Trailer Mag July 2022

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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

J U LY 2 0 2 2

CONTROL FACTOR

9 771838 231003

JULY 2022 $10.00

ISSN 1838-2312

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Efficient, reliable freight movements

TRAILER BUILDER WEIGHING SYSTEMS

INDUSTRY ICON NEWS BRANDING ECONOMY

SHOWCASING THE VERY BEST AUSTRALASIAN TRAILER AND BODY TECHNOLOGY

From the Editor’s desk PUBLISHER

John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

MANAGING EDITOR

Luke Applebee luke.applebee@primecreative.com.au

JOURNALISTS

William Craske william.craske@primecreative.com.au Peter White peter.white@primecreative.com.au Anjali Behl anjali.behl@primecreative.com.au

ADVERTISING

Con Zarocostas: 0422 222 822 conzarocostas@primecreative.com.au Ashley Blachford: 0425 699 819 ashley.blachford@primecreative.com.au

Trailer Magazine Editor Luke Applebee

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER

Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

ART DIRECTOR

Blake Storey, Daz Woolley

DESIGNERS

Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey

CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER

Justine Nardone justine.nardone@primecreative.com.au

HEAD OFFICE

Prime Creative Pty Ltd 11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia

SUBSCRIPTIONS

03 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Trailer Magazine is available by subscription from the publisher.

Annual rates: AUS $99.00 (inc GST).

For overseas subscriptions, airmail postage should be added to the subscription rate.

The right of refusal is reserved by the publisher.

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.

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

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

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www.trailermag.com.au

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Angry birds Does anyone use Twitter? Do you?

Well, Trailer does. Look for @CRTAustralia.

The social media platform, founded in 2006, started as a microblogging service where registered users interact with ‘tweets’ – messages that were restricted to 140 characters. More than 15 years later and nothing much has changed aside from a decision to double the character limit to 280 in 2017. It serves as a somewhat functional newsfeed however given the wall-of-text nature of the website and the sheer volume of tweets that it publishes (about 500 million tweets a day), what is genuine user engagement like? In our experience, aside from the odd reshare here and there, it’s very quiet.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, in recent months questioned the authenticity of Twitter’s registered users after he went public with a massive buyout announcement in April. He reckons Twitter breached the merger agreement because the

firm didn’t provide enough information regarding the number of bots on the platform compared to real people.

This is important because Twitter previously claimed that less than 5.0 per cent of its users are bots as opposed to projections that the reality could be closer to 20 per cent.

At the time of writing an investigation against Twitter was announced by Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, to determine whether Twitter’s Board of Directors were truthful about the number of fake bot accounts on the platform. Paxton said these bots inflate followers and reach and often push deceptive, annoying activity.

He explained the bots also inflate the value of the company and the costs of doing business with it which directly harms consumers and businesses.

Let this be a cautionary tale for those who solely rely on social media for their marketing activities. For the best exposure to decision makers, stick with Trailer.

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July 2022 8

32

Industry news The latest news and industry developments.

36

20 Economy A chorus of voices in the road transport industry are calling for reform.

32

Refrigerated transport equipment A look at Australia’s dynamic cold chain.

36 Trailer builder We take a look at some of the latest trailers and rigidbodied vehicles available in the market.

42 Branding, paint and coatings There are specialists in the industry dedicated to delivering the perfect finish.

44

46 Weighing systems Keep up to do date with the latest trends in on-board mass.

54 Trailer building materials/components These are the suppliers that keep Australia’s heavy vehicles operating safer and more productive.

68 World map Asset tracking and clever use of sensors is expected to change how physical goods are managed.

70 Fleet of the month Vic Mix, a Melbourne-based concrete supplier, runs a fleet of hard-to-miss pink heavy vehicles across its operations.

72 Industry icon A series dedicated to honouring the unsung heroes of the commercial road transport industry.

74 What’s on Upcoming shows and field days.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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News

Kamilaroi Highway to boost heavy vehicle freight Australia’s world-leading Performance Based Standard (PBS) scheme is allowing heavy vehicles to drive along the Kamilaroi Highway, which is expected to save operators at least an hour on their routes.

The new method for assessing rail level crossings will enhance safety and productivity, as longer and more productive heavy vehicles will now be able to use the Kamilaroi Highway in their travels.

This means Australia’s heavy vehicle industry will be able to match the right vehicles to the right tasks, while bringing other long-term benefits to the equation such as significant savings when assessing the need to upgrade existing rail level crossings.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, said the highway is now open to 30-metre PBS Level 2B vehicles, better connecting the state’s agricultural land to domestic and international markets.

“Up until now, two rail level crossings at Werris Creek and Curlewis prohibited access to 26 to 30-metrelong heavy vehicles along this route, adding 50 kilometres to the journey,” he said.

“These two rail level crossings were the only thing standing in the way of end-to-end access for safer, more efficient and sustainable heavy vehicles.”

Farraway said that by allowing longer, more productive heavy vehicles on the key route – without compromising on safety, means there will be less heavy vehicles on the road.

“It is an opportunity to innovate with vehicle design and road management to greatly enhance productivity, improve safety performance while minimising impacts on the environment and road infrastructure,” he said.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

DHL Global Forwarding Australia Brisbane Station Manager, Lachlan Elliott, and DHL Global Forwarding Australia Managing Director, George Lawson.

DHL breaks ground on new $17M Brisbane facility DHL Global Forwarding recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 4,880-square-metre facility at Brisbane Airport.

The $17 million investment over the next ten years will house the largest international cold chain services in Brisbane.

Scheduled for opening early next year, the new facility will support general freight growth in Queensland.

“The expansion of our facilities at Brisbane airport reflects the tremendous growth in exports, especially perishable food,” said George Lawson, DHL Global Forwarding Australia Managing Director.

“Brisbane’s economy is predicted to surge by 2031 and with this new facility, we are ready to support our customers growth,” he said in a statement.

Strategically located at Brisbane airport, the facility offers air side access, the first and only freight forwarder to have such access, and is close to the Port of Brisbane.

The new facility is a five green star rating according to the Green Building Council of Australia, featuring solar panels, reusable batteries to power most of the warehouse operations, rainwater harvesting and EV charging stations.

Plans are also in the works to introduce carbon offsetting and insetting for a carbon neutral supply chain for customers.

“A lot of thought went into the design of the new operation. It will assist our customers trade efficiently. It is also a sustainable facility to help our customers achieve a greener supply chain,” Lawson added.

The facility is also designed to support employees.

Interactive screens together with a flexible workspace are designed to facilitate virtual and physical collaboration according to Lachlan Elliot, Station Manager – Queensland, DHL Global Forwarding Australia.

“We want this new facility to be a great place to work for our people,” he said.

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Vawdrey and Healthy Heads for mental health wellbeing Vawdrey Australia has established a Partnership with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds (Healthy Heads), a non-profit organisation for mental health in Australia’s road transport, warehousing and logistics industries.

Healthy Heads was founded in August 2020 in response to the poor state of

mental health and wellbeing across road transport warehouses amid Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of the collaboration, Vawdrey will be adding a Healthy Heads sticker to each of its new trailers to boost awareness for what Healthy Heads stands for.

HHTS CEO, Naomi Frauenfelder, told Vawdrey Australia Director, Paul Vawdrey

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Trailer it is a pleasure to partner with such a prominent family owned and operated company.

“The culture and the vision at Vawdrey has lead them to partner with Healthy Heads and it’s about industry supporting industry when it comes to creating healthy working environments for the people in it industry,” she said. “Having such a well-known and respected Australian business like Vawdrey come on board is super important to us, and means that we can continue to delivery on our key target ambitions.

“Like many businesses in our sector, Vawdrey would have seen the impact of the pandemic on trucking operators as well as drivers and logistics companies, so they’re looking for an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the lives of people working in the sector and other businesses.

According to Frauenfelder, the Healthy Heads National Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadmap (the Roadmap) is the sector’s first single strategy for improving outcomes for mental health in the sector.

The Roadmap provides organisations with a guide to building healthy and thriving work environments, through the seven workplace strategies.

“Across 2022 we’re delivering on 18 events to reach people working at the coalface of the sector at service centres, distribution centres and truck stops,” said Frauenfelder.

Healthy Heads is entirely supported by its industry, receiving great support through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative which is helping to deliver projects in line with the Roadmap.

“Being able to engage and communicate with new audiences ensures that everyone in the sector can gain the support and resources they might need, is very critical,” she said.

“Our partnership with Vawdrey provides us with a platform to regularly interact with their customers and who can share their journey to embedding the Roadmap with us and help us to understand where further support is needed, which is invaluable for us,” said Frauenfelder.

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Capral commits to net zero by 2050

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B Billets of aluminium in the factory.

Emerging and breakthrough technologies are key to Capral Aluminium’s goal to achieve net zero emissions over the next 30 years.

As a major aluminium supplier Capral’s buying strategies and corporate activities will demonstrate the goal for Capral to work towards sustainability best practice underpinned by a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Capral General Manager – Marketing & Technology, Michael O’Keefe, oversees the company’s National Sustainability Committee and roadmap.

“We have an absolute commitment to our staff, customers, stakeholders and the communities within which our facilities operate to ensure we are eliminating sources of emissions within the value chain of our business,” he said.

“Organisations around the world are recognising that this is a decision that cannot wait any longer and Capral is no different, we are proud to make this commitment and confident in our ability to achieve it.”

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

O’Keefe said Carpal’s net zero commitment will in the first instance focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources – emissions released into the atmosphere as a direct result of a set of activities, at an operational level.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, from a utility provider – all Green House Gas (GHG) emissions released in the atmosphere, from the consumption of purchased electricity and gas.

“Our focus is very much on eliminating the source of emissions, we intend to do this by improving our plant and equipment, implementing new technologies and embracing more sustainable practices across our organisation,” said O’Keefe.

“Working with our upstream supply partners we will continue to look for options to incorporate more low carbon aluminium

in our value chain and where feasible embrace circularity principles,” he said.

Reaching net-zero emissions will also require neutralising Capral’s residual GHG emissions with an equivalent amount of carbon removals. An effective neutralisation strategy, according to Capral, involves removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it for a longenough period to fully neutralise the impact of any GHG that continues to be released into the atmosphere.

As an overarching safeguard Capral also recognises the UN SDGs as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

“In recognising the UN SDGs, we implement environmental and social safeguards in our operations and decisionmaking process to ensure we continue to develop our position as a socially and environmentally aware organisation,” said O’Keefe.

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Toll to change leadership xxx.

Matt Watson.

Vawdrey bolsters sales support in NSW Vawdrey Australia has appointed Matt Watson as its new Area Sales Manager for New South Wales.

Watson commenced this role on 21 February 2022, bringing 15 years of experience in the trailer industry to the Vawdrey business.

“I’ve worked in trailer industry since 2002,” said Watson.

“I was doing semi-trailer spare parts for a couple of years and at around 2006 I got into trailer sales.”

Watson said he has developed a variety of relationships during his time in the industry, hoping to bring a lot of customers over to Vawdrey.

