Trailer Magazine October 2023 by Prime Creative Media

A U S T R A L A S I A’ S T R A I L E R I N D U S T R Y R E S O U R C E

OCTOBER 2023

PERFECT MATCH Excellence meets efficiency

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OCTOBER 2023 $10.00

Excellence meets efficiency

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From the Editor’s desk PUBLISHER

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ARTICLES

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

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. Officially endorsed by the VTA

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Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Trailer Magazine Editor Luke Applebee

Smashing glass ceilings The 33rd Australian Freight Industry Awards was held last month at the Palladium at Crown Melbourne. My team and I were in attendance, and it was humbling to see representatives from across the transport industry gather for the purpose of honouring those outstanding individuals who were selected from a panel of judges to receive recognition for their service and dedication. Peter Anderson, VTA CEO, said in his address to the audience: “It has been another tough year post Covid with increasing freight volumes against the backdrop of labour shortages and increasing costs. Long lead times with new equipment and inflationary pressures starting to bite. We continue to service our customers and community.” He added that industry is supporting people and improving processes in the interests of achieving better safety and productivity outcomes. As Victorian Transport Association (VTA) President, Mike Lean, rightfully said, without trucks, Australia starves. This sentiment was reinforced by Senator Glenn Sterle who was also born into trucking; he, too,

emphasised the vital role that the transport and logistics sector plays across all modes. These opening speeches set the tone for an evening of celebration and honour. For Female Leadership Award winner, Katharina Attana of Tasman Logistics, she appreciates being herself at work and welcomes opportunities for men and women to work together. Accepting her award on stage she said: “I had all the resources and support and opportunities to make a difference and I’m not just here for myself but for all the amazing leaders in this room.” It was a genuine delight to see Kevin Halpin take the Personality of the Year accolade. He said: “This is the greatest acknowledgement I have ever received.” He has a long history of service in the tyre space and spent the best part of the last decade giving back to the industry via his roles within the VTA. “This is a truly extraordinary award for me on something that I will always cherish.”

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October 2023

Industry news The latest news and industry developments.

Economy Truck and trailer manufacturing is bucking the trend amid economic slowdown.

Refrigerated transport equipment See the latest cold chain technologies in road transport.

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

Hydraulics The transport industry is on another level when it comes to hydraulic equipment.

Braking technology Take a closer look into the industry’s latest braking developments.

Trailer building materials/components A showcase of the products and services that keep trailers on the move.

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

World map Transport Logistic in review.

Fleet of the month ColdRex will handle regional freight for the likes of Lindsay Transport.

What’s on Upcoming shows and field days.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

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News

Road train use encouraged on new route The Warialda High Productivity Vehicle Route in Gwydir Shire, New South Wales, is encouraging freight operators to shift to using road trains. Since its completion one year ago, the four kilometre bypass is reportedly saving transport operators a 144 kilometre round trip while reducing the number of trucks travelling through the Warialda town centre. As a result, Gwydir Shire Council and its Director Engineering Services, Alex Eddy, is recommending the uptake of road train combinations in the region. “Agriculture is the biggest industry in Gwydir Shire, so we identified that there was a need to get road trains from the very productive areas in the north of our Shire to the Gwydir Highway so they were able to get to eastern markets,” said Eddy. “For a road train to get from the north

of our Shire, east, they were detouring as much as 140 kilometres to the Newell Highway, to Moree onto the Gwydir Highway. “The bypass itself, we were fairly sure what the traffic volumes were going to be to a large degree because we knew what the truck counts were coming through Warialda. “What we didn’t know was how many road trains that were currently detouring via Moree through to Inverell would then be travelling through our bypass.” According to Eddy, an increase in road trains within Gwydir Shire in recent times has demonstrated positive outcomes. “We’ve seen as time has gone on, more operators have shifted to road trains and that’s been reflected in the traffic make up on the bypass going from fewer B-doubles to more road trains,” he said.

“Ultimately, what that means, is there is less vehicles on the road.” The Warialda High Productivity Vehicle Route project received just over $3 million in funding as part of the Fixing Country Roads Program, which aims to improve freight connectivity and access across regional NSW. This program, according to Eddy, was essential in making this route a possibility. “Fixing Country Roads and programs similar to it are absolutely vital to Gwydir Shire,” he said. “A project like the Warialda Bypass, $8.1 million, the likelihood of Council being able to fund that with internal revenue is almost nil. “So without the Fixing Country Roads Program, projects like this simply wouldn’t happen in Gwydir.”

Update on ACFS Port Logistics’ new Perth facility ACFS Port Logistics has shared an update on the construction of its new Hazelmere, Perth facility. The new 15,000-square-metre facility was announced earlier this year in June. At the time, ACFS Port Logistics revealed that upon completion it would service Third-Party Logistics (3PL), freight of all kinds (FAK) and eCommerce. The warehouse is now starting to take shape, with steel frames well underway and the wall cladding already starting to be positioned. The new centre will feature 36 power charging points for reefer storage, and it will also act as a high volume unpack/ pack facility with a reach stacker on site.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Once complete, the large-scale facility is expected to improve ACFS Port Logistics’ capability and offering for its Western Australian customers.

“ACFS will keep everyone updated with further developments with the Hazelmere Facility,” an ACFS Port Logistics spokesperson said in a statement online.

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News

AFIA 2023 winners revealed The Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIAs) held at Crown Melbourne on 2 September honoured the contributions of several individuals in the transport industry. This year, judges assessed a record number of applications, with finalists shortlisted across a range of categories. The winners announced were: • Kevin Halpin, Personality of the Year Award • Katharina Attana of Tasman Logistics Services, Female Leadership Award • Melissa Scerri of Victoria International Container Terminal, Young Achiever of the Year Award • Hyzon Motors, Sustainable Environment Award • iTrazo Tracetech, Application of Technology Award • Linfox, Best Practice Safety Award • CMV Truck & Bus, Investment in People Award “It was a pleasure to host dignitaries from state and federal governments, along with VTA life members, councillors, and hundreds of VTA members, associate members, and transport industry operators and suppliers,” said Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter Anderson. Anderson said he is incredibly proud of the achievements of all the award winners, finalists and nominees. “It’s been another tough year as we all

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

work to move higher and higher freight volumes, against a backdrop of labour shortages, higher costs, long lead times for trucks and equipment, and inflationary pressures starting to bite,” he said. “So, to everyone that lodged an entry, thank you for taking the time to share your stories because the accomplishments of our industry are significant, and deserve to be acknowledged. “We look forward to continuing a tradition established some years ago, with AFIA winners and award sponsors gathering in a fortnight for a special luncheon at Melbourne’s Eureka Tower to reflect on the achievements and the award celebration.” The AFIA Committee also extended its sincere congratulations to every winner and finalist. Awards Chairman and VTA President, Mike Lean, said the committee looks forward to building on the success of this outstanding event for many years to come. “On behalf of the Executive Council, may I add our congratulations to tonight’s award winners, and extend our thanks to every organisation that submitted a nomination,” he said. “Setting another new record for entries is a tribute to the operators, suppliers and individuals who give so much, and continually strive for best practice in what they do and achieve.” The AFIAs will return in 2024.

CRL Express reveals new Melbourne head office

CRL Express has opened its new head office and state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Melbourne. CRL Express now has more than 6,500 stored locations at the new site, located on Abbotts Road, Dandenong South. The facility features double deep rails, end guards, upright protection, permit procedures and a fast turnaround time for commencement. “We’re thrilled to express our utmost appreciation for the impeccable installation of Double Deep and Selective Racking at our Dandenong South site,” said CRL Express Group General Manager, Brendan Tate. “This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional teams.”

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News

National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy review underway The review of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy has commenced, following agreement with state and territory infrastructure and transport ministers. The National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy is a multi-modal approach to increase the safety, productivity and resilience of freight and supply chains. It sets an agenda for government and industry action across all freight modes to 2040 and beyond. According to the Australian Government, Australia’s supply chains are critical to its future economic success and to strengthening the connections between regions and urban centres. Minister for Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said this is why infrastructure and transport ministers

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

across Australia have responded to calls from industry to commence the first review of the Strategy. “The review will ensure the Strategy remains fit-for-purpose for the Australian freight and supply chains industry,” she said. “We know this industry has experienced unprecedented and compounding disruptions over the past four years including a global pandemic, extreme weather events, geo-political tensions, skills shortages and more. “The review is a critical opportunity to take stock of what has changed and what has been achieved since 2019. “It will help build a more effective Strategy that is better equipped to address Australia’s growing and changing freight task.” The review will assess if there are gaps in the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy’s goals and identify priorities for

the next five-year National Action Plan. According to King, stakeholder engagement will be an important part of identifying these gaps and priorities. “The review will undertake stakeholder consultation and consider public submissions,” she said. “In late August, I am looking forward to hosting a round table to hear directly from industry how the strategy can be strengthened.” The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts will lead the review in close collaboration with industry and state and territory governments. For more information, including to make a submission to the review, click here. Ministers will consider the recommendations of the review by the end of this year.

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News

Bruce Rock Engineering Managing Director celebrates 20th anniversary Bruce Rock Engineering (BRE) Managing Director, Damion Verhoogt, recently celebrated his 20th anniversary at the company. Verhoogt has been a part of BRE since he was very young. From an early age, he developed a keen interest in engineering, transport and the family business. As kids, he and his brothers would help out at the family business on Saturdays as well as on school holidays. After later working in the stainless-steel pump and fabrication industry, as well as on land-based and offshore oil and gas projects, Verhoogt officially joined BRE in 2003 as Workshop Manager. Following the retirement of founders Mike and Gay Verhoogt in 2014, he took on the role of Managing Director. “Over the past 20 years, Damion has helped grow BRE from strength to strength, solidifying the business’ position as an industry leader,” BRE Marketing Specialist, Michelle Krish, told Trailer. Since establishing in 1980, alongside Verhoogt BRE has become synonymous with Performance-Based Standards (PBS) and a range of high-quality trailer combinations to suit various applications, including side tippers, end tippers and dog trailers. He is also a fully qualified boilermaker/fabricator and holds an Associate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

Primary Connect and DHL collaborate for JOST training In a collaboration arranged by DHL Supply Chain, JOST Australia recently gave Primary Connect a hands-on demonstration on how semi-trailer turntables operate. Using a JOST training trailer, the demonstration focused on preventing dropped trailers and understanding why and how they occur. Led by JOST Area Sales Managers, John Dreves and Stewart Lamb, the training took place at Primary Connect’s Sydney National Distribution Centre (SNDC). “At JOST, we take pride in our commitment to excellence,” JOST General Manager – Sales and Marketing, Corey Povey, told Trailer. “Through a live demonstration of turntable functionality for Primary Connect and DHL collectively, they have a dedication to supporting

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

transport safety, this reaffirms our mission to provide not just products, but comprehensive training. “Our focus was to use a combination of hands-on training and demonstrations, along with JOST’s innovative fifth wheel sensor technology, to ensure the coupling and uncoupling process is successful in every application.” Primary Connect National Transport

Safety Lead, Virginia Callow, highlighted the importance of the message behind the demonstration. “Dropped trailers might look funny and be classified as a minor incident, but trust me, they’re a big deal,” she said. “They can put drivers and road users at risk, be extremely costly, mess with operations and the recovery can be complex.”

