getting a great product, but when Daniel says he can deliver and he gives you a delivery date, he delivers it on that day,” he says. “We’re getting a product that is durable, lasting, and is going to have a good resale value down the track which is important. So, our growth is off the back of Daniel doing all that.”

As its primary supplier, Theo says AAA Trailers has done very well with the quality provided.

“Daniel has re-engineered certain things on our trailers for us and made that part of the design,” he says. “If we ever came up with a change or needed something to be looked at, he would redesign the trailer for us. He then upgraded our older trailers with the design, and put the updated changes on the new ones that followed. That’s happened a few times over the

years as we’ve been building the spec up.”

Theo’s trailers travel all throughout WA for Consolidated Group’s varied freight tasks. They run into the Pilbara and Kimberley regions carting iron ore and lithium for road construction activities, in addition to their construction and minerals cartage for the mining sector.

“We are state-wide with what we do,” Theo says. “We do a lot of general oversize work with the quad-axle trailers, so internally we move all of our own machinery including 30- to 40-tonne excavators and loaders. We’ve got all the oversize permits in place, so we do whatever oversize transport opportunities arrive.”

With its drop deck units, Consolidated Group transports general freight as well as machinery on road train applications anywhere from Perth to the Pilbara or Kimberley regions. Venturing throughout some of Australia’s harshest environments, Theo says the combinations don’t let him down.

“They’ve been in the most demanding conditions and they’re performing very well,” he says. “We’re not getting any issues with them. They’re very reliable.”

Throughout the entire process, Theo says AAA Trailers has been very accommodating to his needs. Theo often specs some extra features on his trailers such as auto greasers, alloy rims and custom bin designs. In this

BRE excels with collaborative trailer options

As demonstrated in its Hopper and Galosh Walking Floor trailer options available, Bruce Rock Engineering can deliver when it comes to providing a solution.

Since establishing in 1980, Bruce Rock Engineering (BRE) has developed a wide range of trailers varying across the board, from standard A-doubles to PerformanceBased Standards (PBS) quad road trains. Based in Western Australia, it has made its mark with its extremely durable trailer combinations which are built to last.

The demand for its combinations saw BRE establish a brand-new location in Forrestfield, WA, last year. Opened on 27 October 2023, the 18,000-square-metre facility was created to prepare BRE for the further growth and demand expected to arrive in the next decade.

The new facility has already significantly expanded BRE’s manufacturing capabilities. It features two separate buildings. One is for BRE’s steel

manufacturing. The other part of the building is dedicated to chassis fabrication, with chassis rail beam machines, chassis and dolly fabrication, robotic welding of medium-sized componentry for draw bars and dollies and a blast and paint facility.

The second building on the site is split into two for BRE’s repair, maintenance and refurbishing services. It features 45-metre drive through bays to accommodate ABtriple and 42-metre triple combinations, three full-length pits with hydraulic platforms for BRE’s service and repair functions and a final assembly of dollies, general freight and refrigerated vans with a wash bay on the end of it.

Now that BRE has a new state-of-the-art production hub, it can continue to build the combinations it is renowned for. Among

trailers originate from. As part of this agreement, Titan Trailers supplies the materials to BRE which then assembles the trailers in-house at its WA locations. In their final forms, the hopper trailers are available at BRE in single trailers, B-doubles, B-triples, AB-triples and 30m PBS A-doubles with tandem or tri axle dollies.

Like the rest of BRE’s trailer portfolio, the Hopper range is built to withstand Australia’s harshest operating conditions with an aluminium construction. It uses Titan Trailers’ patented THINWALL horizontal hollow core extruded panels which provide the best possible strength to weight ratio.

The closed body design eliminates potential mud build up under the trailer

Images: Bruce Rock Engineering.

allow for smooth discharge and an easy cleanout.

BRE East Coast Sales Manager, Michael Booker, says the hopper trailers are dependable and robust, which allow grain unloading with precision.

“They’re built to last a very long time,” he says. “All the drivers that have bought these things tell me that they tow very well and sit behind the truck fantastically. I’ve been on a few rides along with these trailers, and they’re very clean to operate for the operator because they’ve got remote controls for the trap doors and the bellies.”

The hopper trailers generally come with electric tarps as well, which gives operators increased cycle times.

“When going to a grain facility, you can move in and out a lot faster than you can with a tipper,” Michael says. “A combination basically has only one reset for the vehicle and no tipping, so you can move to a facility without having to worry about what’s overhead. There’s very minimal overhead risk, it’s much safer and it stays a lot cleaner.”

“These trailers generally tare significantly lower than a tipper combination as well. As

a combination, the A-doubles have gained a bit of popularity, especially when you’re getting payloads well north of 60 tonne.”

BRE’s Galosh Walking Floor trailers are also imported from Titan Trailers. As stock, they come as a 48-foot long and 98-cubic metre trailer. However, custom builds are available upon request.

“They could be anything,” Michael says. “We have done 45-foot road trains, and the option for 53-foot quad axle is possible as well.”

Known for their tare weight and longevity, the Galosh range is also made up of Titan Trailers’ thin aluminium wall panels and features leak-resistant waste spec floors. The trailer body itself has a very wide loading aperture with only one intrusion in the body, along with a framed hydraulic lid system on top as a load cover.

“It’s extremely heavy duty for the actual tare weight that it is,” Michael says. “It’s significantly lighter and is easy to use and clean.”

Its key features include a hydraulic flip roof, hydraulic back door, KEITH Walking Floor’s V-Floor and Clean Sweep, and rear lights integrated into the gate.

According to Michael, these units

Fast fact

Bruce Rock Engineering’s Hopper belly dumper and Galosh options arrive from Canada, North America. Trailer manufacturer, Titan Trailers, supplies all materials required for BRE to then assemble the units in-house in Australia.

specifically have proven to pay off in their long-term applications.

“The main feedback I have received is that the extra expense at the time of purchase will pay you back in having less repairs and maintenance,” he says. “This is because in their applications of doing refuse and waste, they can withstand whatever is given to them.”

Through the Hopper and Galosh ranges, as well as the rest of its trailer combinations, BRE is committed to providing for Australia’s transport industry.

“We’ve got progressive stock coming through with both of those models, so we’re regularly importing for the industry,” Michael says. “Stock is limited, but it is regular so that we have a solution available.”

Contact Bruce

Ph:

Web:

Croplands calls on BPW Transpec for new innovation

Croplands Equipment is introducing a new line of 13,000-litre boom sprayers in collaboration with BPW Transpec.

In November of 2022, Croplands Equipment announced that it would be strengthening its manufacturing footprint with the acquisition of Western Australian sprayer manufacturer, Sonic Boomsprays.

The purchase followed the expansion of Croplands’ Adelaide manufacturing site, announced earlier in the year, and delivered additional capacity and operating efficiencies to meet the needs of Australian growers.