“I’ve been in the industry for a long time and I’ve been doing trailer sales for 15 years, so I’ve grown a fair few relationships over those times,” he said.

Vawdrey is Australia’s largest independent trailer builder and Watson said he is very excited to join the team.

“To work with a national Australian privately-owned trailer company – probably number one in the trailer game right now – is exciting,” he said.

“In my role as Area Sales Manager for NSW I’ll be supporting the dealerships we have within our main capitals as well as providing solid backup support to our customers.

“I think Vawdrey build a superior product with very good quality, and I think a lot of customers that I deal with would be very happy with Vawdrey.”

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The latest executive appointments on Toll Group’s Board are expected to support growth for the transport and logistics juggernaut.

John Mullen AO has decided to retire from the Toll Board at the end of June 2022.

Toll Managing Director, Thomas Knudsen, will transition to the role of Toll Chairman.

Alan Beacham, currently Toll’s President Global Forwarding, will succeed Thomas as Managing Director.

The appointments will take effect on 1 July 2022.

Mullen said the time was right for a new leadership team to guide the company in its next phase of growth.

“With Toll’s performance firmly on the right track, a new strategy well underway, and a strong leadership team, now is an appropriate time to hand over to the next Chair to guide Toll to the next level of its growth,” he said.

“It has been an honour to serve as Chairman through a time when Toll has successfully overcome so many complex challenges to continue its vital role in delivering for the community.”

Mullen joined the Toll Board as Chairman in December 2016. Following his retirement as Chairman, he will continue to advise the Toll Board as a senior advisor.

Japan Post CEO and Toll Board Director, Kazuhide Kinugawa, paid tribute to Mr Mullen’s leadership of Toll as the company has transformed itself to grow as a leading logistics provider.

“The Toll Board would like to recognise the outstanding contribution of our retiring Chairman, John Mullen,” he said.

“Over the past six years as Chairman, his business wisdom and deep industry expertise have been critical in transforming Toll’s business to the place of stability and opportunity it holds today. John has been a trusted counsel for the Toll Board and is held in the highest regard within Japan Post. We thank him for his long and distinguished service to Toll and look forward to continuing to work with him in his new advisory capacity.”

Mullen said that Toll is well placed to deliver on its next phase of growth.

“Under Thomas’s stewardship as

Alan Beacham.

Managing Director, Toll has returned to underlying growth, improved safety, and reshaped the company strategy to accelerate global growth with the divestment of the Express business,” he said.

“Thomas leaves a positive legacy having created the vision and strategy for ‘Toll 2.0’ and laying the foundations to deliver sustainable growth through a simpler business and a focus on customer led innovation.

“On behalf of the Board, I thank Thomas for his significant contributions and service to the company and am delighted that Toll will continue to benefit from Thomas’s experience in his new role as Chairman.

“Alan is the right person to lead Toll Group into the future. He is a values-driven leader with a strong command of the business and proven ability to drive strong results in challenging markets. Alan joined Toll in 2018 and faced into significant challenges to transform the Express business and deliver a significant turnaround in financial performance as the business battled intense global competition and high operating costs.

“Prior to Toll, Alan has had a successful 20-year career in a wide variety of senior managerial roles across Europe and Australia in the aviation, automotive and rail industries. He brings a wealth of industry expertise and is well-placed to deliver on Toll’s future growth ambitions. Alan’s deep understanding of the company, and extensive industry experience, has equipped him well for the task ahead in leading Toll in its next phase of growth.”

Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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XXX News

Regional VIC roadworks blitz target

The Andrews Labor Government has gone far beyond its target in the annual regional road maintenance blitz by delivering more than 1,500 kilometres of rebuilding and repair works across Victoria.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Ben Carroll, said more than 1,110 maintenance and renewal projects have been delivered on the state’s regional roads since September last year, backed up by an investment of more than $464 million.

“Our regional roads are vitally important, whether you are dropping the kids off at school, spending a long weekend in country Victoria, or transporting locally grown produce to market – that’s why our annual road maintenance blitz is providing better journeys for all Victorians,” he said.

Crews have rehabilitated and repaired some of the state’s busiest travel routes, including the Western Highway Hamilton Highway, Hume Highway and Princes Highway East.

They have also replaced more than 30,000 signs, inspected thousands of bridges and culverts, mowed more than 30,000 kilometres of roadside grass, and have responded to hundreds of outof-hours calls from the public.

“This year our hardworking crews have also worked tirelessly replacing signs, inspecting bridges and mowing thousands of kilometres of grass to ensure smoother, more reliable connections,” Carroll said.

Works on the Loddon Valley, Melbourne-Lancefield Road and Murray Valley Highway are expected to finish shortly, signalling the end of the blitz.

But the work won’t stop there, as more projects are yet to come later this year following the $780 million invested in the 2022/23 Victorian Budget for maintaining road assets in the coming financial year.

According to the Government, these works will harness the latest technology and methods to ensure the road maintenance program delivers better results than ever before.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

100-year-old boat hits the road The Pride of the Murray has been lifted out of the Murray River in Victoria to be transported on a 12-line Drake Gooseneck Float to its new home in Longreach, more than 1,700km away.

It took more than 40 people, a 26-metre long and 8.7-metre-wide Drake trailer, 700-horsepower prime mover and police escort to rescue the 100-tonne paddlewheeler, with transport set to begin soon.

Outback Pioneers’ Richard Kinnon was responsible for undertaking the first ever ‘mega marine move’ in Australia of this scale.

“This is believed to be the largest haulage of a marine vessel this old ever undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere,” he said.

Kinnon said the option to build a purposebuilt boat from scratch would have been a lot cheaper, but it didn’t meet his vision for the Longreach-based tourism operation to ‘remain true to history’.

“When I found out the Pride of the Murray was looking for a new home, I knew I’d found a genuine outback pioneering artefact we just had to preserve,” he said.

“The only problem – this perfect piece of Australian history is giant and 1,750 kilometres from Longreach.”

The Outback Pioneers’ haulage team

A Drake tailer helps to move the Pride of the Murray.

said the age and construction of the vessel means that it can only be out of the water for a maximum of seven days, before the timber begins to shrink.

Freightlancer’s Warrick Corney has been given the task of co-ordinating the logistics of the move, which he says is no ordinary job.

“This is not a move that has ever been attempted before in Australia,” he said.

“However, the Kinnon’s have that true pioneering spirit in spades and are so dedicated to history conservation we’re going to make the impossible, possible.”

The convoy will be supported by police and pilot vehicles and can only travel during daylight hours, so it will stop overnight in regional towns along the way.

“It’s big machinery but a delicate operation, so the maximum speed of travel is 80km/hour, it will also be tall, so we negotiated to have crews from each electrical company travel with us along the way to lift up power lines as we come through areas where they are low,” he said.

“We are putting a 100-old-year vessel like Noah’s Ark on a truck and bringing it to the outback of Australia,” he said.

The vessel will be restored in Longreach over the coming months and is expected to be operational in June.

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Albanese to fix Bruce Highway The Albanese Labor Government has announced that it will be building a better Bruce Highway, following the Prime Minister’s first week in office.

The government aims to get locals home sooner and safer by expanding the Queensland highway from six to eight lanes between Anzac Avenue and Uhlmann Road.

The Albanese Labor Government will be partnering with the Palaszczuk Government to invest a further $586.4 million to deliver the $733 million upgrade to get trucks and cars moving again.

Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, said the project would come with a variety of benefits to people in Queensland.

“Building better roads means jobs for Queenslanders, increased productivity as people and freight are moved around quicker, and a safer journey for people returning home from work,” he said.

“I want to be a Prime Minister who builds things.”

During construction, the project will support 535 direct jobs and, when complete, is expected to deliver time savings, improved safety, greater freight reliability and flood immunity improvements.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Bruce Highway is the economic artery of Queensland which requires a much-needed upgrade.

“We welcome this boost to the Bruce, which will mean quicker, safer trips between Caboolture and Brisbane, and up to the Sunshine Coast, as we build towards the Olympics,” she said.

“It’s clear Anthony Albanese gets Queensland and will work together with us to deliver the infrastructure our growing state needs for the future.”

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Access to heavy vehicle farm gate made permanent Farmers and freight operators in New South Wales will now be able to move produce from the farm gate to market more easily, as Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, announced the Farm Gate Access network will become permanent.

Farraway said following a successful trial in six pilot areas across NSW, making the network permanent will improve access to local roads for heavy vehicles, by reducing the need to apply for access permits.

“The trial of the Farm Gate Access network has been a success for both industry and local government, and provides councils better insight into freight movements on their roads,” he said.

“Modern heavy vehicles are fitted with telematics which provides both the operators and councils an accurate picture of their movement and can be used to base road upgrade priorities on.”

Farraway said the scheme will significantly benefit farmer and transport operators, with more councils expected to come onboard.

“With the trial becoming permanent, we expect more councils to take advantage of what telematics data can offer which will drive productivity improvement in our regions,” he said.

Livestock Bulk & Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) President, Paul Pulver, said the organisation is proud to be part of the change.

“The NSW Farm Gate Access Network will increase productivity and economy of task for transporters and deliver strong safety benefits for local communities by reducing the number of freight movements and reducing the cost of business,” he said.

“Less road movements, less pollution, lower operating costs equals safer roads, better loads and less red tape.”

Currently, there are 12 regional councils across NSW and over 135 vehicles participating in the initiative. The councils participating are: • Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council • Leeton Shire Council • Wagga Wagga City Council • Berrigan Shire Council • Hay Shire Council • Liverpool Plains Shire Council • Coolamon Shire Council • Gunnedah Shire Council • Junee Shire Council • Narrandera Shire Council • Tamworth Regional Council • Temora Shire Council

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News

R&D facility investment of $5.7M supports EV innovation in Mackay Australia Post partners with DeadlyScience National courier, Australia Post, has partnered with DeadlyScience, a notfor-profit Indigenous charity.

Australia Post will leverage its network to deliver Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) books and materials to First Nations communities across the country.

DeadlyScience, founded in 2018

by Corey Tutt, celebrates Australia’s first scientists, First Nations people – and works to empower Indigenous students in schools today to discover STEM pathways through innovative programs.

Australia Post EGM Community, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement, Tanny Mangos, said the new partnership with DeadlyScience builds on the company’s literacy commitment and focus in Indigenous communities.

“Our partnership with DeadlyScience includes delivering science books and education materials to over 390 schools across Australia and supporting a National Science Week campaign in August,” he said.

The partnership complements Australia Post’s work with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation where it has helped deliver more than 280,000 books to children in 325 remote Indigenous Communities since 2020.

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The Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) in Mackay, Queensland, is expanding to support the new economy minerals sector which is vital to emerging energy technologies including electric vehicles and long-life batteries.

An allocation of $5.7 million from the 2022-23 State Budget, according to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick, will fund a new future industries development hub at the centre over the next three years.

“This is a major win for our resources sector, for our regions, and for regional jobs of tomorrow,” said Dick.

“Our government is a strong supporter of the RCOE, having put in more than half the $7 million investment that made this centre a reality.

“The new funding will allow Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence to increase their work within the new economy minerals sector.