Tailored Freight grows NSW operations Refrigerated transport company, Tailored Freight, has announced its Sydney depot will now be able to offer customers a temperature-controlled supply chain direct to distribution centres. The cross-stock consolidation facility will provide temperature-controlled storage, distribution centre deliveries seven days a week using local fleets and 24-hour operations including rear docks. “This allows us to bring in produce from Adelaide or Melbourne, and with our Brisbane facility, this essentially connects all the dots,” said Tailored Freight Operation Manager, Dayne Iles. “It also allows for an extra level of assurance when it comes to keeping produce safely chilled.” Established in 2006, the Epping, Victoriabased company serves all major capital cities, as well as daily deliveries to all major supermarket distribution centres in Victoria. It consolidates produce from all over

Australia every night in Melbourne, making it a unique player in the fruit and vegetable market. The company has recently begun using GPS monitored temperature sensors throughout the cold chain to prevent any unwanted temperature fluctuations. The new facility and the technologies provide Tailored Freight more control within the chain supply, according to lles, as storage had been outsourced previously. “Now our processes are our processes,

and we aren’t counting on someone else whose methods might not connect to our business values,” he said. “Refrigerated produce transport is a very exact science.” The company has also recently opened a warehouse in Griffith, New South Wales, which offers drivers a rest stop to manage fatigue and a place to conduct heavy vehicle maintenance. Footprint expansion means growth with Tailored Freight acquiring 14 new trucks this year and the potential for more.

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News

Linfox celebrates Arnott’s $65M expansion The Arnott’s Group recently opened its new $65 million automated distribution centre (DC) in Huntingwood, New South Wales, adjacent to the Group’s largest biscuit site. The 43,000-square-metre site can accommodate 28,000 pallets – almost four times the site’s previous capacity. It serves as a thoroughfare for over 60 per cent of the Group’s national inventory, delivering significant operational savings with its location putting it in prime proximity to distribution hubs for key retail partners. As a long-term logistics partner across transport and warehousing, Linfox is supporting The Arnott’s Group’s expansion in Australia. Addressing the opening event, Linfox ANZ CEO, Mark Mazurek, commented on the strength of the long-term partnership with The Arnott’s Group.

“Linfox is proud to be a key partner of The Arnott’s Group in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “Our shared commitment to safe and better ways of working has been the cornerstone of our relationship, and together we have created industry leading environments and solutions for our teams. “We look forward to continuing the success of the Huntingwood facility and supporting The Arnott’s Group into the future.” The facility was constructed with a sophisticated ‘one-touch’ logistics solution, leveraging robotics and automation, which Linfox claimed will be essential in contributing to highproductivity environments. The site also incorporates minimal touch point automation and a new palletising system with a 35-metre high bay.

Arnott’s Group Director of Procurement and Logistics, Tom Vicars, said the DC has already unlocked significant efficiencies and scale for the business. “We continue to expand our Australian operations and need the storage and logistics infrastructure in place to accommodate this growth,” he said. “We intend for Western Sydney to be the beating heart of our national operations, and you need only step into the warehouse to get a sense of the sheer scale of what we are hoping to achieve.” Run by Linfox’s team, technologyenabled facilities like these yield more efficient operations and build new-world logistics skills according to a Linfox spokesperson. “We look forward to growing stronger and working smarter in a safe and sustainable way,” the spokesperson said.

Capral records strong first half results Aluminium extruder and distributor, Capral, has released its financial results for the first six months of 2023, showing a healthy balance sheet with net cash of $41.2 million. “Capral has delivered a strong result in the first half of 2023 by playing to our unmatched strengths across the construction and industrial sectors,” said Capral Managing Director and CEO, Tony Dragicevich. “Capral has enhanced its diverse industry exposure, especially in transport and commercial construction.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Together, with a good pipeline of work continuing in residential building, this reflects in our overall volume remaining strong.” Underlying EBITDA of $31.7 million and underlying EBIT of $20.7 million were on par with the prior period, while there was a net profit after tax of $16.6 million. The company said its ability to provide bespoke, innovative solutions through its manufacturing sites and distribution centres has allowed it to create additional higher margin products and a favourable sales mix.

Investing in the long term over the last few years has also helped place the company in a good position within the sector to address forthcoming changes around energy efficiency. It recently became Australia’s only ASI certified aluminium extruder. Although conditions are softening in the second half of 2023, Capral’s FY23 earnings guidance has improved due to its exposure across several resilient sectors, and leveraging its highermargin, value-added services, according to Dragicevich.

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News

$5.5M investment in heavy vehicle safety announced The Australian Government is providing vital funding to 21 new industry-led projects through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. Round 8 of the HVSI program will see $3.8 million be invested into 12 heavy vehicle safety initiatives including roadside health and wellness screening, driver training and increasing vulnerable road user safety. In addition, a further nine projects have been selected to receive $1.7 million in once-off funding to Chain of Responsibility (CoR) training and education projects. The new projects under Round 8 address key issues in the transport and logistics sector and provide workable solutions to reduce road trauma and save lives. The CoR projects will help organisations develop training content and resources that will help participants improve the safety of

their heavy vehicle transport activities and meet their obligations under the law. Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, said the Australian Government is focused on creating a safer heavy vehicle industry through these projects. “This funding will support organisations that are providing critical CoR training and are closing the compliance gap,” she said. “This once-off grant scheme will help pave the way to a safer future on our roads, by helping industry improve their safety practices. “Delivery of vital CoR training, particularly in regional and remote areas nationally, will lead to improved industry safety across the complete supply chain.” Successful projects include the development of CoR training targeting executives and managers, training tailored for international freight forwarding and

logistics, and training aimed at businesses that are not transport companies, but that send and receive goods using heavy vehicles. NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto, said heavy vehicle safety is crucial for the entire community. “While the HVSI has already delivered some fantastic outcomes, it’s important we continue to support initiatives that will improve road safety for all Australians,” he said. “We’ve always placed a strong focus on education at the NHVR, and I’m pleased these organisations are doing the same. “These projects will ensure compliance is improved across the supply chain, and I am looking forward to seeing the other positive outcomes of this grant.” Since the program began in 2016, the Government has invested in 132 other HVSI projects to deliver safety benefits to the heavy vehicle industry and other road users.

NHVR updates White List application process The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has updated its White List application process to help reduce reporting requirements for nominating vehicles and companies. The NHVR manages fatigue related incidents using the National Camera Network, which monitors the movement of heavy vehicles. Where potential fatigue related breaches are identified through the network, the NHVR sends out correspondence seeking work diary pages and other evidence from industry to determine if an offence was committed. The purpose of the White List is to maintain the balance between monitoring fatigue in the heavy

vehicle industry and the volume of correspondence between operators and the NHVR. The process to apply to the White List includes the requirement for a satisfactory compliance history over a minimum of 12 months, as well as a demonstrated pattern of interstate or long haul journeys with an effective system of managing driver fatigue. NHVR COO, Paul Salvati, said the changes will result in a decrease in red tape for compliant operators, while ensuring road safety remains a priority. “Operators who can demonstrate fatigue management practices and have a satisfactory compliance history should have the ability to apply for White List consideration, significantly reducing

their reporting requirements while maintaining safe operations,” he said. “While the NHVR always aims to increase the productivity of operators, our primary function is keeping our roads safe as well as ensuring compliance with fatigue requirements within the law. “Updating the White List process helps to ensure this balance remains.” Salvati is hoping the changes will entice operators to implement fatigue management practices in order to be considered for the White List inclusion. “Our aim is to ultimately ensure greater safety for heavy vehicle drivers, operators, and all road users, so that everyone remains safe when travelling on Australian roads,” he said.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

TEN0143

B dynamic Logistics opens new Brisbane mega depot Third-party logistics provider, B dynamic Logistics, has opened a new warehouse and logistics facility in Brisbane, as it continues its rapid growth across Australia. The 15,052-square-metre facility is conveniently situated near key arterial roads to the Brisbane Airport and Gold Coast, approximately 13 kilometres southwest of the Brisbane CBD. The site, which offers ease of access to both the Centenary Highway and the Logan Motorway, will provide seamless connectivity to major infrastructure and transport routes. The premises was officially opened on 29 August at a formal ribbon cutting event. B dynamic Logistics CEO, Mal Siriwardhane, said the opening of the

new mega site will enable the company to support Queensland’s economic growth while providing a level of unmatched customisation and customer service. “We are delighted to expand our physical footprint into Queensland,” he said. “We already have multiple sites in New South Wales and the addition of our mega site in Brisbane enables us to assist more businesses in need of quality, customised logistics solutions.” The new B dynamic Logistics warehouse will employ up to 100 people to service businesses across several industries. “We are looking forward to growing our presence in Queensland and building wonderful long term relationships with the business community,” Siriwardhane said.

The Queensland division will be led by General Manager, Paul Briscoe, along with B dynamic Logistics’ recently appointed Queensland State Manager, Alan Asbery. “Under his leadership we have already secured an impressive array of clients for our new facility and are fielding many new enquiries on a daily basis,” Siriwardhane said. “Paul Briscoe, together with our growing team, will drive our brand and services forward across the state. “Our focus is to assist business, small and large, to manage the warehousing, movement and delivery of items, no what size, to their required destinations in the most affordable and timely manner with transparency, efficiency and ease.”