Sonic Boomsprays, having been established in 1955, has delivered time and time again on its aim to produce premium quality spraying equipment for the broadacre spraying industry. It has partnered with growers around the world to bring out the very best in its operations, and now a part of Croplands, it continues to offer sprayers fitted with cablesuspended hydraulic booms.

Since its inception in 1972, Croplands

too has grown to become one of the most popular sprayer brands on the market, servicing the broadacre, horticulture, viticulture, tree crop, compact and home garden sectors. Now in its 52nd year of operations, Croplands Regional Manager, Scot Craig, says the company’s focus is the same as it was on day one – to provide customers with spraying solutions and customer support that delivers above and beyond expectations.

“We will continue to manufacture cuttingedge farming equipment,” he says. “It’s about bringing everything spraying to the farming community, keeping on top of what the local requirements are, and being able to supply that in a timely manner and to the required spec.

“Our position is to keep manufacturing out in the eastern Wheatbelt in the heart of where the community is. We want to be accessible and seen out there, so we will

continue to be at the forefront of driving those products for those customers.”

The acquisition of Sonic Boomsprays had a positive impact on the Croplands business as a whole for many reasons. The deal brought several benefits to both of the companies, as well as opening up new opportunities for Croplands. One particular bonus, though, was Sonic Boomsprays’ pre-existing relationship with BPW Transpec.

Recognised industry-wide for its highquality components, BPW Transpec had already been Sonic Boomsprays’ supplier for tandem axles and components for over 20 years. Now being led by Scot, he says it was an obvious decision to carry BPW Transpec’s products and services over to Croplands.

“BPW Transpec is a reputable brand in the industry, so we will continue our business with them,” he says. “We know

that the products they build are overengineered and are capable of handling our tough Australian conditions. We don’t have any issues with them, they get put on the machines and that’s where they stay for forever and a day.”

Over a year since the purchase of Sonic Boomsprays, Croplands’ trailed broadacre sprayers still feature BPW Transpec’s three-metre custom brake axles from its agricultural portfolio paired with parabolic mechanical suspension.

Croplands is also continuing this tradition with its new SB-13000 line of boom sprayers. BPW Transpec’s unbraked axles will continue to be specified on these units, while its heavy-duty airbag suspension will make its debut at Croplands.

BPW Transpec’s heavy-duty airbag suspension offers a comprehensive range of air suspensions designed to perform under various operating conditions and are the perfect fit for Croplands’ boom sprayers. The well-proven range is characterised by double-leaf 100mm wide trailing arm springs, heavy duty fabricated hangers, cable catch straps and large BPW Type 36 airbags.

A first example of the new SB-13000 sprayer has already been built. Scot explains that Croplands founder, Miles

Deck, had already been working on the project with BPW Transport prior to the acquisition. Croplands and BPW Transpec will now bring it to life.

“It is something new for us, something we haven’t dabbled in,” he says. “We typically would have a parabolic leaf spring under our sprayers, but this is going to be on airbag suspension. I know Aaron Moore from BPW Transpec and the team have been working pretty closely to make sure that there will be all the required componentry and everything for that. It’s a big sprayer, so I’m looking forward to seeing it come off the line.”

The main differences in this model of boom sprayer compared to its predecessors is the tank size.

“Typically, the biggest tank that we previously manufactured up until this point was 8,000 litres,” Scot says. “So, this really drives that extra 5,000 litres into that sprayer.”

This is also seen in the SB-13000’s boom width. Prior to this model, Croplands’ sprayers were generally built to 36 metres. Whereas now, they will be able to be constructed up to 48.5 metres.

“So, purchasing Sonic Boomsprays has allowed us to add to our existing portfolio and broaden the range on what we had originally,” Scot says. “We’ve got a much

larger capacity to offer our customers now.”

The decision to pursue the BPW Transpec collaboration benefits Croplands throughout the entire manufacturing process. Scot says BPW Transpec is in regular contact with the team to make sure orders are placed on time, and that the product is always available when it is needed. While this, he explains, eliminates the potential for delays, it ultimately assures him that he made the right choice.

“Their service and support when required has been outstanding,” he says. “Being able to contact someone and have the information on hand ready to go is priceless.

“Aaron does a great job and is always happy to help with any enquiries, and our aftersales support load is low given the product type we deal in.

“If we ever need part numbers, some clarification, wheel bearings or whatever it may happen to be, Aaron’s the go-to. He gets straight back to you. I think as long as that continues, it will be a good partnership.”

Contact

BPW Transpec

Ph: 03 9267 2444

Web: www.bpwtranspec.com.au

Images: Croplands Equipment.

Mission accomplished

To obtain a lower tare weight and premium handling on its new bulk tipper combination, Varley Transport specified SAF-Holland INTRADISCs.

Haulmore Trailer Sales & Rentals, having just recently celebrated 50 years of operations, has overtime seen a plethora of trailer components specified on its builds. As part of its manufacturing, it has, as a result, developed a rapport with a number of these suppliers – SAF-Holland being one of them. Haulmore founder, Alan Moody, has dealt with the OEM himself for over 15 years.

Haulmore is a family-owned business operating out of Hazelmere, Western Australia. It began as a very small business building tippers and trays and cutting chassis in Bayswater, WA, which manufactures transport trailers as well as maintaining a rental fleet of flat tops, side tippers, low loaders, drop decks, water tankers, curtainsiders and road train dollies. Across these units, which are used for purchasing spare parts, service products and bits and pieces, SAF-Holland’s suspension systems are a common sight.

In Haulmore’s latest bulk tipper build for Varley Transport, SAF-Holland’s

INTRADISCs were specified by the fleet specifically due to its light weight, excellent handling and full load capabilities.

“We discussed with the customer the best source of suspension system,” says Haulmore Trailer Sales & Rentals General Manager, Justin Page. “They were looking for a lightweight option for their build to minimise the tare weights on their trailers. SAF-Holland offers the lightest axle groups in the industry, and it was deemed as the best option to go with.”

In consultation with SAF-Holland, Haulmore came up with a combination of disc brake axles and air bag suspension to suit Varley Transport’s requirements. From there, it proceeded with SAFHolland Branch Manager, Terry Stott, on the build.

“We custom-designed the chassis to suit the requirements and specifications of the axles and suspension and came up with a quality design and product in the end that the customer was extremely happy with,” Justin says. “We achieved the low tare

Fast fact

According to Haulmore Trailer Sales & Rentals, SAF-Holland offers the lightest axle groups in the industry.

the SAF-Holland suspension.”

In dealing with SAF-Holland, Haulmore gets great customer service, product support, competitive pricing and a quality product. These factors, Justin says, are all the things you want to associate a build with to keep the customer happy.

“SAF-Holland has great customer service,” he says. “Their sales team is friendly and very easy to deal with. We’ve developed a relationship from that, which is based around our ongoing support and supply of componentry.”

Varley Transport, founded in 1985 by

Manager, Tyron Lumsden. “Over the years, we have diversified our services and expanded our reach, providing specialised transportation solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Varley Transport also delivers in providing premium haulage solutions within the energy sector, through the transportation of fuel and gas throughout WA with a fleet ranging in combinations from single trailers to larger PerformanceBased Standards (PBS) and quad trailer combinations.