“It will ensure we have the skilled workforce and sharpest minds working in our mines.

“New economy minerals will be in demand for decades to come, and Queensland has world-class deposits, particularly in our north.

“A strong new economy minerals sector, supported by Mackay’s Resources Centre of Excellence, will generate more prosperity for our state.”

Last November the Palaszczuk Government committed at least $10 million towards a common-user new economy mineral processing plant in Townsville, initially for vanadium miners.

A number of new vanadium projects are also currently proposed at Julia Creek in the state’s remote north-west.

Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, said new economy minerals presented significant opportunities for Queensland.

“That’s why we’re making investments like this now, to ensure a strong future for our resources sector,” said Stewart.

“Whether that’s in infrastructure such as the vanadium processing plant or with this future industries development hub, these are down payments on high-skill, well-paid jobs, particularly in regional Queensland.

“Our government’s vision is to mine, process and manufacture these minerals here in Queensland, taking them all the way from pit to product.

“From copper and bauxite/alumina to silica, vanadium and cobalt, we want to maximise our minerals for the benefit of every Queenslander.”

RCOE CEO, Steven Boxall, said it’s been an absolute pleasure working with the Queensland Government to deliver and activate the Resources Centre of Excellence Stage 1, which is focused on supporting the traditional resources sector.

“We are extremely excited at now being able to implement the RCOE Stage 2: Future Industries Hub, to capture, incubate and grow the industries of the future, putting both our region and Queensland in the box seat to drive low carbon innovation,” said Boxall.

“The METS sector in Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday has the skills and experience to transition and support the emerging new economy minerals sector, which will help secure jobs for the future and our regional economy.”

Expansion of the resources centre is one of the new economy minerals proposals in the Palaszczuk Government’s draft 30-year-plan for the resources industry.

The Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan is currently being finalised after public consultation.

Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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As if that’s not enough, the Vector 1550 unit’s low fuel consumption reduces its overall carbon impact by up to 19 percent compared to conventional systems, the equivalent of removing 2.8 tons of CO2 per unit per year.

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News

Design work on the Newell Highway and Oxley Highway intersection has begun, with the $1.7 billion upgrade expected to improve safety and traffic flow for high productivity heavy vehicles.

The detailed design is due to be finalised later this year before a contract is awarded to carry out the work in like 2024.

New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, said

the major road improvement will achieve better freight efficiency.

“The Newell Highway is the freight backbone of NSW and this upgrade will improve travel efficiency for all road users,” he said. “In particular, it will provide better access for heavy vehicles travelling between major rural routes and economic centres.”

“This upgrade will deliver noticeable

benefits for both the agriculture and mining industries in terms of travel time savings and reducing heavy vehicle trips and operating costs.”

Farraway said the existing intersection is a T junction, which gives priority to Oxley Highway’s traffic over the Newell Highway traffic. According to him, the aim of the design work is to improve travel time and reduce the risk of crashing at the location.

“These are important pieces of infrastructure that are critical to improving daily life for our truckies and other motorists using our roads,” he said.

The Australian Government has committed $32 million along with the NSW Government’s $8 million to achieve the design and planning requirements.

“We will continue to work collaboratively to analyse traffic volumes to ensure we have the best treatments for the most efficient use of this important part of the NSW road network, to ensure the best outcomes for all road users,” he said.

Construction is due to start in early 2025, with hopes of opening the intersection to traffic by mid-2026.

Roads Australia announces 2022 John Shaw Medal winner

Roads Australia (RA) has announced Louise McCormick, the Northern Territory’s first Infrastructure Commissioner, as the winner of the 2022 John Shaw Medal.

McCormick was formally presented with the medal during this year’s John Shaw Dinner in Melbourne, which saw more than 800 industry participants attend the event.

According to RA, a winner’s contribution must be judged to be of outstanding national or international significance, of unique value to the industry and to the community, and reflect original and personal endeavour.

Nominees are also assessed on the extent to which their contribution is likely to endure and be remembered by future generations.

Roads Australia said McCormick’s impact throughout Northern Australia has been incredibly significant.

“As the Northern Territory’s Infrastructure Commissioner, her leadership benefits the entire community and economy,

making the Northern Territory safer, more accessible and better able to do business,” RA said in a statement. “She takes a whole-of-region view to ensure transport systems work together to lift productivity, enhance community amenity and create jobs.”

“Throughout her career, Louise has nurtured meaningful and enduring relationships with stakeholders including industry and peak bodies, other jurisdictional colleagues, Aboriginal Land Councils and Traditional Owners.”

The John Shaw Medal is named in honour of John (J.A.L.) Shaw, Commissioner of the NSW Department of Main Roads from 1962 to 1967 and the longest-serving President of RA’s forerunner organisation, the Australian Road Federation.

McCormick is now the second woman to win the award, and is its first Northern Territory-based recipient.

Hwy upgrade to boost B-triple access

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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News

PBS win for NSW operators Improved Performance-Based Standards (PBS) processes will enable more productive heavy vehicle combinations to travel along Kamilaroi Highway.

The new method for assessing rail level crossings will enhance safety and productivity as longer and more productive heavy vehicles will now be able to use the Kamilaroi Highway in their travels, saving them at least an hour in their routes.

This means Australia’s heavy vehicle industry will be able to match the right vehicles to the right tasks, while bringing other long-term benefits to the equation such as significant savings when assessing the need to upgrade existing rail level crossings.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, said the highway is now open to 30-metre PBS Level 2B vehicles, better connecting the state’s agricultural land to domestic and international markets.

“Up until now, two rail level crossings at Werris Creek and Curlewis prohibited access to 26 to 30-metrelong heavy vehicles along this route, adding 50 kilometres to the journey,” he said.

“These two rail level crossings were the only thing standing in the way of end-to-end access for safer, more efficient and sustainable heavy vehicles.”

Farraway said that by allowing longer, more productive heavy vehicles on the key route – without compromising on safety, means there will be less heavy vehicles on the road.

“It is an opportunity to innovate with vehicle design and road management to greatly enhance productivity, improve safety performance while minimising impacts on the environment and road infrastructure,” he said.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Mainfreight smashes record, commits to growth in Australia Passion and an energy to deliver helped the Mainfreight group achieve its best results ever.

The transport and logistics company, based in New Zealand, reported a total revenue of $5.22 billion NZD (up 47.2 per cent, $1.67 billion NZD), profit before tax of $489.4 million NZD (up 86.5 per cent, $227 million NZD) and a net profit of $355.4 million NZD (up 88.9 per cent, $167.3 million NZD) for the 12 months ended 31 March 2022.

Mainfreight is pleased with this result in light of ongoing supply chain disruptions and pandemic-enforced lockdowns.

“While the result includes a significant increase in contribution from our Air & Ocean division across the world, we have also seen increased contributions to profitability and growth in domestic Warehousing and Transport across our global network,” the company said in a statement.

“All five regions saw increased sales growth and profitability. Net profit after tax from our businesses outside of New Zealand now exceeds 72 per cent of the group total.”

An increase in consumer spend, inflated shipping and air freight costs, new customers attracted to the delivery of high quality logistics and the entrepreneurial spirit of Mainfreight staff to find solutions in the face of

unprecedented disruption helped to boost the company’s financial performance.

In Australia, revenue was $1.18 billion AUD (up 34 per cent, $299.9 million AUD) and profit before tax was $107.5 million AUD (up 50.3 per cent, $36 million).

Mainfreight continues to develop and invest in its growth in Australia.

“We continue to gain market share and see improved volume growth across all three core products,” the company said in a statement.

“Four new branches have been opened, with another six planned for 2023 ranging from Mackay in the north to Tasmania in the south.

“It is our expectation, in the short- to medium-term, that Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will have up to three transport facilities each, alongside multiple warehousing sites.

“Our South Dandenong, Melbourne Transport and Warehousing site will be completed by year-end 2022, and construction of our largest leased warehouse at Moorebank, Sydney has already begun with completion due April 2023. This is half the building time of an equivalent site in New Zealand. The new (and larger) Adelaide and Perth facilities remain under construction for completion in late 2022 and early 2023.”

News

built on hard work and determination,” the family said in a statement.

“Fred’s family business will continue to grow as his extended family continue the legacy.

“Loved forever, never Forgotten.”

Fred’s Interstate Transport provides a range of interstate freight services including the transportation of packaging, food, beverage products and building materials.

The team has facilities in Victoria, Sydney and Brisbane, giving them an excellent

coverage along the Eastern seaboard.

After establishing the business, Borg realised the benefits of using his own vehicles and purchased his first truck, a Kenworth K125.

He worked hard to expand the business and from this a substantial fleet grew and many blue-chip companies became long term clients, some that still remain today.

Borg not only invested in his fleet, but in his subcontractor base as well.

“His subcontractor base, some painted in Fred’s fleet colours, became not just part of the business but were treated like family,” the Borg family told Trailer. “Many legendary drivers also worked for Fred and the company soon established itself as a place that drivers wanted to work.”

After learning all the aspects of the business, Danny and Grant Borg took control of the business in the mid 1990s, with Danny being Managing Director and Grant as General Manager. In the early 2000s Danny advanced to CEO and Grant to CFO, a partnership that still continues to this day.

“For what I am sure was a proud moment for Fred, Danny and Grant, but in particular Fred, was in 2014 when Danny and Grant’s children joined the business to see the company enter its third generation of family members as employees,” they said.

“The Borg family continue to set the standard for fleet presentation and operations and are extremely proud not just of the equipment but of the drivers and staff that run the company colours.”

Johnson’s Truck & Coach Service has announced the passing of Mark Johnson, Director & Dealer Principal.

“It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of Mark,” the Johnson family said in a statement.

“Beloved husband of Jenni. Adored father and father in-law of Bradley and Renee, Karlee and Ben, Ashley and Sophie, Cody and Dayne. Treasured Poppy of Alexandra, Ava and Ted. Loved by all his extended family.”

The team at Johnson’s Truck & Coach have also thanked everyone for the calls, messages and kindness people have sent and offered over the last few days.

“We want to reassure all our customers, suppliers and friends that this family business which Mark has built from the ground up by working hard and tirelessly

over the last 40 years will be a priority for our family to continue its growth and success for him into the future,” said Johnsons Truck & Coach Service.

Long time business associate, Christopher Davis also shared his deepest sympathy for the Johnson family.

“While my relationship was centred around business with Mark, we always had great conversations, like when we discussed Indy 500, which he gleefully shared every detail and announced that this was also the best event he has ever attended, higher than any AFL grand final and any music concert,” he said.

“We were always 90 per cent pleasure and 10 per cent business every time we met. I admired that about him and will miss him.”

Frederick Borg (centre).

Vale Frederick Borg Fred’s Interstate Transport has announced the passing of Frederick Borg, founder of the company.

Borg passed away on 23 May 2022, aged 78.

He founded the company in 1978 with a team of owner-drivers which transported client products, and brought his two sons into the business – Danny in 1987 and Grant in 1989.

“His sons Danny and Grant followed their father, learning from the great man and building the business to what it is today,

Vale Mark Johnson

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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News

Truck sales on course for record first half year New truck deliveries in 2022 are looking to rewrite the history books for the first half of the year according to the Truck Industry Council (TIC).

