Trailer Magazine April 2020

®

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

APRIL 2020

ROAD TRANSPORT REVOLUTION

Modern Road Tanker 9 771838 231003

ISSN 1838-2312

APRIL 2020 $10.00

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ALIGNING WITH POSITIVE CHANGE

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TRAILER BUILDER T O W C O U P L I N G S L I F T I N G I N D U S T R Y I C O N I N D U S T RY L E A D E R S WORLD MAP

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALISTS

Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au William Craske william.craske@primecreative.com.au Paul Matthei paul.matthei@primecreative.com.au

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Trailer Magazine Editor Luke Applebee

Courtney Walker: 0411 059 305 courtney.walker@primecreative.com.au

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER

Skills transfer General Motors will be retiring the Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand this year. This decision is reported to follow an analysis of the investment required for Holden to be competitive for the long term in new car markets; the assessment determined such an investment could not meet General Motors’ investment thresholds.

On a broader scale, the global consolidation of the automotive industry has, according to General Motors, made it increasingly challenging to support a brand and a business that operates in only two markets, representing less than 1.0 per cent of the global industry.

In light of automotive component manufacturers impacted by the decline in Australian car manufacturing, new opportunities are emerging, particularly in the local truck and trailer manufacturing sector.

According to a government report released by Minister Karen Andrews, many supply chain companies which formerly supported car manufacturing in Australia remain in business, despite the closure of the ‘big three’ car manufacturing plants in this country.

The report – Australian Automotive Industry – Transition following the end of Australian motor vehicle production – states that close to 75 per cent of supply chain companies which supplied Ford, Toyota and Holden manufacturing plants prior to their respective closures in 2016

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Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

and 2017 remain in business.

Government support was found to have contributed to this, with those impacted by the transition supported by $380 million provided by federal, Victorian, and South Australian governments together with Holden, Ford, and Toyota.

The report, according to Minister Andrews, shows locally-owned businesses achieved the best results by drawing on existing skills to diversify and take advantage of new markets.

What does this mean for the future of Australia’s commercial vehicle and trailing equipment manufacturers? A transference of skills from automotive to heavy vehicle has potential to bolster developments in light weight componentry, battery recharging, cooling and autonomous vehicle technologies.

Approximately 82 per cent of affected automotive workers were able to secure work and 4.0 per cent of these started their own business according to Australia’s Department for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. In this instance, tailored career advice, skills and training assistance, health and wellbeing initiatives and Government job search assistance contributed to these successful outcomes.

ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey

DESIGNERS

Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

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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.

COPYRIGHT

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

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

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

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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

www.trailermag.com.au Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

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April 2020

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08 Industry News The latest news in the commercial road transport industry.

22 Economy Recent disruptions to Australia’s supply chain are due to stabilise. Clever contingencies and positive business activities are making all the difference.

24 Modern Road Tankers Liquip unveils a new hatch, Alfons Haar’s PreciPURE fuel metering system makes deliveries for Eagle Fuels a breeze and FBT Transwest relies on Fort Vale for peak fleet efficiency.

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30 Trailer Builder The latest developments in Australia’s trailer building scene.

38 Lifting Palfinger Australia and Truck Centre WA pioneer a steel transport game-changer, while Scanreco radio remote controls prove to be essential for safely operating HMF cranes.

42 Tow Couplings JOST and SAF-Holland showcase their tow coupling heroes.

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46 Trailer Building Materials/Components The latest innovations in trailer building equipment and components.

50 Industry Leaders

Trailer Magazine met with Annastasia Denigan to learn more about her journey in the commercial road transport industry.

52 Industry Icon On the penultimate day of a continuous 40-year tenure with road tanker builder Holmwood Highgate, Roger Manning reflects on a complete career that has encompassed just two companies – both of which use aluminium as the primary building material.

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54 Fleet of the Month Using two immaculately presented vacuum trucks and going above and beyond the call of duty in completing the work, Ross Knight has built a thriving liquid waste removal business on the Gold Coast.

56 World Map JOST Werke AG has acquired Ålö Holding, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural front loaders. The acquisition will transform JOST’s existing agricultural business into another cornerstone of the group.

58 What’s On Upcoming shows and field days.

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Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

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NEWS

WorkSafe weighs in on tipper safety WorkSafe Victoria is issuing a reminder

soft or unconsolidated ground; material

about the risks associated with unloading

consolidating within trailers due to

heavy vehicles following two recent

retention times and/or physical property

incidents involving semi tippers rolling over

change; slippery or low traction surfaces;

at mines.

overhead powerlines or structures; faulty

The first incident, according to the

or misused braking systems; and nearby

Government department, involved a semi

mobile or fixed plant.

tipper rolling onto its side while unloading

“Unloading on a downward slope, with

roadbase on a downward sloping roadway.

the cabin at the downhill end, increases

Material that stuck within the trailer

the potential for material to remain within

while it was being raised contributed to

a trailer whilst raising the plant’s centre

instability. The operator was restrained by a

of gravity,” WorkSafe said in a statement.

seat belt and was uninjured.

“It is important to recognise that this may

The second incident involved a b-double

significantly reduce overall stability.”

truck’s front trailer rolling on its side while

WorkSafe recommends a number of ways

unloading gypsum on flat ground. The

to control risks, including: identifying

material had consolidated as a result of

all potential hazards before unloading;

conducting risk assessment to ensure all

being in the trailer for an extended period,

ensuring appropriate safe systems of work

aspects of risk are considered; ensure that

causing it to stick in the trailer during

are in place; and ensuring that systems of

tipping areas are level and stable; ensure

unloading. The operator remained in the

work are regularly monitored, reviewed

that the density and flowability of material

cab and was uninjured.

and, if necessary, revised.

being unloaded is known and understood;

Hazards that may pose a risk to employee

Employers (including mine and quarry

and ensure that material in trailers is

health and safety when unloading trucks

operators) should also: include a broad

monitored while unloading to check

at a mine or quarry include: uneven,

range of expertise and personnel when

whether it is sticking in the trailer.

Compacted material can affect a tipper’s centre of gravity.

Melbourne freight routes to see improvement

8

Early work has begun on expanding the

kilometre stretch between Sydney and Edgars

and link to an upgraded and extended

capacity of two of Melbourne’s busiest

roads, and entry and exit ramps will be built

O’Shea Road that will feature two extra lanes

freight routes, with geotechnical drilling

to improve safety and remove weaving.

in each direction.

underway on the Sydney Road to Edgars

The upgrade will improve intersections with

The upgrade will also create a new outbound

Road section of the M80 Ring Road and

the Hume Freeway, the future North East

entry to the Monash Freeway at Police Road

the second stage of the Monash Freeway

Link, the Princes and West Gate Freeways

and a modified outbound Jacksons Road

Upgrade.

and the future West Gate Tunnel.

entry to EastLink, making it easier and safer

The $518 million upgrade to the M80 is the

Major construction on stage two of the $1.4

to access the Monash and EastLink.

fifth section to be improved as part of the

billion Monash Freeway is expected to slash

Smart transport technology and new

upgrade of the entire Ring Road, which is

almost 10 minutes off a morning peak hour

overhead gantries will be installed on both

used by more than 22,000 trucks every day.

trip between Pakenham and the city.

the Monash and M80 to give motorists

Geotechnical investigations and inspections

The Monash will be expanded from eight

live traffic information and better lane

of the project site will shape the final

to ten lanes between Springvale Road and

management during incidents.

designs of the M80 Upgrade ahead of major

EastLink, and from four to six lanes between

The Monash Freeway upgrade is expected to

construction starting mid-year.

Clyde Road and Cardinia Road. Better

be complete in 2022, while work on the M80

New lanes will be added on the four-

connections will be created at Beaconsfield,

is due for completion by early 2023.

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

UPS bolsters Asia Pacific network with Taiwan facility further by offering streamlined operations, increased efficiency and more convenient access to Taiwan’s busiest cargo airport and UPS’s extensive global network beyond.”

Since beginning operations in Taiwan in 1988, UPS has been committed to facilitating cross-border trade for Taiwanese business owners with a range of products and solutions that provide better access to the global marketplace.

UPS established a presence in Australia in 1991, currently headquartered in Botany, New South Wales. There are 414 UPS Australia employees and more than 481,000 UPS personnel worldwide.

The Australian delivery fleet comprises 111 Logistics company, United Parcel Service

and territories across the world in as little

rigid-bodied vehicles and trucks.

(UPS), recently celebrated the opening of

as one business day, NK2 is strategically

Global revenue for the company in 2018 was

a new $1.5 million USD logistics centre in

positioned to boost connectivity and

$72 billion USD.

Nankan, Taiwan.

competitive advantage for companies in the

UPS announced the introduction of UPS

Known as NK2, the 145,000 square-foot

area’s well-established high-tech sector.

Worldwide Express Freight Midday, in

facility provides services for both bonded

“Taiwan’s high-tech industry is globally

selected areas in Australia, Hong Kong,

and non-bonded carriers with a total of over

renowned and a key driver for the local

Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and

3,800 pallet positions and 3,000 shelving

economy,” said Sebastian Chan, UPS

Thailand in February 2018. The service offers

locations, increasing UPS’ total storage

Asia Pacific President for Global Freight

a committed delivery time of 12 p.m. or

capacity in Taiwan by more than 30 per cent.

Forwarding and Global Logistics and

2 p.m. from all 71 origin countries to 35

Located near Taoyuan International Airport

Distribution.

key destination countries that represent

which, through UPS’ smart logistics network,

“This new UPS facility allows businesses

connects Taiwan to more than 220 countries

in the sector more opportunities to grow

over two-thirds of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

‘Corridor of commerce’ completed, set to divert heavy vehicles A new bypass finished ahead of schedule

Roads Paul Toole said the bypass would

carries 8400 vehicles a day, which means

along the New England Highway in Scone,

change the way people moved in and around

those looking to continue their journey

NSW will increase safety and efficiencies

Scone.

without stopping will no longer need to travel

for commercial vehicles while moving them

“We’re giving local streets back to local

through the town centre.”

away from the town centre according to the

communities, with the new bypass taking a

Two years in the making, the two-lane bypass

Federal Government.

large number of heavy vehicles from the town

opens to traffic next week.

The new ‘corridor of commerce’ through the

centre,” he said.

It incorporates three bridges and an a grade-

Upper Hunter and New England region is five-

“Until now, highway traffic passed through

separated intersection at the southern end.

kilometres in length and is expected to reduce

Scone along the main road access to the

The $137 million Scone Bypass project is

travel times for freight and long-distance

town which is also the main street through

jointly funded by the Federal Liberal and

traffic.

the central business district.

Nationals Government ($65 million) and the

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and

“The New England Highway south of Scone

NSW Government ($72 million). www.trailermag.com.au

9

NEWS

Wheatbelt freight network upgrades to improve productivity, grow business Works to improve the MogumberYarawindah road in the Wheatbelt region

The Wheatbelt’s regional roads are due for enhancement.

of Western Australia have now started, launching the $87.5 million Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network road upgrade program and bringing improved safety and efficiency to a key freight supply chain.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the program would improve road reliability and better connect industry to markets.

“These upgrades will better connect businesses to domestic and international markets via Western Australia’s key ports, improving freight productivity and offering greater opportunities for business growth in the Wheatbelt region,” said McCormack.

requiring upgrade.

years of hard work and commitment from

“They are part of the Australian

“Most of the roads that large freight

a number of volunteers and groups. On

Government’s $4.5 billion Roads of

vehicles are permitted to use in the region

behalf of the Wheatbelt Shires, residents

Strategic Importance initiative - a 10-year

are narrow, unsealed and unsuited for large

and businesses I express our thanks and

investment into the nation’s key freight

volumes of heavy vehicle traffic, so the start

appreciation.”

roads.”

of works on the Mogumber-Yarawindah

The Wheatbelt group consists of the

WA Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti, said

road couldn’t be timelier,” said Price.

Wheatbelt North Regional Road Group,

the McGowan Government had allocated

“The projects will support local industries

Wheatbelt South Regional Road Group,

record funding towards regional roads and

and the regional and remote communities

Regional Development Australia (RDA)

identified a schedule of priority Wheatbelt

located along the network, ensuring they

Wheatbelt Inc, WA Local Government

road projects.

have reliable access to essential services

Association, Main Roads WA - Wheatbelt

“These upgrades will complement our

including healthcare and education.”

Region and the Wheatbelt Development

work on the draft Revitalising Agricultural

Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network

Commission.

Region Freight Strategy,” said Saffioti.

group chairman Rick Storer said the

The $87.5 million Wheatbelt Secondary

“The McGowan Government has also

Mogumber-Yarawindah upgrade would

Freight Network program is jointly

worked closely with regional local

widen 2.75 kilometres of road and extend

funded, with the Australian Government

governments to develop the program of

drainage culverts, making it much safer for

committing $70 million through its

Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network’s

freight vehicle operators.

Roads of Strategic Importance initiative,

investment priorities.

“The Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network

the Western Australian Government

“The funding announced today will help

initiative is a result of a collaborative

committing $11.67 million and local

ensure the Wheatbelt’s crucial transport

approach in working together for a

government bodies providing the

supply chains continue to improve, helping

common goal,” said Storer.

remainder.

this key agricultural area to prepare for

“All participants, including the 42

The Australian Government has committed

growth in trade.”

Wheatbelt Shires, are to be congratulated

$0.8 million towards the $1 million

Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price,

on their active participation in this program

Mogumber-Yarawindah road upgrade,

said the network comprised of 4,400

that has been recognised as the biggest

with the remainder provided by the

kilometres of roads and the program

local government collaboration in Australia.

had identified 53 strategic freight routes

“Today’s launch is the culmination of

Western Australian Government and local government bodies.

10

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

ARTSA and HVIA join forces Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) and

member related activities, such as: training,

the Australian Road Transport Suppliers

information, events, conferences, advocacy

Association (ARTSA) have executed a

and committee meetings.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that

It is envisaged that HVIA’s national footprint,

will see the organisations change the industry

structure, governance, advocacy and

association landscape for the better.

resources can complement the passion,

The MoU was passed at the ARTSA AGM on

enthusiasm and technical expertise of ARTSA

20 February and has also been approved by

members and HVIA’s existing work program

the HVIA Board.

and technical advocacy will be strengthened.

The MoU will see ARTSA reformat as the

“The industry has been calling for

ARTSA Institute and offer individual members

consolidation for some time but it’s not

the opportunity to leverage their skills,

easy to implement, this is a massive benefit

experience and acumen on forward thinking

for the industry and the HVIA Board and

heavy vehicle research projects – much like

ARTSA Executive should be applauded for

“This change is a win, win, win,” he said.

an independent think-tank. In particular, the

taking bold action in the best interests of the

“HVIA’s technical and regulatory services will

Institute will continue to operate the ARTSA

industry,” said HVIA CEO, Todd Hacking.

be boosted, the industry wins by saving time

Data analytics project and this data will help

“ARTSA members knew we had to change,”

and money and providing a single advocacy

them service the existing customers and any

said ARTSA Chair, Martin Toomey. “This

voice will make it easier for government,

new customers of that service.

decision allows the new ARTSA Institute to

the regulator and key stakeholders. It also

The reformation of ARTSA will see it

focus our efforts on research and continue

delivers a much needed research capacity for

discontinue corporate membership. All

to make a strong contribution to the broader

the heavy vehicle sector.”

existing corporate members of ARTSA will be

industry by tackling the tough issues that

As part of the agreement, ARTSA will provide

encouraged to join HVIA, who will continue

have often been overlooked due to the

its existing technical collateral to HVIA so that

to offer its broad suite of member services to

pressures of the day to day running of the

members can continue to access it.

ensure continuity of representation.

association.”