For over 38 years, Varley Transport has

played a major role in the agricultural transportation landscape. In this area, it provides comprehensive services for a variety of bulk agricultural commodities across WA including harvest cartage and farm-to-end-user solutions.

Varley Transport’s new bulk tipper from Haulmore will assist the business in these freight tasks. The combination, which Tyron recently took delivery of, will be used to service the fleet’s clients delivering bulk agricultural products such as fertiliser and grain through the Wheatbelt region in WA.

In these remote areas, Tyron says the INTRADISC disc brake axles have revealed their dominance.

“One of the challenges we face are the condition of roads in WA,” he says. “We are very happy with how SAF-Holland suspension responds to these conditions.”

Varley Transport has specified SAFHolland components on it trailer combinations since 2020, and over this period, has become accustomed to their

handling and tare weight. Tyron says the product, and INTRADISCs specifically, suit Varley Transport’s operations with tare weight savings and durability – proven with their performance in the latest application.

“The SAF-Holland product is simple and reliable, and it comes with good aftersales support,” he says. “We’re extremely happy with the INTRADISCs’ ride and towing capabilities.”

Due to the successful implementation of SAF-Holland’s premium INTRADISC range, Varley Transport has achieved what it set out to do – achieving reduced tare weights and ultimate suspension handling on yet another trailer combination.

Contact

SAF-Holland Australia

115 High St, Melton VIC 3337

E: sales@safholland.com.au

Web: safholland.com/au/en/

Varley Transport Group Operations Manager, Tyron Lumsde. Images: Haulmore Trailer Sales & Rentals.

Automation overload

While robotics employed in manufacturing may seem to be a recent arrival to some, Robotic Automation has been delivering systems since 1988.

Embracing robotic automation in the manufacturing industry, particularly in welding, is becoming more important for enhancing efficiency, precision and overall productivity. The welding process, a critical aspect of manufacturing, demands accuracy and consistency, making it an ideal candidate for automation.

Robots perform repetitive tasks with precision, reducing human errors and ensuring a high level of quality in welds. This not only increases productivity, but also minimises material waste, ultimately leading to considerable cost savings for manufacturers.

The process of introducing robotic automation to any business can seem like a daunting task but begins

with a simple and systematic approach. Automation audits begin with a thorough analysis of a client’s manufacturing processes to identify tasks that can be automated to give the most immediate benefits.

Collaborative robots, or cobots, can be integrated into existing workflows alongside human workers, providing a flexible and cost-effective solution. Furthermore, investing in userfriendly robotic systems that are easily programmable and adaptable to different welding tasks further simplifies the integration process.

Training the existing workforce on how to operate and collaborate with robots is also crucial for a smooth transition. This ensures a harmonious interaction between human workers and robots, optimising the benefits of automation.

Robotic Automation (RA) has been operating in Australia and New Zealand for 35 years and over that period has conducted and supported more than 3,500 installations across manufacturing, welding and warehousing industries.

RA creates robotics for all applications of the manufacturing process and prides itself on developing solutions for any unique challenge thrown its way.

RA is the exclusive distributor of Yaskawa Motoman robots in Australia, with a huge range of robots and peripheral equipment

Fast fact

Robotic Automation is the exclusive distributor for Yaskawa Motoman, which has installed over 540,000 robots worldwide since 1977.

specifically designed for welding applications. RA specialise in large scale modular solutions but also cater to midsize systems and entry level applications.

With access to Yaskawa Motoman’s wide range of knowledge and expertise in robot technology, RA founder and Director, Colin Wells, says RA can provide a complete package fully tailored to the requirements of a manufacturer, using system components all from a single source.

Why automate?

1. Efficiency Boost: Automated welding systems streamline operations, minimising manual labour and significantly increasing overall efficiency in manufacturing.

“With so many years of robotic welding experience, Yaskawa Motoman provides an unrivalled rich portfolio of standard and customised work piece positioners with multiple simultaneously controlled axes, providing high speed and superb precision,” he says. “This encompasses compatible Tracks, Gantries and large range of Positioners for all applications, thus positioning RA as trusted advisors in system design without compromise.”

Embracing robotic automation in welding not only boosts efficiency but also positions manufacturing industries to stay competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of modern technology.

These days, Colin says, robots are tasked with a variety of roles way beyond simple repetitive tasks, and that small and medium-sized companies face hurdles in robot implementation due to safety requirements necessitating separate working areas.

The solution is in Yaskawa’s Motoman human collaborative robot (HC Series), designed to work in close proximity to humans.

“These cobots cater to customers seeking seamless automation, enabling them to work alongside humans,” Colin says. “This type of robot is different from traditional industrial robots which are faster, heavier and more powerful but must

be fenced off from staff for safety reasons.”

The Weld4Me cobot package is an easy to use, robot-based Metal Inert Gas (MIG) or Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding station which offers top performance for small welding shops with small batch sizes and high variant diversity. Motoman cobots combine the strength and accuracy of the industrial robot with the safety features necessary for human-robot collaboration. Direct teaching and welding software make operating and programming very easy to learn for welding personnel, even without prior robotics knowledge.

RA also offers self-contained welding cells for a flexible, space saving and cost-effective solution. Easy to install, operate and relocate, each ArcWorld cell is prepared for Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), MIG or MAG welding, depending on requirements.

RA also offers an offline robot programming solution and Simulation Software to provides accurate 3D simulations of robot cells.

This year, RA will showcase its various innovative solutions to the Australian industry at the 2024 Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) in Sydney between 17 and 19 April.

“RA is looking forward to again being an integral part of AMW and will showcase the very latest in robotic manufacturing technology,” Colin says. “Be sure to come and see the RA team to see how we can provide the most suitable automated solution and return on investment to suit your manufacturing process.”

2. Consistent Quality: Robotic welding ensures precise, uniform welds, eliminating variations in craftsmanship and enhancing the overall quality.

3. Versatility: These systems are adaptable, capable of handling various welding tasks, providing flexibility in manufacturing processes and accommodating diverse production requirements.

4. Workplace Safety: Integration of robotic technology reduces human exposure to hazardous conditions, improving workplace safety by minimising the risk of accidents and injuries.

5. Cost Savings: Reduced reliance on manual labour not only lowers labour costs but also leads to improved cost-effectiveness.

6. Productivity Increase: Automated systems contribute to heightened productivity with faster cycle times and minimal errors, resulting in quicker turnaround times on orders.

7. Modernisation: Embracing automated welding systems positions businesses at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring competitiveness and future relevance in the dynamic truck trailer manufacturing industry.

Images: Robotic Automation.

Line of duty

Distributed by E-Plas, QuickSilver and TIVAR floor liners are made up of all the properties to prevent sticky situations in tipping tasks.

QuickSilver is the ultimate state-of-the-art industrial strength UHMW-PE continuous liner for truck and trailer combinations.