The total Australian new truck market for May 2022 reached 3,777 units, up 3.8 per cent on the same month in 2021.

The result falls just short of the all-time record for May heavy vehicle sales, set in 2018 when 3,931 heavy vehicles were sold.

All truck segments posted positive growth over that of May 2021.

As has been the case, however, throughout 2022, Van sales were down again for the month.

Year-to-date, the result for the total market is even better, tracking above this time last year by 721 vehicles, up 4.8 per cent, with a total of 15,900 heavy vehicles sold to the end of May. When compared with the first five months of the record year of 2018, when 15,739 trucks had been sold to the end of May, sales are up by one per cent, or 161 trucks, showing that the heavy vehicle market is on track for a first half year sales record in 2022.

The Heavy Duty truck segment, again,

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

led the way with sales growth over 2021 sales, with 1,274 HD units sold, up a significant 21.3 per cent, or 224 trucks, over May 2021.

Year-to-date, 5,322 Heavies have been delivered, up 20.52 per cent (906 trucks) over this time last year.

“May was a strong month for heavy truck sales with all segments posting gains over May 2021,” said Tony McMullan TIC CEO. The Medium Duty segment continues to perform well too, just outselling the corresponding month in 2021 by 4 units, a 0.6 per cent increase.

In total 681 Medium trucks were delivered in May 2022. However, the year-to-date numbers look much better, due to strong sales over the first four months of this year.

To June, 2,964 MD trucks have been delivered, up a very healthy 9.7 per cent (261 trucks) over the same period in 2021.

Light Duty trucks were again well into positive territory up 14.0 per cent for the month with 1,329 sales in May 2022.

This compares to 1,166 sales for the same month in 2021.

In 2022 5,766 LD trucks have been delivered thus far compared to 5,250 in

2021, a gain of 9.8 per cent year-to-date 2022.

As detailed above, Light Duty Van sales in 2022 are really struggling, likely due to supply chain issues in Europe, the manufacturing base for most van brands over 3.5t GVM sold in Australia.

Van sales in May were down by 33.9 per cent over May 2021 with just 493 vans being delivered. This takes the year-todate 2022 van tally to 1,848, down 962 vans (-34.2 per cent) over the result to the end of May 2021.

“Weak van sales are tempering the overall heavy vehicle sales numbers in 2022, however the market still looks set to set a new first half year sales record, with just June sales to come,” said McMullan.

“The month of June is typically a strong month for trucks sales as we reach the end of our financial year and the signs are all positive that we will reach the halfway point of 2022 with a result that will rewrite the history books for heavy vehicle sales in Australia,” he said.

“These strong sales are a good indicator that business confidence is strong in the road freight sector as it is across most economic segments.”

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Economy

Calls for reform following change of Government

Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party has been sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia and there is a chorus of voices demanding change for the road transport industry.

Following Labor Government’s victory in the Federal Election, The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) is calling for transport industry participants to come together to attain genuine reform.

VTA CEO, Peter Anderson, said he is looking forward to working constructively with the government and stakeholders to enact the genuine reform.

“If we all work together and contribute constructively to the formation of an independent body, we will all benefit from the protection of universal standards,” he said. “With the emergence of the gig

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

economy and the Amazon’s of the world, now is the time to act to prevent a further erosion of standards.”

“There is a tremendous opportunity to attain positive structural reform in our industry under this incoming Labor Government, especially in consideration of its commitment to act on Senate recommendations for an independent body to set universal, binding standards to make the transport industry safer, fairer and more viable,” he said.

Anderson also called on the incoming government to correct the imbalance

created when halving of the fuel excise in the recent Federal Budget which was not fully passed on to the transport industry.

“Operators only received a fuel saving of 4.3 cents per litre because of their inability to claim the Fuel Tax Credit, which provides no ability for them to create any meaningful savings for customers and consumers,” he said.

“After wages, fuel is the second biggest direct expense for transport companies, accounting for around a third of costs. And with freight margins already wafer thin and operators facing higher labour costs

Australian Consumer Confidence 25

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because of driver shortages, the paltry saving cannot be passed on.”

Meanwhile, major transport industry groups, TWU, ARTIO, and NRFA have welcomed the new Federal Government and called on the rest of the transport industry to participate constructively in new trucking reform as committed under the ALP platform.

The new Labor Government has pledged to act on Senate recommendations tabled last year calling for an independent body to set universal, binding standards to make Australia’s deadliest industry safer, fairer and more viable.

The Senate recommendations acted on evidence from 150 witnesses and 128 submissions spanning the entire trucking industry over a two-year inquiry.

In the six years since the LNP Government tore down a road safety watchdog – despite its own report saying it would have reduced truck crashes by 28 per cent – and put nothing in its place, 1,061 people have been killed in truck crashes including 257 truck drivers.

The TWU, ARTIO, and NRFA are calling for industry-wide participation to make sure a new regulatory body is implemented in the right way so that it is sustainable and equipped to tackle industry concerns well into the future.

The industry stakeholders say the new Federal Government’s commitment to regulation will be welcome relief across the industry to address the Amazon Effect smashing supply chains, dragging down

standards and undercutting businesses through gig-style arm Amazon Flex.

Overseas, the Amazon Flex model of underpaying and controlling transport workers via apps and algorithms has already infiltrated trucking through Amazon Relay.

“An ALP Federal Government is a welcome change after the coalition’s persistent refusal to address deadly pressures in trucking, sending hundreds to their graves every year,” said TWU National Secretary, Michael Kaine.

“Industry-wide standards will obliterate the Amazon Effect smashing supply chains at every level. Right across the industry there is a common interest in the security of enforceable standards to protect jobs, businesses and lives against insidious exploitation and unfair competition through gig-style loopholes like Amazon Flex.

It is crucial that an independent body is established urgently and with the support of industry participation to set enforceable standards in an effective and sustainable way.”

President of the National Road Freighters Association, Rod Hannifey, said: “The hope we all shared that the Senate inquiry would lead to a better, safer industry will come to fruition. The industry came together like never before to support this inquiry in finding solutions to our shared concerns about the industry’s future.

“We need to see the same unity now with all stakeholders playing an active role in shaping reform.”

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Refrigerated transport equipment

Brace yourself, Schmitz Cargobull is coming

Schmitz Cargobull, globally known for its high-quality refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, delivered an A-double combination for ERH Refrigerated Transport.

ERH Refrigerated Transport is a wellestablished transport provider based in Melbourne, which sees the company deliver time and temperature sensitive freight along the eastern seaboard

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

between Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

Their fleet comprises late model Euro 6 prime movers, coupled to the industry’s latest quad-axle refrigerated trailers which can carry up to 56 pallets, with the

versatility to carry ambient, chiller or frozen goods.

Recently ERH added a Schmitz Cargobull A-double combination to its fleet, which is fitted with a Thermo King trailer

refrigeration unit, disc brakes, Electronic Braking System (EBS), dropdown bars, an anchor dropdown double loading system and underrun protection.

ERH Director, Rupert Smith, says it was a pleasure to add the quality trailer to his collection of previous models from the builder.

“They’re good. They’re light, they’re very efficient,” he says. “We’ve got 10 or 11 of them in the fleet, we’re just waiting on dollies from the other manufacturer to put them together so we can get them working. We’ve run Schmitz Cargobull for a number of years now, I think our oldest

one is probably six or seven years old.

They perform very well in the fleet.”

According to Rupert, he believes its most important features are its tare weight, thermal efficiency and safety.

Schmitz Cargobull is a world-leading manufacturer in refrigerated truck bodies and trailers due to its high-quality trailer builds, reliability and excellent customer service.

Fortunately for Rupert, he hasn’t required Schmitz’s aftersales support as of yet because of their excellent quality.

“I don’t know, because we don’t need to use it,” he says. “In fairness, they’re a good

trailer and we’ve had certainly no issues with them at all.”

While Rupert couldn’t comment on any gains in productivity or safety yet as a result of using Schmitz’s equipment, he did say that it wins the weight competition. He says: “They’d be the lightest trailer on the market by a long shot.”

Contact

Schmitz Cargobull Australia Unit 2, 221 Browns Road Noble Park North, VIC 3174 Ph: +61 3 8794 6600 Web: www.cargobull.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

33

Refrigerated transport equipment

Delivering performance advantages

Tasmanian freight business, Wynyard Transport, turns to Carrier for its refrigerated transportation requirements.

The operating efficiency and reliability of its trailer refrigeration units was a major factor for Wynyard Transport when it specified Carrier for its dairy freight task across Tasmania. The other pull factor was the customer service the business received from Carrier in the past, on top of a quality product that had proven to be successful for Wynyard’s application.

Located 60km west of Devonport, the seaside town of Wynyard has been home to the namesake family business for three generations. Current owners Garth Hutton and his wife Briana Hutton acquired the business from his father, Ian Hutton, in 2008.

The company currently runs bulk liquid products across many states, specialising in, but not limited to dairy which primarily

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

deals with the haulage of packaged milk where temperatures run between +2°C and +4°C. “Most of our trailers are used basically as a cold store, with customers loading throughout the day, and we dispatch the next morning,” says Wynyard Transport Managing Director, Garth Hutton. “So, most of our run time is standby. Our engine run time is 16 per cent of our electric standby run time. Our units are predominantly sitting on a dock, running on three-phase electricity, which just runs all of the major components of the unit.”

Wynyard Transport also take advantage of enhanced temperature monitoring and control on all of its Carrier-spec’d trailers with Carrier eSolutions telematics.

Apart from GPS tracking and temperature

monitoring, “Carrier eSolutions gives us the ability to download data and perform over-the-air software updates,” Garth says. “Basically, we can do everything from our desk in the office. That was an important feature for us to demonstrate our compliance to food safety programs when we’re audited.”

Through each generation of the business, Wynyard Transport has enjoyed growth and consolidation. Taking over two trucks in the dairy industry in Tasmania, Garth and Briana have managed to expand their company to include interstate freight haulage.

“Two years ago, we wanted to upgrade our trailers and some of our refrigeration units, so we did a reasonably extensive investigation on the different brands in

“

Carrier systems are reliable. We’re very happy with the performance, reliability and fuel economy.

”

the market,” Garth says. “We were going to run two different varieties of units and we ended up going with Carrier. The reason was because we’ve had a good experience with Carrier units in the past, our trusting relationship with Carrier Transicold’s Sales Manager, and it just seemed natural to consolidate with the one brand. We thought that Carrier was going to be a good fit for the standby power, it was a new unit at the time. It promoted fuel efficiency, but also internally it only had one belt drive driven in it.

“We thought that was going to be a bit more reliable for our operation. Carrier seemed to be capable of standby power on these units.”

The new, Stage-V compliant diesel engine with electronic engine control delivers fuel savings of up to 30 per cent.

Other improvements include considerable noise and vibration reduction, new APX control system, and an ultra-efficient evaporator fan.

