Trailer Builder

Australian made and fit for purpose

KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT PROVIDES AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY WITH TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY FREIGHT APPLICATION. THE FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED ENTERPRISE DELIVERS SPECIALISED TRAILERS, DOUBLING DOWN ON RELIABILITY, SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY.

Economic recovery post Covid-19 requires the nation’s freight carriers and logistics firms to invest in Australian manufacturing and local business. Victorian trailer builder, Krueger Transport Equipment, has served the commercial road transport industry for more than four decades, supplying innovative semi-trailer designs and a diverse selection of trailing equipment for sale and rent, backed by a diligent servicing and parts division. The hard-wearing trailers that Krueger builds include traditional B-double combinations, flat tops and drop decks, skeletal trailers with ultra-low profiles, curtainsiders (Kurtainers), freezer vans and dry freight vans as well as larger Performance-Based Standards (PBS) configurations. Krueger’s in-house PBS team can walk fleet operators through the trailer specifications that will best serve their needs whether it be through lighter equipment for the tare weight advantages and/or ensuring truck-trailer combinations have access to the most efficient routes. PBS also enables new opportunities with ‘interchangeability’ where operators can get the most value out of their road transport assets. With PBS optimisation, according to Krueger, the productivity gains are an additional bonus. Krueger’s PBS offering covers its entire range of trailers from container haulage to general freight. The interchangeable options that the manufacturer provides its customers with ensures maximised fleet potential where everybody wins. Krueger also produces specialised OH&S and high productivity designs featuring self-lifting gates, Lock N Load Buckle-less Load Restraints, Slide-A-Gate and the EZI Autodeck. All of these options are rigorously tested for optimal reliability and safety. The Australian innovation does not stop here. Krueger’s revolutionary Road Friendly Suspension (RFS) is industry-leading technology. It provides freight carriers with a low maintenance and high-performance capability when hauling cargo amid harsh operating conditions. RFS is the only Australian-made suspension by a trailer manufacturer and was specified to address Australian road conditions. As an entirely Australian-owned operations, Krueger works closely with its customers to develop new designs for use on metropolitan roads and highways in a much shorter timeframe than imported alternatives can offer.

Under the Federal Government’s Australian Design Rules (ADR) requirements, RFS has the stamp of Government approval. Due to continuous innovation and improvement, the RFS portfolio is expanding with more high performance and low maintenance packages to support national linehaul fleets and can even benefit intrastate operations with more durable gear. RFS options include axle capacity for highway use, heavy duty axles for road train applications as well as capacity for an easy read weigh gauge system. This dedication to innovation drives all areas of the business – the suspension is also fully supported by a national after sales network. With the extension of the Federal Government’s tax asset write-off incentive, Krueger is urging transport businesses Australia-wide to take up this generous opportunity to invest in new equipment. Primed and ready to assist heavy vehicle operators across the entire essential services supply chain – from linehaul to intrastate to final mile – Krueger’s national support capabilities are extensive,

including fixed priced servicing, spare parts, refurbishment options, smash and damage repairs, conversions and chassis/ body modifications for all trailer makes and models. A quick turnaround with minimal disruption ensures that Krueger has all bases covered. Krueger has also doubled down on its spare parts availability and RFS solutions to ensure optimal tare weight and improved equipment longevity for the trailers it builds and services. Sourcing spare parts is now made simpler with Krueger’s new website. The list of available items include: air bags, axle parts, brake boosters, brake drums, brake fittings, chrome accessories, cleaning products, curtain ratchets, curtain straps and rollers, electrical cables, landing legs, LED lighting, load binder straps, mud flaps, shock absorbers, wheel bearings, signage and decals and more.

Fast Fact

Last year, Krueger Transport Equipment doubled its capacity across the business as part of an ongoing series of expansions. The project, according to Managing Director John Krueger, was delivered under time and under budget. He attributes the success of the expansion to the relentless passion for improvement of the strongest leadership team in the industry.

Contact Krueger Transport Equipment 275 Fitzgerald Road Derrimut VIC 3030 Ph: 03 9366 2133 Web: www.krueger.com.au

Garnering growth in taxing times

AN AUSTRALIAN FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES TOP QUALITY TRAILERS FOR THE LOCAL INDUSTRY, FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS THE DRAKE GROUP HAS PROUDLY PLAYED ITS PART IN KEEPING SKILLED AUSSIE WORKERS EMPLOYED DURING SOME CHALLENGING TIMES.