The two organisations have also agreed to

The organisations have many dual members

HVIA President, John Drake, has been on

continue to work together collaboratively

that will see an immediate direct and

the working committee to implement this

in the best interests of the heavy vehicle

indirect saving by the rationalisation of

change.

industry.

Martin Toomey.

Lindsay Australia’s diversified model remains profitable Integrated transport, logistics and rural supply

cities and additional revenue from expansion

strategic review in the prior financial year,

company, Lindsay Australia, has announced

into refrigerated rail.

resulting in the closure or consolidation of

financial results from its network of stores and

Recent bushfires reportedly did not have a

some marginal performing sites.

depots for the six months ended 31 December

material impact on the division, but additional

Rural made a divisional contribution of $3.2

2019 delivering revenue of $216.0 million and

costs were incurred due to the re-routing of

million, an increase of $1.2 million or 59

Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $5.8 million,

some journeys. Transport made a divisional

per cent on the prior corresponding period,

representing a NPAT increase of 7.2 per cent

contribution of $17.0 million, an increase

benefitting from operating cost reductions

over the prior corresponding period.

of 5.5 per cent on the prior corresponding

from branch rationalisation and consolidation.

Transport freight revenue for the half year

period.

“We are pleased to announce a strong set

grew $10.1 million, an increase of 7.1 per cent

Rural revenue for the half year grew by

of results for the six months to 31 December

to the prior corresponding period, according

$3.2 million or 5.0 per cent on the prior

2019,” said Lindsay Australia CEO, Kim

to Lindsay Australia. Produce freight volumes

corresponding period. The division is reported

Lindsay. “We have once again demonstrated

were negatively impacted in some regions due

to be better placed to focus on high growth

our ability to mitigate weather and seasonality

top adverse weather and seasonality but these

horticulture regions that have a strategic

through the diversification of our product and

reductions were offset by growth across capital

fit with the Transport division, following a

location offering.” www.trailermag.com.au

11

NEWS

Qube posts growth despite headwinds: 1H20 Underlying revenue for Qube was up 12.9 per cent to $970.1 million – with underlying Net Profit After Tax and Amortisation (NPATA) up 5.1 per cent to $76.3 million – according to half-year financial results.

Highlights during period, according to Qube, include: reasonable earnings growth despite economic headwinds, reflecting Qube’s diversified earnings base; major contracts signed with Shell Australia and Bluescope Steel, supporting medium term

Statutory earnings (NPAT) for the period

growth; new Target warehouse completed,

were $51.7 million which was lower than

Qube’s underlying earnings or cashflow).

“There has been a steady performance

Import / Export (IMEX) terminal and rail

the prior corresponding period’s statutory

across the Qube group demonstrating

operations commenced at Moorebank

earnings and Qube’s underlying earnings

again the resilience of our earnings base

Logistics Park (MLP); commercial and

for the current period.

This, according to Qube, was mainly due

across our chosen markets,” said Qube

legal negotiations in motion with a potential major tenant for a material

to the impact of the new lease accounting

“Qube was able to deliver earnings growth

part of Moorebank Precinct West; and

standard (AASB 16) which applied to Qube

despite challenges in some parts of the

monetisation / partnering process plan for

from 1 July 2019 and which reduced Qube’s

business including declining motor vehicle

MLP to potentially reduce future funding

statutory after-tax earnings in the period by

and container volumes and the continued

requirements for Qube.

around $10.3 million (but had no impact on

effect of the drought,” he said.

Managing Director, Maurice James.

Camera installation prompts red-light runners to change behaviour Transport for NSW claims the installation of a

In the five years from 2014 to 2018, 10

A 2018 NSW speed camera review, according

red-light speed camera at the intersection of

recorded crashes occurred at this intersection

to Carlon, found fatal and serious on-road

Wentworth Avenue and Sutherland Street will

with one person killed and another eight

incidents fell by more than a third at red-light

boost road safety.

people injured, one seriously, according to

speed camera locations, while pedestrian

Executive Director of the Centre for Road

Transport for NSW.

casualties decreased by nearly half.

Safety, Bernard Carlon, said the new camera

“Road crashes claimed the lives of 352

Transport for NSW said the new camera will

will target red-light running and speeding

people on NSW roads last year with speed

operate in warning mode for one month

from Friday 28 February to improve safety for

the biggest killer and these red light speed

during which time drivers caught speeding

all road users.

cameras will help to reduce risk in Mascot,”

or running red lights will be sent a warning

“We know that running red lights can lead

Mr Carlon said.

letter to encourage them to change their

to serious T-bone crashes or vehicles crashing

“The new camera will help improve road

behaviour. Fines and demerit points will be

into pedestrians,” said Carlon.

safety at this busy intersection where

sent to offending drivers at the end of this

“Around 60 per cent of red-light speed

there are many businesses, community

period.

camera offences are from people running

facilities, homes and traffic from buses, light

Fines from red-light speed cameras go directly

red lights so we are addressing this problem

commercial vehicles, cars and pedestrians,”

into the Community Road Safety Fund to

head-on,” he said.

he said.

deliver targeted road safety initiatives in NSW.

12

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

ALRTA on Effluent Code The Australian Livestock and Rural

in the livestock supply chain’ as well as

of and promote the content and context of

Transporters Association (ALRTA) has lodged

the ‘Transport Master Code’; and 12

the Effluent Code; an opportunity to obtain

a funding application under the National

information sessions in rural and regional

direct feedback from stakeholders about

Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy

centres across Australia to raise awareness

the content of the Effluent Code.

Vehicle Safety Initiative 2020-21 to promote the adoption of the ‘Registered Industry Code of Practice – Managing Effluent in the Livestock Supply Chain (the Code)’ by providing education and awareness to parties in the livestock supply chain.

The draft Code has been developed in cooperation with representatives of producers, transporters, agents, saleyards, processors, welfare advocates, biosecurity experts and enforcement personnel.

ALRTA said it will apply to NHVR to formally register the code in coming months.

If the application is successful, the education and awareness project will deliver: resources that promote and explain the ‘RICP – Managing Effluent

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NEWS

Wesfarmers reports $1,210M profit, sells slice of Coles interest Perth-based conglomerate, Wesfarmers,

underway to address the underperformance

the period.”

which recently sold 4.9 per cent of its share in

of both businesses.

Following the payroll errors previously

Coles Group, has reported a Net Profit After

Scott said the group’s digital strategy, with a

identified, Wesfarmers’ businesses have

Tax (NPAT) of $1,210 million for the half-year

number of divisions implementing initiatives

conducted extensive reviews of their

ended 31 December 2019.

in conjunction with the Advanced Analytics

respective payroll systems and processes.

Excluding the impact of the new lease

Centre, is showing ‘pleasing’ progress.

As a result of these reviews, some additional

accounting standard and discontinued

“The group’s retail businesses also delivered

payroll errors have been identified.

operations, Wesfarmers’ NPAT increased 5.7

further improvements in their respective

“Immediate steps are being taken to rectify

per cent to $1,142 million.

e-commerce capabilities with strong growth

identified issues, notify and repay affected

Wesfarmers Managing Director, Rob Scott,

in online sales of 35 per cent for the half,”

team members, including interest, and ensure

said the result was underpinned by the strong

he said.

accuracy in the future through a robust

performance of the group’s largest businesses

“The enhancements in digital capability

program of auditing and monitoring,” said

in Bunnings and Kmart, and solid ongoing

continue to complement existing store

Scott.

performance in Chemicals, Energy and

networks with sales density improving in the

The group’s first half results include the

Fertilisers (WesCEF).

group’s retail divisions.

impact of the estimated payroll remediation

“Bunnings, Kmart and Officeworks delivered

“During the period, the group completed

costs and associated expenses.

a pleasing trading performance, with sales

the acquisition of Kidman Resources Limited

The remediation costs at Target and Industrial

growth increasing relative to the prior

(Kidman) and Catch Group Holdings Limited

and Safety have been separately disclosed

corresponding period,” he said.

(Catch). While modest, both investments

within the divisional results to outline the

“Strict working capital management and

provide new growth platforms that will

underlying performance of these businesses.

disciplined capital expenditure also resulted

benefit from the group’s existing capabilities

Further to its announcement dated

in strong cash flow generation across the

and support shareholder returns over the long

18 February 2020, Wesfarmers announced

group’s operating divisions.

term.

that trades had been executed for the sale

“In contrast to the rest of the group, the

“Reflecting the strong cash flow performance

of 4.9 per cent of the issued capital of Coles

Industrial and Safety result was disappointing

and disciplined capital investment, the group

Group Limited for total pre-tax proceeds of

and the performance of Target was below

retained a strong balance sheet with net

$1,050 million.

expectations. A number of initiatives are

financial debt of $2,317 million at the end of

Toll compliance specialist joins TRB Dr Sarah Jones, Toll Group’s road transport

“Toll is safety obsessed and we believe

transportation industry. We are proud of

compliance, safety and regulation expert,

the contribution we are actively making to

is the newest international member of the

everyone has the right to go home safely,” a Toll spokesperson told Trailer Magazine.

Standing Committee on truck and bus

“Under the leadership of Dr Sarah Jones,

contribution Dr Jones’ research brings to

safety within the Transportation Research

we are conducting industry leading

managing insights into human behaviour,

Board (TRB) in Washington, US.

research into on-road fatalities as well

technology and occupational hazards

The TRB, according to Jones, is one of

as fatigue management to help develop

to effect change across the industry.

seven program units of the National

policies and procedures to manage key

We are currently working on our next

Academies of Sciences, Engineering and

risks, provide appropriate equipment and

strategic research project, which is a

Medicine and provides independent,

training to inform our people. Today’s

comprehensive analysis of motor vehicle

objective analysis and advice to inform

announcement of Dr Sarah Jones’

incidents. We hope to unearth data about

complex public policy decisions.

appointment to the TRB reflects Dr Jones’

trends, characteristics and causation that

Her appointment at TRB is for a three-year

expertise and dedication to drive best

will ultimately further our prevention

period.

practice when it comes to safety in the

framework.”

14

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

road safety in Australia and the significant

VTA welcomes Infrastructure Australia Priority List The Victorian Transport Association (VTA)

“A safe, reliable and efficient road

cycling access to Melbourne’s CBD and

has welcomed the release of Infrastructure

transport network is absolutely essential

improve public transport connectivity in

Australia’s Priority List of projects, and in

for our economy to continue to grow

Frankston.

particular the priority given to upgrading

and prosper. For Infrastructure Australia

“Any project that encourages greater use

and maintaining roads around Australia.

to acknowledge this by prioritising

of public transport is beneficial to the

The List contains a number of high priority

maintenance and improvements regional

transport industry because it takes cars off

projects throughout Australia that would

and urban roads shows that they get the

the road, which reduces congestion,” he

deliver much needed maintenance and

contribution of the transport industry to

said. “Greater investments in rail projects

improvements to regional and urban roads,

our national economy.

are welcome news for the transport

which would help to improve safety and

“We encourage the Commonwealth and

industry in Victoria because every sector of

reduce congestion on key thoroughfares,

state governments to heed the advice

the supply chain – including road transport

many of which are freight routes.

of Infrastructure Australia, which was

operators – benefits from more widespread

“It is encouraging that Infrastructure

established to provide independent advice

use of intermodal transport.”

Australia has heeded the calls of the

to government on prioritising infrastructure

In other news, VTA characterised the

transport industry to encourage all levels of

expenditure, and move quickly to

introduction of a Road Occupation Charge

government to make road improvements

implement their recommendations.”

to be levied on private firms as an example

a high priority,” said VTA CEO, Peter

Anderson highlighted two projects

of government policy that can support

Anderson.

priorities in Victoria that would improve

productive and efficient supply chains.

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NEWS

Filpro acquires Powerdown wheel drive vehicles.

The announcement was made at the annual sales conference in Newcastle by the founder and outgoing Managing Director of Powerdown, Bruce Gatgens.

Filpro Automotive Managing Director, Roger Lassen, will assume control by incorporating Powerdown into the Filpro Automotive group.

Filpro Automotive is a supplier of automotive aftermarket products, with established warehousing and distribution networks within New Zealand and Australia.

The group’s manufacturing capabilities and extensive distribution network will, according to Filpro, greatly expand the availability of Powerdown’s suspension products to

Filpro Australasia Managing Director, Roger Lassen, with outgoing Managing Director of Powerdown, Bruce Gatgens.

customers in Australia, New Zealand, SubSaharan Africa, the middle East and the US. Combined with the vast resources available

Filpro Automotive, a supplier of automotive

to manufacture and/or distribute all current

to Filpro Automotive, Powerdown brings

aftermarket products, acquired ride control

Powerdown branded Original Equipment

37 years’ experience in the heavy vehicle

component manufacturer, Powerdown

Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket

industry. This edevelopment is set to benefit

Australia, in February.

products for trucks, heavy commercial

both Powerdown and Filpro, along with

Under the acquisition agreement – actioned

trailers, buses and light commercial vehicles;

its customers, through expansion and

18 February 2020 – Powerdown will continue

and RAW 4x4 branded products for four-

innovation.

Horne focuses on sustainable future for freight Melbourne’s growing population and

economic success of our key industries

access review that was conducted for the

increased urban density is prompting

means building a transport system that

Government by Deloitte Access Economics.

industry to maximise the volume of freight

works for everybody, including freight

“On the very same day, we announced

– moving on to high capacity road and

industry, producers and communities along

the Government’s approval of a Port of

rail between key logistics places, Melissa

key transport routes,” she said.

Melbourne $125 million investment in a

Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight, said

Melbourne’s freight task is growing

new on-dock rail and the port rail shuttle is

at the VTA State Conference 2020.

exponentially, and according to Horne, is

on its way.”

Growing double the pace of the rest of

set to triple over the next 30 years.

The Victorian Transport Association

Melbourne, the West, by 2031, will be

“Our freight plan ‘Delivering the goods’

(VTA) State Conference is being held

home to 1.2 million residents – 400,000

sets out the actions that we need to take

at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island, 1-3

more than today.

to meet the challenge,” said Horne.

March.

“In Melbourne, we’re managing some

“Work has started on the most

The State Conference typically unites

challenging, competing demands, which

comprehensive review of Victoria’s port

up to 200 VTA members, supporters,

is why we are focused on a sustainable

sector in 20 years.

sponsors and other stakeholders from the

future for freight,” said Horne.

“A month ago, I briefed port and transport

Victorian and national freight and logistics

“Meeting the needs and expectations of

operators, stevedores and shipping line

industry for important discussions on issues

all Victorian, including maintaining the

representatives on the port pricing and

impacting freight operators.

16

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

PT Hydraulics unveils plastic cribbing in lead-up to WA law change A legislation change in Western Australia,

In the past, wooden blocks were often used

cribbing and have banned or phased out the

coming April 2020, will affect the use of

to provide support to heavy loads, however

use of wooden cribbing, with many of our

wooden cribbing on many work sites. PT

advances in substrate technology have led to

customers already benefiting from deploying

Hydraulics has devised a solution.

the development of specially designed, high

our HDPE plastic cribbing range throughout

Cribbing is an essential requirement to create

tensile plastic cribbing blocks that afford

their organisation,” said Lloyd.

a sturdy, elevated, structure that is capable

several advantages over traditional materials.

BOSS cribbing range benefits include:

of supporting a heavy load.

Matt Lloyd, PT Hydraulics Director –

uniform shape, size, weight and strength;

Hydraulic devices are often used to lift heavy

Industrial, said BOSS Hydraulics is proud

weight rating listing on each piece; colour

loads and equipment, such as in servicing,

to partner with Turtle Plastics, a globally

coded for ease of identifying weight

rescue, maintenance and construction

recognised expert in plastic cribbing

rating; no natural weak points; lightweight

applications. For optimal safety of personnel

technology, to provide an extensive range

and east to manually handle; zero water

working with or near lifted objects, cribbing,

of cribbing products that provide reliable

absorbency; free from paint or finishes;

should also be used to maintain load support

quality and value.

resistant to chemical corrosion; and 100 per

as hydraulic devices are used to lift the load

“Many work sites have now recognised

cent recyclable, made from 100 per cent

into position.

the superior safety characteristics of plastic

recyclable material.