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XXX Economy

Economic slowdown impacts industrial manufacturing

While the Australian economy is expected to slow faster and further than expected – based on details emerging from the Reserve Bank of Australia – truck and trailer manufacturing, however, appears to be bucking the trend. While GDP growth is due to stall (0.9 per cent this year), it should lift in 2024 (1.6 per cent) and 2025 (2.3 per cent). Business investment is likely to drop over the next financial year from 5.2 per cent to -0.1 per cent. Dwelling investment will reportedly remain in contraction until the end of 2024. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is projected to rise through 2023 from 3.6 per cent to 3.9 per cent which is below the RBA’S 4-5 per cent estimate. Ai Group’s Australian Industry Index, which measures changes in Australia’s industrial sectors, has been negative for the last 15 months. Key findings for July 2023 indicate contractionary conditions in manufacturing not seen since the height of the pandemic. Capacity utilisation also fell marginally to 79.0 per cent. Ai Group CEO, Innes Willox, said Australia’s economic slowdown has squarely hit industry. Willox emphasised the pandemic-era conditions affecting manufacturers adding that the construction sector continues to struggle with structural problems. “Indicators of sales, employment and new orders are all falling, while reported cost pressures continue to rise despite inflation having peaked,” he said. “Of particular concern are wages, which are rising at a record pace while industry faces the threat of contractionary conditions. “Changes to industrial relations laws will add unnecessary pressure to our already struggling industrial sectors.” In related news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently reported annual estimates of industrial economic

and financial performance for the 2021-22 financial year. Manufacturing industry earnings grew to $7.6 billion (up 17.8 per cent), while earnings in the mining industry reached $54.3 billion (up 32.7 per cent). Following RBA and Ai Group reporting, ABS data confirmed a decline in construction industry earnings at $5.4 billion (-9.3 per cent) for the reported period. According to ABS, the manufacturing industry division during the 2021-22 financial year saw a 10.2 per cent boost in sales and service income at $42.4 billion. Division earnings growth was mainly driven by primary metal and metal products manufacturing with growth of 56.6 per cent

($2.5 billion), with improved global market conditions leading to increased demand and higher prices for key metals. Market conditions also generated growth in fabricated metal product manufacturing with an increase of 34.9 per cent ($1.3 billion), bolstered by increased construction activity. Basic chemical and chemical product manufacturing was also a contributor to growth, benefitting from increased export volumes. Earnings for this subdivision increased by 24.6 per cent ($1.2 billion). Wages and salaries also increased in the manufacturing industry by 5.6 per cent ($3.4 billion), while employment increased – 30,000 people (3.6 per cent).

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Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

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Refrigerated XXX transport equipment

Milk run

Two new Schmitz Cargobull SKO refrigerated semi-trailers are the perfect match for Keating Freight Lines and its a2 Milk deliveries. Keating Freight Lines is a third-generation family transport business based in Shepparton, Victoria, which transports refrigerated products and general freight from its hometown across to Melbourne every day, as well as completing runs through the north part of Victoria to Albury across to Yarrawonga and Echuca. The company has now been operating for 41 years since it established in 1982 under the wings of Ken and Dorothy (Dec) Keating. Ken, now aged 87, still runs the business with his two sons, Steve and

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Mark, who have taken on the roles of Directors. Keating Freight Lines purchased its first Schmitz Cargobull trailer seven years ago. The locally assembled unit made a lasting impression on the brothers, and as a result, it sparked several more purchases over the years to follow. “We were looking for a new fridge van and we just thought we’d give Schmitz Cargobull a try,” Mark says. “We ended up with a demo and we were happy with it, so we bought another two.”

Schmitz Cargobull’s thermal capabilities, a key feature their trailers have become known for, stood out to Keating Freight Lines straight away. “The thermal capabilities of them with holding the temperatures are excellent,” Mark says. “The back up as far as anything goes wrong is great as well.” More recently, Keating Freight Lines got a taste of Schmitz Cargobull’s Germanimported SKO trailers with the purchase of two additional units. These trailers have now joined the fleet to bolster its refrigerated operations. “We went for the imported one for the first one just to give it a try,” Mark says. “The tare weight of them is lighter and they’re a little bit wider on the inside too. Also, they’ve got rollers on the back which take the impact from the dock bumpers – it puts it in through the chassis and not into the body like some of the others. “The drivers like them, so that’s why we went for a second one as well. The second one’s a double loader, so the bars that come down are three tonne-rated for forward movement. That’s a pretty good factor, which I didn’t know.” Along with the fleet’s existing trailers, these Schmitz Cargobull combinatons are now being used for Keating Freight Lines’

major customer, a2 Milk. That being said, the second one recently got a wrapped livery with the customer’s name and logo – like the others in the fleet. “The transport pallets of milk from Kyabram to Melbourne and return,” Mark says. This is where the thermal capabilities come in handy. “As far as the cost of fuel is for the chilling of the refrigeration unit, it’s great because of the thermal insulation of the panels,” Mark says. “Even though they’re thinner, they’re actually really good. “They’ve performed well. We haven’t had any dramas from the start as far as the bodies go. Even with the new one and the current one that we’ve got, we haven’t had any problems. They have all been great.” With the fleet having five of these trailers all up, Schmitz Cargobull now makes up the majority of Keating Freight Lines’ refrigeration division. “Schmitz Cargobull is the majority of all our makes, and they seem pretty good,” Mark says. “We’re really happy with the product, and the drivers like them because they’re really lightweight. The availability is pretty good too, as far as the market goes

at the moment with Australian trailers.” In addition to their thermal capabilities, the lighting on Schmitz Cargobull’s trailers is another feature, among several others, which has gained attention at Keating Freight Lines. “The interior lighting is excellent with a touch button on the side wall inside, and the side indicators are incorporated in all of the sidelights which makes it easier for other motorists to see where the vehicle is turning,” he says. “The rear pull-out steps also make it easier for safe driver access. We run a fleet of Scania trucks, and when connected to the trailers, we can get all of the axle weights on the dashboard of the truck through the smart board. “In the future we will purchase more as we update the fleet. With five units running with us now, we’re very happy with the product.”

Contact

Schmitz Cargobull Australia Unit 2, 221 Browns Road Noble Park North 3174 VIC Ph: +61 434 743 144 Web: www.cargobull.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

Refrigerated transport equipment

Scully RSV refrigerated transport continues to expand On the back of Scully RSV’s new Brisbane facility which is tripling its manufacturing capability, the refrigerated transport supplier has opened a third new location for the year. It was just last month when Scully RSV revealed a new 12,000-square-metre facility in Brisbane as part of its plan to triple its rigid body building production. Since then, and following its expansion into Perth, Western Australia this past March, Scully RSV has officially opened a second Sydney branch in New South Wales. The site, located in Narellan, has new facilities for both servicing and maintenance across rigid vehicles and refrigerated trailers in addition to the servicing of refrigeration units onsite. According to Scully RSV CEO, Andrew McKenzie, it will continue to position Scully RSV as having the largest dedicated fleet of refrigerated vehicles in Australia.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

“Our additional site in Sydney continues to give our customers the fleet, service and maintenance facilities in the locations where they need it most,” he says. “The outer west of Sydney is the perfect corridor for both rigid and trailer customers.” The Sydney branch is servicing the outer west regions of Sydney while catering to customers based in Canberra, Wollongong and southwest NSW. Supporting customers and their growth is a commitment Scully RSV has always

been dedicated to, and the extra site in Sydney, according to Andrew, will be key in maintaining this priority. “Our range of customers in Sydney is quite unique,” he says. “With a number of final mile partners to national logistics suppliers, our fleet scale is perfectly suited to cater to seasonal demands on short term hire, through to long term leases of refrigerated trailers. With an additional

site in Sydney, customers can benefit from additional locations for service and maintenance.” The site at Narellan will have a fleet of refrigerated utes, trucks and trailers – all available on short term hire or longer term hire for customers looking to secure competitive rates on flexible terms with service, maintenance, registration and insurance costs included. “Our final mile customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of refrigerated utes, two-pallet and three-pallet trucks available on short term notice at competitive prices,” Andrew says. “Our fleet customers will now have access to a wider range of sixpallet to 14-pallet rigids and both A and B trailers all with the benefit of servicing capabilities on site.” The second site complements Scully RSV’s national footprint, with eight branches around Australia in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville, Queensland. The additional expansion into Sydney, Andrew says, will also see Scully RSV continue to provide quality, reliability, flexibility and service to its valued customers.

“The second site delivers what Melbourne and Brisbane customers have enjoyed for some time,” he says. “With two dedicated branches now in Sydney, customers can enjoy quick service short term hire and now refrigerated trailer rental and vehicle service facilities. With 30 years of experience in refrigerated transport, the company has a dedicated team skilled at advising on the right vehicle for the right business solution.” Regardless of the location, the entire Scully RSV fleet benefits from the company’s recent investments in technology and safety features. ScullyLive, for example, was designed to empower fleet managers with the tools to improve their transport routes with vehicle performance data across driver events, trip optimisation and other vehicle metrics. Scully RSV also rolled out the SafetyCulture QR Code pre-start inspection earlier this year, which saw QR codes be implemented on every ute, truck and trailer – giving fleet managers instant confirmation of a completed prestart check. “Every truck and trailer in our fleet

now has its own unique QR code on it,” Andrew says. “You literally just walk over to it and scan it and your phone will automatically open up the asset-specific checklist for that vehicle that needs to be inspected on the day.” Once completed, the questionnaire goes back to Scully RSV’s partner in this operation, SafetyCulture, and notifies Scully RSV that the daily inspection on that vehicle has been done. Both of these systems can be used standalone or easily integrated to third party systems. “It’s been a phenomenal year for Scully RSV with continued geographical expansion, our investment in technology and safety and community partnerships with TIACS and OzHarvest,” Andrew says. “Connecting communities has never been more important to the company and the second site in Sydney continues to do just that.”