“The Carrier HE19 units seem to be quite fuel efficient,” Garth says. “With the upgraded design we have seen a significant reduction in fuel. They switch from electric to diesel automatically, so once the unit is set with the program temperature, the driver just has to flick one switch. Once they unplug the three-phase power from the factory, the unit automatically switches over to diesel. Basically, there’s no input from the drivers, all they do is check the oil and go. We haven’t had any issues in the last two years. We’re very happy with the performance, reliability and fuel economy.

Therefore, we don’t see any reason to change direction on our purchases of the Carrier units.”

Wynyard runs standard Carrier units as the operational needs only require the one temperature control setting throughout the unit. However, as a future-proof request to set the units up for any other refrigerated work ahead, Garth opted for a multi-temp

host unit, with the provision to run multiple evaporators.

“Carrier systems are reliable,” he says.

“We haven’t put a spanner on any of the new Carrier HE19s so far. We are happy with the overall performance.

The Carrier Sales Manager was the one who recommended the units to us when we were still in research stage. We’ve received great customer support from the Carrier team.

“Although we’ve not had an issue with any of the units, the Carrier team contacts us every few months to check over the units.”

Contact

Carrier Transicold Australia National Sales: 1800 448 166 Melbourne: 03 8353 6100 Sydney: 02 9648 6100 Brisbane: 07 3216 4750 Adelaide: 08 8262 6535 Perth: 08 9353 4544 Web: www.transicold.carrier.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

35

Trailer builder

Triple A, triple the quality

AAA Trailers’ side tipper in action has shown Allerton Transport nothing but quality, reliability and safe working methods.

AAA Trailers’ new side tipper is ideal for carrying a variety of products from bulk commodity to raw material and mining products. The trailer has hinges that connect the body with its chassis, which are controlled by a hydraulic mechanism that opens them in its forward stroke, tilting the tipper and closing them in its return stroke.

The quality of the steel and welding are of very high standard to ensure the integrity of the cylinders, as they are put under a lot of stress from constant extending and retracting.

The side tipper also enables a safer working environment every time due to its low centre of gravity and dump variant – which gives the driver a view of the load while unloading, side tippers and Electronic Braking System (EBS).

Desi Allerton, owner and Director at Allerton Transport, recently acquired a AAA Trailers side tipper after receiving very positive feedback from one of his drivers.

“They were very reasonably priced,” he says. “On top of that, one of my young drivers had two of their step-decks cutting hay constantly for four years, and never

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had a problem. To me, that was a pretty good recommendation.”

Desi has been servicing the transport industry for almost half a century, after selling everything and resurrecting his business through another transport company.

“We had our own cattle station for seven generations, and we carted all our own stock with our own transport down in NSW.” “Allerton Transport goes back seven generations,” he says. “I resurrected the business again and started up a transport business. I sold all my transport. But then the love of the game and with plenty of work to be done, I decided to get another prime mover and I started up another business cutting hay and a lot of sidetipper work.”

Desi currently owns two AAA trailers, which were purchased in October last year

and delivered the next month in November.

“The trailer delivery was perfect,” he says. “I paid for it, went there and picked it up. I was very happy, everything was done that I had asked to be done, and AAA was very good to me.”

“Before I had eight or 10 trailers when we were quite substantial in the transport game,” he says. “I sold all our equipment and now started again. Now, I’ve got a AAA side tipper and a AAA 45’ step-deck, with another AAA tipper coming. I’m very happy with it. I would have carted six or seven thousand tonnes with it so far and I’m very happy with it. I can’t criticise it, it’s a good sounding trailer, it’s simple to operate, I can’t fault it.”

In terms of specifications, the trailer is 10.01 metres long, with a high tensile chassis. It features two JOST landing legs in line with Australian Design Rules (ADR),

along with dual spare wheel carries, heavy duty Fuwa K-Hitch tri-axle and spring suspension – both with full LED lights and a Ringfeder bracket.

“It’s more remote, the hydraulics are operated by a remote end piece, which you don’t need to get out of the cab for,” he says. “The rollover tarp is controlled via a handpiece as well, it’s just very simple.

I like simple gear, there’s less to go wrong. I can’t criticise the gear at all, it’s very satisfactory.”

Desi says AAA have a positive reputation in the industry, as his AAA trailers have caught the eye of people who have seen his fleet.

“I think their reputation is better, because their equipment is getting better,” he says. “I’ve had a lot of interest from people who’ve seen what I’ve got and have gone on and rung AAA. I don’t know whether they’ve done a deal, but they were very interested.”

In terms of his problems with AAA trailers, there are none.

“I’ve had no call to need aftersales, because I haven’t actually had any problems,” he says. “There shouldn’t be a problem at all because they said, ‘If there’s a problem, ring us and we’ll get it fixed’.

“

The trailer delivery was perfect

”

Contact

AAA Trailers 159 Walker St Helensburgh, NSW 2508 Ph: 02 9188 3322 Web: www.aaatrailers.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

37

Trailer builder

Vawdrey powering Border Express throughout Australia

Australian transport company, Border Express, has used Vawdrey trailers for more than half of its existence to service Australian postage. xxx.

Border Express is a third-generation national transport and distribution services company which celebrated its 40th birthday last October. The company has been using Vawdrey trailers since 2000 to help deliver bulk and parcel express to Australia, with the brand taking up the majority of Border Express’ fleet.

Max Luff began the business in 1981 with his four sons, and the company has continued to grow since that day. It began by running its services from Albury to Sydney and Albury to Melbourne, but

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

since then has opened its doors to rest of Australia.

“My father started the business in 1981 on his 50th birthday,” says Border Express Director, Geoff Luff. “He’s now still coming to work at 90 years of age.”

In 1998, Border Express acquired a business called Marsden Transport which enabled opportunities in national trade and substantial growth.

“When we bought Marsden, it gave us the footprint to start running nationally,” he says. “All of a sudden, we go from just

being in and out of Albury to running all over Australia from 1 January 1999. Border Express continues to grow, we started off with five contractors in 1981 to today where we employ probably 1,500 people.”

Geoff explains that the acquisition also introduced his company to the high-quality trailer manufacturer, Vawdrey, which they have stuck with ever since.

“They used Vawdrey, so that introduced us to them,” he says. “We like the trailers.

They’re durable, we’ve got some of Vawdrey’s trailers that are over 20 years old. We have nearly 500 trailers, 90 per cent of those are Vawdrey.”

Border Express Director, Geoff Luff, with Vawdrey Australia Director, Paul Vawdrey.

Border Express’ relationship with Vawdrey goes back to 2000, and Geoff explains that their customer service and reliability is the reason why they have relied on their trailers for more than two decades.

“We’ve got a very good relationship with Paul Vawdrey as well as the staff,” he says.

“Paul looks after us very well, so we’re just very comfortable with our relationship.

They’ve always been able to work around our requirements and look after us. You have a look on the highway, everywhere you go, you see a Vawdrey trailer. It’s their reliability, dependability, backup service – all those things that go into a great product and service.”

By growing as a business, Border Express was also able to expand its depots. Geoff explains that the company now has 17 of its own facilities across all of Australia’s capital cities, as well as in Melbourne, Newcastle, Albury, Geelong, Mackay and Townsville.

“We’re looking where possible to set up our own facilities,” he says. “We

recognised some time ago that we’re a stronger transport company if we’re not relying on others to do our deliveries for us in the regional areas. We do as much to regional Queensland as what we would do to the rest of Australia and Brisbane. So, you can just see when you have your own network in place, how much it can grow.”

Taking into account competitors and other transport companies in Australia, Geoff explains Border Express has the upper hand because of its size.

“There’s not many companies our size

that are as strong in the regional as we are,” he says. “We’re originally a regionalbased business, but one of the things we’ve worked hard to develop is our regional network.

“On the eastern seaboard we’re set up to run our own line-haul and have our own agents throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. So, it gives us a very big footprint.”

Contact

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

www.trailermag.com.au

39

Trailer builder

Prestige equipment for four decades

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Prestige Truck Bodies is a leading manufacturer in truck bodies.

Its founder, Paul Williams, brings 40 years of experience to the table as he celebrates the successful milestone in his work.

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Prestige Truck Bodies was founded

by Paul in 1996, following his desire to produce a superior product. According to the business, he knew there was, and still is a desire to develop new body concepts and has transformed himself and the business to accommodate that niche.

Since its origin, the company has expanded to two factories which provide an endless list of body options such as

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

curtainsiders, tippers, flat and dropside trays, beavertails, colorbonds, FRP bodies, fridge and freezer bodies, and custom designed bodies.

Paul says that in his time he’s been able to contribute to the industry through his work. His innovative ideas have changed the way Prestige Truck Bodies build their products, by making them stronger, faster and lighter, while influencing their weights

and the different ways they can be built to make different components.

“I’ve been lucky enough to put 40 years into it,” he says. “I’ve contributed and I’ve also learnt a lot. I’ve probably learnt more than I have contributed, but I think the little bit I have contributed would have helped the industry.”

While truck body builders may all seem the same, Paul believes his business is

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different to its competitors because of its ability to try something different.

“We’re not afraid of having a go at something a little bit different,” he says.

“If someone comes to us with an idea or a design challenge, we really try do something a little bit unique for them and go above and beyond for our customers.

Prestige Truck Bodies Sales Manager, Jodi Lock, says the company’s main focus is to provide the Australian transport industry with a locally sourced, high-quality product.

“We make our own panels in-house,” she says. “We’re just trying to source everything locally, keeping everything as Australian made as we can.”

By committing to local production, Jodi says Prestige offers something that not a lot of other manufacturers can offer.

“A lot of the other body builders ship components in from overseas, whereas we build it all here,” she says. If a truck body is Trailer-July2022-AW-Scales.pdf 1 six10/6/22 damaged, you don’t have to wait weeks for a part or panel to be shipped from

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overseas, we can actually build it in-house, within a few days.”

According to Jodi, Prestige differs from its competitors in many ways. The company has an in-house VASS signatory and run a full production schedule that is updated regularly, along with repair agents across

“

We’re not afraid of having a go at something a little bit different.

”

the country. By committing to customer loyalty and high quality, Jodi believes they have a superior product in the market.

“We do have a superior product against our competition,” she says. “It’s our experience, and that we’re always forever 1:40 am expanding and trying to do R&D as well.

Paul’s always thinking of innovative ideas.”

“Customers can ring up any time and get updates on their builds, what stage they’re at,” she says. “We’re happy to have tours and customers can come out and view their truck body at different stages as well.”

Paul has welcomed his family into the business. Passing his knowledge onto his two sons, Jake and Nicholas, he ensures with his guidance they will be a main force in the business. His daughter, Tea’, has also started her role this year to assist his wife Mandy in running the office.

Prestige Truck Bodies is a force to be reckoned with, and with Paul Williams now incorporating his family to assist the everexpanding business, there’s no end in sight.

Contact

Prestige Truck Bodies Carrum Downs VIC 3201 Ph: 03 8773 0600 Web: https://prestigetruckbodies.com.au

Branding, paint and coatings

Attards celebrates 50 years of quality service Melbourne-based family-owned business, Attards, renowned for manufacturing outstanding truck and trailer curtains, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Attards is the leading manufacturer of truck and trailer curtains in Australia, specialising in the design and manufacturing of all types of curtains including the latch liner buckles system, the supa strap load rated system and all aspecs of fleet graphics.