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NEWS

AusPost secures strong revenue growth despite letter losses Australia Post’s parcel and services revenue growth was up almost $300 million or 13 per cent on the same period last year to $2.698 million, underpinned by strong growth in parcels, financial and international services.

Community Post Office revenue grew four per cent reflecting stronger performances in both corporate and licensed stores.

This is reported to be the highest revenue growth in over a decade for these services without a major acquisition. The profits from these businesses grew to $193 million, up 12 per cent. All these business lines, according to Australia Post, operate in highly competitive markets and they now account for over 70 per cent of group revenue.

Letter revenue was down 9.0 per cent and letter losses rose a further $46 million or 112 per cent to a total loss of $87 million for this half. Although Australia Post secured $129 million in efficiencies in the period and has benefitted from strong growth in other areas, this still has not fully compensated for the

Australia Post HQ.

increasing costs supporting this important community service.

transform our delivery network,” she said.

proud of the critical role our people played

“Our strategy to diversify our business

Australia Post delivered more than 50 million

in these local communities assisting those in

and focus on our customers is working

parcels in December, according to Holgate,

their time of need.

well, evidenced by our record underlying

with over 3.1 million on the company’s

“Although we were lucky to not lose any

performance,” said Group Chief Executive

busiest day. More than 190 million letters

facilities or Post Offices during the bushfire

Officer and Managing Director, Christine

were delivered, 4,600 staff hired across

crisis, many of our employees lost homes

Holgate.

the company’s national network, while

and property and faced extreme stress

“However, the costs to operate the letter

complaints via customer service teams for

as they were evacuated for their safety.

business continue to rise, as our people are

this period decreased by 14 per cent.

Our Post Offices and posties were able to

still required to deliver to every home or

“Ahead of Christmas we also opened the

play an essential role supporting impacted

business every day, process and collect the

largest parcel processing facility in the

communities including with access to critical

mail, whilst letter volumes and revenues fall.

Southern Hemisphere in Brisbane and

funds through our Bank@Post services,

The 10 cent letter increase in January will

invested in new automation capabilities

providing free mail redirection, mail hold

support our letters business going forward,

across a number of our large processing

services and accepting over the counter

but after four years of no increases, it alone

SPARES AND facilities ANCILLARIES to continue to service our

will not fully compensate for the losses.

customers,” said Holgate.

which has raised over $1.4 million to date,”

“Australia Post and the services we provide

“During this period of exceptional growth,

she said.

are highly regarded in the community,

our entire workforce worked through

Last year the first half result included a one-

particularly in rural and regional Australia,

unprecedented weather conditions across the

donations for Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund,

where often we are the last remaining

off $37 million benefit from the Aramex and We supply a huge range of spares and country with drought and an early start to AGS transactions in the period. Consistent

service provider with a physical presence. In

ancillary to previous complement valves Post suchexpects our bushfire season in November, and we stillitems with years,our Australia

order to ensure we are able to continue to

gauzes, caps gauges, asagain well as met all of our service obligations foras letters theand second half to be quieter.

provide these community services and remain

and parcels. The mail continued to make it

sustainable, the time has come we must

18

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

consumable parts such as seals, gaskets, Australia Post will release its full year results fasteners and burst discs. We also stock tank through to our customers. I am incredibly in August. ancillaries such as catwalks and data plates.

AP Eagers sells AHG’s refrigerated logistics division Automotive retail Group, AP Eagers, is selling

continuing to invest in the refrigerated

indicated a commitment to continue to

Automotive Holding Group Refrigerated

logistics business so we can continue to

invest and grow the business,” he said.

Logistics (AHG RL) for $100 million.

“We believe that the business will have a

The sale includes the Rand, Harris, Scott’s

serve our customers.”

AP Eagers said in an ASX announcement

and JAT businesses.

that the sale achieves its objective post

Completion of the transaction is expected

AP Eagers has entered into a binding

the acquisition of AHG to divest the

to occur in the first half of 2020 and is

agreement to sell AHG RL to Anchorage

Refrigerated Logistics division as soon as

subject to conditions.

Capital Partners – an Australian-based

On completion, AP Eagers will reportedly

private equity firm with a track record of

commercially possible at a reasonable price.

“The sale of AHG Refrigerated Logistics is

acquiring and growing a wide variety of

consistent with our strategy to focus on

$100 million, which will be used to repay

companies across the Asia-Pacific region.

our core automotive retailing business,”

all finance leases and hire purchase

“For a number of years now, AHG RL

said AP Eagers CEO and Managing

liabilities associated with Refrigerated

has continued to build and confirm

Director, Martin Ward.

Logistics, resulting in an expected

themselves as a leading provider of

“The transaction follows an extensive sales

reduction in net debt of approximately $95

refrigerated transport and logistics in

process to find a buyer for the Refrigerated

million.

Australia, covering almost every corner of

Logistics business on the optimal price and

AP Eagers recognised a non-cash

the country,” AHG said in a statement.

terms.

impairment in relation to AHG RL on 31

“Anchorage represents an ideal owner,

“Anchorage is the ideal owner for the

December 2019 reflecting the value of the

indicating its commitment to growing and

Refrigerated Logistics business and has

offer from Anchorage.

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NEWS

Sterle calls for unified industry voice The transport industry needs a unified

industry challenges and unite industry

three-to-four issues that unites us and go

voice at the Federal parliament level to

and government to action meaningful

forth to present those issues in Canberra.”

tackle the biggest challenges facing freight

change to ensure better sustainability

As for the conference, Sterle said Victoria

operators, according to Shadow Assistant

and profitability. This, according to Sterle,

has set the standard for a state transport

Road Safety Minister, Glenn Sterle.

requires all parties of the supply chain to

organisation, bringing people together,

As part of his keynote address to delegates

unite on common ground.

being active and close to all sides of

at VTA State Conference 2020, Sterle

“We do not have a unified voice; we have

parliament when discussing industry

said it is the men and women of the road

certain people who can talk to certain

challenges.

transport industry who are trying to build a

ministers; we have certain people who

Sterle’s position on the current state of

better nation.

can talk to certain backbenchers; we have

the supply chain follows his involvement

“This mighty industry has not said ‘I don’t

certain organisations that have interests

with an inquiry into transport workers and

care; let’s hold hands’ when confronted

over here but not over there,” Sterle said

unions across Australia, seeking regulatory

by major issues,” he said – explaining that

– comparing the level of engagement the

and other measures to strengthen industry

he is pushing for industry advocacy with

mining industry has by contrast to the

sustainability, profitability and safety.

intentions to pursue a cost recovery model

current road transport status quo. “We

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA)

through legislation.

don’t get that same voice. I’m pleading

State Conference 2020 is being held

The aim of the conference, for Sterle,

for the transport industry – can someone

at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island, 1-3

is to identify those three-to-four key

please step up to the plate and find those

March.

DG movement study findings are streamlining fleet operations Transport for NSW (TfNSW) commissioned

protect DG routes.

“The information will be collated and

the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB)

The study has encompassed the

analysed for the preparation of the final

to undertake a Dangerous Goods (DG)

transportation of bulk tanked flammable gas,

Report.”

movement study last September – and the

flammable liquid and chemicals, with the use

Smart said TCA will be in contact with the

latest results are in.

of telematics data to identify movements.

individual companies that took part in the

The aim of the project was to determine

Transport Certification Australia (TCA)

study to supply the results of the analysis

where DG are being transported by road

undertook the analysis in a de-identified and

undertaken for their own in-house use.

in NSW, with a focus on the Sydney

aggregated manner to ensure the privacy of

“In Formula’s case, it was found that over a

metropolitan region, in order to identify and

participants.

12-month period there were over 22,000 DG

Four industry associations – Road Freight

movements throughout NSW,” said Smart.

NSW, National Bulk Tanker Association, Gas

“The information provided has helped in

Energy Australia and National Road Transport

streamlining our operations and to limit the

Association – participated in the project.

number of DG movements and duplications

According to Formula Chemicals Director and

in some areas.

Road Freight NSW Chairman Leigh Smart a

“It is proposed that an industry consultation

total of 152 DG tanker operators took part

workshop will be undertaken at the

in the study by allowing TCA to access and

completion of the project where the outcome

collate their telematics data.

of the study will be presented.

“This provided a broad representation of the

“I would like to thank everyone who was

industry and presented valuable evidence-

involved in the project for their support as

based insights into the various types of DG

the outcome will assist TfNSW in identifying

movements in NSW, and particularly around

and implementing strategies to protect and

the Sydney basin,” said Smart.

improve DG routes,” he said.

20

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

MaxiTRANS announces distribution of Roadwest Transport product nationally MaxiTRANS is now the distributor for

Centre group, with customers having

greater access to an expansive range of

Roadwest Transport product. The full range

the ability to highlight their interests and

transport equipment that complements

will be made available and distributed

enquire on the expansive range on offer.

segments within our industry,” said

across the entire MaxiTRANS Dealer

“We are once again delighted to build on

MaxiTRANS Managing Director and CEO,

Network, providing customers with access

our relationship with MaxiTRANS to jointly

Dean Jenkins.

to a wider range of transport solutions

distribute our leading brands nationally,”

“To be a distributor for a brand such as

across the nation.

said Peter Lombardi, Managing Director of

Roadwest Transport, enables MaxiTRANS

Established in 1970, Roadwest Transport

Roadwest Transport. “It is great news for

to further provide customers with solutions

specialises in the design and manufacture

both Roadwest Transport and MaxiTRANS,

for niche operations.

of high quality, heavy duty side tippers,

as it collectively gives us the ability to

“Furthermore, the Roadwest Transport

end tippers, water tankers and low

offer and better serve the industry with a

brand shares the same focus on delivering

loaders, for the mining, agriculture and

wider choice of purpose built high quality

products that are durable, superior in

infrastructure segments. The company has

Australian-made products.”

quality and aftersales support.

built its reputation within the industry by

MaxiTRANS announced earlier this year

“We were thrilled to welcome G&A

manufacturing trailers that are designed

that G&A Lombardi had joined the

Lombardi back to the MaxiTRANS family

and manufactured to suit specific

MaxiTRANS Dealer Network, distributing

and now equally as excited of this latest

requirements.

the full MaxiTRANS range within the West

expansion to the MaxiTRANS product

Distribution of Roadwest Transport’s

Australian region in addition to its existing

portfolio,” he said. “MaxiTRANS places

portfolio of trailer offerings will take effect

product offering, which includes Roadwest

great value in its customers and we want

immediately within the MaxiTRANS dealer

Transport.

to ensure that as a partner, our customers

network, which includes independent

“This decision is a fantastic opportunity

can rely on us to help them deliver the

dealers Trailer Sales and the Mildura Truck

for our customers to benefit from having

needs of a nation.” www.trailermag.com.au

21

ECONOMY

What you need to know in April BETWEEN THE RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, PROMINENT ROAD TRANSPORT FLEETS AND INDUSTRY ADVOCATES, RECENT DISRUPTIONS TO AUSTRALIA’S SUPPLY CHAIN ARE DUE TO STABILISE. CLEVER CONTINGENCIES AND POSITIVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES ARE MAKING ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

0.5%

66.1%

62.6%

LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE JANUARY 2020

EMPLOYMENT RATE JANUARY 2020

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), last

at its lowest level for many years. In most

remained confident in its forecast Farmgate

month, decided to lower the cash rate by

economies, including the United States,

Milk Price range, maintaining its underlying

25 basis points to 0.50 per cent. The Board

there is an expectation of further monetary

earnings guidance of 15-25 cents per share

took this decision to support the economy

stimulus over coming months. Financial

despite market conditions as a result of

as it responds to the global coronavirus

markets have been volatile as market

coronavirus.

outbreak which has clouded the near-term

participants assess the risks associated

“The momentum we saw in the first

outlook for the global economy and means

with the coronavirus. Australia’s financial

three months of the financial year has

that global growth in the first half of 2020

markets are operating effectively, and

continued, and as we approach the

will likely be lower than earlier expected,

the Bank will ensure that the Australian

interim results our underlying earnings

according to the RBA’s statement on

financial system has sufficient liquidity.”

are tracking well,” he said. “However,

monetary policy decision.

Lowe said the outbreak overseas is having

given the potential significant risks that

“Prior to the outbreak, there were signs

a significant effect on the Australian

could arise from coronavirus in the second

that the slowdown in the global economy

economy, particularly in the education and

half, we are taking a prudent approach

that started in 2018 was coming to an

travel sectors.

end,” said RBA Governor, Philip Lowe.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in

and maintaining our full-year forecast earnings range.

“It is too early to tell how persistent the

the March quarter is likely to be noticeably

“The current situation is very fluid and

effects of the coronavirus will be and at

weaker, according to Lowe, however once

uncertain. However, we have already

what point the global economy will return

the outbreak is contained the Australian

contracted a high percentage of our

to an improving path.

economy is expected to return to an

2020 financial year’s milk supply and

“Policy measures have been announced in

improving trend.

this is helping us manage the impact of

several countries, including China, which

This outlook according to Lowe is

coronavirus.

will help support growth. Inflation remains

supported by the low level of interest rates,

“Our Greater China team are working

low almost everywhere and unemployment

high levels of spending on infrastructure,

hard to keep our operations running as

rates are at multi-decade lows in many

the lower exchange rate, a positive outlook

smoothly as possible. Without them this

countries.

for the resources sector and expected

would not have been possible and I want

“Long-term government bond yields have

recoveries in residential construction and

to thank them for their efforts.

fallen to record lows in many countries,

household consumption.

“There has been a slow-down in

including Australia. The Australian dollar

Meanwhile, Fonterra CEO, Miles Hurrell,

processing of containers at ports and we

has also depreciated further recently and is

said in February that the Co-operative

are managing the flow of our product

INTEREST RATE MARCH 2020

22

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

The current situation is very fluid and uncertain.

However, we have already contracted a high percentage of our 2020 financial year’s milk supply and this is helping us manage the impact of coronavirus.

Anderson anticipates longer waiting times for manufactured goods in the short term however the pace will pick up once Chinese factories and industry resume normal operating capacity.

As for Australia’s road transport operators, keeping calm and carrying on is the way to go. Melbourne’s freight task, for example, is growing exponentially, Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa

into China carefully to avoid congestion.

being impacted.

Horne said at last month’s VTA State

Currently, our product is continuing to

“Imports are in decline due to a lack of

Conference on the topic of sustainable

be cleared by customs and quarantine

supply from China and this is starting to

freight for the future. Over the next three

officials.”

be felt by consumers; goods they have

decades Victoria’s freight task is projected

Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter

grown accustomed to purchasing are not

to triple.

Anderson, also weighed in on state of the

readily available and backlogs are starting

“Meeting the needs and expectations of

global economy and its domino effect.

to appear on goods – a car that would

all Victorians, including maintaining the

“While historically pandemics have not

typically take six weeks to receive is now

economic success of our key industries

materially impacted the global economy

estimated for extended delay. There is also

means building a transport system that

or equity markets, this is a bit different,”

a ripple effect to note on manufactured

works for everybody, including freight

he said.

consumer goods. Even though a product

industry, producers and communities

“China is a much more important link in

might not be manufactured or assembled

along key transport routes,” said Horne.

the global economy. Restrictions on travel

in China, delays are being caused by

“Our freight plan ‘Delivering the goods’

initially impacted tourism and education

components made in China not being as

sets out the actions that we need to take

however now supply chains of goods are

readily available.”

to meet the challenge,” she said.