It’s certainly not the first time The Drake Group has weathered the storm of a downturn in the economy – such as the present one caused by the coronavirus – and it’s a fair bet it won’t be the last. The thing about rock solid transport equipment builders like Drake is that they supply the vital equipment to Australian transport businesses that are often required to maintain or even increase capacities during times of economic uncertainty typified by the present pandemic. To do this they need reliable and fit-forpurpose trailing equipment which is precisely the reason why The Drake Group has remained busy cranking out a variety of

trailers throughout the first half of 2020. Drake Trailers was founded in 1958 at Rocklea in Queensland by Colin Drake. Colin had a strong desire to build Australia’s best trailers and used an innovative approach to design and develop better designs to meet operators’ needs. This operating model has remained the company’s modus operandi to this day, with some of the current designs being evolutionary developments of revolutionary designs introduced many years ago. The Drake 4x8 Swingwing widening lowloader which hit the market in 1969 is a prime example, another is the steerable platform trailer originally built for Brambles and introduced in 1980. Then in 1984 the popular Deck Widener was released and the same year saw the debut of the Full Modular Steerable Transporter. In 1985 the Full Widener made its debut with its main claims to fame being the ability to legally carry a 50-tonne payload and also ease of loading and transporting wide machinery thanks to the axles and suspension widening with the frames. The design remains an industry standard to this day. The passion for the product shown by The Drake Group team members who produce the trailers is equally matched by many loyal customers, many of whom have been using Drake trailers for decades.

People like Peter Taylor, who owns Adelaidebased LCL Heavy Haulage. Peter’s experience with Drake trailers stretches back to the turn of the century when he bought the first new unit which he still operates today. It is a tri-axle Deck Widener with a selftracking rear axle – a feature which Peter has specified on all his subsequent Drake trailers due to its ability to dramatically reduce tyre wear and road damage from scrubbing on turns. “This original unit has travelled around two million kilometres in its lifetime so far and all we’ve had to do is replace the BPW selfsteering rear axle,” Peter explains. “Every trailer in my fleet runs BPW drum brake axles – I won’t have anything else because the product is so durable and reliable. “One of our trailers is nearly 10 years old and has been doing around town work five to six days each week for its whole life and we have not touched the axles or replaced the brake linings.” Peter currently owns five tri-axle and six quad-axle Drake trailers, along with three dollies. One of the quads is a 4x8 Swingwing low loader with a 2x8 dolly and another is a 4x4 full widener. One of the things that Peter likes about The Drake Group is a willingness to listen to customer feedback and he says the company’s people including Managing Director John Drake have always listened to his concerns and done their best to rectify or modify designs to improve the products in line with his requests and expectations. He cites the example of chain-down points installed on the decks of his trailers. “I asked for a lot of chain-down points on the decks so I don’t need to use the side points because that damages the paint work,” Peter says. “In my book you can never have too many chain-down points on the decks. “I’ve also started specifying lay-down ramps and the amount of fuel that saves is incredible,” Peter says. Other special features Drake has been happy to incorporate, according to Peter, include steps and hand grips on the gooseneck to make it easier and safer to climb onto the decks and a nifty petrol can holder for the

Fast Fact

The Drake Group has been proudly manufacturing a diverse range of trailers in Queensland since 1958. Its innovative designs have evolved over the ensuing years to suit a legion of Aussie transport operators who appreciate the quality of the products and the fact they’re built to withstand the toughest punishment this country can throw at them. Honda powerpack. “Another big highlight for me since buying my first Drake trailer 20 years ago is how much the painting process has improved since then. Drake has spent a lot of money on improving their paint systems and the result is a first-class finish – you couldn’t ask for better.” Another thing Peter has in common with The Drake Group is a fierce loyalty for the Australian manufacturing industry, and he is proud of the fact that his fleet of mostly

Every trailer in my fleet runs BPW drum brake axles – I won’t have anything else because the

product is so durable and reliable. .

Volvo prime movers and Drake trailers are built in Australia. “I’m very passionate about buying things that are made in Australia,” Peter says. “There should be more of it – we shouldn’t be relying so heavily on other countries, especially China, for our manufactured goods. “When I picked up my latest Drake trailer I actually said to John Drake that I was going to put an ‘Australian Made’ badge on each side near the Drake badge on the gooseneck – he thought it was a great idea. “Speaking about John Drake, whenever I go there he always finds time to come and have a chat which is something I really respect and appreciate. It’s not often that the Managing Director of a large company goes out of their way to speak with customers like that.” Peter also has high praise for The Drake Group Salesman, Byron Foss, who he describes as “my favorite salesperson and a good, solid family man. “That really goes a long way with me and is a big part of why I like dealing with The Drake Group; everyone there is extremely friendly and helpful,” Peter days. “It’s a strong Australian-owned family company with great people, great products and outstanding customer service.”