Generally used in end tippers, side tippers and for quick-release applications, the floor liner eliminates a number of problems for operators.

QuickSilver ensures trucks are tough, safe and productive all at once. According to E-Plas, it is a proven industry performer across several sectors including bulk handling, mining, minerals, agriculture, grain and transport.

QuickSilver’s material was designed and engineered specifically for intense applications, evident with its superior toughness and durability. E-Plas claims it can haul and tip any material with ease in any climate or environment, acting as a

Fast fact

QuickSilver weighs less than steel and aluminium and outwears both. Its abrasion, impact and corrosion resistance protect the integrity of the original equipment, extending the life of a truck body. It can be fitted in less than one day and requires no ongoing maintenance.

great long-term investment for fleets.

E-Plas National Technical Sales Specialist, Rupin Joshi, says the idea behind QuickSilver was to provide better flow promotion in tipping applications.

“There are three stages for tippers when releasing a product,” he says. “What initially used to happen with aluminium bodies is the product would be released at the third stage of elevation, which is the highest end for the tipper, and the operator would have to brake hard for the product to actually come out of the tipper itself.”

With QuickSilver, the product is released in the first stage, or in stage two at the most, without the need for hard braking.

“So, if you’ve got a truck standing on soft ground, it’s a big OH&S positive that you know your combination isn’t going to turn over and that you’re not going to have any workplace injuries,” Rupin says.

QuickSilver increases the lifetime of a product by preventing corrosion. In the case where a unit may be carting iron ore with moisture in it, for example, it will prevent any sort of rust in the truck from developing which could then damage the body.

“It helps the truck improve its life, because it’s not actually corroding on the

Images: E-Plas.

spend more time cleaning their truck out manually.

In applications that are not mobile –

TIVAR 88-2’s speciality – productivity is also increased as operators are able to send more product through their hoppers.

Sticky bulk materials such as coal, bauxite, synthetic gypsum, sand, iron, fly ash, clay, overburden and others require a slippery surface.

TIVAR 88 and TIVAR 88-2, distributed in Australia by E-Plas, have a low coefficient of friction (COF) that permits such materials to move freely and discharge without hang-up.

TIVAR 88 and 88-2 have been recognised as premium, top-tier lining grades for over 40 years. Catered towards

non-moving equipment such as hoppers, liners and shoots, they still hold their position.

TIVAR 88-2 is a grade of UHMW-PE and can be fabricated and welded to provide a solution for nearly any application, including receiving hoppers, surge bins, dust collection hoppers, storage bins, vibratory feeders and dribble chutes.

TIVAR 88-2 promotes reliable bulk material flow with no moisture absorption. It is wear, chemical and corrosion resistant as well as UV resistant, which prevents premature degradation of material.

Like QuickSilver, the benefits on the OH&S side, Rupin says, are massive.

“Some hoppers and chutes are quite small in size and have limited access to them,” he says. “In some cases when hoppers have blockages, one would be required to have training and tickets like Confined Space and Working at Heights to get access to clear them up.

“Using our premium lining material, the issues of material hang up are minimised.

TIVAR 88-2’s low COF prevents the product from sticking in the hopper, and hence there is very minimal to no

Fast fact

QuickSilver can be fitted to a wide array of configurations, depending on individual customer requirements.

requirement for someone to access these hoppers.”

As a result, Rupin says it is clear that QuickSilver and TIVAR 88-2 are viable products for the Australian transport industry.

“Both of the products have a can-do attitude,” he says. “You can kind of put them in any applications. Over the time that we’ve used these products in most of the applications with an abrasive product, they work. We get a good wear life out of it too.

“They’re all-rounders when you fit them. Whether it’s a dry product, whether it’s something with moisture, or whether it’s with something abrasive, they do the job.”

Contact

E-Plas

Ph: 03 8361 1791

Web: www.eplas.com.au

Treading excellence

Haulmax Tyres stands as an ideal choice for OEMs and transport operators seeking tyres that are meticulously engineered for the unique demands of Australian conditions.

Recognised for its commitment to quality over price, Haulmax Tyres offers a product range that significantly enhances operational and financial efficiency across the spectrum of new equipment builds.

Australian Tyre Traders, who owns, innovates and supplies the Haulmax Tyres range, are an Australian-owned and familyrun business that has grown over the last 23 years to have over 70 staff Australiawide. With nine warehouse locations covering every state and territory, it has a comprehensive coverage and exceptional product availability tailored to the Australian landscape.

Engineered locally to be fit for purpose for Australian transport operators, the Haulmax Tyres range has a pattern to suit

financial and operational efficiency, regardless of their fleet size.

Australian Tyre Traders National Marketing and Communications Manager, Daniel Sapsead, highlights the bespoke nature of the company’s offerings.

“Our mission is to provide tyre solutions that meet the specific needs of the Australian transport sector,” he says. “We understand the diversity of transport routes, cargo and road surfaces across Australia, which is why our tyres are designed to address these varied requirements.”

Haulmax Tyres distinguishes itself with an expansive selection of 14 patterns, in various sizes, all tailored to the unique needs of the Australian transport industry

reputation for innovation and customised solutions.

It’s this reputation and range selection that make Haulmax Tyres a strategic choice for transport operators when considering a new build or replacement tyres. Coupled with the brand’s lifetime warranty and lower running cost guarantee, Haulmax Tyres offers customers peace of mind, tangible savings and a risk-free assessment of the brand.

For OEMs, Haulmax Tyres offers a synergy of quality, reliability and efficiency tailored to Australian conditions. This is driven by a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, making Haulmax Tyres an integral component of new equipment manufacturing in Australia.

“Our collaboration with Australia’s leading equipment builders is rooted in a mutual commitment to quality and innovation,” Daniel says. “It’s a partnership that goes beyond business, built on a foundation of shared values and a dedication to excellence.

“Our expert teamwork in partnership with the original equipment manufacturers to ensure our tyre and wheel solutions are truly fit for purpose.”

If you are in the process of, or considering, a new truck or trailer build and would like more information on Haulmax Tyres, please reach out to your equipment manufacturer, local Haulmax Tyres partner, or speak to the Haulmax Tyres team on 1300 761 802.

Images: Australian Tyre Traders.

Superior construction and performance; now with intelligent control.

Unlock your Ultima light bar’s full potential with a revolutionary new Ultima Connect+ Controller.* Featuring 3 customisable driving modes, boost mode and the ability to connect multiple lights, Connect+ gives you total beam control.

Ultima High Performance Light Bars are the first in Narva’s innovative Ultima Connect+ range.

BRAWN: Ultima Light Bars

• Market-leading beam performance

• 2 beam pattern options available

• Unprecedented 10-year warranty

BRAINS: Connect+ Controller

• Adjustable brightness

• Boost mode – 15% more power for 30 seconds

• Single unit to control all Connect+ enabled products

*Sold separately

STE hoists the Hydreco flag

As the Queensland distributor for Hydreco Hydraulics, Shephard Transport Equipment offer a complete end-solution to the market.