8

7

Index Points

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

6

4 2

2

4

2

2

0

-0.1 -1 -2 Apr 2019

Jul 2019

Oct 2019

Jan 2020

-2

-4

Sources: tradingeconomics.com | National Australia Bank

www.trailermag.com.au

23

MODERN ROAD TANKERS

Safety starts at the top WITH THE IMPENDING RELEASE OF THE UPDATED AUSTRALIAN STANDARD APPLICABLE TO DANGEROUS GOODS (DG) TANKERS – AS2809:2020, LIQUIP SAYS ITS NEWLY-DEVELOPED VOH450 HATCH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO COMPLY WITH NEWLY APPLICABLE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND STILL PASS THE STRINGENT DOUBLE DROP TEST SUITED FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS. As a leader in the design and development

displayed at the Bulk Tanker Day in

of hatches, valves and pumping/metering

September 2019 which was hosted by the

equipment in the road tanker sector, Liquip

National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) at

has long been at the cutting edge of

the Brisbane showgrounds.

enhancements to safety and operational

The VOH450 hatch has been designed to

efficiencies for tanker operators.

withstand the enormous targeted forces

event of a rollover or severe rear end shunt

The company’s latest development was

inflicted on a tanker in the regrettable

from another vehicle. The Liquip VOH450

The new VOH450 hatch maintains the same fittings and bolt patterns as Liquip’s common VOH410 series hatch, meaning existing accessories can be easily retrofitted to VOH450 hatch without the hassle and major expense of modifications.

hatch is double drop tested to simulate multi-impact forces that occur during rollover incidents.

Liquip says its in-house testing

Fast Fact The VOH450 hatch is equipped with four provisions for the convenient mounting of additional drop test approved equipment including overfill probes, dip and fill tubes and digital level gauging systems. Mounting provisions that aren’t required can be easily and securely sealed off with The hatch comes complete with all-metric threads, with this feature clearly identified by the word ‘metric’ marked into the durable yet relatively light cast aluminium housing.

24

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

blanking plates.

Fast Fact In addition to providing a spacious 452mm diameter entry point into compartments for servicing and repairs, the hatch is equipped with a 225mm diameter emergency vent that enables the instant momentary release of extreme pressure in the event of a sudden forceful impact to the tank as is often experienced in a rollover For quick and efficient installation and removal when required, the VOH450 hatch is secured by a single bolt style clamp band.

situation.

demonstrates that its double drop tested

release of pressure, the emergency

mounting of additional drop test approved

hatches provide the highest level of

vent seals up completely to contain the

equipment including overfill probes, dip

product containment when needed most

product within the tank and avert safety

and fill tubes and digital level gauging

to ensure the safety of drivers, the general

and environmental catastrophes. This

systems. Mounting provisions that aren’t

public and the environment.

emergency vent also doubles as an easy to

required can be easily and securely sealed off with blanking plates.

The Liquip VOH450 hatch is double drop tested to simulate multi-impact forces that occur during rollover incidents.

The hatch comes complete with allmetric threads, with this feature clearly identified by the word ‘metric’ marked into the durable yet relatively light cast aluminium housing. The VOH450 is one of the lightest hatches available that passes

The company states that AS2809:2020

open visual inspection hatch for example

AS2809:2020, with the weight of the

approval requiring the hatch and

when top loading.

hatch coming in at an impressive 8.8kg.

associated fittings to be drop tested

Importantly, the new VOH450 hatch

Liquip has long been the industry choice

together makes the VOH450 ideal for

maintains the same fittings and bolt

for hatches due to its no-compromise

both top and bottom loading of all types

patterns as Liquip’s common VOH410

approach to safety and product

of fuels, including general and aviation

series hatch, meaning existing accessories

containment.

hydrocarbons.

can be easily retrofitted to VOH450 hatch

It would appear the new double drop

In addition to providing a spacious 452mm

without the hassle and major expense of

tested and fully compliant VOH450 hatch

diameter entry point into compartments

modifications. In addition, all accessories

has raised the bar significantly in these

for servicing and repairs, the hatch

that customers currently use will be

respects.

is equipped with a 225mm diameter

available for the VOH450.

emergency vent that enables the instant

For quick and efficient installation and

momentary release of extreme pressure

removal when required, the VOH450 is

in the event of a sudden forceful impact

secured by a single bolt style clamp band.

to the tank as is often experienced in a

The VOH450 hatch is also equipped

rollover situation. Following this initial

with four provisions for the convenient

Contact Liquip International 13 Hume Rd, Smithfield, NSW, 2164 Ph: 02 9725 9000 Web: www.liquip.com

www.trailermag.com.au

25

MODERN ROAD TANKERS

PreciPURE fuel metering system.

Pumped and ready for action A NEW PBS RATED TRUCK AND DOG COMBINATION IS PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY LIKE NEVER BEFORE FOR FUEL DISTRIBUTOR, EAGLE FUELS. COMPLETE WITH ALFONS HAAR’S PRECIPURE FUEL METERING SYSTEM, THE NEW UNIT IS MAKING DELIVERIES A BREEZE. Eagle Fuels took delivery of its latest tanker

Development Manager at Eagle Fuels.

combination in early February. Manufactured

“As it’s PBS rated, the combination has

by Marshall Lethlean, the unit is the sixth to

a capacity of about 45,000 litres. It’s 19

be fitted with Alfons Haar’s PreciPURE fuel

metres in length, so is similar to a 19 metre

metering system, a feature of every new

B-double, but a lot more flexible because

tanker that has entered the fleet in the past

we can leave the dog trailer in the yard and

four or so years.

just use the truck, which gives us 12,000

“The new truck and dog is a bit of an

litres of added capacity over our semis. For

experiment – it’s something we’ve never

smaller deliveries directly into machinery,

done before,” says Bruce Morrison, Business

we disconnect the dog and then hook it

26

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

Because it’s a manifold system, it’s a lot safer for our drivers too. There are no drop hoses, so there’s no need to change hoses on the truck, it’s all done electronically.

operator to choose the exact delivery

up again for bulk deliveries – it can almost

fuel metering system in July 2016.

truck and dog, includes the added benefit

replace a semi trailer and a B-double.”

“Eagle Fuels was introduced to the

of fuel metering capability from the dog

Operating throughout Victoria and South

PreciPURE system by a tanker manufacturer

trailer. This means smaller deliveries can be

Australia, Eagle Fuels provides fuel and

we were working with at the time. It

performed from the dog trailer, without

lubricant solutions to a broad customer base

seemed to make sense for our requirements.

needing to deliver the entire compartment.

across a range of industries that include

Because we don’t need separate systems for

“The fact that we’re able to pump fuel

everything from transport, earthmoving and

petrol and diesel, it meant weight savings,

out of the dog as well is a big advantage

construction, to manufacturing, rail, defence

and we wanted to standardise the fleet with

– we’ve never been able to do that before,

and emergency services.

a user-friendly system that was simple to

it was previously only used for the truck,”

It runs a fleet of 13 trucks in Melbourne

operate – so if a driver jumps from one truck

adds Bruce.

and two in Adelaide, featuring tankers that

to another, they know how it works,” adds

“Because it’s a manifold system, it’s a lot

range from rigids through to B-doubles.

Bruce.

safer for our drivers too. There are no drop

Eagle Fuels began working with Alfons Haar

The PreciPURE system can deliver both petrol

hoses, so there’s no need to change hoses

in 2013 when the need came about for a

and diesel at up to 1,000 litres a minute,

on the truck, it’s all done electronically.”

bulk transfer pump to offload the entire

via a single meter, with fully automated

Along with the functions and safety benefits

contents of one of its larger tankers for

contamination-free product changeover.

of the PreciPURE system, the high levels

a client contract. This was followed with

Product can be delivered using gravity

of service and support offered by Haar

the purchase of various other Alfons Haar

metering for underground tanks, pumped

Australia has kept Eagle Fuels coming back

bulk transfer pumps and hose reels in the

metering into above ground tanks, or via

time and time again. It’s a relationship

ensuing years – before the opportunity came

the hose reel. A pre-set function – which

that’s been built on trust and a solid

to purchase the company’s first PreciPURE

works for all delivery modes – allows the

understanding of each other’s needs.

volume required. The PreciPURE system then dispenses the exact amount before automatically shutting off.

The most recent iteration of the PreciPURE system, which features in Eagle Fuels’ new

As Haar Australia’s founder and Managing Director Ivan Lawrie explains, “Haar Australia understands the critical nature of the fuel deliveries Eagle Fuels does, from construction machinery to car yards, building backup generators, railways and other critical infrastructure. We provide backup support to their vehicle system builders, maintenance providers and occasionally directly to Eagle Fuels drivers if it’s out of hours and they are new to the vehicle or for relief drivers who might need a little guidance to use the system for the first time.”

And Bruce agrees, “Ivan and the team have been great to deal with. We’ve dealt with Ivan since day one. When we need him, we can always get onto to him, any time, any day. He even answers when he’s interstate or overseas. It’s great to have Ivan and the boys at Haar Australia on call whenever we need them.”

Contact Haar Australia Unit 1/2 East Circuit Sunshine West VIC 3020 Ph: 03 9311 6904 Web: www.alfons-haar.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

27

MODERN ROAD TANKERS

Longevity is key LONG-ESTABLISHED BULK LIQUID HAULER FBT TRANSWEST RELIES ON THE SIMILARLY LONG-STANDING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE OF TANK VALVE AND HATCH MANUFACTURER FORT VALE TO KEEP ITS TANKER FLEET OPERATING AT PEAK EFFICIENCY. The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is eminently applicable across all facets of the road transport realm.

It is, for example, a well-known fact that spending more up-front on a top-quality product that gives a long, trouble-free service life can often be a more cost-effective option than choosing a cheaper alternative that doesn’t last the distance.

Over and above the price of the part, the resultant downtime of the vehicle can significantly compound the cost to a level that far exceeds the initial extra outlay for a premium component.

Sean Alcock, Mechanical Services Manager at FBT Transwest, is the first to admit that Fort Vale products are far from the least expensive in the marketplace. However, he maintains that over the 25- to 30-year period the company has been using them, the cost-effectiveness of the products remains

Fort Vale supply quality, hard wearing valves and tanker components.

undisputed.

“We continue to specify Fort Vale valves because they are built to last using high

In 1981 Fort Vale received its first Queen’s

quality stainless-steel and PTFE (Teflon)

Award for Export Achievement, an honour

sealing and wear parts,” Sean says.

that was subsequently repeated in 1986,

“In addition, unlike some competitor

2008 and 2013.

products, the valves are fully serviceable

In addition, in 1987, Fort Vale founder

using readily available and inexpensive

Ted Fort received an O.B.E. for services to

Original Equipment Manufacturer repair kits

industry.

which means the valves can effectively last

The year 1982 saw the company’s first

for the life of the tanker, and beyond.

foray on foreign soil when Fort Vale Inc was

“In terms of value over the life of our

established in Houston, Texas. Subsequent

vehicles, there is certainly no doubt in my

plant expansions included Netherlands in

mind that Fort Vale delivers.”

1989, Moscow in 1995, Shanghai in 2002

Fort Vale Engineering was established at

and Singapore in 2006.

Lancashire in the UK in 1967 by Ted Fort.

Finally, in 2017 Fort Vale Australia was

Fast Fact

The first component Ted made was a 2.5-

established in Brisbane.

According to FBT Transwest’s Sean Alcock, the quality and serviceability

inch cast iron valve for tankers delivering heating oil to residential properties.

The company grew quickly, relocating to larger premises in Lancashire in 1975 and significantly expanding its product range and workforce expertise.

28

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

Fort Vale Australia HQ.

Contact Fort Vale Australia Pty Ltd 9/38 Limestone St Darra Queensland 4076 Ph: 07 3189 5059 Web: www.fortvale.com

of Fort Vale valves makes them a much better value proposition over the life of the vehicle than less costly unserviceable competitor products.

ALLTRUCK

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TRAILER BUILDER

STEERABLE

High performance RFS package release KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT HAS REVOLUTIONISED ITS ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION – RENOWNED FOR PROVIDING FLEETS WITH A RELIABLE OPTION THAT MEETS AUSTRALIA’S HARSH OPERATING CONDITIONS – BY FINETUNING THE POPULAR, COMPETITIVE PACKAGE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND LOW MAINTENANCE. Leading trailer builder and family business, Krueger Transport Equipment, now provides high performance axle and

ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION OPTIONS

suspension systems that offer the equivalent • 9,000kg capacity axle for

performance of leading European and US

highway use

brands – backed by national service centre

• 11,000kg heavy duty axle for road

and emergency vehicle support networks.

train applications

While Managing Director and founder, John Krueger, has been committed to delivering

• Large diameter 350 air bag

hard wearing, innovative trailer combinations

• Shock absorber catch straps

since 1976, he is just as focused on

• Axle lift mount on front hanger • Raise lower valve and auto return

providing industry with the best of the best

to ride height

when it comes to trailer componentry – even

• RFS easy read weigh gauge system

if it means embarking on an engineering odyssey that would see him stand out and rise above the competition with neverbefore-seen axle and suspension options

axle and suspension businesses that

from an Australian trailer manufacturer.

produce products that are often subject

third parties. Something had to change, and John worked on his alternative.

What drove John to persevere in this

to premature failure – and then there are

Through sheer diligence, relying heavily

niche was his frustration with dealing with

instances of unresolved warranty issues as

on his own team for rigorous in-house

local agents who represented offshore

a result of protracted dealings with external

testing, John worked on various trailer

30

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

designs and running gear technologies.

Without the backing of a multinational entity, John succeeded in his laborious

1 MILLION KM BEARING WARRANTY

efforts, introducing his certified air suspension concept known as Road Friendly Suspension (RFS).

The Krueger Road Friendly

“Krueger developed the only Australian-

to enhance linehaul fleet

made suspension, specifically designed

performance, emphasising

for Australian road conditions,” he says.

reliability and long-term

‘Being wholly Australian-owned, we work

durability. The hub has preset

closely with our customers to develop new

bearings, synthetic semi-fluid

designs, both tested and developed on

lubricant requiring reduced

metropolitan roads and Australian highways,

service frequency.

Suspension model is designed

in a much shorter timeframe than imported brands can offer. RFS carries the stamp of Government approval, under the Federal Government’s Australian Design Rules (ADR) requirements.”

Innovation at Krueger Transport Equipment is continuous which is why the trailer builder is expanding its RFS portfolio with the launch of a high performance, low maintenance suspension package.

to John, only selects the best-in-world

suspension and axle range.

Krueger now offers disc brake axles and

suppliers to manufacture component

Krueger has bolstered its product support

drum brakes, which John says enhances

parts from the shock absorbers to the

and national distribution through its

linehaul fleet requirements, emphasising

parabolic springs to the air bags.

partnership with The Brown & Hurley

reliability and long-term durability. “It is

Due to ever-increasing interest in the

Group establishing strong industry

available with steel or alloy hubs,” he says.

Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme,

connections in distribution, supported by

“The hub has preset bearings, synthetic

Krueger Transport Equipment engaged an

semi-fluid high performance lubricant

independent engineering consulting firm to

the Krueger Transport Equipment technical service and spare parts teams dedicated

requiring reduced service frequency.

put the RFS range through a series of tests

to the RFS portfolio.