Contact

Scully RSV Ph: 1800 728 559 Web: www.scullyrsv.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

Refrigerated XXX transport equipment

A family affair For third-generation Pickering Transport, longevity is intrinsic, which helps explain why it has maintained a 40-plus-year relationship with refrigerated transport system supplier, Carrier. Daryl Pickering’s grandmother used to say that “two heads are better than one, even if they are sheep heads,” an expression that has proven to be accurate, with the business flourishing on a foundation of strong family ties. What began as a shared truck between two brothers in the 1950s, transporting pumpkins from their father’s farm, is now Pickering Transport, boasting 350 trailers and a similar number of staff members. It specialises in the transport of general freight, fresh produce, chemicals and building equipment as well as container handling.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

“The transport industry can be pretty tough, but I think it’s working with family that has kept us going,” says Daryl, who is the company’s Managing Director and works with his own brother and cousin in the business. In fact, two of his three children have joined the ranks, as have his nieces and nephews. Although inspired by the bond his father Ted and uncle George had, and their close working relationship, Daryl says he didn’t feel pressure to join the family business and was given the freedom to find his own path. After going to university and then teaching, however, he and his wife

decided to move back to Swan Hill, where the company is based, and give working in the business a go. Pickering Transport’s relationship with refrigerated transport company Carrier Transicold goes so far back that it was actually before Daryl’s time in the business, but he recalls it being in the 1980s. “They were new to Australia and dad made contact,” he says. “He liked the sound of the product and I imagine price factored in there as well.” Carrier Transicold is a division of Carrier, an American-based provider of innovative

Fast fact The Vector HE 19’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.

heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. The technology at the time of Carrier’s foray into Australia in the early 1980s was a game-changer Daryl says, and it has only improved since then. Today, about a third of Pickering Transport’s fleet are refrigerated with the majority of the product being Carrier’s Vector HE 19 temperature-controlled trailer system, which features patented all-electric technology. This 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. Its modern design delivers a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 30 per cent, a 10 per cent saving in weight, reduced noise and up to 15 per cent savings on maintenance costs, compared with predecessors. The trailers are used predominantly for fresh produce, Daryl says, adding that the long-standing relationship with Carrier is as much about support as it is about the product. “Support and service is really important to us because we are mostly regional and we are running cross country, which

means we can’t just go around the corner to deal with something,” he says. Another factor for Pickering Transport, when it comes to choosing suppliers, is longevity which influences a lot of their purchasing decisions. “We look at long term and Carrier has worked very well in that space,” he says – adding that much of the company’s refrigerated work is seasonal, so they need a product that can be left unused, but then still work efficiently months later. “When summer comes around, we want to know that we can turn them all on and they will work. For us the combination of choosing the right equipment and the right partnerships is fundamental to long-term success.”

Contact

Carrier Transicold Web: www.carrier.com

www.trailermag.com.au

Refrigerated transport equipment

Eurocold emerges with Australasian growth plans In May, Eurocold Managing Director, Avraam Solomon, announced a national investment plan to expand into Melbourne, Perth and New Zealand. A Sydney facility was opened that same month, and another one in Melbourne will open in November. Eurocold assembles refrigerated trucks of various sizes and has a system to back this up through both direct sales and long-term rentals, the latter of which is the company’s growth focus. Its major announcements – such as the new Sydney location – are being backed up by the creation of a new facility in Berrinba, south of Brisbane in the City of Logan, which will see Eurocold expand

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

from its current 1,200-square-metre facility to nearly 9,000 square metres. Refrigerated truck bodies will be assembled within the warehouse on four single drive through assembly lanes – Eurocold claims to be the first in Australia – which can see capacity to expand to the production of 800 trucks per year with the aim of having 2,000 rental trucks on the road by the end of 2029. The Berrinba

facility will feed the national expansion. In March, Eurocold also announced an electric refrigerated truck brand, Revora. “Since launching Revora in March and outlining our vision to the industry at the Brisbane Truck Show in May, it has created an extraordinary amount of interest,” says Revora General Manager, Nathan GoreBrown. “We have developed an electric refrigerated carrier system with Carrier

that will be an Australian first and have been making strides with several body and technology manufacturers.” Looking ahead to Revora providing an electric future for the company, the ESRdesigned and developed Berrinba facility will have charging stations, and is filled with natural light while also having a 99kW solar system on the roof. “It gives us eight times the space under hook we currently have at Wynnum, which will then create a central hub for our expansion and obvious economies of scale with key suppliers,” Avraam says. “We’ve been looking for a site for two years and decided on this one. It has allowed us to install Australia’s first drive

through assembly lanes. Other advantages are the location in the City of Logan in that the site is easily accessible from the three major motorways in Brisbane and we even have customers on the same street.” Avraam is confident on growing the truck rental market in Australia after investigating the global rental market and how Eurocold may expand its rental fleet saying that, in Europe, new truck rentals see “58 per cent of the builds go into long term rentals trading to leasing off balance sheet, whereas in Australia that sits at around 1.0 to 3.0 per cent”. Avraam stresses that Eurocold has been built on a customer-centric approach with many of his customers having been,

and grown, with the company. One such customer is food delivery company, Simply Fresh. “Eurocold’s long-term lease deal is just a smart way of doing business,” says Simply Fresh Queensland General Manager, Hayden Klemmer. “Eurocold’s tracking software is all part of the deal – so I’m not paying for fleet management software to see where my team is. Similarly, if a customer rings and says, ‘Hey where’s my delivery?’ I can tell them virtually to the minute without having to chase drivers.” A key part of the expansion is receiving support from the City of Logan on the project who has been working closely with ESR on the site, which is part of a broader 42,000-square-metre industrial estate. It will allow Eurocold to grow employee numbers in that facility alone to 45, an increase of 22 on current numbers. Avraam is driven on the future of the refrigerated truck market in Australasia, hence committing such a large investment with Eurocold and Revora. According to Eurocold, he is even more interested on how he can expand and futureproof the long-term truck rental among companies that rely on refrigerated transport in a sustainable way.

Contact

Eurocold Ph: 07 3569 2858 Web: www.eurocold.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

Trailer XXX builder

High velocity Over the last 12 months, Velocity Transport Solutions has taken delivery of nine trailer combinations from CIMC Trailers to bolster its linehaul operations. Although Velocity Transport Solutions has only been around for a short period of time since establishing in 2017 in Horsley Park, New South Wales, it has already made a significant mark in the transport industry. The business began by completing local work with small trucks, rigids and semis until 2021 when it stepped into linehaul operations for major customers such as Linfox, Australia Post and Star Track. Currently, 90 per cent of Velocity Transport Solutions’ operations include these linehaul tasks, as well as its preceding local work its existing customers.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Shortly after Velocity Transport Solutions began, General Manager, Naresh Bishnoi, came across CIMC Vehicle Australia in 2020, and his initial interest in its combinations would see him making regular trailer purchases through its dealer, JRB Group. “I called JRB Group to buy a couple of used trucks, and then I put in the first order of CIMC trailers as well,” he says. “From there, our relationship has just grown. I keep buying trailers and trucks from them.” JRB Group is based in Sydney and has conveniently located branches in Botany

and Ingleburn. The dealer offers a full range of CIMC trailers and supports the product through servicing, repairs and spare parts. Two-and-a-half years since the first purchase, Velocity Transport Solutions has kept its CIMC investments regular with new units coming in every few quarters. The new trailers go straight to work in the fleet’s linehaul operations, where they travel along the eastern seaboard carrying general freight for its customers. Naresh’s most recent orders are several 34-pallet drop deck curtainsider

B-doubles with full mezzanine floors, hanging gates, alloy rims and a Ringfeder coupling in road train spec. Within the fleet, the trailers offer fantastic interchangeability by having bolt-on turntables and dual position kingpins. “They’re really good, you can put more in them than you can with other types of trailers,” Naresh says. “They’ve got mezzanine floors now, and you can double stack pallets as well.” Performance-wise, there’s no complaints across the board. “They are all pretty much brand-new trailers, and we’ve had no complaints from any of the drivers or mechanics,” Naresh says, “So, they’re pretty good.” The level of customer service Naresh

receives from JRB Group has been a big part of his continued business. This, he says, also comes in handy during uncertain times. “It’s all because of the customer service,” he says. “Whenever we call JRB Group, they have a solution. If he can’t provide a trailer at that specific time, for example, they will minimise how long we have to wait.” Velocity Transport Solutions is expecting another delivery of CIMC trailers in the near future. As Naresh reveals, there are another 10 curtainsiders which will arrive in the next two quarters. “So far, it’s been a good experience with these trailers,” he says. “They just keep going, and because of that, we

keep buying – every quarter we’re getting new trailers in. Their customer service is number one. That’s the good thing, and that’s why I’m dealing with these guys. They are pretty flexible, and they always look after their customers.”

Contact

CIMC Trailers Ph: 03 9797 2100 Web: www.cimc.com.au JRB Group Ph: 02 9355 3400 Web: www.jrbdiesel.com.au Velocity Transport Solutions Ph: 02 9620 2476 Web: www.velocitytransportsolutions.com

www.trailermag.com.au

Trailer XXX builder

London is calling

At the forefront of The Drake Group’s scheme to push the boundaries and pave the way in transport stands ‘London’, the new O’Phee Double Stack Container Super B-Double Skel trailer combination which defies all the odds. The 32-metre figure which emerged for the first time at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show goes by the name of ‘London’, and it’s made quite the impression on the transport industry. The Super B-Double Skel trailer combination, which has also been designed to run as a Super B-triple, represents a significant leap forward in the field of container transportation. For Drake, it’s the mascot of its plan to transform this sector. As the name suggests, the trailer combination has the ability to double stack containers with a fully Australian-compliant load restraint system. It can transport four 40’ containers or eight 20’ containers before a third trailer is added, significantly increasing productivity and efficiency by 100 per cent over current existing Super B-double combinations in a single journey. This was proved in the combination’s first trial on public roads earlier this year in June, where under stringent safety operational conditions it carried eight empty twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) containers on a defined route within Qube’s port facilities and limited public port roads. During the trial, the vehicle was fitted with instrumentation which monitored vehicle speed, location and lateral acceleration data.