Since 1979, Shephard Transport Equipment (STE) has held its own in the field of transport engineering, specialising in the manufacturing of steel and aluminium tipping bodies and trailers.

For a large portion of this period, STE has also specified Hydreco Hydraulics’ hydraulic systems on its builds as a standard option for customers and fleets Australia-wide. However, being appointed the Queensland distributor for Hydreco Hydraulics in 2001 was a move which added value to the STE product for the unforeseeable future.

“We’ve been using Hydreco for many years in our manufacturing,” says STE Hydraulics Manager, Steve Erfurth. “We started to focus more on distributing hydraulics along with our other products, and it just grew from there.”

STE now supplies Hydreco’s systems to body builders, OEMs, truck dealers, crane distributors, truck part resellers and fleet operators all over Queensland.

“The long-term relationship with Hydreco, which is also Australian-engineered and designed, gave us the ability to work closely with Australian engineers to design a range of products to suit our specific conditions,” Steve says. “We can now supply complete hydraulic kits to suit each

specific application, in conjunction with our tipping body kits that are cut to size.”

As Hydreco’s distributor, STE has gained a stronger product range with its unique offering in the market.

“We have the confidence of selling a quality product,” Steve says. “We’ve been able to work with Hydreco and give them forward orders on our specific hoist sizes that our customers need, and they’ve held them in stock. It gives us continuity and security of supply as well, which has been an issue in the last few years. That’s been a big advantage.”

In the last three years, STE has also worked in conjunction with Hydreco to develop additional hoist sizes and models to meet its needs.

According to Steve, Hydreco’s products, being manufactured to suit Australian conditions and transmissions specifically, are easier to install. He says they’re manufactured with some of the highest torque ratings – especially Hydreco’s Power Take Offs (PTO) with maximum width gears and heavy duty tapered roller bearings.

On top of that, Hydreco’s hoists are built with hard-chromes tubes. This prevents corrosion issues in the long-term, which can lead to a reduced operating life.

As a result, Steve says the major tipper body OEMs which STE supplies are a lot more confident, as they know they are receiving a product that they can depend on.

“Hydreco is a name that has been known and respected for decades in the Australian road transport market,” he says. “It adds value to their product because they’re getting trouble-free operating life out of it.

“We’ve had very little warranty issues. It’s just an easy company to do business with, so there’s good synergy there.”

Images: Shephard Transport Equipment.

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Transforming transport

In the dynamic world of transportation and logistics, efficiency and compliance of fleet operations, E-Max emphasises, is paramount.

On-board scales, a cornerstone of modern vehicular technology, are not limited to the realms of specialised Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) programs but extend their utility across general purpose transport.

In this area, Air-Weigh’s OBM systems enhance efficiency across the board.

According to E-Max, the primary allure of on-board scales lies in their ability to provide real-time weight data, a feature that transcends the need for external weigh stations or guesswork.

For general transport operations, this means significant savings in time and fuel, as vehicles no longer need to detour to weighbridges. This efficiency gain, available with Air-Weigh’s offering, not only streamlines operations but also translates into environmental benefits by reducing unnecessary emissions.

Beyond efficiency, on-board scales play a crucial role in cost management and regulatory compliance.

“Overloading is a common issue with hefty financial penalties and safety risks,” says E-Max Head of Sales and Operations, Ben Harris. “By enabling precise load management, these systems help transport operators avoid overweight fines and reduce wear and tear on vehicles, thereby extending their service life and optimising maintenance budgets.

“These systems address not just the issue of overloading but also the oftenoverlooked problem of underloading, ensuring that each journey maximises its cargo capacity without exceeding

space goes to waste, further enhancing economic efficiency and productivity.”

Versatility across industries, Ben says, is also a strongpoint of on-board scales.

“The utility of on-board scales extends across various sectors, not limited to logistics, waste management, or construction,” he says. “Agriculture, mining and even retail delivery services can benefit from the precise weight data these systems provide.

“For instance, in agriculture, on-board scales can ensure that payloads of produce are within legal limits, optimising the distribution process from farm to market. In mining, accurate weight measurements are crucial for both compliance and operational efficiency, ensuring that vehicles are safely loaded and productive.”

On-board weighing systems are not just scales, but data collection hubs that offer valuable insights into operational efficiency. This data can be integrated with fleet management software, providing analytics that help in making informed decisions

For general purpose transport, this means the ability to adapt to challenges with agility and to continuously improve operations based on empirical data.

“On-board scales have proven their worth well beyond the niche applications of Smart OBM programs, offering universal benefits to the transport industry at large,” Ben says. “Their ability to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, save costs and provide valuable data makes them indispensable in the quest for a more efficient, sustainable and compliant transport sector.

“As technology evolves, the potential for on-board weighing systems to innovate and improve general transport operations will undoubtedly grow, making them a key component in the future of transportation.”

Contact E-Max

Ph: 1300 850 575

E: info@air-weigh.com.au

Images: E-Max.

Stronger with Strenx Tubes

With a superior strength to weight ratio, SSAB’s structural steel Strenx Tubes range is an ideal choice for high-performing equipment.

Manufactured with SSAB’s performance steel, Strenx Tubes can make products stronger, lighter, safer, more competitive and more sustainable. The Strenx range of high-strength structural steel tubes come in circular, square and rectangular shapes primarily, and customised shapes are available upon request.

The entire Strenx Tubes range was made for predictable performance in the workshop. For example, the properties and fine surface finish of Strenx Tubes makes it perfect for laser cutting. Thermal cutting of Strenx Tubes is also possible with oxy-fuel flame and plasma.

Strenx Tubes can be machined without special equipment and can be welded using any conventional welding method. They can also be sawed with normal practices. Compared to mild steel tubes, saw blade wear can be lower, as the low carbon equivalent prevents the longitudinal weld seam from hardening in the welding process.

In addition, all Strenx Tubes meet or exceed the tolerances of European standards – EN10219 for cold formed welded steel structural hollow sections

and EN10210 for hot finished steel structural hollow sections.

Part of the high-quality line-up, Strenx Tube 700MLH is a HF-welded, cold-formed structural hollow section made of hot-rolled high-strength steel with a minimum yield strength of 700MPa, and it is available Australia-wide.

Its high strength, combined with a naturally stiff form of welded hollow section, enables the construction of stronger and lighter structures. Typical applications include load-bearing structures in the lifting, handling and transportation segments, especially in conditions that require extremely good toughness.

Strenx Tube 700MLH meets or exceeds the requirements of EN 10219-3 (2020) and it is CE marked according to EN 1090-2. Available primarily in circular, square and rectangular shapes, it too can arrive in other shapes, upon request.

The maximum length of each tube is 12-18 meters, depending on the size. Longer or cut-to-length tubes can be requested as well.