Also, the outboard brake drum features

to confirm its compliance with PBS. With

quick change brake shoes for reduced

the performance data gathered and the

maintenance time, while catch straps

subsequent certification on vertical stiffness,

are fitted to all axles to increase shock absorber service life.”

roll stiffness and roll steer coefficient,

Krueger Transport Equipment, according

PBS trailer combinations on the RFS

Krueger is able to offer its customers

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

DISC BRAKE AXLE This disc brake axle configuration is a lighter-weight option which is specified for specific transport applications, featuring three 20-inch disc brakes and the latest Road Friendly Suspension innovations.

www.trailermag.com.au

31

TRAILER BUILDER

More sheep, more cattle A NEW 20-METRE PBS-APPROVED TRUCK AND PIG TRAILER BY BYRNE TRAILERS HAS BEEN A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE HANNASKY LIVESTOCK CARRIERS FLEET. WITH GREATER LENGTH AND DECK SPACE, THE COMBINATION IS RESULTING IN IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTIVITY GAINS. Since putting the PBS-approved truck and

length also means the livestock has more

Based in Echuca, Wade owns the business

pig trailer from Byrne Trailers to work in

with his wife Anna Hannasky, both of

early January this year, owner of Hannasky

room to move,” he explains.

Constructed of stainless steel, the truck

Livestock Carriers, Wade Hannasky, says he’s

body and pig trailer can both be converted

Hannasky Livestock Carriers was started by

very impressed. The unit replaces an older

from one deck (for cattle) to two decks (for

his father Murray Hannasky nearly 40 years

Byrne livestock truck and pig, joining a fleet

sheep). Under PBS, Byrne has achieved over

ago. Originally a farmer, Murray had his own

of four livestock B-doubles – with all but

16 metres of deck space, which is more than

tray body for local work. In time, this side

one combination built by livestock trailer

10 per cent greater than a regular truck and

of his business grew and during the 1980s,

specialist Byrne Trailers.

“The new truck and pig is nearly two

semi-trailer combination.

Wade says that as sheep are carried across

he began adding larger trailers into the

metres longer so we’ve gained deck space

two decks, the productivity gains are

driver as soon as he was old enough to get

and made the whole equation really

even greater. To put that in numbers, the

his licence and has enjoyed travelling the

work for us. It means we’re gaining more

combination can carry up to 50 more sheep

open road ever since. To this day, along with

sheep or more cattle in every load. That’s

than the trailer it replaces. “For our local

running the business, he still enjoys getting

especially great for our local work. The

work which is charged per head, we’re doing

behind the wheel and has taken several

profit margin is much better with this trailer

two to three loads a day, so we’re gaining up

opportunities to test out the Byrne PBS truck

as we’re being paid per head. The longer

to 150 sheep with no additional workload.”

and pig trailer for himself.

32

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

whom have lived in the area all their lives.

mix. Wade joined his father’s side as a truck

For our local work which is charged per head, we’re doing two to three loads a day, so we’re gaining up to 150 sheep with no additional workload.

a tri-axle, reducing tare weight, tyre drag,

typical of this type of trailer, Wade opted for

wear and tear, and consequentially, fuel

high deck clearance for greater versatility.

consumption. A monocoque construction

“Usually we would transport weaner cattle

for both the truck body and pig trailer

on one of our B-doubles, but with the

provides further tare weight reductions,

higher clearance, we can get them onto

while also improving strength.

“When you’re not operating at maximum

this one too, which is another big gain.

The truck and pig is only a touch shorter

weight all the time, it’s pointless going for

than the B-double, but can do a similar

an extra axle if it’s not really required,”

job,” he explains.

Wade says. “Byrne was able to design the

The combination can also be easily split to

trailer with a tandem axle, while enabling us

get into very tight spaces. As the drawbar

“I did 8,000 kilometres or so in the first

to achieve a higher weight under PBS.”

retracts, it allows for easy through loading

couple of weeks of putting the trailer to

As well as the weight savings achieved

of livestock between the truck body and

work and it’s been really good – I’m very

from the combination’s stainless steel

trailer.

happy with it,” Wade says. “I’ve carted

construction, additional weight savings

sheep, cattle and calves, and the amount of

come from the trailer’s unique composite

comments we’ve had has been incredible.

retractable decks, which save a considerable

We’ve even picked up a large-scale local

amount of weight when compared to

cattle job on the back of this combination,

industry standard plywood decks.

because they were so impressed with how

Instead of a low deck clearance which is

Contact Byrne Trailers 278 Hammond Avenue Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Ph: 02 6923 7300 Web: byrnetrailers.com.au

well it works. Trailers are a big investment, so it’s important to ensure they’re kept on the road and busy. Basically what Byrne achieved is exactly what I wanted.”

By having the combination approved under PBS, Byrne was also able to use BPW tandem suspension on the trailer, instead of

Hannasky Livestock Carriers has increased its profit margins by investing in efficient road transport built by Byrne Trailers.

This PBS design has about 10 per cent more deck space than a regular combination.

www.trailermag.com.au

33

TRAILER BUILDER

Family focus WHEN ROBERT AND SARAH HAWTHORN OF SOUTHERN REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT PURCHASED THEIR FIRST VAWDREY FREEZER VAN, PAUL VAWDREY AND HIS WIFE TOOK THE TIME TO MEET THEM PERSONALLY TO DISCUSS THE BUSINESS THEY HAD BUILT. THE LATEST VAWDREY ICELINERS TO JOIN ROBERT AND SARAH’S FLEET ARE LABOURS OF LOVE, SET TO SEE EXTENSIVE SERVICE ALONG AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST. Robert Hawthorn and his wife Sarah

such as fresh meat, produce and freezer

launched their family owned and operated

transport similar freight – running trucks

business Southern Refrigerated Transport in

along the east coast between Melbourne,

Strathmerton, Victoria, in 2011. Almost a

Sydney and Brisbane.

decade on – currently 38-staff strong – the

“We transport around 300 tonnes of fresh

company has experienced growth, and so has

hanging meat into Sydney and Brisbane a

their immediate family. While two-year-old

week from the southern states, seasonal

son, Axle, is the talk of the office, Murray (15)

produce from the Goulburn Valley,” Robert

and Bill (17) are focused on their high school

says – explaining that the top three products

studies in Queensland.

are fresh meat, fresh pet food and seasonal

Robert says Southern Refrigerated Transport’s

produce. “We service wholesale meat

formula for success has been a direct result

customers, fresh produce markets and all

of understanding client needs, maintaining

Southern Refrigerated Transport owner and operator, Robert Hawthorn.

excellent communication and ensuring his highly skilled operators receive continuous

the major supermarket chains as well as cool stores.”

training and are supported by suppliers and

The fleet comprises about 15 FH/FM prime

Southern Refrigerated Transport has operated out of Radfords Meats Warragul

modern equipment.

movers and rigids and 24 refrigerated trailers

for the past nine years according to Robert.

As part of Southern Refrigerated Transport’s

ranging from three-pallet rigids to 34-pallet

“With the support of Robert Radford and

expansion, it currently has sub depots in

b-doubles.

his Business Radfords Meat, our business

Wodonga, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane

Southern Refrigerated Transport specialises in

has been able to grow from two trucks and

with capability to service customers from a

the cartage of hanging meat from abattoirs

service other markets within refrigerated

single pallet to full loads.

as well as chilled, frozen and ambient goods

transport,” he says.

34

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

To accommodate growth in operations,

manually and via forklift, also providing a

B trailers for better road support and stability.

Southern Refrigerated Transport has taken

safer working environment according to

Aside from the technical specifications, the

delivery of a pair of Vawdrey Iceliners –

Robert. He also says the workmanship – the

Vawdrey Iceliners are immaculate

22-pallet double loader freezer vans. For

quality finish of the builds – are impressive.

“Fleet presentation is very important to our

Robert, the most important aspect of this

“One of the biggest takeaways from our

business as we are carrying fresh meats

trailer procurement is the relationship his

chat with Paul Vawdrey was the incredibly

and dood,” Robert says. “The last thing a

business has established with Vawdrey

thick seals on the reefer doors as well as

customer wants to see is a dirty unmaintained

Australia.

the sealant used along the inner walls and

van turn up to carry their perishable product.

“Dealing with a family Business who

along the edge of the heavy-duty flooring.

The Finish on the Vawdrey Iceliners are

understands our needs and the aftersales

Ultimately, this will give our business an

outstanding and we have had quite a bit of

support from their business is important,” Robert says. “We are seeing improved fuel

advantage and cost saving due to our fridges

praise from our customers.”

not working as hard to keep product at

The family business connection that Southern

economy from both our trucks towing

temperature; we have had vans in the past

Refrigerated Transport shares with Vawdrey

these vans and also the fridges – they get to

that leaked water once washed out and we

Australia, Robert emphasises, is essential.

temperature a lot faster due to the full seal

found those vans used a lot extra fuel. When

“Owned companies have supported our

and stay at temperature which is important

we wash out the Vawdrey Iceliners, however,

growth over the years, we are located in a

for our business taking into account we are

we have no water leaks.”

small country town and pride ourselves on

selling refrigerated space.”

As for the trailer refrigeration units, Robert

giving back to our community and supporting

The Vawdrey Iceliners feature loading bars

specified Thermo King Precedent to pull

our local family business in the area, be it

rated for 760kg as well as loader boxes that

temperatures down very quickly.

fuel, insurance or maintenance. In return,

are accessible either side of the trailer.

“A complete cold chain for our customers

these companies can employ more people.

“Our drivers are enjoying the lightweight

and products is very important to our

We also find working with family owned

double loader bars and love the fact they

business,” Robert says. “The more we can

companies like Vawdrey Australia gives us

can grab the bars from left or right side

keep products at a constant temperature the

outstanding after-hours support when we

depending on where they are loading at,”

better for the cold chain.”

need it as these business owners care and

Robert says.

Southern Refrigerated Transport’s vehicle

pride themselves on service.”

The internal side walls of the Vawdrey

operators also commented on how well the

Iceliners are white, reinforced with scuff

truck-trail combination tracks on the road,

bands and feature bright LED lighting

noting the VDL Weweler suspension.

for better visibility, particularly for vehicle

On axle groups, Southern Refrigerated

operators when loading and unloading

Transport uses a 10.1 axle spread on all of its

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

www.trailermag.com.au

35

TRAILER BUILDER

All under one roof IN A MOVE THAT BRINGS PIG AND DOG TRAILER MANUFACTURING INHOUSE, ALLTRUCK BODIES HAS BOOSTED ITS PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES AND QUALITY CONTROLS. THIS COMMITMENT TO INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY IS WHAT LAMINEX DEPENDS ON WHEN SPECIFYING CUSTOM TRAILERS AND RIGID-BODIED VEHICLES TO MOVE JOINERY AND CABINET MAKING PRODUCTS. The future is looking especially bright for

of sorts – focusing on onsite production

are tailored for specific fleet requirements,”

Alltruck Bodies. One trend at the moment

innovations that will streamline pig and

Tony says. “There are many quality

for many modern fleets, according to

dog trailer manufacturing lead times from

suspension options available; our engineers

Managing Director, Tony Romano, is their

approximately 6-15 weeks to just 5-6

conduct a weight analysis from the ground

investment in pig and dog trailers. To meet

weeks, depending on the specification.

up to calibrate the ride height to ensure

and exceed customer expectations, Tony has

“The rigid bodies as well as the pig and

equipment suitability, and of course, a long

committed to establishing a one-stop shop

dog trailers that Alltruck Bodies produces

service life.”

Tony says all trailer builds are fitted with Knorr-Bremse Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) as standard. “Our team program

Rapid Liner

the brake kits. It’s a no brainer following

The latest product development to

mandatory regulations and ensuring

emerge from Alltruck Bodies is the

optimal safety on the roads. It’s a fantastic

new ‘Rapid Liner’ series of curtainside rigid truck bodies.

system.”

The couplings that Alltruck Bodies fits are

Central to this innovative design

generally Ringfeder or Bartlett ball.

is a unique European-developed

By taking control of the manufacturing

curtain system touted as

processes, Alltruck Bodies can perform

revolutionary for the beverage

thorough quality assurance (QA) checks on

delivery sector in Australia.

complete builds. Tony says there are no issues with compatibility of parts – an issue that can

36

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

occur when dealing with third parties.

“QA checks also include wheel alignments,

GRATERgate

and in-line quality controls at every step of

Alltruck Bodies’

manufacturing.”

GRATERgate has been

Laminex – a long-term business partner

developed to enable

of Alltruck Bodies since 1993 – has been

quicker, safer and easier

providing quality Australian made products

loading and unloading of

to the commercial joinery and cabinet

pallets. The system features

making industry for more than 65 years

single handed operation

and is a recognised brand synonymous with

hinged gates at pallet

surface solution products. As part of its

intervals, for straight pallet

service offering, Laminex run a fleet of 138

loading, plus quick release

trucks to handle customer deliveries to over

sliding side posts that can

2,350 customers daily.

be moved for wide load full

Frank Fleming, Laminex National Operations

access with ease.

Manager – Supply Chain, says the business has invested heavily in the design and reliability of its fleet to satisfy the needs of its customers.

“In the past two years Laminex has taken

a long road for the trucking industry to catch

delivery of 52 new Isuzu rigid vehicles

up with the world of technology however

“To achieve this and to ensure Laminex

(12-tonne carry capacity) that all feature

working with Tony and his team at Alltruck

provides its drivers with the safest

28’ long Tautliner bodies with automatic

Bodies on our journey we have been able to

piece of kit possible Laminex has held a

load restraints, load stabiliser pins and

incorporate best in class design to our fleet

longstanding partnership with Alltruck

360-degree camera vision,” Frank says.

“Also, to help with a new service model

while getting a quality and reliable product

Bodies,” he says.

Each year, according to Frank, Laminex

along the way.”

Laminex recently specified 12 Tautliner

modernises its fleet by replacing the oldest

pig trailers (16’ in length, 10-tonne carry

fleet assets – the oldest being seven-plus

capacity) from Alltruck Bodies to compliment

years – and liaises with Alltruck Bodies to

the new Laminex fleet which all have the

update truck design specifications to include

same design and safety features of the rigids

the latest efficiency and safety features.

themselves. As Frank would put it, it’s been

Contact Alltruck Bodies 245 Frankston-Dandenong Road Dandenong VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9791 2144 Web: www.alltruckbodies.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

37

LIFTING

‘Steel’ing the show THROUGH CLEVER ENGINEERING AND HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL DESIGN, PALFINGER AUSTRALIA AND TRUCK CENTRE WA HAVE PIONEERED A GAME-CHANGING SOLUTION FOR STEEL TRANSPORT BUSINESS, BJW TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMING ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS. A little over a year ago, BJW Transport

such an inconvenience. We needed a crane

the potential build, they wanted to fit the

founder and owner Brian Wallis and his son

that could pick up 2.2 tonne at the rear of

largest possible crane they could onto a

Ben came to Truck Centre WA seeking a

the trailer, so the people we work for didn’t

new Volvo FH 8x4 prime mover – but the

solution.

have to split the packs,” says Brian.

truck still had to be able to operate as one

The company, which was started in

That’s where the Palfinger PK 41002 EH

of their normal day to day prime movers.

1994, carts reinforced steel bars and steel

stepped in. With a lifting capacity of 2.2

To accommodate such a large crane on a

mesh throughout metropolitan Perth for

tonne at 14 metres, it was an ideal fit for

prime mover a larger subframe and rear

InfraBuild. BJW Transport operates 10 trucks

the task at hand, though Brian required

stabiliser legs were required on the truck,

(eight of which are fitted with cranes) and

more than that. After being told by others

and that’s where the challenges started.

all of the trucks are interchangeable with

that what he had hoped for couldn’t be

Brian needed to be able to interchange the

the fleet of almost 20 trailers – but none of

done, he turned to Truck Centre WA, and

new prime mover with all of the existing

the existing cranes were capable of lifting

Palfinger Australia together with its WA

trucks and trailers in their fleet without any

these heavy steel bundles.

service partner ROPS Australia.

modifications. We also had to ensure the

“We used to use a smaller crane, and our

“It was a challenging build,” reveals Josh

axle weights and lengths were all compliant

customer would have to split the 2.2 tonne

Haggerty, Area Manager at Truck Centre

on the new build as well.”

bundles into 700kg bundles, which was

WA. “When Ben & Brian called to discuss

Truck Centre WA worked closely with

The PK 41002 EH is one of the biggest cranes Truck Centre WA has ever fitted to a prime mover.