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

The Super B-double idea turned into a reality following discussions between Qube and O’Phee Trailers on ways to improve productivity and efficiency when moving a large number of containers. Determined to buck the trend, Drake engaged National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Chief Engineer, Les Bruzsa, and the Port of Brisbane to see whether a double stacked trailer would be possible. “We wanted to confirm whether we could design a stacked trailer, taking advantage of the unique operating conditions at the Port where there are no height restrictions,” says Mick O’Phee. After Drake was given the go ahead it began the top-secret design phase, where the ‘London’ name was born. “Our ground-breaking trailer design was particularly significant and deserving of a codename to maintain confidentiality and protect the integrity of the design,” Mick says. “Inspired by the iconic red double decker busses of London, we internally referred to this design as ‘London’ and ensured only stakeholders, including our customer and government regulatory bodies, knew it to control the flow of information and maintain a competitive advantage in the market. This codename

became symbolic for its innovation, efficiency and productivity.” During the design phase, ‘London’ was subjected to countless regulatory and independent safety and operational assessments. These included Drake’s independent assessment report by O’Brien Traffic, NHVR’s Performance-Based Standards (PBS) Framework and computer simulations which evaluated performance under various loading scenarios, wind monitoring and wind loading assessments, road infrastructure and traffic management assessments on route, load restraint assessments and Swept Path Analysis. Once ‘London’ was constructed, it went through further safety tests and assessments including physical tilt tests and desktop assessments relating to its stability. By successfully implementing this solution, Drake has overcome many challenges while addressing key logistical limitations. The achievement, Mick says, not only demonstrates the company’s commitment to finding creative solutions, but also highlights its ability to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry. “‘London’ has proven to be highly effective in increasing productivity in the freight industry,” he says. “By boosting

carrying capacity by 100 per cent, Qube has been able to double the volume of empty containers in a single trip. This increased efficiency allows the operator to meet customer demands but also results in notable cost reductions. “We have solid enquires from other operators and Ports domestically and internationally that are interested in adopting this new innovative, efficient and high productivity trailer.” The new O’Phee unit reduces required trailers and vehicles in half, which therefore results in savings on fuel, maintenance, insurance, registration and labour costs. In the end, this also helps operators redirect funds towards other business avenues, further boosting growth. ‘London’ has also locked on to greater productivity. The combination enhances operational efficiency by saving time when loading and unloading, and its ability to move containers more swiftly minimises delays – allowing operators to meet customer demands more effectively while also enhancing their reputation for timely deliveries. Safety is another high priority which ‘London’ steers towards. Loading can be completed inside the cab, without operators having to leave the combination. Plus, reducing the number of vehicle movements on the road, Drake says, leads to a decrease in road

accidents which improves safety for all road users. In addition, the trailer’s design caters to increased sustainability by reducing the number of container movements which results in lower emissions. This, Mick says, is crucial for the business going forward. “By optimising load carrying capacity and reducing the need for multiple trips, we are minimising our carbon footprint,”

he says. “This step towards sustainability aligns with our commitment to environmental preservation and positions us as an environmentally responsible company.”

Contact

The Drake Group 19 Formation Street Wacol, QLD 4076 Ph: 07 3271 5888 Web: www.thedrakegroup.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

Trailer XXX builder

MaxiTRANS dealer celebrates 40-year milestone Since entering the road transport industry four decades ago, Trailer Sales has become a veteran and a forerunner in the field, serving the local industry through flexibility and access to the full suite of trailing products available under the MaxiTRANS offering. As Trailer Sales surpasses its 40th year milestone as a business and MaxiTRANS Dealer, it celebrates a journey of innovation, bold decisions and relentless commitment to service. Trailer Sales was established as Freighter Queensland in 1982, beginning operations in 1983. The company, initially distributing wellrecognised trailer brands like Freighter, expanded its reach in the late 1990s by acquiring distribution rights to MaxiCUBE refrigerated vans, subsequently rebranding to Freighter Maxi-CUBE Queensland (FMQ). In 2009, another turning point came when FMQ strategically acquired Trailer Sales NQ, a move that included the prominent trailersales.com.au domain. This acquisition not only expanded the

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

L-R: Mark Sutcliffe, Mark Kelly, Kevin Manfield and Scott Thiesfield.

company’s reach but also led to the current familiar name of Trailer Sales in 2012. Trailer Sales now has two branches, located in Rocklea and Townsville, with a total of 70 employees dedicated to serving the road transport industry. Today, it provides access to the full suite of MaxiTRANS trailer brands, as well as specialised products from FWR Australia and Roadwest Transport. The company prides itself on being a one-stop-shop for road transport operators, offering a broad range of products and services, as well as parts, that provides coverage locally here in Australia and in various international markets. From brake lining or wheel bearing repairs to complete vehicle rollover solutions, its service division has consistently provided high-quality, comprehensive services. A core aspect of Trailer Sales’ success has been its steadfast commitment to customers, cultivating relationships that span generations. Sales Manager, Scott Thiesfield, also a two-decade veteran of the company, explains the business’ philosophy. “We’re here for long term relationships,” he says. “It’s not about selling one trailer; it’s about having a long-lasting relationship with that customer.” Despite the challenges thrown its way,

including the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, Trailer Sales proved its resilience by thriving during these times. The company’s flexibility and customer-focused approach allows it to make decisions swiftly, keeping business operations efficient and customer satisfaction at the forefront. These times of crisis demonstrated the Trailer Sales’ adaptability and robustness, proving that, after 40 years, Trailer Sales is more than equipped to weather storms. Trailer Sales is also partially owned by MaxiTRANS. Dealer Principal, Mark Kelly, says the 40-year milestone stands as a testament to dedicated staff and a loyal customer base. “We appreciate the support from our staff and the customers who have supported us along this journey. May there be many more years to come,” he says. General Manager, Mark Sutcliffe, has driven the company that evolved into Trailer Sales over the decades, increasing a limited number of products to the wide range of trailers from MaxiTRANS that today can match any transport need. Despite the successes and the inevitable challenges, the management

team at Trailer Sales remains humble and grounded. “We don’t normally put too many things out there and give ourselves a pat on the back, but the 40th anniversary is an exception,” Scott says. According to MaxiTRANS, the celebration is not just about marking a milestone. It’s about appreciating the staff, the customers, and everyone who has supported the company along the way, and it’s about highlighting the relationships forged over four decades and the continuity of service that has been the company’s cornerstone. ‘Cross-generational’ relationships have been built, as are enduring partnerships with customers who have been with the company since its earliest days. That customer loyalty, reciprocated by the company’s unwavering commitment to service, is a testament to Trailer Sales’ ethos. With its commitment to long-term customer relationships and a continuous drive for innovation, Trailer Sales has proven that it is more than ready to face and embrace the future.

Contact

MaxiTRANS Ph: 03 5339 0300 Web: www.maxitrans.com

www.trailermag.com.au

XXX Hydraulics

Telescopic vision The hydraulic equipment that Hydreco Hydraulics delivers is designed for the most demanding truck and trailer applications. For more than 30 years, it continues to be a standout feature on Bruce Rock Engineering’s tipping trailers. Bruce Rock Engineering (BRE) is a Western Australia-based trailer builder which, since its inception, has made its mark in the transport industry with its extremely durable trailer combinations and reputable Performance-Based Standards (PBS) builds. BRE has been in operation for 43 years now, since establishing in 1980, and for more than half of that period – 30-plus years – it has invested heavily in Hydreco’s telescopic hoists. From initial engineering to the finished unit, Hydreco settles for nothing less than

Fast fact Bleeding isn’t required with Hydreco’s S64 series Hydraulic Well Mount Hoist Cylinders, meaning operators can take advantage of reduced time and cost at installation.

the best. It combines top-grade materials, precise component production and thorough testing to produce a high quality, dependable and economical product. Hydreco shares this priority of quality with BRE, which is its product has been fitted on the tipping trailers which require the highest performing components to survive in some of Australia’s harshest operating conditions. “Our use of the product probably goes back to pre-Hydreco days to Hydraulic Hoist and Winch in WA, which they bought

out and turned into Hydreco Hydraulics,” says BRE Managing Director, Damion Verhoogt. “Hydreco is our primary Power Take-Off unit (PTO) and hoist supplier since Hydreco came into fruition. They’re great products, well priced and they offer good backup.” The S64 series Hydraulic Well Mount Hoist Cylinders are hard-chrome plated for maximum durability and a long product life, and its quality Hallite and Kaden seals ensure superior reliability. The product was also carefully developed with longevity in mind. Its increased overlaps, for example, provide greater stability and thus result in a longer product life. On top of that, they’re manufactured with high grade steel to withstand the transport industry’s requirements. “They’re a reliable product, but on top of that, they’re good value to money,” Damion says. “They do their job.” Hydreco Hydraulics’ S64 series cylinders have proven their worth over time with combinations such as BRE’s, and judging by their performance on these builds, they’re here to stay for the long run.

Contact

Hydreco Hydraulics Ph: 02 9838 6882 Web: www.hydreco.com

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

XXX Hydraulics

Tidy tipping Continuing with its long-standing reputation for providing a product for every need, OMFB Pacific’s latest offering is a top tip. With one of the largest ranges of tipping valves in the market, hydraulic equipment manufacturer, OMFB Pacific, is continuing to develop new products, as well as new versions of products, leaving no requirement unmet. Its latest offering is a two-spool tipping valve, specifically used on truck and trailer combinations. The valve controls the direction of hydraulic fluid flow to a tipping hoist. While OMFB already offers a successful two spool valve product in its range, the new DM-160 is a more compact version. “Different manufacturers and bodybuilders sometimes seek different size valves or have a preference for a certain size, so we are meeting an existing need in the market,” says OMFB Pacific Product Manager, Gary Butler. This demonstrates that, although it got its start more than 70 years ago, OMFB still works to both understand the needs of manufacturers and develop products that fill those needs. The company began as a modest Italian family business in 1950 – three brothers working out of a small mechanical workshop – rapidly transformed into an international brand. OMFB, which is short for Officina

Meccanica Fratelli Bianchi (Bianchi Brothers Mechanical Workshop), got its break by manufacturing spare parts for Italian, American, English and German trucks which were being used for post-war reconstruction efforts. Fast-forward and the company’s global reach has meant big benefits for its Australian suppliers. In fact, the two-spool tipping valve is one that is widely appreciated in Australia and New Zealand because of the use of a specific combination – a truck with a tipping body on it towing a trailer with a tipping body – which is a configuration unique to both sides of the Tasman. Because of the two tipping hoists, there are two spools in the valve. Gary explains the difference between the two valves is that the existing one accommodates a 250-litre-per-minute flow rate, while the newer, compact version, is rated to 160-litre-per-minute. Where the two don’t differ is how they are built. Like all OMFB’s products, it is designed and manufactured inhouse, using the best quality materials and techniques. For OMFB customers, they also have the benefit of the availability of all the other required products that work hand-hand with the valves.