The benefits of Strenx Tubes are visible across the board. Depending on the

starting point, designers can reduce up to 30 per cent of weight of steel structures by using thinner tubes with higher strength. Therefore, lighter equipment becomes more resource-efficient and can save energy in operation. The SSAB steel used is also tougher in lower temperatures – as seen in Strenx Tube 900MH and Strenx Tube 960MH with 40J at -20°C, or Strenx Tube 700QLH and 960QLH with 40J at -40°C.

Strenx Tubes are weldable with conventional welding methods, and according to SSAB, are easier to repair than other materials. They also lead to significantly reduced welding times with a lower required amount of welding consumables. The steel itself is 100-per cent recyclable, and therefore has a much lower impact on the environment compared to traditional aluminium.

The Strenx Tubes range is readily available for operators looking to secure gains in durability and sustainability.

Leading the way in vehicle safety and performance

Scully RSV is on a mission to have the safest vehicles on the road. Every day.

Scully RSV and SafetyCulture have partnered to develop an industry leading initiative for transport safety. The digital safety inspection captures the performance of Scully RSV vehicles each and every time they are used on our roads.

The SafetyCulture platform enables a more efficient and optimised inspection capture and reporting system for vehicle compliance and safety. Delivered via a QR code scan, users can launch and complete the vehicle inspection in less than 30 seconds.

Scully RSV is proud to be bringing this initiative to market with Safety Culture and leading the way in keeping our communities and their families safe. It’s another great example of delivering on the customer promise, that Scully RSV fleet is managed to the highest levels of quality, safety and reliability.

Narva Ultima Connect+ offers complete control

Several years ago, Narva revolutionised the driving light market when it introduced its Ultima LED range. From there, it refined its offering to provide improved performance and durability with the release of Ultima LED MK2. Now, Narva is continuing to build on its product portfolio with the debut of its new Ultima Connect+ Controller.

The Ultima Connect+ Controller offers Narva’s customers the ability to further maximise the performance of their light bars by adjusting the beam shape and intensity to suit the environment and driving conditions. As an optional extra across the new Ultima LED Light Bar line-up, the controller offers further lighting adjustment with three pre-set, customisable driving modes. For highway driving, the beam can be set for maximum

distance with less spread to avoid road sign flare. On 4WD tracks, distance can be reduced with a focus on maximum spread, while for more open dirt roads, all the light can be set to its maximum output.

The Ultima Connect+ Controller also allows drivers to alter brightness (via main and AUX controls) while providing a boost mode that delivers 15 per cent more power for 30 seconds. Plus, with its LIN Bus technology, it acts as a single point of control for all Ultima Connect+ enabled products. The controller’s generously sized buttons also make it easy to use on bumpy tracks, while multiple mounting options and single wire installation provide easy fitment across a wide range of vehicles.

The Ultima Connect+ Controller is the perfect companion to the Ultima LED Light Bar range, which includes eight- and 24-inch models that can be combined to also provide 40- and 48-inch bar configurations. The Ultima LED Light Bars produce brilliant natural white light (5700°K) and precise beam control through the combination of precision optics in the form of highly polished, superefficient aluminium metalised reflectors

and precisely scalloped parabolas, while also using 5W LEDs, which are among the most powerful on the market. Designed, engineered and tested in Australia, the Ultima LED Light Bar range is constructed from a super strong, single piece, pressure die-cast aluminium housing that is sealed to IP68 and IP69K with integrated DT connector, providing uncompromised ingress protection, strength and durability. With the Ultima Connect+ Controller, owners can also select from both hybrid and flood beam light bar options depending on their preference. Together, Narva offers buyers customisation options like never before.

The new Ultima Connect+ Controller, Ultima LED Light Bars and associated accessories are available nationwide from leading automotive, four-wheel drive and transportation outlets.

Narva was established by Brown & Watson International Pty Ltd, a private company formed in 1957, and has since evolved into a major player in the development, manufacture and supply of automotive lighting and electrical components for the automotive, marine and transport industries.

With

Our

Gearing up

For TR Group, who maintains a rental fleet of 2,500 trailers fitted with Fuwa K Hitch equipment, having reliable components is paramount to its business.

Five years since arriving in the Australian market with just one branch, TR Group now covers most of the country with a fleet of over 2,500 trailers ranging from skels to A-doubles, Performance-Based Standards (PBS) combinations, WA road train side tippers and everything in between – as well as 500-plus prime movers and rigids.

Across New Zealand and Australia, it has a fleet of over 8,500 total assets.

“We focus on anybody that needs a trailer, prime mover, or a rigid to rent for one day through to three or five years, or however long they want to rent it for,” says TR Group National Maintenance Manager, Rian Alexander. “From there, there is the potential to move onto a lease category as well.”

Three years ago, in the middle of its national growth phase, TR Group introduced Fuwa K Hitch into its fleet. It started by specifying Fuwa K Hitch axles on its new trailers, and as the company began to replace equipment inherited through purchasing fleets, it specified Fuwa K Hitch on these new assets as well.

“We’ve fitted Fuwa K Hitch’s KF22TP

drum brake axles onto 90 per cent of the new build gear,” Rian says. “This was due to the quality and reliability of the Fuwa K Hitch product.”

Fuwa K Hitch’s KF22TP drum brake axles are now standard across the board at TR Group. Having a simple, ‘no-hassle’ axle, Rian says, makes life easier for everybody.

everything easier when we’ve got different trailers being serviced around the country,” he says.

TR Group now specifies Fuwa K Hitch at an OEM level.

“We go for Fuwa K Hitch axles, and that’s simply because of the ease of purchasing when we’re buying a lot,” Rian says. “The availability of them and

align with what we’re doing for the rest of our fleet. So, it makes it very simple when we set them up in our maintenance system because they align with the trailer servicing and truck servicing that we do. They fit into the same service plan.”

Having parts available on the shelf, Rian says, is also a huge bonus.

“Touch wood that we don’t need them, but we do know they are there if required,” he says.

According to Rian, Fuwa K Hitch’s customer service has also played a major role in the success of TR Group’s expanding operations.

“The backup support we’ve had from Fuwa K Hitch is fantastic,” he says. “If we’ve got any questions or anything we need from them, they are more than happy to come down to where they are being serviced and have a look at them.

“If we’ve got an issue, they’re the first ones that will always answer the phone and will always get back to us. If there’s something they can’t answer, they will speak to the team and come back with

the information that we require. They’re more than happy to be there for us.”

As a rental lease company with vehicles all around Australia, TR Group overservices its gear as it is often unsure when its equipment will come back. That being said, with the Fuwa K Hitch axles it is running at the moment (the oldest ones having done over 500,000 kilometres), Rian says there haven’t been any issues.

“The reason we buy them is simply because of their reliability, from what we’ve heard and with the research we’ve done,” he says. “We don’t know where our gear will go. It could run on highways up the east coast, or it could end up through Adelaide heading into mines in the middle of nowhere on the dirt outback roads. So, to have one axle that is capable of handling all conditions, it’s very favourable for what we’re trying to achieve.”

BlueScope Distribution, a trusted partner

BlueScope Distribution’s extensive product offering is backed by a team completely dedicated to the end customer.