Contact The Drake Group of Companies 19 Formation St Wacol QLD 4076 Ph: 07 3271 5888 Web: www.thedrakegroup.com.au

Proof of loyalty

VAWDREY AUSTRALIA’S PROFICIENCY WITH SUPPLYING PERFORMANCEBASED STANDARDS SUPER B-DOUBLE SKELS ON DEMAND ENABLES ACFS PORT LOGISTICS TO SUSTAINABLY AND COMPETITIVELY GROW.

Australia’s largest privately-owned container logistics business, ACFS Port Logistics, commenced operations in late 2005 and is on track to becoming the nation’s premier landside logistics provider. The business, according to Managing Director and CEO, Arthur Tzaneros, has developed a strong and loyal relationship of trust with Paul Vawdrey and the Vawdrey Australia team. “Paul Vawdrey actions our immediate requirements on the back of a phone call,” Arthur says – adding that ACFS recently ordered 14 Performance-Based Standards lightweight bogie/bogie Super B-double skel combinations with retractable suspension on the lead trailer to enable rear/dock loading of both trailers in the set. “At ACFS, we are very focused on delivering logistics solutions, and on this occasion, we required High Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) carrying four twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUs) that could accommodate our discount retailers, white goods / electrical and furniture retail customers. These trailers will expand on our four TEUs per trip, maximise weight for a bogie/bogie combination and reduce running costs due to fewer axles in the application. Reducing the ongoing running costs of servicing our customers is absolutely key, and we can share in the benefits with our customers.” The A-double combinations, Arthur says, will be used on the wharf and will also be used at customer sites to manage heavier weights. These A-double sets will also be paired with a 90-tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) Mercedes-Benz prime mover. “We ordered nine sets of PBS trailers on spec for the upcoming peak season and took delivery of these units last month,” Arthur says. “The remaining 11 sets were ordered on the back of a customer contract and are due to be delivered by the end of this month.” All of the trailers are tailored to what is known as ‘ACFS Spec’. This includes Fuwa K-Hitch landing legs, for ease of dropping out of trailers, Air-Weigh IAP approved trailer scales, steerable axles on the bogie/ bogie sets, retractable suspension on the A trailer for the bogie/bogie sets and lightweight Alcoa wheels. “These lightweight trailers and features maximise weights per trip for our customers,” Arthur says. “The Fuwa K-Hitch landing legs improve the speed for drop and swap of our trailers and improves operational safety for our employees.” The new trailers, according to Arthur, will be distributed throughout the national ACFS fleet by Vawdrey on an ‘as needed’ basis. “This actually remains quite flexible up until the day of registration, as our business needs to remain agile to our customers and our own business requirements,” he says. “They will generally be doing metropolitan deliveries between ACFS facilities and that of our customers.

Mostly within 60km of the Port, but most of these trailers will be executing our Zone strategy which is to be within 15km of the customer for the final mile of delivery.” Arthur expects volumes to grow by 20-30 per cent during the AugustDecember peak period annually. “ACFS is a company owned fleet, and we rarely use subcontractors to manage our volume levels, which requires us as a business to carefully plan our ongoing requirements,” he says. “We have learnt as a business over the years to carry additional capacity for the unknown or when a new contract may arise. We are always ready and prepared for growth.” Earlier this year, ACFS acquired Kerry Logistics’ warehouse and transport business in Adelaide which strengthened the company’s presence in the container logistics supply chain. “While the Kerry acquisition is not large in scale for ACFS – as we move over 800,000 TEU of FCL containers on a per annum basis nationally, It is strategically important, as ACFS did not have a presence in Adelaide until we acquired the Patrick Port Logistics business in 2016,” Arthur says. “This business was mainly supported by subcontractors only and was very small in scale. In a few short years we have developed the Adelaide business, including the Kerry Logistics business of late which will now make us a top three carrier in Adelaide in regards to scale, but we have also managed to add 22,000-square-metres of warehousing, as well as an empty park (ACFS e-Depot), which allows us to provide end to end solutions for our customers, with our aligned shipping lines. The fleet has grown to just over 25 trucks in Adelaide, and we are focused on continued expansion in this market. Generally, we have a ratio of four trailers to every truck in the fleet.” ACFS is a relationship-driven business with strong connections with its customers and suppliers. “When you have strong relationships, the detail can be worked out later – Vawdrey just get on with the job,” Arthur says. “The Vawdrey product is made in Australia, and we also like to support private business where possible. We all have skin