Fast fact OMFB has an extensive product range that can cover all transport industry applications, from vocational trucks and tippers to truck-mounted cranes and vacuum trucks. “Unlike companies that may just manufacture valves, we can provide the power take-off, the pump, the tank and everything else that might go with it,” Gary says. “When customers purchase from OMFB, they are getting the whole system and we are the only company in that space that can offer that complete solution.” Another benefit to OMFB valves, says Gary, is that they can be fitted with pressure switches which allow body builders to set up a body-up alarm, alerting the operator that the body is still up in the air. To trigger a body alarm, it needs to be able to sense the pressure in the hydraulic system, so the valve has to accommodation a pressure switch. Proportional lower is also a standard feature of the new product. While Gary says hydraulic valves are a relatively simple design and are considered very reliable, if there are any issues, OMFB provides all the service and support required.

Contact

OMFB Pacific Ph: 1300 040 600 Web: www.omfb.com.au

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

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XXX Hydraulics

Sloanebuilt selects Delhoist for reliable tipper package Sloanebuilt has been fitting only Delta Hydraulics’ Delhoist Telescopic Cylinders to its tipper trailer combinations for several years – a move which its Managing Director believes pays off for his business and customers. “We use Delta Hydraulics for several reasons,” says Sloanebuilt Managing Director, Fred Marano. “They have a reliable supply chain and a high-quality, Australian-made product which is a big consideration for us because we’re big believers in the Australian-made product. In addition, their team is very accessible with quality inputs regarding anything from the specifications or any technical details that we need.” Prior to dealing extensively with Delta Hydraulics, Sloanebuilt took the industry’s word on the Delhoist product. “I’d say they’ve got a stronger hoist and they’ve got some more technical features that will give it longer longevity, and that’s what I found when I went to research them,” Fred says. “Everybody that had been associated with Delhoist always said the same thing – that they were highly consistent, highly reliable and show greater industry longevity.” For Sloanebuilt, Delta Hydraulics fulfilled its needs and has been consistent in doing so moving forward. It’s why Fred established a long-term relationship with Delta Hydraulics and its founder

and Managing Director, John White, and why Sloanebuilt is able to sell such reliable and durable tipper trailers to the transport industry. “They’ve been excellent in our applications,” Fred says. “They are made of a higher standard to a higher quality. Admittedly, we’re excellence and quality driven, not price driven, although we have got to

buy components that are commercially acceptable to the marketplace. With our product, we’re prepared to fit the superior product in our equipment to enable a greater resale value now and well into the future.. “Operators trust us as the manufacturer to fit the highest quality product into the equipment they’re buying from us. We have that level of trust with our customers, and we go through rigorous testing and research before we align with the supplier. We do that on a regular week-by-week basis on how the product is fitting into the manufacturing process, warranty, quality of workmanship, rework, how it applies and how it works. “The customer leaves it to our judgement to fit the best products in for what they’re paying for. So, if they get charged a bit more, they understand that, but they also understand that they’re getting a premium Australian-made hoist – which I know a lot of customers are going to that flavour.”

Contact

Delta Hydraulics Ph: 03 6420 6900 Web: www.delhyd.com.au

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

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Braking XXX technology

Critical mass

He started a job fixing trucks and trailers when he was just fifteen-years-old. Years later, Matt Undy is still keen to pick up new skills having recently become a Knorr-Bremse iMass truck service partner. It was a meeting of the minds when three companies got together to learn and share in Melbourne recently. Over five days, Knorr-Bremse conducted training sessions at the Skyroad Logistics site in Tullamarine where GM Onsite Trailer Maintenance co-owner, Matt Undy, was able to get hands-on experience in fitting out and calibrating a Knorr-Bremse iMass system. It was GM Onsite’s first field fit out, so Knorr-Bremse sent their best technical experts to train them. These Skyroad combinations will be used as High Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV) and, as such, are required to fit a smart on-board mass system as part of the permit conditions. “Two of them came to give us training which was really helpful,” Matt says of the Knorr-Bremse team member who helped him and his business partner, Ash Andrews. Matt says picking up the skills isn’t difficult and even easier if you have some computer skills under your belt. Managing Director of Skyroad Group, Peter Assel, says his fleet is fitted with Knorr-Bremse systems which include the full Bendix Fusion safety suite and Trailer Response Management, as well as iMass where permit conditions apply. “The integration of the fleet into the

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Knorr-Bremse common platform means we can rely on their performance and the customer support,” he says. “Having our trailer repair and servicing provider GM Onsite Maintenance, now part of that customer facing solution, means we can have full confidence in our compliance.” For Matt, he had dealt with KnorrBremse occasionally while working for other companies. When he decided to

go out on his own and create GM Onsite Trailer Maintenance, a fully mobile service, providing maintenance in Melbourne’s west, he looked them up. “So long as there is proper grounding and a safe place to work, we are more than happy to go where the trailer is,” he says of the primarily B and C services they provide. Matt couldn’t be happier with how business is going, with a goal of having a

Fast fact Developed in Australia, the KnorrBremse iMass system has been rigorously tested to ensure its performance and accuracy measures up to the TCA’s regulation of 98 per cent mass accuracy. permanent warehouse and more staff for bigger projects. These recently acquired skills he’s gained from Knorr-Bremse allows him to provide an important offering to clients, he says. Knorr-Bremse is a global manufacturer of braking systems and a leading supplier of safety-critical sub-systems. Their iMass OBM system is designed to measure the pressure in the air suspension of the vehicle and relate this to a vehicle mass estimation using the Knorr-Bremse TEBS G2.2 trailer electronic braking system. The system comprises a Driver Interface Unit, an Electronic Control Unit, a pressure sensor and level sensor installed on the truck. On the trailer it uses the KnorrBremse G2.2 TEBS, coupled with its iLevel suspension control plus iLevel sensor.

The electronic levelling control on the truck, and the trailer electronics braking system receive signals from the pressure sensor which is interpreted as a mass value. These mass values are transmitted via the CAN signal for the trailer or the CAN bus for the truck. The driver interface unit is connected to the CAN bus to obtain the truck data and uses a CAN reader to obtain the trailer data. Consistent and accurate, iMass is a hardwired system and can be integrated into the existing infrastructure.

Matt acknowledges the process of getting the iMass fitted can be a painful endeavour for operators but is necessary. “Luckily Knorr-Bremse has a good system that is easy to work with and cost effective,” Matt says. “What is great is that if I get stuck with anything, I can just ring and they are more than happy to walk me through anything.”

Contact

Knorr-Bremse Web: www.knorr-bremse.com.au

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Braking XXX technology

ZF looks to bring intelligent heritage down under Global technology company, ZF, is pioneering a wide range of exciting new opportunities for the trailer sector. ZF is a global technology company which supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. Offering comprehensive solutions in the technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving and Electric Mobility, it plays a key role in transport around the world. ZF has a long and rich history in the automotive sector, and following its acquisition of WABCO in May 2020, the company is continuing its level of capability to pioneer the next generation of solutions and services with more than 160,000 employees worldwide through over 188 production locations in 31 countries. Now, ZF looks to further build on WABCO’s braking technology portfolio

which includes pioneering the first air brake systems applied to trucks in 1934, the first trailer anti-lock braking system (ABS) in 1986 and the first trailer Electronic Braking System (EBS) in 1997. Today, more than 12 million trailer ABS and EBS units globally help to avoid accidents while enabling advanced safety, operational efficiency, fuel and CO2 reduction, load optimisation and driver comfort. In addition, ZF’s leading aftermarket and fleet solutions portfolio provides a broad product and service offering, advanced connectivity solutions for digital mobility management and a global service network. This supports and enhances the performance and efficiency of all vehicle types throughout their life cycle.

“Combined with the expertise of WABCO, which now operates under the ZF brand as its Commercial Vehicle Control Systems division, ZF can fully leverage the transfer of technologies across multiple vehicle segments including trailers,” says ZF Head of Sales Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket and OE Trailer, Oceania, Damon Baffico. At the heart of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Control Systems division, ZF provides an Intelligent Braking Platform which has been developed on the back of brake and suspension components. The platform combines a suite of intelligent ABSand EBS systems which are suitable for almost all trailer types worldwide. “This global Intelligent Braking Platform

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enhances trailer safety and efficiency, enabling OEM globalisation and regional technology adaptation through standardised braking control systems,” Damon adds. Damon says one trend is particularly clear. “In Australia, modern braking systems feature advanced controls and powerful visibility on trailer-related functions,” he says. “Intelligent EBS can process a flow of sensor signals and data for up to 40 intelligent functions, enabling advanced vehicle safety, operational efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, load optimisation and enhanced driver comfort. That is why ZF is introducing its next generation Intelligent Braking Platform to the Australian market.” For ZF, making trailers smarter is a priority. The Trailer Telematics (TrailerPulseAST), according to Damon, is key when it comes to digitalisation and connectivity of trailers. With the new Intelligent Braking Platform, ZF will also enable better accessibility to safety and efficiency technologies throughout Australia.