The company was founded in Melbourne in 1972 and has since grown into Australia’s largest curtain supplier, known for its exceptional quality and customer service.

At the beginning, the company would repair and manufacture PVC & canvas goods with just one sewing machine, but has since grown to include state-of-theart manufacturing equipment along with leading digital print and traditional signage capibilities.

Today, Attards is still run by the family

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

half a century later, with the same focus on attention to detail, quality, and customer service in practice.

Attards General Manager, Shayne Kerr, says their 50th anniversary is a very important milestone as it highlights the business’ dedication to its work.

“This is important to us because it shows that we are committed and wellestablished,” he says.

“Being that we have been around for so

Fast fact Attards has a high focus on innovation and design.

long, people can rest assured that we’re a well-established company to deal with.

We started out by manufacturing tarpaulins and have continued to evolve over the years. Our prime business is truck & trailer curtains and fleet graphics, and that’s currently our main focus of business at the moment.”

Shayne says that by doing all of Attard’s manufacturing onsite, they are able to have a lot more control over their products and how they are distributed.

“We’re the largest supplier of sliding truck curtains in Australia,” he says. “We’re a one-stop-shop, so we do all the processes ourselves. We are Australian-owned and operated and use Australian-made products wherever possible. It gives us control over our lead times and our quality.

We can guarantee that everything’s done spot-on at 100 per cent and we can guarantee our lead times because we are in control, every step of the way.”

The company is currently equipped with

Fast fact Attards offers a nation wide service.

custom automated PVC manufacturing equipment, large format digital printers, dedicated vinyl cutting machines and leading-edge graphic design software.

Attards also partners with the worldleading manufacturer of curtain PVC, vinyl and associated hardware to provide customers with extremely durable products to withstand harsh Australian environmental conditions.

What sets Attards apart from the competition, according to Shayne, is its primary focus on the transport industry and the aspects of getting the product to the customer.

“We as business are solely focused on the transport industry. Therefore, we are committed only to this niche market,” he says. “We are dedicated to the transport community and we genuinely understand

Fast fact For half a decade, Attards has been involved in manufacturing and suppling PVC & Canvas goods for the transport industry. the importance of quality and lead times, which helps us stand out within this unique industry. The transport industry is our focus so we understand the importance of quality and turnaround times.”

“Whether you are a single operator or a national fleet, we are dedicated to give you the same level of care.”

Contact

Attards 108 Logis Boulevard Dandenong VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9791 9992 Web: www.attards.biz

www.trailermag.com.au

43

Branding, paint and coatings

The complete package A&I Coatings is an Australian owned and family operated business which develops and manufactures niche coatings such as polyurethanes, fluoropolymers, epoxies and membrane coatings for specific markets.

Since beginning paint production in 1985, A&I Coatings has transformed from a small paint manufacturing company in New South Wales to a globally recognised company, engineering high performance coatings for commercial and industrial applications.

To this day, A&I Coatings continues its tradition of bringing fully customised solutions to the steel fabrication industry by recently partnering with Park Group, a leading protective coating supplier in Western Australia.

Park Group General Manager John O’Shea has been dealing with A&I Coatings for almost a year and has

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

experienced a variety of benefits from using A&I’s two pack Zinc Phosphate Primer.

“

The finish is incredibly smooth, with a mirror like reflection.

”

“Since working with A&I Coatings we have seen steady growth in the manufacturing, agricultural and vehicle body industry,” he says. “The 560 primers

have excellent wet-on-wet properties with ease of sanding, exceptional drying properties in cold weather, and good film builds which have seen a significant reduction in the number of hours required to complete works.”

Park Group recently added a Vitrethane 640 Topcoat from A&I to their range, which John says has also reduced labour working hours due to its high quality.

“The 640 topcoat range is reducing labour hours due to its high coverage,” he says. “It also presents excellent gloss retention to finish, once again a very costeffective option for users, particularly on large scale jobs.”

A&I Coatings continues to meet industry demands and requirements across Australia, speeding up throughput times, downtimes and reducing waste in some instances by up to 20 per cent.

GrainKing Paint Manager, Lenny Trewarn, one of Australia’s leading grain bin manufacturers based in Cunderdin, Western Australia, says A&I Coatings’ products are the complete package.

“The Vitrephos 560 Primer enhances the topcoat and it doesn’t take the gloss out and when top coated in Vitrethane 640 high gloss,” he says.

“The finish is incredibly smooth, with a mirror like reflection.”

Fast fact Peter Edmanson from Nixons Engineering in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, is very pleased with the A&I primer and topcoat system for his vehicle bodies. He is impressed with how well the primer covers the blast profile and how economical the coverage of the topcoat is.

Lenny says he also likes the fact that he can source A&I products from Park Group and get consistency in service, delivery, and product performance on time, every time.

Despite rising supply chain issues and demands in production lines, A&I Coatings’ foothold and performance remains strong

as they continue to deliver much needed supplies to the vehicle body manufacturing industry on time, giving certainty and assurance to the industry.

Contact

Bill Chesterfield A&I Coatings 7 Lacky Road, Moss Vale, NSW 2577

Maximise Your Payload Capablities.

Grow Your Business With Airtec SmatOBM.

airteccorporation.com.au 1800 818 884

Weighing systems

Weighing up the odds

Elphinstone Engineering Chief Designer and founder, Graeme Elphinstone, details the benefits and future of onboard weighing systems.

Back in 1976, when Graeme Elphinstone first fitted a set of imported scales to a log truck in Triabunna, Tasmania, little did he realise he was about to revolutionise the Australian transport industry.

“You need to remember that the seventies were incredibly tumultuous times for Australian road transport,” Graeme says. “Vehicle overloading was prevalent across the board. But one of the biggest problems for truck operators was accurately estimating the weight of their freight. For log truck drivers, this was especially difficult because the weight of each log varies proportionately to the moisture content in the log. So, for instance, if the tree was fallen that morning, it could weigh up to 1.3 tonne per cubic metre, but if it spent a week or more stored at the log landing, the weight might drop to 1.0 tonne per cubic metre, as the tree lost moisture. Consequently, log trucks were more often overloaded than not.”

Australian made

The pursuit of improving the onboard weighing systems for Australian applications is something Graeme’s business has always strived to achieve. His talent to visualise more efficient workflow concepts and then implement products and strategies through a no-nonsense

Elphinstone A-frame tri-axle jinker equipped with weighing system.

approach to engineering led to the introduction of in-house designed and manufactured electronics into the onboard weighing systems they supplied by the late eighties.

“When we released the EasyWeigh Radio Remote indicator system in 1989, it streamlined the way drivers and loader operators monitored the weight of the load going on the truck,” Graeme says.

“For example, if a truck driver had to load

Graeme Elphinstone proudly holds a freshly machined loadcell at his Triabunna headquarters.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

themselves, they could take the handheld EasyWeigh remote with them in the loader.

Now they could see how much product they were loading without the need to return to the truck to check the weight. It was a huge productivity and safety boost.

Furthermore, the unit can read any truck fitted with EasyWeigh Trucks, and trailers can interchange without re-calibration.”

A few years later, Elphinstone Engineering commenced manufacturing load cells.

“The introduction of in-house manufactured components gave us great influence over quality control and improved the overall durability of our products,” Graeme says.

“But importantly, it allowed us greater flexibility to introduce new technologies quicker and customise units to suit clients’ needs better. Our EasyAir transducers provide a lower cost option for onboard weighing where it is not practical to fit loadcells.

“Mind you, these EasyAir transducers are extremely clever units with high accuracy and are very simple to install. In addition, they automatically take into account changes in atmospheric conditions and temperature when calculating weights.

By 2007, the evolution in our electronics

Tri-tri B-double in final fit-up at Elphinstone Engineering Triabunna factory.

Elphinstone low maintenance lightweight slider with Elphinstone Loadcells mounted on ballrace turntable.

Elphinstone EasyAir measures pressure from both sides of the suspension and deliver faster response times while automatically adjusting for atmospheric and temperature changes, then converts this data into a digital weight display in the cabin.

enabled us to release the EasyWeigh Multi system, which can display up to 15-channels.”

In 2015, Elphinstone released EasyWeigh Multi Reader.

“It’s a display system suited to applications, where a driver can monitor all axle groups and total load of the combination on one screen,” Graeme says. “We also launched our EasyView application for Android smartphones and

tablets. However, we’re still working on an iPhone version. But EasyView gave operators the ability to view and log weights remotely. As a result, we have two reliable remote read systems to suit varying operating conditions.”

Future proofing

With Elphinstone onboard weighing systems being spot on, every load is not guesswork. It’s easily achievable with

The EasyWeigh MultiReader, can display up to 15 channels. Since 1988 Elphinstone have developed and manufactured their own electronic systems. Their robust design includes the highest quality components to ensure they will survive in the harshest environments.

a systematic loading procedure and monitoring the onboard scales.

“We stand by our statement that Elphinstone on-vehicle weighing systems are the most accurate system available in the world today,” Graeme says. “If the system is fitted and maintained correctly and the operational procedure adhered to, then our onboard weighing system tolerance is +/- 1 per cent of actual payload.

We’ve certainly proven time and time again over 50 consecutive loads that our onboard weighing system can be within 0.5 per cent of the payload.”

Technology in this space is accelerating.

Elphinstone’s onboard weighing systems tick all the boxes for the TCA Smart OBM system (Category B), used with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Intelligent Access Program (IAP) for Higher Mass Limits (HML).

“Our current onboard weighing systems are ‘upward compatible’, which means that we can easily make software upgrades if and when they are required,” Graeme says. “Our systems currently communicate and supply raw data to in-vehicle units (IVU) like MT-DATA/Navman. So, for instance, if they make changes to their systems, we can adapt to suit their updates.”

Parts Availability

“In this current climate where equipment, parts availability and lead times are stretched out further than 12-months in some cases, our customers benefit because we manufacture our products locally and have a good reserve stock of spare parts on hand.” Graeme says.

“We’ve got third generation passionate employees working here at Elphinstone Engineering, and they’re fiercely proud of the products we make.

“If a log rolls and breaks a component on a customer’s truck in Brisbane in the morning, we can have the replacement component in an airbag out that afternoon.

We stock parts for everything we build.

Road transport is a service based industry, our customers are only as good as the service they provide, and we need to provide reliable backup support they can rely on to maintain the unsurpassed level of service expected from us.”

Contact

Elphinstone Ph: 1800 030 019 Web: www.elph.com.au

www.trailermag.com.au

47

Weighing systems

Take the guesswork out of onboard load monitoring Right Weigh’s Type B approved air suspension gauge, certified for use in Australia, is an easy-to-use smart on-board mass telematics solution for industry to keep on top of heavy vehicle compliance.