ACFS Port Logistics Managing Director and CEO, Arthur Tzaneros.

in the game.” He adds that Vawdrey’s aftersales support is excellent. “We use the service centres nationally not only for Vawdrey trailers, but also our other trailers that were purchased pre 2017.” Arthur is passionate about Australian manufacturing and supporting it where possible. “We have a sense of pride when we make these orders, and greater satisfaction when we receive the Vawdrey product,” he says. “On a personal note, I

still get that sense of pride and excitement when a new trailer sets arrive – it’s like a new baby has arrived in our ACFS family. We take great pride as a family, in who we support, and what we do for the Australian economy.”

Contact Vawdrey Australia 1-53 Quantum Close Dandenong South VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9797 3700 Web: www.vawdrey.com.au

Difference in the detail

MUSCAT TRAILERS HAS BUILT A SOLID REPUTATION IN THE TRAILER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND ITS EXTENSIVE REPEAT CUSTOMER PORTFOLIO IS A TESTAMENT TO THIS.

Muscat Trailers was officially founded in 1981 and the company has since gone from strength to strength, improving its designs

Fast Fact

Muscat Trailers has manufactured more than 8,000 trailers over the past 40 years, keeping Australian manufacturing alive and employing Australian workers. and manufacturing techniques and in the process becoming well known for producing some of the most durable and innovative trailers available in Australia. Manufacturers continue to grow in the Australian market, to standardise designs as a way of reducing costs. Muscat Trailers Director, Maurice Azzopardi, has always remained the same, unpretentious and modest, keeping costs down and making the trailers strong and reliable while meeting customer needs. This is supplemented by his son and CEO, Troy Azzopardi, who seeks the opportunity for innovation and exciting new developments. General Manager, Peter Davis, leads a strong Muscat team from new apprentices and experienced tradesman to highly skilled engineers. The finished trailer is a reflection of the brand and the pride in workmanship that each and every staff member dedicates to the job, right to the very end where End of Line Manager, Michel Zlotkowski, ticks them off at handover to the client.

Muscat Trailers has a dedicated engineering team with the sole take of working with the customer. The team takes the customer from the preliminary concept, design and field testing, through to inspection and final certification. The new and unique designs are always to meet the most intricate of customer needs as well as considering safety and reliability. Adaptability is an important characteristic for businesses in the road transport industry, especially in a fluctuating market like tipping trailers. Muscat Trailers constantly engage and support the industry (through

organisations like HVIA) which gives it the means to develop concepts that give its customers the edge over its competitors. About six years ago, after extensive market research, Muscat Trailers saw an opportunity and a gap in the Australian market for a safe non-tipping trailer solution. Companies have been on a mission to look for ways to improve safety on their worksites, and this has led to tipping exclusion zones and the banning of trucks being moved with bins in the raised position. While these procedures can help control the risk, they do not remove the risk completely. Add to this scenario the need to evaluate overhead risks such as powerlines, buildings and trees, you can begin to appreciate the adverse safety issues caused by raising tipping bodies. The need for a solution was required and this is when the relationship with US based E D Etnyre was born. A family owned and operated company, like Muscat Trailers, with a history in the construction of road building equipment dating back more than a century, this operation was a perfect fit. Since our first delivery of the Falcon component in 2015, Muscat Trailers has spent approximately 150 hours per unit, fitting and assembling key components to make them compliant for the Australian market. Muscat Trailers saw the product as an ideal complement to its existing trailer range and has had phenomenal success, selling it to customers who appreciate this safe alternative to tippers, whilst giving them the ability to keep them at the forefront of everchanging industry needs. Muscat Trailers has an extensive customer portfolio, and no matter who the customer is, it treats them all with the same notable customer service experience, backing each and every one of its trailers with exceptional after sales customer service which includes product support in every state of Australia. This was increased with the employment of Dayle Graham in Victoria. The business has expanded one step further with its new Muscat Trailers Spare Parts division, headed up by Craig Smith. With a strong emphasis on quality over quantity, the company prides itself on being a custom manufacturer that continually investigates new ways to provide its clientele with a competitive edge. Muscat Trailers is looking forward to a big year in 2021 with some exciting plans for the celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Fast Fact

Muscat Trailers now has a dedicated spare parts division providing customers with a one-stop shop for all its clients’ trailers needs.

Contact Muscat Trailers 7 Grahams Hill Road Narellan NSW 2567 Ph: 02 4648 2101 Web: www.muscattrailers.com.au