Our Goulburn Valley
Engineering
The valleys’ own ‘Aussie Hitch’ DATING back to the mid ‘60s, Calandro Engineering is a business which was pioneered by a hard working migrant, Eugenio Calandro who was a humble fitter and turner, and a boilermaker by trade. 50 years on, Calandro Engineering still operate within the motor vehicle industry today, with the bulk of their contracts consisting of manufacturing componentry, building and repairing trailers for contracts all over Australia. Now operated by son, Mario Calandro, Calandro Engineering is a proud name in engineering. Mario said, “Dad started out small, building sheds, going to the markets making little bits and pieces, making fly wire doors, featured scroll works etc. He was very talented and there’s still a lot of his artwork around Shepparton. He just loved it and eventually he branched off into construction and the motor vehicle industry.” “I grew up with the industry and I’ve always loved the aspect of creating things with my hands. It’s incredible.” Calandro Engineering is famed for their creation of the ‘Aussie Hitch’. Their own invention, the ‘Aussie Hitch’ was created in 1966 as a ‘fifth wheel’ cupping device. It couples the prime mover to the trailer and is a component which continues to be commonly used today. And despite overseas offers to purchase the rights to the ‘Aussie Hitch’, Mario and his father refuse to sell it. Mario said, “I’m proud of the products we’ve got and I’m proud that Australians are making them. Everything is sourced locally, including Furphy’s, JMAR and Trevakis Engineering they all assist to build componentry for us. We keep everything in Australia because at the end of the day, that’s where the money’s going.”
ENGINEERING PRIDE… Calandro Engineering owner/manager, Mario Calandro. Photo: Emma Hillier.
Calandro Engineering was established in Shepparton in 1966 and is one of the oldest Engineering firms in the Goulburn Valley. For 50 years Calandro Engineering has been involved in developing and manufacturing components for the transport industry. We are the proud designers and manufacturers of Aussie Hitch, the only all Australian owned and made turntable, manufactured in
Shepparton using all Australian products. More of our products such as the hydrostatic orchard sprayers, trailers, drop deck trailers, taut liners, tipper bodies and tray body slashers are all proudly Australian made.
AUSSIE HITCH
Need a turntable? Talk to our friendly, local staff at Calandro Engineering and join the many Australian truckies that have trusted and relied on a true blue aussie product for 50 years, Aussie Hitch.
Calandro Engineering can also tailor to suit your engineering needs, no job too big or too small. We specialise in all forms of welding and machining.
CALANDRO SINCE 1966 ENGINEERING P/L
35 Grahamvale Road, Shepparton T (03) 5821 4486