38

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

PK 41002 EH has a lifting capacity of 2.2 tone at 14 metres.

Palfinger Australia to make it all happen.

The Palfinger PK 41002 EH was identified as the largest crane that could be installed, without affecting the vehicle’s ability to operate as a regular prime mover out on the

We have 19 of our own trailers but at peak periods we can have up to 50 trailers on hire, so it was important to be able to hook this truck onto any trailer.

road. To date, the PK 41002 EH is one of the biggest cranes Truck Centre WA has ever

we can have up to 50 trailers on hire, so it

service to his client InfraBuild. “Now, they

fitted onto a prime mover.

was important to be able to hook this truck

don’t have to pay their staff to split the

“Normally in this sort of situation, the

onto any trailer. There was a lot of planning

bundles and when our driver goes to do a

trailers would need to be customised to suit

that went into the design, but the end result

pick-up, they’re only there for half the time,

the truck,” says Brian. “Truck Centre WA

is just perfect. I’ve been in the steel industry

so it’s a win-win for everyone. The truck

and Palfinger Australia were the only ones

a long time so I knew exactly what I wanted

can do an extra load a day because it’s so

that could get everything done on the truck

– and they were able to deliver.”

much quicker to unload, and obviously it

so we could use it on any trailer. We have

For Brian, the project was all about

helps keep our client’s customers happy to,

19 of our own trailers but at peak periods

providing the highest levels of customer

because we don’t need to be on site for as long during deliveries. An extra load a day means the level of customer service we can offer is much improved,” he says.

“For Truck Centre WA to win the deal with BJW Transport, Palfinger Australia had to be open to modified design plans, as trailer pitch & swing clearance were the main concerns to ensure the truck was able to get onto their job sites.”

By thinking outside the box, Palfinger Australia and ROPS Australia have developed a clever solution, that’s resulting in huge efficiency gains for BJW Transport.

Contact

Image L-R: Josh of Truck Centre WA, Brian Wallis and Ben Wallis of BJW Transport.

Palfinger Australia 66 Industrial Avenue Wacol QLD 4076 Ph: 13 CRANES – 13 27 26 Web: www.palfinger.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

39

LIFTING

Scanreco remote control system.

HMF truck-mounted crane in action.

Remote possibilities NORTH-WEST SYDNEY BASED ENGINEERING FIRM WEST-TRANS EQUIPMENT HAS WITNESSED A DRAMATIC RISE IN THE UPTAKE OF SWEDISH-MADE SCANRECO RADIO REMOTE CONTROLS ON THE HMF CRANES THE COMPANY HAS BEEN SELLING FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS. West-Trans is a family-owned company

He says the dramatic rise in customers opting

He further explains that there are a number

headquartered at Mulgrave near Windsor that

for the Scanreco radio remote control on

of standout features of the Scanreco radio

specialises in the design and manufacture of

their new HMF cranes is testament to the

remote control system, including the flexibility

skip loader and hooklift bodies in addition to

reliability, durability and functionality of this

to control external equipment. “We often

the importation, distribution and installation

sophisticated electronic system.

program the Scanreco to control engine start,

of HMF truck-mounted cranes.

In fact, according to Jim, in the past 12

stop and speed functions whilst the crane is

The company commenced operations with

months in excess of 98 per cent of HMF

in use. We can also program these units to

a staff of 10 in 1988, building custom tipper

cranes he’s sold have been fitted with radio

operate additional hydraulic and electrical

bodies, truck trays and skip loaders.

remote controls.

linear actuators.”

In 1994 Jim Whittle and his father bought

“During my time at West-Trans I have

In terms of after-sales support and training

the business and began its transformation

witnessed a steep upward trend of HMF end

on how to use the radio remote controlled

into one of Australia’s leading skip loader and

users requesting radio remote controls,” he

HMF cranes, Jim says West-Trans provides a

hook lift manufacturing operations.

says. “At the start of my employment 11

comprehensive handover program with every

Then in 2009, West-Trans became the home

years ago some 30 per cent of cranes sold

crane sold. “Each crane is delivered to the

of HMF truck-mounted cranes in Australia.

were radio remote controlled, now nearly

customer with an all-inclusive handover with

Today, the company employs more than 70

every crane features this advanced technology

detailed instructions on how to get the most

people in five locations around the country,

which has become cheaper and more reliable

out of the HMF crane and Scanreco radio

providing technical and service support in

over time.”

remote controls.”

every state and territory.

Speaking about the advantages of operating

Jim Brough joined West-Trans as the NSW

cranes via remote control, Jim says it

Sales Manager for HMF truck-mounted cranes

makes for safer and faster operation as the

in 2009 and over the ensuing years has

operator can be away from the load when

built a large and loyal customer base for the

lifting and nearby when required for rigging

products.

or positioning the load in a precise location.

40

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

Contact Hace Industries 5 Progress Drive Carrum Downs VIC 3201 Ph: 03 9706 6557 Web: www.scanreco.com.au

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TOW COUPLINGS

Coupled for success FEATURING A HOST OF RECENT ADVANCEMENTS IN SAFETY TECHNOLOGY, TOGETHER WITH ITS RENOWNED RELIABILITY AND EASE OF USE, THE ROCKINGER 500 HAS BEEN A STAPLE PRODUCT OF JOST AUSTRALIA’S TOWING HITCH RANGE FOR NEARLY A DECADE. First released onto the market in 2011, the

“The Rockinger 500 is an all-rounder,

worldwide have that in mind. The global

Rockinger 500 was already ahead of its

because it’s so good, it works in all facets of

team is flying the flag for enhanced operator

game, says Michael Garley, JOST Australia’s

the transport industry,” Michael says.

safety, time and time again.”

National Operations Manager. “When this

“It’s fantastic in truck and dog applications,

Among the product enhancements is

tow coupling was first designed and released,

Performance-Based Standards (PBS)

a pneumatic upgrade. This enables the

it was already prepared for the sort of sensor

applications, and it works exceedingly well

Rockinger 500 coupling to be released

technology that hadn’t even been invented

in road train operations too. Features, like

pneumatically, without the need for the

yet. Now that the technology exists, the

the latest sensor technology, are also great in

operator to manually unhook from behind

Rockinger 500 is ready for it.”

dangerous goods transport.

a trailer.

Rockinger started in Germany in 1875 and

“For JOST, safety is paramount. It guides us

“This is an important safety factor in the

was acquired by JOST in 2001. Rockinger

to develop new products, and leads us into

new design because it means the operator

produces a broad range of couplings for many

developing better and safer products,” he

isn’t having to go behind the vehicle. In

uses in a variety of markets around the globe.

says. “Our research and development teams

industries like roads and construction, where

For JOST, safety is paramount. It guides us to develop new products, and leads us into developing better and safer products. Our research and development teams worldwide have that in mind. The global team is flying the flag for enhanced operator safety, time and time again.

trailers could be carrying products such as asphalt, at 300°C or so, technology like this is even more important for operator safety,” Michael explains.

Other new safety enhancements are an upgrade to the sensor that monitors the locking function of the coupling; and a jackknife warning sensor that alerts the driver if there is the risk of a potential incident providing increased protection against drawbar damage.

Rockinger 500 tow coupling in situ.

“Evolution is never a linear progression.

Instead, it happens in steps, and last year was a big step forward for the Rockinger 500,” Michael says. “Here at JOST Australia, safety is always at the forefront of our minds and transport operators seek out products and equipment that are safer, more reliable and easier to use.”

According to Michael, key to the simplicity of the Rockinger 500 is in its design. “We’re also value-adding through its ease of servicing and ease of use. When you look at the coupling itself, it looks so simple but there’s been a hell of a lot of engineering behind the scenes to make it function seamlessly. There are only a handful of moving parts in the Rockinger 500, it’s very easy to do a changeover or carry out general servicing and maintenance.”

To further improve the performance and life

42

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

6 1. Strong one piece handle operation 2. 160x160 Bolt Pattern 3. Heavy duty Australian bushes 4. Rotating locking pin 5. Reinforced funnel 6. Future proof, for sensor options, pneumatic options and jack-knife sensors

1

2 6

6 3

4

5

Here at JOST Australia, safety is always at the forefront of our minds and transport operators seek out products and equipment that are safer, more reliable and easier to use. of the Rockinger 500, when the coupling is

Rockinger 500 because it’s so easy to use, it’s

locked, it is completely sealed.

simple and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist

“This is super important, particularly for our

to understand how it works. The ability to

friends over in the west using road trains or

maintain it very quickly and easily is another

Fast Fact

operators using dusty outback roads, dust

winner.”

In 2019, JOST Australia released the

ingress protection is great for road trains

The Rockinger 500 is well suited to fixed

newest version of its iconic Rockinger

because it doesn’t allow for anything to get

drawbar applications such as pig trailers

500 coupling. The key product

inside and bind up the mechanism,” Michael

with a download rating up to 2.5 tonnes

enhancements include: pneumatic

says ¬– adding that Rockinger prides itself

and hinged drawbar applications such as

coupling release, upgraded locking

on is its commitment to detail. “Rockinger

dog trailers through to multiple road train

function sensor and a jack-knife

operates on such a fine tolerance and only

combinations up to 285kN.

warning sensor.

produces couplings that meet stringent

While the new sensor technology is

guidelines. That commitment to detail is

predominately suited to 24-volt European

what makes its products so good and so

trucks, Rockinger is working on a 12-volt

reliable, our customers are only getting

option to make it also compatible with

the best of the best. Customers love the

American manufactured trucks.

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

www.trailermag.com.au

43

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TOW COUPLINGS

V.Orlandi E550 Pacific 50mm tow coupling.

Stronger for longer SAF-HOLLAND IS PROMOTING ITS V.ORLANDI E550 PACIFIC 50MM TOW COUPLING AS AMONG THE STRONGEST AND LIGHTEST OF ITS KIND IN THE MARKET PLACE. THE UNIT IS IDEALLY SUITED TO PERFORMANCE-BASED STANDARDS (PBS) APPROVED TRUCK AND DOG, ROAD TRAIN AND TRUCK AND PIG APPLICATIONS. Since acquiring tow coupling specialist

have proven their robustness in a variety

V.Orlandi in early 2018, SAF-Holland has

of applications under harsh Australian

been making a concerted effort to highlight

conditions.

the advantages of the E550/ E551 Pacific

Fast Fact

“It’s a high-quality product made in Italy with

50mm coupling system.

As the owner of Italian-made V.Orlandi

among the highest load ratings and lowest

The company says its product is the

tow couplings, SAF-Holland is keen to

weight in the industry,” Phil says. “This is

strongest in the market with a D-Value rating

convey the message that its products

an important factor given that operators are

of 330kN yet also the lightest at 42kg. It also

are among the strongest and lightest

always chasing lighter tare weights in order

features the highest vertical or S-Load rating

of their kind in the industry.

to maximise payload capacities.

of 2,500kg.

“Now that V.Orlandi is owned by SAF-

V.Orlandi tow couplings incorporate a

Holland, Australian customers can be

number of features designed to reduce the

encapsulated locking mechanism also makes

assured of outstanding product support and

time taken to couple and uncouple as well

the replacement of the pin an effortless

availability.”

as that of replacing various components

five-minute job, as there are no loose

A number of optional features can be added

in the case of damage or wear over a long

components.

to the products including pin open/ closed

period of operation. The resultant decreased

The pin itself undergoes full-length extended

red and green light indicator mounted

downtime means the vehicle can spend

heat treatment during manufacture

externally and a jack-knife indicator with

more time on the road earning money.

to ensure ultimate strength and wear

acoustic warning mounted inside the cab.

One such feature particularly useful in tipper

resistance. The fitness for duty of every pin

There’s also the option of an air-release pin

and dog applications enables the trailer to

is verified by a 100% quality control of pins

that maximizes operating time by reducing

be uncoupled at any drawbar angle up to

consisting of dimensional, material and

the need for manual intervention. This

the 105 degree ‘jack-knife’ position.

magnetic particle inspection.

includes an on-box safety indicator that

The unit is bolted to the vehicle using

The opening handle is located in a safe

verifies correct pin engagement.

the ISO standard 160mm x 100mm bolt

position behind the bellmouth in order to

hole pattern and the mechanism box is

reduce injuries.

completely sealed to mitigate the ingress

According to SAF-Holland National

of dust and moisture which can cause the

Aftermarket Manager, Phil Crosbie, the

‘concrete’ effect, hindering pin release. The

V.Orlandi E550 and E551 tow couplings

Contact SAF-HOLLAND (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. 115 High St, Melton, VIC, Australia, 3337 Ph (03) 9971 7900 Customer Support: 1300 131 613 Web: www.safholland.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

45

TRAILER BUILDING MATERIALS/COMPONENTS

Investing in safer tips ENMIN VIBRATORY EQUIPMENT PROVIDES AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION – TRUCK VIBRATORS – TO MITIGATE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH TIPPING TRAILERS. VicRoads released a safety alert last year that emphasised the trailer’s centre of gravity moves upward when the tray is elevated.

So, if any of the cargo becomes compacted in the bin, for instance, the potential for the trailer to overturn increases.

All it requires is uneven ground conditions to tilt the trailer sideways, VicRoads warned, and an overturning moment can be produced sufficient to roll the trailer.

A properly placed and installed truck vibrator can help to manage the risk by ensuring a more complete truck emptying without extending tippers to unsafe heights or physically rocking the trailer, according to Anthony Gallaher, General Manager at Enmin Vibratory Equipment.

“The benefits of using vibration technology stacks up on many levels, from improved driver safety, reduced fuel and maintenance costs, to significant reduction in vehicle wear and damage,” Anthony says.

Enmin, specialising in truck vibrator technology, have long been helping tipper operators dislodge compacted material quickly, safely and easily with its 12- and 24-volt DC vibrators. Now, the Australianowned and operated company has expanded its portfolio to include hydraulic and pneumatically powered options.

Anthony explains that some transport

70° tipping angle required without vibration fitted.

Enmin truck vibrators help prevent material from compacting in the tipper tray.

45° tipping angle required with vibration fitted.

applications require vibration to be applied

making them a simple, low cost addition

for an extended amount of time, a scenario

that effectively manages the inherent risks

where the design characteristics of the

of tipping a trailer. After all, not properly

hydraulic and pneumatic models come

managing the risk of tipping can have

into their own. “If required, they can be

dangerous outcomes.”

run continuously, rather than the more generally utilised intermittent operation of the electric models,” he says. “The truck vibrators are easy to install and only require Tipping diagram.