On-the-ground weight is displayed on an easy-to-read LCD display

Scale has simple two-point calibration and overweight warning feature

Scales can have one or two air inputs

Bluetooth comes as standard and works with the app to display weights on your smartphone

Right Weigh has partnered with V-DAQ to provide Australia’s first wireless Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) System.A part of the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA), weight information from the Right Weigh system is used by road managers and regulators to better understand how higher productivity freight vehicles use the road network. This information also provides road managers information to better manage the compliance of sensitive structures such as bridges.

Smart OBM systems are digitally connected on-board weighing tools. Smart OBM systems are required by a road manager or regulator. The system specifies Smart OBM in combination with an intelligent access application such as TMA. Both Smart OBM and TMA can be required for heavy vehicles operating under notice or permit. TMA is commonly being used as an intelligent access programme (IAP) alternative across Australia. TMA provides a flexible, cost-effective approach to managing vehicle access using telematics.

Telematics expertise

The Right Weigh and V-DAQ system offers telematics for compliance with permits and/or notices. The system is Transport

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Works on most tractor and trailer air suspension axle configurations

Certification Australia (TCA), and typeapproved by TCA. It offers a Smart OBM solution that is flexible, easy to use, and allows location and mass tracking. The solution provides the convenience of higher mass, greater access, lower risk, tag and go in 30 seconds.

It is a simple, plug-and-play road access solution that enables transport operators to seamlessly manage their data, quickly comply with new regulatory measures, and access value-added opportunities that boost profitability and efficiency.

“Users can view on-ground weight of their truck and trailer either from the heads-up-display on the unit or anywhere within Bluetooth range. They can also share that information with fleet operators via email – promoting a safer and more productive way to monitor and maintain legal payload limits,” Leigh Noske, owner of Smart Truck Solutions, says.

What does it entail?

The solution can be easily installed and operated – simply change towed trailers or dollies as your day-to-day work changes, while remaining compliant all of the time. The tracking option allows viewing mass data live or historically on

the tracking dashboard and creates mass trip reports for compliance. It also includes a new driver app that can be easily used to record real-time gross, axle, and tare weights from within the cab.

“It is a world-class mass and location tracking solution that also meets your regulatory requirements and keeps costs low,” says Paul Fenech, who is one of the founders of V-DAQ. “Get up and running instantly, and without disruptions to your normal business operations.”

Where is it required?

Smart onboard mass specifically relates to the reporting of mass data that is generated by a TCA type approved Category B onboard mass system or telematics device. It reduces red tape and lowers the boundaries to additional mass and access benefits for high productivity vehicles.

The legal requirements are different for all states and territories. For instance, Victoria has mandatory TMA or IAP requirement for PBS or HPFV combinations that exceed 26 metres, and a TMA with Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) requirement for PBS or HPFV combinations that exceed 68.5 tonnes and also for PBS Quad-axle semi-trailers that exceed 46 tonnes GCM

up to a maximum mass of 50.5 tonnes.

In NSW, there is no blanket rule for use of Smart OBM. However, new Higher Mass Limits (HML) scheme provides operators a choice between IAP or TMA. IAP is still used to provide evidence of nonconformance activities, whereas TMA is

used by jurisdictions to gain visibility of heavy vehicle road usage. Meanwhile, Tasmania TMA with Smart On-Board Mass (OBM) fitted to PBS Level 2 vehicle combinations exceeding 26m in length.

Since Right Weigh solutions are made in Australia you can be assured that they

can meet all regulatory and compliance demands faced by Australian fleets and operators.

Contact Right Weigh Web: www.rightweigh.com.au

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Weighing systems

Air-Weigh-ing in

Air-Weigh has been a major player in the onboard weighing space in Australia for the past two decades, and E-Max Australia has been a leading distributor for the product the whole way through.

E-Max features a comprehensive product line of scales and provides solutions for both trucks and trailers with mechanical or air suspensions. With expertise in advanced on-board scale communications, it offers a complete vehicle weighing system that will help reduce costs, improve efficiency, and maximise profitability.

For over a decade, the company has participated in testing, improving and working with Transport Certification Australia (TCA) and other road authorities, with a major commitment including TCA’s Category B approved system for use in IAP-M, Smart OBM and VicRoads High Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs).

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E-Max Managing Director, Phillip Carthew, says the company is very dedicated to servicing the industry.

“We have been providing advanced products for a critical industry for a very long time,” he says. “E-Max services the market with its Category B approved OBM products used in conjunction with all of the major telematics providers.”

The company’s Air-Weigh product is backed by a three-year warranty, and it is a single turnkey solution with no ongoing data costs associated with the use of the scale. The systems connect directly into any number of the leading approved telematics providers.

Phillip explains that some of its competitors require the operator to have a data plan for the scale system along with a required data plan for the telematics provider, which comes with disadvantages in the long run.

“While there may be some small cost advantages up front in going with some opposition products, ultimately often you will need an extra full mobile tablet or phone data plan to be compliant, adding thousands of dollars over the years of use,” he says. “It is important for the operator to fully understand what compliance of an OBM system is, for use in IAP-M, Smart OBM, and also for use in programmes such

Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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as VicRoads HPFV’s and across all other states. Our technical staff can help and easily explain how this works.”

Phillip says the system is equipped with both factory and manual calibrations, allowing user flexibility in the operation and calibration of the scale.

“It uses a secure closed-in vehicle network to transmit it messages,” he says.

“By using existing wiring and electrical connections in the both the truck and the trailers, it requires no additional cabling in the trailers or any additional connectors and cables between the prime mover and the trailers.”

He explains that the company also offers a Bluetooth option for those who want to use their mobile phone as a scale interface, which requires no additional data usage on the device.

“The app provides an optional ability if desired, to store up to 100 load information points which you may email from your phone or tablet if needed,” he says.

“However, when the scales are being used for programmes such as IAP-M or smart OBM, all data must be connected to and transmitted via the approved TCA telematics provider.”

According to Phillip, E-Max is always striving to develop and improve its OBM product to make it the best available product on the market.

“We look forward over the coming decades to continue working with the

road transport industry, which is critical for the growth of the Australian economy providing avenues for productivity in partnership with our customer.”

Contact

E-Max Australia 69 Acacia Road Ferntree Gully, VIC 3152 Ph: 1300 850 575 Web: www.e-max.com.auw

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Weighing systems

Mass management made easy Airtec Corporation is an internationally recognised manufacturer and distributor of a range of innovative products, including digital tyre inflators, onboard digital weight scales and spare parts. Eastwells Haulage relies on Airtec to load its trucks to maximum capacity on the job while maintaining compliance with precise measurements.

Queensland-based company, Eastwells Haulage, specialises in the transportation of bulk commodities – particularly grain – as well as recyclable waste and building waste. The Director, Mark Eastwell, commenced operations in 2004 following his 23-year trade background as a diesel mechanic and electrical fitter.

Mark says that the company began with just one prime mover and saw a steady growth for its next 10 years in the industry, until things started to pick up. He purchased his first trailers in 2005 and became aware of their special requirements, which lead to his first purchase from Airtec.

“With Performance-Based Standards (PBS) we needed to have onboard mass, and we found out that Airtec would offer that,” he says. “That’s why we stayed with them and went with the new type of gauges.”

Eastwells Haulage trucks can go anywhere around the country regardless of the various requirements from state

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

to state because the Airtec gauges are approved for these applications.

While Mark has purchased gauges from other manufacturers, he explains the

quality and service of Airtec’s equipment is like none other.

“We have had other gauges fitted to other manufactured trailers, and we had a lot more issues with them,” he says. “We have very minimal issues with Airtec and that’s why I like them, they seem to be rugged. The very few issues we have are easy to get fixed, because they have a good aftersales service. It’s easy – I post them back to Adelaide, they give me a ring and run me through, and they’re sent back up here. Whereas with the other ones, I had a lot of issues, it was hard to get repaired and it just wasn’t very userfriendly.”

According to Mark, his drivers love the product. They’re easy to use, easy to calibrate and come with a lot of useful options – which is one of the reasons why he’s decided to stick with them all this time.

“It’s easy, so that’s why I’ve stayed with them,” he says. “They’re easy to calibrate and our drivers seem to like them, especially these new ones with the in-cab displays and the Bluetooth.”

Mark continues to use Airtec’s digital truck scales because of their aftersales service support, and as he phrases it, Airtec Corporation works around him.

“Any issues we do have, it’s quite easy to send them down to South Australia,” he says.

“Their authorised installer is very good, he will meet the trucks on the road if there’s an issue or if he needs to do calibrations, he will come to our depots as well. They seem to work around us, so it just makes it easy.”

Mark believes that being compliant shouldn’t be hard work. So, his Airtec OBM system giving him the ability to complete calibration reports as per PBS requirements, was a no-brainer.

“They’re very user-friendly, especially their app, for the drivers to do weight

calibration reports that you have to do to be compliant,” he says. “That’s easily done now by the driver with the app. It shouldn’t be hard work to be complaint, and they’re very compliant – to me, that’s what it’s all about. The drivers love it, and that’s why we’ve stayed with them.”

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Contact

Airtec Corporation Pty Ltd 40 George Street Thebarton SA 5031 Ph: 1800 848 884 Web: www.airteccorporation.com

Trailer building materials/components

SAF-Holland to create global champion

Equipment specialist, SAF-Holland, has announced an acquisition proposal with Haldex which includes plans to establish a new global champion for chassis-related commercial vehicle components.

Haldex manufactures brake systems and air suspension systems for heavy trucks, buses and trailers. SAF-Holland has already acquired 14.1 per cent of Haldex’s outstanding shares. The new offer, following approval by all relevant parties, would see SAF-Holland become the owner of more than 90 per cent of the outstanding shares in Haldex.

For more than 15 years SAF-Holland has cooperated with Haldex across various strategic projects.

According to SAF-Holland CEO, Alexander Geis, going ahead with the acquisition could lead to an industrychanging partnership.

“With their highly complementary businesses, SAF-Holland and Haldex could form a combined global champion for chassis-related commercial vehicle systems,” he says.

The proposed acquisition has a compelling strategic rationale and would

mean the company could offer a majority of key components from a single source.

Alexander also says that Haldex, as their partner, would benefit from an enhanced one-stop shop solution throughout the entire product life cycle – from initial consultation and configuration to delivery and maintenance. “Together, we would have the unique ability to offer integrated mechatronic systems and smart solutions for suspensions, axle systems and electronic braking system modules.”

The combined company would also be able to leverage the top three market positions across key products and regions and create an aftermarket powerhouse with increased scale, resilience and profitability.

In the long-term their combined portfolio is expected to be very well positioned to advance in the digitalisation of trailers and trucks.

“In addition, we could expand our

international aftermarket presence and benefit from further improvements of our resilience against challenges in the supply chains driven by the increased scale of the combined company,” Alexander says.

SAF-Holland said the announcement marks the beginning of a highly regulated process. The acceptance period is expected to commence around 4 July 2022 and settlement is expected to begin around 24 August 2022. While there may be no immediate effect on existing initiatives, SAF-Holland believes that the possible new combination of both businesses will create substantial value for everyone.