BlueScope Distribution is a recognised steel and aluminium distributor, servicing Australia’s transport and automotive customers with quality products as well as processing and project management solutions. With a network of 16 strategically located branches across Australia in both metropolitan and regional locations, it provides customers with the convenience of having a single source supplier, allowing them to have the freedom to focus on what they do best.

Customers can feel confident that BlueScope Distribution can meet their project requirements, and with ISO 9001 quality management system accreditation, BlueScope Distribution can ensure material traceability of the steel and aluminium is supplied.

The company offers an extensive range of products sourced from BlueScope Distribution’s extensive range of premium product offerings, complemented by custom grades and aluminium from carefully selected partner brands. This selection includes key products such

as XLERPLATE steel, TRU-SPEC steel, Bisalloy Steels’ Quenched and Tempered Plate, various pipe and tube products and merchant bars, as well as aluminium products such as sheet, plate and extrusions.

In addition to its product range offering, BlueScope Distribution also provides a variety of processing capabilities which cater to meet the unique needs of the transport industry. These capabilities include steel plasma and oxy cutting, bevelling, shearing, slitting and re-coiling, as well as intricate aluminium router cutting and protective film application.

With this comprehensive suite of processing solutions, the company delivers an end-to-end solution, seamlessly transforming raw materials into semifinished parts ready for assembly or fabrication.

BlueScope Distribution National Manager Sales and Pricing, Ken Johnston, emphasises the vital role played by the company’s processing solutions.

“Our innovative processing solutions

enable us to cut both steel and aluminium products according to customer specifications,” he says. “Moreover, we also work closely with our customers relating to any customised steel grade requirements and can help with specialized aluminium extrusions where required. Our team is incredibly experienced and focused on ensuring that each customer receives the support that they need.”

Ken says BlueScope Distribution’s teams are skilled in handling and processing steel and aluminium products.

“With our processing capability, our teams can take large steel and aluminium coils and cut these down into custom sides slits or sheet material helping to improve customer yield during their own manufacturing processes,” he says.

BlueScope Distribution provides transport customers with the added convenience of having their steel and aluminium products processed by highly skilled teams. These teams consist of experienced estimators and programmers,

Image: BlueScope Distribution.

design and nesting capabilities, thereby ensuring minimal wastage.

Furthermore, they provide the ability to label and kit materials, facilitating the grouping of diverse products and customcut components in the configurations required to meet the specific requirements of their customers – thereby optimising the production process and ensuring seamless operations.

According to Ken, team at BlueScope Distribution are recognised for their personalised customer service and technical product support, including certification and material traceability.

“They offer end-to-end steel and aluminium project management solutions and are supported by an experienced team of experts who know how to help our customers meet their project and delivery milestones,” he says. “Our team understands that transport manufacturing

and fabrication customers need continuity of supply and access to quality steel and aluminium products.”

BlueScope Distribution National Aluminium Manager, Brad White, says they also take the time to fully understand their customers’ business, which helps them offer the most fitting steel and aluminium product and supply solutions possible.

“Having strong industry knowledge and a focus on listening to customer needs are other factors which differentiate BlueScope Distribution from others,” he says. “We take the time to learn what clients require so that we can offer them a complete solution complementing product, service and value. If a customer needs seven or eight different aluminium products, we’re committed to providing the full suite of the materials required, not just the basic readily available products, but the more complex ones too.”

“With BlueScope Distribution”, Ken says, “your business has access to a comprehensive range of steel and aluminium products and processing solutions to provide semi-finished parts, all with one convenient point of contact.”

Image: BlueScope Distribution.

BlueScope Distribution National Aluminium Manager, Brad White. Image: BlueScope Distribution.

BlueScope Distribution National Manager Sales and Pricing, Ken Johnston. Image: BlueScope Distribution.

Image: YLZ Truck Bodies.

Dynamic analysis

ARTSA-i Data analytics reflects on the past decade of heavy vehicle market data.

To celebrate the release of its 40th quarterly heavy vehicle market report in December, ARTSA-i reviewed registration data from the past 10 years and shared its insights.

Total heavy vehicle registrations, according to ARTSA-i, are now nearly 24 per cent above the early 2014 level with trailer registrations the standout. The impact of multi-combinations can be seen in the increased ratio of trailers to prime movers over the 10 years from 2.3 to nearly 2.6. Another measure of this shift is the percentage of multi-combination prime movers in the total prime mover fleet. It is now 45 per cent compared with 39 per cent 10 years ago and is likely to make up more than 50 per cent of the fleet within the next decade. It is reported to demonstrate the shift to multi-combination vehicles that has occurred in the last 10 years.

Quarterly, new registration growth has been strong with most categories. Compared with new registrations 10 years ago, current quarter registrations are close to 80 per cent higher than a decade ago. This growth is driven by a strong upward trend in 2020. The trailer registration growth rate since the beginning of 2020 has been about four times more than before and currently close to 14 per cent

per annum. The same trend is evident in the prime mover data and in the heavy rigid truck data.

When also viewed as a total for all new heavy vehicle registrations about 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) the growth in new registrations since 2020 is running at some 11.6 per cent per annum compared with a growth figure of under 2.0 per cent in previous years.

The percentage make-up of the main registration categories has remained relatively constant over the last 10 years with rigid trucks making up close to 40 per cent pf new registrations and prime movers and trailers just over 50 per cent of total new registrations. The main changes

have been composition with each category such as trailers and prime movers.

Trailers have led the growth trend with semi-trailers being just over 60 per cent of total new trailer registrations across the 10 years. Dolly and lead trailers have more than doubled their typical quarterly new registrations since 2020, reinforcing the trend to multi-combination vehicles.

As for the age of the heavy vehicle fleet, all categories of truck and trailers show an increase of median age. This increase, ARTSA-i said, needs to be seen in the context that while many older vehicles remain registered, younger vehicles are more than likely performing the major share of the freight task.

Haulmax Tyres Trailer Builder Showcase

Haulmax Tyres Trailer Builder Directory

For your convenience, we present to you a contact list of all participating trailer builders. Whether you would like to place an order for trailing equipment or learn more about a trailer manufacturer’s expertise and capabilities, see below for their details.