46

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

minimal modification to the trailer body,

Contact Enmin Vibratory Equipment 6 Wadhurst Drive Boronia VIC 3155 Ph: 03 9800 6777 Web: enmin.com.au

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TRAILER BUILDING MATERIALS/COMPONENTS

Full metal jacket CAPRAL ALUMINIUM IS A TRUSTED AND RELIABLE SUPPLIER TO THE LOCAL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS. FOR VAWDREY AUSTRALIA, THIS COMMITMENT TO PRODUCING AND DELIVERING QUALITY AUSTRALIANMADE MATERIALS IS ADDING SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO ITS TRAILER PORTFOLIO. Aluminium specialist, Capral, has the

seven-axis state-of-the-art robotic

profiles, routing and polishing,” he says.

biggest selection of extruded shapes in

machining centre, punching, slotting,

“Capral do not let us down with delivery

various transport-specific alloys as well

precision cutting and CNC machining.

and do what is necessary to ensure we

sheet and plate products in stock in

All extrusions manufactured by Capral are

have the right materials when required.”

national distribution centres throughout

produced to the chemical composition,

More than 75 per cent of Vawdrey trailers,

the country.

mechanical property and dimensional

Extrusions can be manufactured – with fast

tolerances in AS/NZS 1866:1997. Capral is

lead times – up to 17 metres in length and

accredited to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 and

400mm CCD on Australia’s largest 12”

has an ISO/IEC 17025 NATA accredited

press, while sheet and plate products are

mechanical testing laboratory.

carried ex stock up to 2.2 metres wide and

Vawdrey Australia, the largest independent

Fast Fact

12.8 metres long.

trailer manufacturer in the country, has

As Australia’s largest manufacturer

While Capral sells to customers who build

specified Capral Aluminium’s sheet metal

and distributor of aluminium products

Performance-Based Standards trailers,

materials for the past eight or so years.

for the road transport industry, Capral

tippers, refrigerated vans, specialised

Director Paul Vawdrey says his purchasing

Aluminium has the infrastructure

vehicles, buses and ute bodies, it capitalises

team works closely with Capral to manage

and the technical expertise to

on its diverse capabilities to cater for just

‘just-in-time’ delivery of materials custom

accommodate the road transport

about any industrial client, leveraging

made for various projects.

industry’s diverse requirements.

its router cutting and marking solutions,

“This can include machining of extruded

Vawdrey Iceliner builds comprise quality Capral metals.

48

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

More than 75 per cent of Vawdrey Australia’s builds feature Capral product.

according to Paul, are fitted with some form of Capral product. “Roof rails, roof bows, aluminium floors, outer capping rails, the list goes on,” he says – explaining that the partnership between Capral and Vawdrey is solid and dependable. “Brad Ryan from Capral does a great job of managing our account and ensuring we have our product on time.”

As a private, Australian owned and operated business, Paul supports Australian manufacturing – wherever possible, only using locally manufactured materials.

“Capral’s Campbellfield mill is ideally situated to easily supply materials to suit our Melbourne based manufacturing operations,” he says.

“Capral’s quality system ensures we receive only the best Australian made product and provide all the necessary supporting documentation to validate the quality of

interstate service and repairs workshops.

their material.

Capral are not the cheapest aluminium

“The Capral national footprint allows

supplier on the market but their ability to

Vawdrey Australia to easily source materials

react quickly and deliver a quality product

when required for each of our local and

means they are good value.”

Contact Capral Aluminium 151 Barry Road Campbellfield VIC 3061 Ph: 1800 254 254 Web: www.capral.com.au

GET YOUR PROFITS MOVING WITH AN ENMIN VIBRATOR. An Enmin vibrator speeds up the unloading of bulk solids, providing an efficient, safe and controlled load discharge. Less time unloading, more time making money.

AN ENMIN VIBRATOR:

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INDUSTRY LEADERS

Industry leader: Annastasia Denigan TRAILER MAGAZINE MET WITH ANNASTASIA DENIGAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HER JOURNEY IN THE COMMERCIAL ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY. Q: What first drew you to the

and compelling. I guess I have a vision of

commercial road transport industry?

how things can be and that drives me. And

A: At first it was just a job. I had a very

the transport industry is full of dedicated,

junior clerical role and I was reading

passionate, hard-working people that make

regulations and asking questions and

working in this industry so rewarding.

organising. It didn’t take long and I found I had a knack for talking with the drivers and

Q: What does a standard day look like?

they respected my work. I have a big drive to

A: There is no such thing as a standard day

learn and I take a lot of pride in everything

in the heavy vehicle industry. However, my

I do, I found that the more responsibility

days are filled with providing support to

I took on the more rewarding it became.

internal and external customers, developing

So, I rolled up my sleeves and worked

processes that provide the framework for

hard. Ultimately, it was the complexity of

operational safety and compliance to WHS,

the industry, trying to juggle regulations,

HVNL and CoR.

compliance, safety, environment and the Cement Australia Safety & Sustainability Specialist, Annastasia Denigan.

timing of loads, the demands on drivers, and

Q: What has been a highlight of

also the big picture – the costs to society and

your career so far?

the profit margins of business. It’s complex

A: Good question. Taking my mum to the Cement Australia, founded 2003, is a supplier of cementitious products and services.

50

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

transport women’s dinner in 2019 was

monotony and every person has a story

Q: How can people and companies in

a high point; it was warming to see her

or learning that can help develop your

the transport industry better promote

have such a good time and have some

knowledge, skills or experience. In a

it as a career choice for women?

context about the people and industry that

highly regulated but competitive industry.

A: There is not one role in our industry

I work within. I was so proud to be able to

I believe that there are some exciting

where a woman cannot participate and

show her a glimpse into my world and the

changes coming through the industry, the

there are multiple success stories of women

wonderful women who mentor me and

professionalism of our industry continues

achieving great things in our industry, from

help me keep my feet on the ground.

to increase. I’m particularly passionate

being company owners and directors to

Also, I was recently appointed as a

about the Performance-Based Standards

drivers and office staff. We simply want to

member of the Transport and Storage

scheme due to my previous work in

see more of this. Currently, the vocations

Industry Sector Standing Committee in

the area in getting areas opened up by

promoted as certificates in school relate

Queensland by the honourable minister

councils to allow for higher productivity

to hospitality and child care and we

Grace Grace. The primary function of the

vehicle access.

need a transport pathway in our schools.

Larger companies can show this through

Committee is to give advice and make recommendations to the Work Health

Q: What do female-driven events in

working towards female board membership

and Safety Board about health and

commercial road transport mean to

becoming 50/50 on gender as it starts at

safety issues in the industry sector which

you?

the board level.

it represents. The Committee provides

A: These events are fantastic and there

Smaller companies that want to show

an essential link between industry and

are many aspects that I value: meeting

leadership in this area can contact some

government in working to improve health

inspirational women that motivate for

great organisations such as Transport

and safety in the industry sector; it was

success, learning from the best in the

Women’s Australia. These organisational

great to be recognised that I can add value

industry and promoting the industry to be

are running programs that are putting

to the industry by being selected.

the highly rewarding profession that it can

female drivers in trucks in an apprenticeship

be. It’s also about as a group of women

structure, and as number of females grows

Q: What is the best thing about the

breaking down barriers and opening the

in our industry then we will see more

transport industry?

industry to the wealth of knowledge a

females promoted into the operational roles

A: Every day is different. There is no

woman can offer in all roles.

within smaller to medium enterprises. www.trailermag.com.au

51

INDUSTRY ICON

www.smedleys.net.au

Powered by

An all-aluminium adventure ON THE PENULTIMATE DAY OF A CONTINUOUS 40-YEAR TENURE WITH ROAD TANKER BUILDER HOLMWOOD HIGHGATE, ROGER MANNING REFLECTS ON A COMPLETE CAREER THAT HAS ENCOMPASSED JUST TWO COMPANIES – BOTH OF WHICH USE ALUMINIUM AS THE PRIMARY BUILDING MATERIAL. On 10 March 1980 at the age of 25, Roger Manning commenced his career as a draftsman with Holmwood Highgate.

Some 25 years later he became Production Manager, a role he relished to the day of his retirement on 10 March 2020.

Prior to starting with Holmwood Highgate, Roger spent six years as a draftsman in the commercial aluminium division of Brisbanebased hardware company Robb & Brown, while concurrently studying Mechanical Engineering at the Queensland Institute of Technology. He graduated just before starting with Holmwood Highgate.

“At Robb & Brown I initially designed aluminium shopfronts and later moved on to designing components for multi-storey buildings and shop fitouts – so basically Roger Manning

my whole career has revolved around the design and fabrication of aluminium products,” Roger says.

He adds that in addition to his 40 years of

his and many others within the company

in manufacturing to remain viable can

have fostered an environment of continual

be seen in Holmwood Highgate’s truck

service, another extraordinary element of

refinement and improvement of the

aluminium fuel tank division.

his career with Holmwood Highgate is that

products over time.

Following a dive in demand due to the

he has enjoyed the privilege of having the

“As Production Manager, my goal has

ADR regulations on fuel tanks being

same boss – Colin Mellish – for the entire

always been to ensure we have the best

relaxed, the company began producing

period. Colin is the son of Sid Mellish,

possible products and over the years we

pencil-shaped cylindrical pontoons for

who in partnership with Eddie Gumbelis

have improved the small details that have

boats consisting of a series of ‘fuel tank

founded Holmwood Enterprises in 1963.

made our tankers among the most bullet-

size’ aluminium sections welded together.

Reflecting on his time with Holmwood

proof on the market.

It’s ingenuity like this that has kept

Highgate, the pride in Roger’s voice is

“Another challenge has been the advent

Holmwood Highgate at the top of its

palpable as he describes how the company

of Performance-Based Standards (PBS)

game, and in the process provided a

has grown and diversified during his watch.

It’s clear he holds immense gratification

which showed heaps of promise in the

challenging yet rewarding career path

early stages,” he says, describing the route

for Roger Manning over the past four

at having been a long-standing part of

approval process as an ongoing headache

decades.

this progressive company that can only be

for customers.

described as an Australian manufacturing

“It can take up to six months to get the

success story, currently employing more

access route permits approved after the

Industry Icon

than 200 people in Queensland alone.

combination is built and the Vehicle

Made possible by Smedley’s Engineers.

Asked about the challenges he faced

Approval is issued. Meanwhile, there

Industry Icon is a series dedicated to

in his final role, Roger says getting the

can be half a million dollars or more of

honouring the unsung heroes of the

tankers out on time was always a battle.

equipment sitting idle.”

commercial road transport industry.

However, he also says the long careers of

A poignant example of diversification

52

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

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FLEET OF THE MONTH

®

Flushed with pride USING TWO IMMACULATELY PRESENTED VACUUM TRUCKS AND GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN COMPLETING THE WORK, ROSS KNIGHT HAS BUILT A THRIVING LIQUID WASTE REMOVAL BUSINESS ON THE GOLD COAST. Ross Knight, owner of the Honeysucker

latest technology USA-made Challenger

business based on Queensland’s Gold

vacuum pump as this enabled fitting of an

simple,” he says.

According to Ross it hasn’t missed a beat

Coast, was born in New Zealand. Back in

11,000-litre tank without needing to extend

over the past 18 months, and he wouldn’t

his rugby playing days, he spent some time

the chassis. They removed the left-hand fuel

consider buying another liquid ring vacuum

in South Africa, which is where he met his

tank, which we didn’t need anyway, and

pump such has been the level of excellence

wife, Rosemarie.

neatly mounted the blower vac box in that

the Challenger has consistently delivered.

“Over there the generic term for vacuum

space,” he explains, adding the Challenger

Suffice it say, when it comes time for his

trucks is ‘honey suckers’, so that’s the name

vacuum pump operates in a similar fashion

next vac unit to be built Ross will be making

we decided to go with,” he says of the

a beeline straight to Vorstrom.

business he and Rosemarie started in 2013.

to a giant Dyson vacuum cleaner.

“It pulls a massive 560cfm (cubic feet

Believe it or not, and likely due in no small

per minute) and requires much less

professionalism and expertise of Vorstrom

part to the immaculate presentation of the

maintenance than liquid ring units which

and the way they went out of their way to

trucks, Ross says he and Matt have been

use water – that requires regular changing

make sure I got the best solution for my

asked on more than one occasion where

every second day – as the pumping and

needs,” he says. “It was incredible to see

they get the ‘honey’ from.

filtering medium. With the Challenger,

the 3D imaging that showed the truck and

The first truck was a second-hand Hino with

once a week we take out the cartridge

where everything fits from every angle,

a new 8,000 litre tank and new pumping

filter, clean it and reinstall it – it’s that

including underneath.”

equipment.

At the time this filled the bill in terms of keeping abreast of business growth but bubbling away in the Knight grey matter was a plan to replace the Hino with a truck that would take the business to the next level.

“I did the research, knowing I wanted a European truck with an automated manual transmission, and we found a 2015 Volvo FM 500hp day-cab prime mover that filled the bill,” Ross says. A short-wheelbase truck for the tight turning circle and manoeuvrability, naturally, was a priority and he commissioned Warwick (Qld)-based Vorstrom Vacuum Equipment to fit the 11,000-litre tank and vacuum pump. This was the first time Ross had used the services of Vorstrom and he says they really went the extra mile to help him achieve the best possible solution to suit his needs.

“If we’d used a traditional ‘liquid ring’ vacuum pump which is mounted between the tank and the cab, a 9,500-litre tank would have been the limit unless we lengthened the chassis,” Ross explains.

“Instead, Vorstrom suggested we fit the

54

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

“I was highly impressed with the

Volvo FM 500hp fitted with an 11,000-litre tank and vacuum pump.

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DELIVERY THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO OPERATE A TRANSPORT BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA, BUT THE FRANCHISE MODEL IS STILL COMPARATIVELY RARE. MOOREBANK-BASED PACK & SEND HAS PERFECTED THE CONCEPT. Interview by Sebastian Grote

FAST FACT

According to Pack & Send CEO, Michael Paul, the company’s franchise model is key to ensuring a ‘premium service’ experience. “Our franchisees are our movers and shakers. They’re the faces of the overall business, and of their individual businesses too. As members of the communities they service, they play an integral role in the local marketing of Pack & Send,” he says. In contrast, the role of the franchisor is to provide franchisees with a solid foundation of business systems, or “small business with the tools of a big business,” as Michael puts it.

34

feb r ua r y 2 0 1 6

Q: Pack & Send has been around for a while now. Is the 2016 business still comparable to the one 22 years ago – for example, is parcel delivery still the core of the business?

A: The Pack & Send business has changed tremendously since 1993. We started it before the notion of e-commerce, or even the Internet, was in the vernacular, so there has been a significant shift in the way we function. But our mission has always been the same – providing convenient access to a wide range of solutions when sending anything, anywhere.

The types of services we can offer are now more varied, though – from traditional

domestic and international import and export work to more modern services, like supporting eBay and online retailers in delivering their products to customers.

Q: How did the parcel delivery industry change since the early days? With Toll IPEC, Star Track and emerging online services like Sendle on the scene, the competition must be fierce.

A: The parcel delivery industry has evolved with the times. For example, customers today expect that a fundamental requirement of parcel delivery services is an online ‘track and trace’ function that provides a real time delivery status.

When we started in 1993, no parcel carrier in Australia had that capability as the technology wasn’t yet in place. You had to phone the carrier to find out exactly where your parcel was – and you usually got a response the next day.

In the early days, deliveries were also primarily B2B and very few deliveries were made to households. The growth of e-commerce has changed that, with significantly more B2C deliveries.

In line with that, the competition has also changed – for example, where Pack & Send once relied either on customers walking in store or phoning us to send their goods, we are now developing new and

The truck brand of choice at QFS is Hino, mostly the wide body 500 Series with 260 horsepower engines and Allison automatic transmissions. is the extensive and ever increasing range of gourmet items that it has available including boutique nonalcoholic beverages. The beverage sector is a growing market and drinks now account for around 10 per cent of sales with almost 700 different beverage products available. The warehouse holds bay after bay of food service products that are not readily available in retail supermarkets and are required by catering, hospitality and cooked food outlets.

One of the advantages of expanding the beverage business is the opportunity to cross sell food service products to those on the beverage customers’ base.

“With beverages we don’t deal with the chef as we often do with food products,” says Brian Saharin, QFS General Manager. “Instead we deal with the front of house.” This opens the possibility to provide ancillary items such as napkins, coasters and straws and

customers who were predominantly beverage clients are now able to obtain food service products as well. This also translates into the opportunity for traditional food customers to amalgamate their beverage and food orders.

QFS Company Director Guy Politi says that there is a trend in demand towards some higher quality food and beverages. “It can be tomato paste from Italy or cooking oil from Malaysia. We import a lot of quality gourmet products such as flour, rice and confectionery,” Guy says.