“Standardised and shared components would ensure greater cost and time efficiency across the complete trailer life chain including trailer building, fleet operating, the aftermarket, servicing and workshops,” he says. “As a result, local trailer OEMs will benefit from lean production and shorter installation times. They will also be able to simplify their production lines and reduce cable and component stocks. Platforming and harmonising hardware and software also help aftermarket resellers and workshops with better spare parts availability as well as shorter installation and training times.” Fleet operators and OEMs will also particularly benefit from one specific feature. “As iEBS will support 5V Controller Area Network (CAN) communication ports and Generic In/Out (GIO) ports, every single trailer can become intelligent and connected to a telematics unit without requiring a system upgrade,” Damon says. “This provides benefits such as trailer health condition monitoring and preventive

maintenance capabilities to optimise logistical processes as well as driver guidance and support.” In addition, its multi-voltage capability helps to improve system compatibility and vehicle connectivity. Further standardisation of trailer iEBS hardware and software will reportedly streamline building and servicing of trailers. At the same time, Damon says it will enable customisation and individualisation of each trailer to better serve the complex customer needs for flexibility, specificity, speed and safety. “Thanks to close cooperation with trailer and fleet customers and 30 years of engineering experience in electronic braking systems and trailer intelligence”, Damon says, “more than 12 million ABS and EBS systems have been sold in the global trailer market.”

Contact

ZF – mobilised by WABCO Trailer Solutions Ph: 02 9679 5555 Web: www.zf.com | www.wabco-auto.com

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XXX Trailer building materials/components

Lucidity catapults on success with new offering Given the overwhelming success and positive industry response to the launch of Lucidity Australia’s EBS Status Lamp System, it’s no surprise that the OEM has returned with more unique plug and play products for the Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) trailer market in the form of the EBS Socket Duplicator and the EBS Junction box for lead trailers and dollies. Lucidity is looking to leverage on the success of its EBS Status Lamp Kit – which the market has taken a significant liking to – with the launch of its brand-new EBS Socket Duplicator and EBS Junction Box for lead trailers and dollies. The external EBS Junction Box features small-footprint mounting feet supplied with fasteners for easy fitting and two 4mmsquared and four 1.5mm-squared cables for road train applications. And, according to Lucidity Australia President, Mathew Jenkins, the new IP67-rated products will look to be industry standard EBS cable connectors. “The idea is to continue to grow the range of quality made EBS materials, making the interconnects completely modular and easy to repeat every time you build a trailer,” he says. “In Australia we do have a unique way of wiring the range of trailers and these two items help to service that niche.”

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Also new to the Lucidity EBS range are the 12- and 24-volt EBS pre-wired sockets, which, when paired with Lucidity’s cable kits or splitter boxes, can reportedly reduce socket replacement times from hours to just a few moments. The bayonet connector – moulded on the short tail from the prewired socket – connects directly to Lucidity’s cable or junction box systems. Mathew claims that this takes all the duress out of a socket replacement. “Worn sockets are usually not replaced when necessary as it is an inconvenience,” he says. “That is until now. Replacing the sockets fast and 100 per cent correctly can be done by anyone, and you can repair the worn part on the bench when you aren’t under pressure to send equipment out on the road.” Mathew also recommends keeping a few

Fast fact Lucidity’s latest instalments to the EBS range back up its starter product, the EBS Status Lamp. of these items in the workshop as well as rotating them through repair cycles. “It’s cheap and simple, and if done prior to a failure it will save costly repairs on the side of the road,” he says. Lucidity Australia has, once again, delivered another innovative solution to the transport industry.

Contact

Lucidity Australia 37 Paraweena Drive, Truganina VIC 3029 Web: www.lucidityaustralia.com.au Ph: 03 9219 4074

XXX Trailer building materials/components

Capral has it covered With diverse capabilities and a celebrated lower carbon aluminium offering, Capral Aluminium has the transport industry covered every step of the way. Over an more than 85-year tenure in the industry, Capral Aluminium is committed to supporting the sector when it comes to the supply of aluminium. And, judging by its ability to continue to adapt and cater to each arising demand, it has become evident that it can do that and more. Capral is able to service the industry with an almost one-stop offer thanks to its local extrusion capability, inhouse finishing solutions, comprehensive rolled product

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

offering and bespoke pre-fabrication and machining solutions. According to Capral Aluminium Divisional Manager – Industrial Solutions, Luke Hawkins, it’s got the largest and most diverse capability within the aluminium sector in Australia. “Whether it’s large extrusion, small extrusion, rolled plate, sheet or tread plate, Capral can do for the transport sector,” he says. “Transport is a very important market for Capral, and we have

a range of capabilities that are designed to support it.” At the forefront of Capral’s potential is its ability to develop and produce custom extrusions. Capral has its own development team of drafts people and engineers that will work with the customer to develop shapes or sections that are suitable to their specific needs, which, for trailer builders, is particularly valuable. “We have the largest extrusion press in

the country, so our capability to extrude large sections – which are typically used in the transport sector – is the largest in the country,” Luke says. “We can produce a range of both structural alloys and soft alloys. We have the largest range of alloys in the country as well.” Capral also supplies rolled product into the transport industry. According to Luke, it has the largest rolled product offer in this area as well, with sheet, plate and tread plate that service the tipper market and trailer market particularly with sizes that are heavily utilised. In addition, a range of value-add investments, including CNC router machines that can process both plate and extrusion in different facilities, means Capral can custom router, drill or machine both extrusion and rolled product for its transport customers based on their CAD drawings and unique requirements. A national footprint of manufacturing and distribution facilities means Capral can service these transport builders all around Australia, both in major metropolitan and regional areas for the lighter commercial sector. Having manufacturing facilities in every state allows Capral to provide solutions close to the end customer. “Capral has warehouse distribution facilities nationally, so we can offer both a next level service offer as well as a next day service offer depending on the customer’s requirements,” Luke says. “We try to hold the product that is specific to those customers in the closest location that is logistically possible to the end customer.” A prime example of Capral’s capacity to adapt is in the field of lower carbon

aluminium supply, which it has embraced over the past 12 months. “Capral is actively working to provide lower carbon aluminium solutions to allow trailer builders and truck builders to build with lower embodied carbon in the aluminium they use,” Luke says. “Capral has a LocAl Green and LocAl Super Green offer which reduces carbon emissions up to 75 per cent lower than the international average for primary aluminium. All our lower carbon solutions come from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified smelters, and being ASI-certified ourselves, Capral can provide certified aluminium products in line with ASI performance and Chain of Custody Standards. “For OEMs and customers who choose Capral, we can provide custom extrusions designed to suit their needs, with the option of these being supplied in low carbon aluminium. For end customers in the transport sector, they’re able to specify Capral lower carbon aluminium from their trailer or truck builders to ensure that their

builds are more sustainable, supporting their own customers’ sustainability objectives.” And, with almost a century of experience in the market, Luke is confident that Capral has the widest capability and service specifically focused on the transport sector. “We are able to provide the most sustainable solution in aluminium within Australia which comes underpinned with ASI certification,” he says. “This transforms the offer that trailer builders and truck builders can make to their end customer, as Capral’s offer with LocAl Green and LocAl Super Green, underpinned with ASI certification, allows truck and trailer builders to differentiate themselves from others with a more sustainable offering to their customer base.”

Contact

Capral Aluminium Ph: 1800 258 646 Web: www.capral.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

XXX Trailer building materials/components

JOST – the key to Schmitz Cargobull’s solutions Schmitz Cargobull has chosen to repeatedly specify JOST’s renowned trailer components for its refrigerated trailers. Coupled with the support of Brown and Hurley dealerships, the Australian transport industry gets an offer too great for some to refuse. “JOST is a well-recognised partner of Schmitz Cargobull,” says Schmitz Cargobull Sales Executive, Luke Hardeman. “JOST is our standard fitment for landing legs in Germany and has been for some time. They use the JOST Modul landing leg, so they are fitted on all of our SKOs which come into Australia.” In addition to the Modul landing legs, JOST’s turntables and wheels are also key features of a Schmitz Cargobull refrigerated trailer. Proving their success overtime, all three components continue to come as standard with each build. Prior to his current role at Schmitz Cargobull, Luke had previously worked at JOST Australia as an Area Manager four years ago. During this time he gained an inside perspective of the collaboration between both OEMs from JOST’s point of view, which he now continues on the Schmitz Cargobull side. “The landing legs, turntables and fifth wheels were standard fitment on all of Schmitz Cargobull’s products when I was

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

there, and we’ve since tried to continue the relationship from Germany to Australia with standard fitment,” he says. “Naturally with our JOST relationship within Australia, we have also chosen to put JOST wheels on most of our Australian trailers.” JOST and Schmitz Cargobull are known for their exceptional quality not only within Australia, but in Germany where they both originated and around the world as well. And fitting JOST components as standard on Schmitz Cargobull equipment, Luke says, reinforces this message. “With us having them as our standard equipment, I think people get a perception that the two reliable brands together make a good combination,” he says. “It’s about the brand name, and the example of that is people associate good trailer equipment with JOST. When we specify these for sales quotes, no one has an issue that we’re using JOST. It’s a reputable brand with a good, reliable name that people choose.”

EBS

JOST’s Modul landing legs, according to Luke, is a perfect example of this. “The JOST-engineered landing legs have always been good,” he says. “The gear ratio makes them a premium leg, and with the engineering of them, they seem to wind better. They don’t take as many turns to wind to get the landing legs to run up and down.” Schmitz Cargobull’s dealer, Brown and Hurley, also plays a key role in its collaboration with JOST. With 14 sites scattered all around Australia, Brown and Hurley has been selling trailers since 1992 and can now distribute the JOST and Schmitz Cargobull package and cater directly to the end customer’s needs. “We utilise the JOST product between our truck and trailer dealerships and we fit premium JOST products on all five of our trailer brands, Schmitz Cargobull being one of them,” says Brown and Hurley Group Trailer Manager, John Cole. “In terms of customer needs, Schmitz Cargobull is the leader in thermal efficiency, and JOST matches that with their premium products that we fit right across the board. These

sales@lucidity-au.com

include turntables, wheels, kingpins and landing legs.” Always keeping stock available between Brown and Hurley dealerships means customers always have access to new and used equipment. As a result, the dealer has also become a one-stop-shop for the transport industry. With Australia’s various freight routes and corridors, it’s possible that operators can often travel and end up in all sorts of remote areas around the country. In these scenarios, it is essential that fleets have a product they can rely on – especially in the case of refrigerated trailers – to deliver perishable freight in time. With JOST’s impressive national footprint, Schmitz Cargobull’s aftersales support and the backing of Brown and Hurley, however, they can rest assured that every possible factor has been considered. “JOST having all outlets around Australia for spare parts and serviceability helps in the situation where someone might have an accident and break a landing leg,” Luke says. “Their national support is always

www.lucidityaustralia.com.au

comforting for a salesperson to know that they can get access to the JOST team anywhere Australia-wide, and components and spare parts are readily available throughout all states.” With five collective years of experience on both sides of the coin, Luke says the partnership between Schmitz Cargobull and JOST, reinforced by Brown and Hurley, is key to the transport industry. “The solution from JOST, Schmitz Cargobull and Brown and Hurley is a good combination,” he says. “Customers can have the turntable on the trucks, and they can have JOST wheels on trucks as well plus having landing legs on the trailer. They’re three key benefits for our truck and trailer combination. “JOST is a key component to Schmitz Cargobull because of their reliability, and we have never had a problem with their product.”