DDamouni Tipper Bodies

21 Brett Drive

Carrum Downs VIC 3201

Ph: 03 9775 0909

Web: www.damounitippers.com

EDuraquip

19 Remisko Drive

Forrestdale WA 6112

Ph: 1800 271 800

Web: www.duraquip.com.au

FElphinestone Engineering

36 Tasman Highway

Triabunna TAS 7190

Ph: 1800 030 019

Web: www.elph.com.au

Felco Manufacturing

9 Production Court

Wilsonton Toowoomba QLD 4350

Ph: 07 4630 2213

Web: www.felco.net.au

Fleetrite

3 Stark Court

Glenvale QLD 4350

Ph: 0439 735 031

Web: www.fleetrite.com.au

Freightmaster Semi Trailers

566 Waterloo Corner Road

Burton SA 5110

Ph: 08 8280 6475

Web: www.freightmastertrailers.com.au

GFuelcraft NSW trading as Liquip NSW

13 Hume Road

Smithfield NSW 2164

Ph: 1300 113 541

Web: www.liquipnsw.com

General Transport Equipment

159 McDowell Street

Kewdale WA 6105

Ph: 08 9352 4000

Web: www.gtetrailers.com.au

GLT

179 Magnesium Drive

Crestmead QLD 4132

Ph: 1300 731 442

Web: www.glttrailers.au

HHamelex White

233-243 Learmonth Road

Wendouree VIC 3355

Ph: 03 5339 0300

Web: www.maxitrans.com

new developments

What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month

Fleets to benefit from $2.1B ‘missing link’ fix

The foundations have been laid for transformative works – an extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway.

It will feature a 15-kilometre extension of the motorway, removing five sets of traffic lights and cutting nine minutes from travel times during peak periods.

It will also deliver a 2.6-kilometre viaduct over the Hunter River and floodplain, the Main North Rail Line and the New England Highway.

There will also be new bridge crossings over local waterways at Tarro and Raymond Terrace, and an overpass for Masonite Road at Heatherbrae.

The upgrade is expected to ensure quicker travel times between Sydney and Brisbane as well as safer travel for families and workers who use this route going up and down the east coast.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King, said this project and the Coffs Harbour bypass will provide the remaining major upgrades to complete a free-flowing dual carriageway route between Sydney and Brisbane.

“The M1 extension will create more efficient and reliable journeys by bypassing five sets of traffic lights, saving nine minutes in travel time and removing about 25,000 vehicles a day from key congestion and merge points between Newcastle and Maitland,” she said.

Albany Ring Road to open this year

Construction of the Albany Ring Road in Western Australia has entered its final stages, and is on track to be completed and open to road users before the middle of the year.

With new bridges in place at the South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road interchanges, works are currently focused on construction of the road surface between Lancaster Road and Princess Royal Drive, along with installation of safety barriers, signs and road markings.

Upon completion, the project will establish a 11-kilometre free-flowing connection between Albany Highway and Princess Royal Drive, including three grade-separated interchanges at Albany Highway, South Coast Highway and Frenchman Bay Road.

The new road will divert heavy vehicles around Albany, improving eight efficiency, reducing congestion and improving safety on existing local routes including Albany Highway.

Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said the Albany Ring Road is the largest infrastructure project ever delivered in the Great Southern region and will provide a safe, efficient, free-flowing route for heavy vehicles accessing the port.

“Importantly, the project will also remove heavy vehicles from the existing network, improving safety on Chester Pass Road, Albany Highway and South Coast Highway, and enhancing amenity for local residents and visitors alike,” she said.

Image: Harley Kingston/stock.adobe.com.

Heavy Weight

Wickham Freight Lines maintains an enviable reputation among its peers as a steadfast and reliable long-distance carrier.

It isn’t simply a question of whether a process or product doesn’t work for one of its competitors. If it can stand up to the benchmark asked of it by Wickham Freight Lines, then it’s more than likely already a key asset in its operations. Those same operations involve moving dozens of B-doubles and multicombination units, whose presence in recent times has grown significantly within the fleet, up and down the east coast of Australia.

Wickham Freight Lines National Workshop Manager, Steve Lord, has been with the company close to 17 years. In that time, he’s had a box seat to watch its consolidation as a premier long-haul carrier, with a national reach, delivering general freight and refrigerated goods.

“The fleet is changing at the moment because the NHVR has made it a lot easier to permit trucks and have approved vehicles running around on specialised legs,” he says. “You’ve got Kenworth T659s on the highway now pulling

B-doubles which was once unheard of.”

Amid the changes at the fleet, which have been gradual over time, one thing remains constant: its choice of truck. Kenworth is, as it has been for the past four decades, the main go-to.

Wickham Freight Lines runs an imposing interstate Kenworth fleet that, for many years, was primarily based on the K200 platform. With more permits increasingly afforded bonneted 34-pallet B-doubles in recent times, courtesy of the NHVR, the company has subsequently found itself transitioning from its stock and trade cabovers to conventional trucks. Moving forward Steve anticipates they will run an even split between the two across the fleet of 200 prime movers.

“This is what the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) and permit scheme can provide,” he says. “It’s opened some doors to make the freight task a little bit more flexible and it allows for better utilisation of your gear. Moving much more freight with the same amount of gear is what everyone

is aspiring to.”

He adds, “You get out on the highway now and the combinations you see just blow you away.”

Last September, Wickham Freight Lines took delivery of the 17,000th Kenworth – a T909 – sold by Brown and Hurley. It is, historically speaking, the 350th Kenworth ever purchased by the fleet.

Steve, who can still remember his first day at the organisation, as it was his daughter’s birthday, has under his watch, seen the fleet expand from 60 units, mostly powered by Detroit 60s, to the powerhouse it is today.

“We’ve got K200s here that are 14 years old that are coming up on 2 million kilometres that have probably spent four years on local already,” he says. “A K200 sourced from Bundaberg not long ago has done 1.8 million on the original engine. That’s happened in about 4.5 years. That truck has travelled 920 kilometres every day since we’ve had it. That’s a Kenworth for you.”

Image: Brown and Hurley.

Truck Shows & Field Days

Pencil in some information on dates and venues of various truck shows, field days and road transport industry conferences both locally and internationally.

Got an upcoming event? Then let us know about it – email editor@trailermag.com.au

March

Victoria

Wimmera Machinery Field Days

5-7 March

Horsham, VIC

Visit: www.wimmerafielddays.com.au

Farm World

22-24 March

Lardner, VIC

Visit: www.lardnerpark.com.au/event

South Australia

South East Field Days

15-16 March

Lucindale, SA

Visit: www.sefd.com.au

Queensland

2024 LRTAQ/ALRTA Combined Conference

21-22 March

Canberra

Trucking Australia

17-19 April

Canberra, ACT

Visit: www.new.truck.net.au/ta

May

New South Wales

Tocal Field Days

3-5 May

Tocal, NSW

Visit: www.tocalfielddays.com

Victoria

TruckShowX

13-15 May

Cape Schanck, VIC

Visit: www.hvia.asn.au/events

ALC Supply Chain Summit

August

Victoria

Dowerin Machinery Field Days

28-29 August

Dowerin, VIC

Visit: www.dowerinfielddays.com.au

September

Victoria

MEGATRANS

18-19 September

Melbourne, VIC

Visit: www.megatrans.com.au

Germany

IAA Transportation

Hanover, Germany

17-22 September

Visit: www.iaa-transportation.com/en

DO YOU KNOW A DRIVER OF CHANGE?

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.

Now is your chance to nominate an industry leader who you believe is advocating for positive change and deserves to be recognised.

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY

MHD

Thurs 20 June, 2024

The Women in Industry Awards recognise outstanding women leaders from across Australia’s industrials sector.