The truck brand of choice at QFS is Hino, mostly the wide body 500 Series with 260 horsepower engines and Allison automatic transmissions. Trucks that have entered the QFS fleet as assets of various business acquisitions will be progressively replaced with more Hinos to join the 39 Hinos that are already in the fleet. The decision to adopt Hino as

hen company CEO Frank DePasquale established Quality Food Services (QFS) in 1988 the two main products were lasagne and hot dogs and were mostly sold to school canteens. Today QFS has a range of over 7,000 products, which it delivers to businesses such as restaurants, 26

december 2018

pubs, clubs, hotels, cafes, and aged care facilities. And QFS continues to supply a wide range of products to approximately 800 schools. Providing direct service to an area extending from Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast to Ballina in northern New South Wales, and west to Toowoomba, QFS is also involved in providing food services to remote

mining camps using sub-contractors.

During late 2018, in order to handle the volume and to cater for future growth, QFS moved into its purpose designed and built warehouse and administration facility located in Pinkenba in close vicinity to Brisbane Airport. By being directly under the flight path the location presented some unique challenges in

BEST

AUSTRAL ASIAN

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TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIA’S GROWING FREIGHT TASK, KRUEGER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT HAS JUST PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON A NEW PBS B-DOUBLE REFRIGERATED DOUBLE DROP DECK COMBINATION.

FOR AUSTRALIA POST, SAFETY IS AT THE HEART OF ALL OF ITS OPERATIONS, AND THE SAFETY OF ITS PEOPLE COMES FIRST. WITH ITS LATEST DELIVERY OF B-DOUBLES FROM VAWDREY AUSTRALIA, THE COMPANY IS TAKING THIS MESSAGE TO THE STREETS, AIMING TO SPREAD THE WORD AND ENCOURAGE SAFE DRIVER HABITS AMONG ROAD USERS AROUND THE NATION.

Krueger Transport Equipment is a trailer manufacturer with a distinct sense for key

The next logical step, he adds, is the launch

zero. Its new ‘Stay alert – There’s a life riding

and Sydney and Melbourne.

on it’ campaign is urging the public to be

“There is a large number of posties on

“PBS is a trending topic in transport and

was all about pushing the innovation

every operator is either getting on board

bar higher, which meant reducing the

of letters and parcels to millions of people

with high productivity vehicle design or at

to provide them with the best support on that journey, we’ve dedicated ourselves to Drawing on ample experience in PBS vehicle

can be. In 2012 for example, Australia Post began implementing anti-lock brakes and stability control across the fleet. “We use Volvo prime movers which we consider to be the safest on the market. The prime movers have anti lock brakes and stability control, so it makes sense to pair that with a trailer that

The freight task of Australia Post is enormous. The company sends millions

growing our PBS offering.”

never waivered, with the business constantly taking advantage of developing safety technologies to ensure its fleet is as safe as

of a refrigerated double version of the best selling model. “This is a first for us,” says Grant. “Designing this combination

least strongly considering adding that type

support and work within those areas as well, and Vawdrey does just that,” adds Terry.

industry trends, and Performance-Based

of equipment to their fleet,” says National

N E W S

Australia Post’s commitment to safety has

Standards (PBS) is no exception.

Sales Manager, Grant Krueger. “To be able

E Q U I P M E N T

TEC HN OLO GY

Spreading the word

PBS is a trending topic in transport and every operator is either getting on board with high productivity vehicle design or at least strongly considering adding that type of equipment to their fleet.

we wanted to offer our customers even

allows for maximum cubic, full-height

maximise freight capacity and also minimise

more vigilant in a bid to curb the number of posties injured on their motorcycles at

motorcycles. And there are many injuries

work, encouraging drivers to slow down and

that are occurring on a regular basis.

remove distractions while they are behind

has the same capabilities,” says Terry.

Vawdrey has built more than half of the national Australia Post fleet.

the road every day, delivering our mail on

across Australia and around the world.

Australia Post, together with its StarTrack business, operates a fleet comprised of Krueger’s latest PBS build is a hybrid between a standard curtain-sider in the front and a refirgerated one in the back, both PBS-optimised for maximum payload.

Australia Post has decided to use these new

As well as ensuring its fleet is built to the highest safety standards, reliability is paramount too. “And that’s part of the

National Manager of Fleet for the Australia Post Group.

based around the safety features they can incorporate into our equipment, the large

reason we use the manufacturers we use.

We choose suppliers that we believe are the

over 16,500 pieces of equipment, including

the wheel.

trailers to spread our road safety message

Vawdrey has built more than half of the

volumes they are capable of producing and

best in their category,” Terry adds. “Australia

prime movers, rigids, vans, motorcycles and

Australia Post’s recent trailer order of 10

to the public, serving as a reminder to help

national Australia Post trailer fleet, and is the

their ability to satisfy all of our requirements.

Post has a great partnership with Vawdrey.

approximately 4,500 trailers.

new B-doubles from Vawdrey, delivered in

keep our motorcyclists safe. These are the

manufacturer of choice when it comes to

“Vawdrey is quite a progressive company

They are very accessible and understand our

A number of posties are injured in motor

September, are serving as mobile billboards,

first trailers to wear this new safety message,

tautliners. It’s a business partnership that has

from a safety and an innovation perspective.

requirements. If I need trailers produced in a

vehicle accidents each week – and Australia

spreading this message as they travel along

but people can expect to see a lot more of it

stood the test of time, extending for more

They are always pushing the boundaries

hurry, they always try and accommodate that

Post aims to bring that number down to

their routes between Brisbane and Sydney,

in coming months,” explains Terry Bickerton,

than 30 years.

in terms of what can be done. They are

wherever possible.

design – Krueger has built numerous PBS-

tare weight of the trailer and giving fleet

that operators can use to ramp up payloads.

more space and flexibility, making for a

loading, with the ability to achieve general

downtime, with daily loading and unloading

“Vawdrey understands our business

a very progressive business with regards

The longevity of the Vawdrey product is also

approved skels, curtain-siders and B-double drop decks, as well as Super B-doubles

operators more clearance space to work with inside and out.”

It has a cubic capacity of 190m³, with 75m³ in the A and 116m³ in the B-trailer.

solid productivity plus. We again use our 36-pallet, 4.6m design as a base, which

loads and mass loading without the usual

going much faster,” he explains.

and Australia Post understands theirs,

to producing higher productivity and PBS

testament to the build quality. We do very

in the past – one model that has been in particularly high demand recently is the company’s 36-pallet, high-cubic double

Krueger’s PBS refrigerated double drop deck B-double measures 4.6 metres high and 2.5m wide, allowing for excess cubic space

Grant explains, “Under the PBS framework,

drop deck B-double with mezzanine decks, Grant says.

10 per cent payload reduction.”

trailers. With more and more online orders, our freight task continues to grow, so we are

little work to the trailers apart from regular maintenance. And on the flip side, when

timeframe perspective,” adds Terry. “Safety

moving very large volumes of product.”

a trailer comes to the end of its life in our

idea of what freight will be on board, how

is our number one core value and we don’t

Thanks to PBS, Australia Post has been

fleet, a Vawdrey trailer maintains great resale

introducing a growing number of higher

value too.”

version, says Grant, with the A-trailer

compromise on it. That’s part of the reason

non-refrigerated and the B-trailer set-up

frequently the trailers are used and what

as a refrigerated curtain-sider. According

roads the drivers will use. Information like

we only purchase equipment from major

productivity vehicles into the fleet. “This sort

this is crucial when building any trailer that

manufacturers. We choose our suppliers

of innovation means we can move more freight with less vehicles, helping to get

upgrades to both the A and B-trailer for

runs on PBS.”

the hybrid unit. “Both trailers feature

Going forward, Krueger’s focus will be

more vehicles off the road. We work within

on adding to its portfolio across the

the limits of what the current legislation

the front deck and 100mm on the rear

board, while also solidifying its position

allows, but we need manufacturers that can

lower decks, ed.), allowing for extra loading

as a PBS powerhouse. “Krueger is all and high productivity transport solutions and that’s what the new PBS B-double refrigerated double drop deck

division sheets between the drops of the

combination represents,” Grant adds. “The

trailer to this build to provide additional air

unit is designed to deliver huge productivity gains that will help increase a company’s

side shifting pallets. They also provide load

profit margins. For maximum safety, we

restraint when braking.”

have also added our patent pending, OHS-

Regardless of the set-up, the PBS

friendly Self Lifting Gate system.”

refrigerated combination will generate high volume freight operators heading into 2016, Grant predicts. “The bottom line is this combination is designed to

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

about developing effective, efficient

for the customer, particularly for forklift drivers loading pallets,” he notes.

plenty of excitement amongst many

Trailer Magazine DECEMBER 15

a productivity perspective and from a

unit, we’ll have our engineers sit down with them, or visit their facilities, to get an

to Grant, Krueger has made significant

30

in terms of what we can achieve from

“With each customer that orders a PBS

One of the first customers to embrace the new design has ordered a hybrid

flow and circulation and assist operators in

p r i memover mag. c om. au

9

38 23 10

TRA S IHL O ER AND BODY TE WC CHNOLO ASI GY NG THE VER Y B EST AUS TRA LAS IAN

“In addition, we have fitted perforated

Hino 500 series with a 260hp engine.

201

INNOV ATION

High cubic combination

QUALITY FOOD SERVICES IS BASED IN BRISBANE AND PROVIDES THE IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS. HINO’S WIDE BODY 500 TRUCKS ARE THEIR VEHICLES OF CHOICE FOR THE EXPANDING DELIVERY FLEET.

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space that provides more loading capacity

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order to comply with more than the usual Commonwealth, State and local regulations and has resulted in an ultrahigh technology facility that is covered by 69 safety and security cameras and extensive on-site fire detection and fire fighting systems. The authorities are anxious to prevent any incidents that could affect the operation of the airport so there is a continuous sampling of air to detect any smoke and the entire fire and security system is tamper monitored. The warehouse has nine robotic doors, which will open in the event of a fire to vent any smoke.

The warehouse has a footprint of 11,000 square metres of which 50 per cent is refrigerated in four different temperature zones using a very efficient refrigeration plant that utilises ammonia rather than the more common Freon. The move from QFS’s previous premises in Stafford required 5,000 pallets to be moved in a 72 hour period and as the QFS fleet needed to continue to deliver goods to customers, contractors were engaged to handle the 120 trailer loads of products.

A distinct point of difference between QFS and other food service suppliers

URC

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THE FLIGHT CENTRE OF

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Innovation Fleet: Haulaway th T410 Test Drive: Kenwor HiAce Final Mile: Toyota Goodyear Electric Vehicles:

VE E MO N S P O RT M O V RT AT M A K E T R A S PUOC T S T H & PROD THE PEOPLE E TRAN AK M T THA CTS

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tarting off with a single office in Parramatta, NSW, Pack & Send has evolved into a national delivery heavyweight that can draw on more than 100 service centres Australiawide and was recognised as the Australian Franchisor of the Year in 2007 by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Franchise Council of Australia. Now also present in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Pack & Send is considered a leading force in the transport franchise game. Prime Mover met founder Michael Paul, who has been serving as CEO of the company since its incorporation in February 1993.

IND

MAXIMUM CGHAAIN INSREA L C G ST BUILDINGINTHKEINBE INDUST TION R

9 201 ber

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

www.trailermag.com.au

Terry Bickerton, Paul Vawdrey and James Dixon.

31

36

Trailer Magazine NOVEMBER 18

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WORLD MAP

Quicke X-series front loader in action.

Partnering on growth JOST WERKE AG, A LEADING GLOBAL PRODUCER AND SUPPLIER OF SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, HAS ACQUIRED ÅLÖ HOLDING, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF AGRICULTURAL FRONT LOADERS. THE ACQUISITION WILL TRANSFORM JOST’S EXISTING AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS INTO ANOTHER CORNERSTONE OF THE GROUP. Ålö is headquartered in Umeå, Sweden. It

for agricultural commercial vehicles,

quality products and intelligent system

has production sites in Sweden, China, the

strengthening its position in this promising

solutions. Moreover, it will give us access to

US and France as well as sales offices in all

market. JOST expects that the integration of

new growth fields.”

significant markets. The company develops,

Ålö will also generate synergies in product

Dr Christian Terlinde, CFO of JOST Werke

produces and markets its agricultural

development and purchasing as well as in

AG, is also looking forward to future

applications under the internationally

the joint commercialisation of products for

growth.

renowned brand Quicke. Since its

the agricultural industry marketed under

“This investment enables us to benefit

foundation in 1949, Ålö has become a

JOST’s current brand ROCKINGER and Ålö’s

from the sustainable growth trends in the

leading company in the international

brand Quicke.

off-highway segment in addition to our

market for agricultural front loaders. With

Joachim Dürr, CEO of JOST Werke AG, is

classic on-road business,” he said. “Ålö

about 700 employees and a worldwide

pleased about the acquisition.

complements JOST not only strategically but

market share of approximately 30 per cent,

“With Ålö we are acquiring one of the

also financially. We expect the acquisition

Ålö’s attractive product portfolio and wide

largest manufacturers of agricultural front

to be accretive to JOST’s earnings already in

customer network of OEMs and dealers

loaders worldwide,” he said. “Like JOST,

2020.”

will strengthen JOST’s presence in the

service quality, customer orientation and

Niklas Åström, CEO of Ålö, commented:

agricultural sector.

sales excellence are Ålö’s top priorities.

“In JOST we have found an ideal industrial

In the future, JOST will use its own expertise

The company operates under the long-

partner who, like us, maintains close contact

in Asia, Africa and Latin America to

established and international renowned

with OEMs and end customers and clearly

accelerate Ålö’s access to these markets,

brand Quicke. This makes Ålö a perfect

understands and appreciates the strategic

thereby creating further opportunities

match for JOST. For us, this acquisition is an

advantages of a strong product brand. We

for growth. At the same time, JOST will

important strategic step towards supplying

can learn a lot from each other. By bundling

expand its industrial expertise as a producer

an even broader base of customers in the

our know-how we will be able to develop

and supplier of systems and components

commercial vehicle industry with high-

promising business areas together”.

56

Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

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Trailer Magazine APRIL 20

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Gough Palfinger Australia delivers and supports the world-leading Palfinger range of innovative lifting, loading and materials handling solutions for land and marine applications. We provide highly transportable and agile logistic solutions for the waste industry.

Gough Palfinger Australia delivers and supports the world-leading Palfinger range of innovative lifting, loading and materials handling solutions for land and marine applications. We specialise in providing highly transportable and agile logistic solutions for the transportation, waste and defence industry’s

HPSC Intelligent stability control

PALcom P7 radio remote

P-FOLD - Fingertip setup

SCR Synchronised rope control

National dealer network - locations are listed on our website

Contact the team team to to find findout outmore: more: Contact the

(07) 3271 5811 | PALFINGER.COM.AU 13 CRANES (13 27 26) | PALFINGER.COM.AU Gough Palfinger Australia Australia--Head HeadOffice: Office:6666Industrial IndustrialAvenue, Avenue, Wacol, Queensland 4076 Wacol, Queensland 4076

JOST Fifth Wheel JSK37CX & JSK37CXW The heavy duty version of JOST Australia's most popular Fifth Wheels - the JSK37 range

Technical data Type JSK37CX & JSK37CXW

JSK37CX & JSK37CXW • Available in grease and greaseless versions • Available in heights of 150mm, 170mm, 185mm, 220mm and 250mm bolt on / weld on pedestals • Also available in low profile and double row ballrace assemblies • Features a new 4 bolt wear ring for added strength • Suitable for many PBS applications, as well as tankers, livestock and fridge van and other high centre of gravity applications

King pin

2”/50mm

Imposed Load

24,000kg

D-value

240kN

CRN

45374