Contact

JOST Australia Ph: 1800 811 487 Web: www.jostaustralia.com.au

0392194074

Visit the Lucidity Australia Website

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EBS Junction Box – Lead Trailers & Dollies

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Infrastructure Spotlight

Road upgrades & new developments

What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month $21.6M upgrade makes freight route more suitable for heavy vehicles

A major upgrade in Queensland has provided a nationally recognised ‘fitfor-purpose’ road corridor that is better equipped to handle the growing number of heavy vehicles, according to the Livingstone Shire Council. The $21.6 million Stanage Bay Road Upgrade Project between the Bruce Highway and the Army Access gate is now complete. Funded by the Australian Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, the work involved upgrading and sealing approximately 39.7 kilometres of road to enhance connectivity, safety and accessibility to the region. This particular freight route is a key element to the movement of the region’s commodities to markets, such as seafood and beef, and also ensures that access to Australia’s military training area at Shoalwater Bay remains up to scratch. Now complete, the road is expected to make travel for freight operators in the region easier and safer. “Significant infrastructure projects such as the Stanage Bay Road upgrade are making roads safer, particularly for heavy vehicle motorists, by improving busy freight routes,” said Senator for Queensland, Nita Green. “The initiative also aims to improve road conditions, increase resilience against natural disasters and ensure smoother travel while delivering economic and other benefits such as improved safety and access for all vehicles.”

Trailer Magazine OCTOBER 23

Monster logistical challenge unfolds for New Dubbo Bridge

With piling work progressing well for the New Dubbo Bridge, the focus has shifted to a considerable task. Workers will now move thousands of tonnes of concrete which make up the precast beams to support the new bridge, which will span 660 metres. Transport for NSW Regional Director West, Alistair Lunn, said the first of the girders – so large only one girder fits on each truck – have made the 400-kilometre journey from Newcastle to Dubbo where they will be added to the structure that will become the new $220.2 million bridge across the Macquarie River. “Altogether, 123 girders will be delivered to the site between now and August 2024, weather permitting,” he said. “Each girder weighs 60 tonnes and is 34 metres long, such a significant size that it will require a journey on a prime mover as part of a convoy to escort it safely. “The planning for these monster movements has been taking place for months to ensure this road cargo is transported as safely, smoothly and efficiently as possible.” Once each truck has made the journey from Newcastle, travelled west along the Golden Highway and arrived in Dubbo, a crane is then used to retrieve the girders from the trucks and place them into storage. Each convoy consists of a truck between 38 and 45 metres in length, with escort vehicles to ensure the journeys run as smoothly and safely as possible. “At this stage, we expect to be placing the girders onto the bridge structure from late 2023, weather permitting,” Lunn said.

Midland Highway repairs come to an end

The Victorian Government has completed repairs to sections of one of regional Victoria’s busiest and most crucial freight links after it was damaged by flooding and heavy rainfall. Repair work has been completed along a 1.3-kilometre stretch of the Midland Highway between Gheringhap and Bannockburn that had to be ripped up due to severe flood damage last year. Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, said the repairs were part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to fixing the most badly flood-damaged roads along key freight and travel routes. “We know that the Midland Highway plays a vital role in Victoria’s economy, as well as connecting drivers to education, employment, family and friends – that’s why we’re making sure the 8,000 drivers who use it each day have access to smoother, more reliable journeys,” she said. In addition to linking Ballarat and Geelong, the Midland Highway also connects the Port of Geelong, with Bendigo, Shepparton and Benalla and supports the freight, livestock and horticulture industries. As part of the Government’s $165 million emergency repair blitz, Victoria’s flooddamaged roads are undergoing similar large-scale repairs. The Government is also investing an additional $2.8 billion over 10 years into road maintenance and renewal works – including flood recovery – to improve the state’s road network. This will see a total of at least $6.6 billion invested in maintaining road assets over the next decade, with $770 million to be spent in 2023-24 alone.

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Expansion mindset The knowledge it takes to become a leader is often found in mysterious places. For GORICA Group’s owner and Active Chairman, Ivan Fornazaric, it all started in the farming lands of socialist Yugoslavia. Post-war socialist Yugoslavia was not typically a place where someone could discover their passion for entrepreneurship or learn to embrace innovation, but Ivan Fornazaric considers himself lucky to have grown up with parents who believed in the rewards of progress and were willing to take big risks to get them. Fornazaric’s father was a farmer at a time when the government was keeping a sharp eye on the goings on of the working class, ensuring no one was individually benefiting from business growth or private enterprise. Not deterred, he became the first in the family’s province to own modern agricultural equipment. “My father was the furthest example of a typical farmer,” said Fornazaric. “He was a confident man and I learned from him that confidence comes from

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within by putting plans to action. He was always a go-getter in his work.” That lesson has helped Fornazaric weather the storms that come with both enterprise and international strife to build the one of the largest manufacturers of truck bodies, trailers, semi-trailers in the United Arab Emirates. But there is another aspect to his success – he loves trucks and trailers and has vivid recollections of taking vehicles apart as a child, studying and then rebuilding them. “My best memory is when my brother Aleksander and I built a go-cart using a scooter engine,” he said. “Boy, did we have a blast speeding on that scooter around the farmlands.” Fornazaric’s interest in all things mechanical saw him attend an engineering boarding high school. He secured an

internship at a national trailer company where he was able to work during the summer holidays, moving across different production lines. While earning a commerce degree, he continued to work for the company as a technician designing tipping trailers. When the company started to look for markets to export to, he put his hand up and was selected to join the export department. Along with a senior colleague, he became responsible for the Middle East. “My first business trip was to Syria and Lebanon, which at the time was facing civil war, but fast forward some years later and I secured an opportunity to represent the company in Kuwait.” That was 1987 and it was also when his Middle East journey truly began.

Fleet of the month

Trail Blazing ColdRex celebrates its 10th anniversary and has steadily built a reputation as a premier eastern states cold carrier, servicing regional areas. Utilising the same network it has established in little under a decade, ColdRex will handle regional freight for the likes of Lindsay Transport. “We deliver different freight for multiple customers that go out on those same routes using all our own company equipment,” says Brendan. “That gets us to every country town on the network multiple times per week.” More than 95 per cent of the mobile asset infrastructure is company-owned with third party outsourcing, at present, an exception rather than the rule. “We do a 100 loads a week of Nudie orange juice,” Brendan explains. “Some of those occasionally are full loads out of Griffith going to Melbourne that will require a sub-contractor but predominantly it’s all of our own company fleet in use.” Late last year the fleet, which had been for many years largely mixed as it found its feet, debuted a new Euro 6 DAF CF450.

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It has since excelled pulling a single trailer. So impressed was Brendan he invested in a further three DAFs this year, opting for the larger DAF CF530 model to move its B-doubles between Sydney and Griffith. Improving the fuel consumption, given the punishing operating environment, is an early triumph made possible by the new DAF trucks. “The single trailer DAF is getting 2.7 kilometres per litre,” says Brendan. “That’s big. The other trucks are getting around 2.2.” As the fleet still runs a few Kenworth T909s, there was a pre-existing relationship with PACCAR that opened the door to DAF, a brand, along with Volvo, ColdRex, according to Brendan, will look to consolidate within the fleet going forward. “The CF450 does local runs during the day and three shuttles between Smithfield and East Gardens of orange juice and at 3pm it does a changeover at Holbrook,” Brendan says. “The dayshift driver gets in it at 4am

in the morning and does two shuttles that takes about ten hours during the day.” That all adds up to around 22 to 23 hours work a day for the vehicle. So far it hasn’t faltered. “It’s doing great, and the drivers are pleased with its performance,” says Brendan. “It’s versatile as well as being really good on fuel.” Brendan, who has driven the new DAFs albeit briefly, defers to the feedback from his driver’s, which is uniformly enthusiastic. European style cabovers are favourably cited by fleet managers usually for the advantages they offer drivers in accessing sites. Not so here. For Brendan it’s mainly about the transmission, namely the ZF TraXon 12-speed automated gearbox. While visibility from inside the cab is a “big plus” in the new Euro 6 DAFs, it’s the user-friendly product, as Brendan refers to it, which convinces him of its long-term viability as a flagship truck in the fleet.

What’s on

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 October Victoria

November Queensland

2024 Victoria

Elmore Field Days 3-5 October Elmore, VIC Visit: www.elmorefielddays.com.au

HVTT 6-10 November Brisbane, QLD Visit: www.hvttforum.org

MEGATRANS 18-19 September Melbourne, VIC Visit: www.megatrans.com.au

Wandin Silvan Field Days 13-14 October Wandin, VIC Visit: www.wandinsilvanfielddays.com.au

New south Wales

Royal Geelong Show 19-20 October Geelong, VIC Visit: www.royalgeelongshow.org.au

New South Wales Murrumbateman Field Days 21-22 October Murrumbateman, NSW Visit: www.mfdays.com Australian National Field Days 26-28 October Borenore, NSW Visit: www.anfd.com.au Denliquin Truck Show 28 October Deniliquin, NSW Visit: www.denitruckshow.com.au

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Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show 18 November Bathurst, NSW Visit: www.bathursttruckshow.com.au

France Solutrans 21-25 November Lyon, France Visit: www.solutrans.fr

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