Contact

SAF-Holland Australia 115 High St Melton VIC 3337 Ph: 03 9971 7900 Web: www.safholland.com.au

“

Together, we would have the unique ability to offer integrated mechatronic systems and smart solutions

”

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

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Trailer building materials/components

Getting the most from BPW axles and brakes

Ops Manager, Damien Van Twest, says as a small transport business operating from Rocklea, quality, durability and aftersales support are big considerations for DDS Transport.

BPW Transpec products give them all of that.

One of the business arms of Queenslandbased, DDS Transport Solutions, specialises in the transportation of fresh fruit and vegetables in Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs, while the other arm operates trucks and trailer combinations that run all over the country moving Porsche race cars. Both sides of the business rely on some of the best products in the market despite handling very different freight tasks.

“We are a very time sensitive company that works on set time slots,” says DDS Transport’s Operations Manager, Damien Van Twest. “We need to get to our destinations on time, and that’s why

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we use the best vehicles and vehicle components in the market. On the refrigeration side of things, we run a fleet of MAN prime movers and a fleet of semistandard built MaxiCUBE fridge vans – all on BPW disc brake axles, AL2 suspension with Haldex EBS brake system.

“Our four car transporters are custombuilt by Graham Lusty Trailers, and also feature BPW disc brake axles, AL2 suspension and Haldex Electronic Braking System (EBS). The fleet of six trucks cart fresh produce seven days a week in an approximately 50km radius of Brisbane, while our race car fleet goes anywhere from Darwin to South Australia and Perth.”

DDS Transport purchased its first trailer in 2006, which was a used trailer and it had BPW axles. Around 2008, the company built its first new trailer using BPW axles and TSB disc brakes and everything that DDS has built since then has had nothing but BPW components. For the team at DDS, the performance and quality of BPW is excellent.

“On our fresh produce side we do short distance and maximum weight, so we’ve found that BPW axles and disc brakes are the best combination for what we do,” Damien says. “We’re all about reliability and low maintenance and BPW gives us exactly that. On the race car side of things,

“

We need to know that our fleet is going to get to the destination on time and safely

we have maximum weight and super long distance, so again, the aspect of reliability is crucial. Plus, the race car operations are very time-sensitive and therefore we have stuck with the one brand that give us complete reliability, excellent service support and zero downtime.”

For a successful transport business, if the trucks are not moving on the road, they’re not making money. DDS Transport believes in it firmly and that is why the team aims for zero downtime on both applications.

“We need to know that our fleet is going to get to the destination on time and safely,” Damien says. “BPW axles with the new proprietary TS2 disc brakes have proven to be highly reliable with the best performance in its class. That’s why we won’t use anything else but BPW. Many other brands have tried to get us to change, but that is something that will not consider. Also, The customer service that the team at BPW provides makes buying their products a no-brainer, really. Evan McDonald in Brisbane looks after our fleet.

Evan’s commitment to the BPW brand and any service that he provides is absolutely second to none. There is no one else in the country, who I trust more than him to look after my products. So apart

”

from quality product that is dependable, durable, reliable, BPW ticks every box, but then the aftersales service is a huge tick on top of a great product.”

Contact

BPW Transpec Ph: 03 9267 2444 Web: www.bpwtranspec.com.au

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Trailer building materials/components

High-strength steel holds the key to future success

SSAB’s innovative high-performance Strenx steel delivers superior mechanical properties compared to aluminium, increased durability, better road handling, and overall design and production improvements for higher efficiency and lower operating costs.

The road freight transport industry is experiencing pressures like never before.

It is not just transport business operators who are feeling the pressure, but truck and trailer OEMs, logistics providers and other market players are facing a heavy load of challenges due to operational and regulatory demands. A study by global commercial vehicle industry consultancy Roland Berger found that trends like new logistics, electrification of commercial vehicles and alternative drives, autonomous trucks, and evolution of digital technologies will affect the market in the coming years. The 2018 report ‘Trends in the truck & trailer market’ states

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that technical capabilities and power to innovate are essential competitive factors that are gaining importance in the industry and will have the ability to make or break a business.

Currently the market is experiencing many uncertainties and challenges including driver shortages, digitalisation, inefficient processes, high fleet operations costs, and stricter emission standards.

As a result, capability improvements and technical innovations are becoming the norm for transport operators, truck and trailer OEMs, logistics providers and other market players. Innovation efforts are put into high-performing, high-strength

steels that can make trucks and trailers stronger yet lighter. Strenx performance steel from SSAB is one such innovation.

Strenx performance steel is used in trailers to address key challenges through the production of more competitive and cleaner running commercial vehicles.

Strenx performance steel provides opportunities to develop equipment in a way that is not possible using conventional steel. Strenx steel in trailers helps significantly reduce the overall weight of the trailer, which results in increased payload, fuel cost savings, lower life cycle carbon footprint, and an increase in the operator’s bottom line.

Strenx performance steel is workshop-friendly and guarantees optimum performance.

Trailer and tipper components made of Strenx in thinner dimensions compared to conventional steel are not just stronger but also lighter. This means they can take higher payloads, which reduces the number of trips required to move the same material. When the vehicle is unloaded, there is less overall weight, which reduces fuel consumption.

Lower fuel consumption translates to environmental benefits and a lower life cycle carbon footprint.

SSAB’s performance steel grades have been successfully used in trailer flooring and siding, in rear underrun protection devices (RUPDs), kingpin assemblies, drawbar couplings, and timber trailer stakes, bunks, and main load carrying structure (cross members and longitudinal beams). The most common grades used for trailers are Strenx 100, Strenx 700, Strenx 900 and Strenx 960.

Strenx performance steel is workshopfriendly and guarantees optimum performance. It has extremely consistent properties, ensuring precision and efficiency in the workshop. It is delivered with a set of guarantees for tight thickness tolerances, tight flatness tolerances and bending guarantees. These guarantees act as a safeguard for trouble-free production with every batch of material.

Strenx steel can generally be processed

by the same kind of machinery and technology used for conventional steel.

Another benefit is that using thinnergauged steel in the workshop can reduce the cost of cutting, bending and, in particular, welding because less weld consumables are needed, and weld speed can increase.

Apart from designing industry leading Strenx performance steel, customer support drives innovation in steel technology at SSAB. The team is passionately dedicated to the business success of each customer, which is why SSAB provides not only high-quality steel, but also a high-quality relationship built on trust. The team conducts local customer visits and offers seminars and development projects. It also collaborates with businesses to help develop products that are stronger, lighter and deliver more value.

Choosing SSAB assures customers they will get the best support they can get.

SSAB provides all customers complete design and development support. From material selection of specific products to collaborative design and innovation recommendations, production efficiency recommendations, specialist advice, and best-practice guidance. To ensure smooth production processes and help customers get more value from their vehicles, SSAB’s

specialists also provide support and know-how. SSAB’s workshop fabrication support includes recommendations on welding and forming, tooling advice and the provision of trial material for testing or prototyping.

SSAB extends its high-performance, quality steel offering to customers through its My Inner Strenx brand program that allows certified members to market their equipment using the My Inner Strenx sign on equipment. The mark assures customers that their qualified products have been certified to meet the strictest quality control production techniques and highest published guarantees for highperformance steel. It has been proven that products in the My Inner Strenx® program also have a higher resale value.

Italian trailer manufacturer Mantella has designed an innovative trailer chassis using Strenx 960. The revolutionary chassis is 145 kg lighter than its aluminium predecessor, and has superior mechanical properties, durability, fatigue strength, and improved road handling. The design made Mantella a winner of the international Swedish Steel Prize in 2018.

Contact

SSAB Email: australia@ssab.com Web: www.ssab.com

www.trailermag.com.au

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Trailer building materials/components

Knorr-Bremse leads the pack with EBS quality and service

Based on cutting-edge technology that is easy to use, Knorr-Bremse has some of the best braking systems and other commercial vehicle products on offer in the market. The products come with full service backing, with KnorrBremse engineers and qualified mechanics all over Australia, so you know if you encounter a problem help is just a phone call away.

“Australia needs to embrace advanced commercial vehicle technologies more whole heartedly and sooner. It doesn’t make sense waiting around until these technologies and systems are made mandatory by government or other authorities. We have these systems on offer, here and now, with exceptional manufacturer backing, and experienced service technicians there to ensure that the systems and vehicles are in motion again,” says Bruno Pisanelli, owner and principal contractor of Jevs Diesel’s.

Bruno, who has worked in the industry for over 27 years and as a contractor for 18 years, is one of Knorr-Bremse’s ‘prized’ partners in its TruckServices network.

The nationwide network includes a range of businesses including independent service centres, OEM dealerships, and mobile ‘man-in-a-van’ operations like Bruno’s. He joined TruckServices four years ago, but he has been working on electronic braking systems (EBS) for a lot longer than that.

Bruno specialises in service and repairs of all trailers and trucks, but he is trying to shift focus to just trailers and EBS systems because he believes there is going to be a bigger market for it in the coming years.

He is currently setting up his own factory in Sunshine West.

However, Bruno’s current mobile breakdown vehicle gives him the flexibility to visit a site and get any vehicle back in action in no time. TruckServices

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It doesn’t matter where you are, if Bruno Pisanelli can get there, he will.

partners are highly trained and qualified service technicians who are accredited by Knorr-Bremse to undertake hardware and software maintenance and repairs.

Like all TruckServices partners, Bruno has access to diagnostics, needs-based maintenance and repair services. Expert in all trailer configurations including single trailers, B-doubles, road trains, draw bar trailers and low loaders, Bruno can carry out complete diagnostics, perform preventive maintenance, and also retrofit existing trailers with the latest technology.

“Knorr-Bremse products are right up there in terms of quality and durability.

They have all the latest technology and are very easy to work with. Durability is so much better compared to other brands.

Where different brands have failed at an early age, Knorr-Bremse products last much longer. The technology they use is second to none, the products have more add ons than competitor brands and they can basically set out a programme for basically whatever you need,” he says.

Apart from braking systems, KnorrBremse specialises in dampers,

compressors, air treatment, engine air, transmission management, electronic systems, valves, air disc brakes, drum brakes, actuators, and tools and diagnostics. All these products operate in perfect harmony which enhances the overall competence of these systems.

“Knorr-Bremse products are excellent and there is exceptional backing behind it. Knorr-Bremse EBS systems make an astonishing difference to drives. Once people start driving, they realise how EBS fitted vehicles are completely different and much safer to conventional braking systems. They are suited to all types of trailers three-axle singles, to B-doubles, and A-doubles.

“We still have some hesitation in the industry when it comes to getting onboard with these technologies, but really there shouldn’t be any. Take a city like Melbourne for instance, when you think of these heavy vehicles passing through busy suburbs and how electronic braking systems, advanced mechanics and control engineering can help make the drive easy and safe, it becomes a no-

brainer to adapt these technologies. Then there are technicians like us to make sure everything is working efficiently.

“With Knorr-Bremse you’ve got the full backing of engineers all over the state so if there is an issue with anything, you’ve got field guys who know their products, and also the team of Knorr-Bremse there to provide support. Rob, Luke, and Darren are really good at the job. They have been around braking systems for a long time and if there has been any issue that I needed to work out, these guys have been there to give me a hand and guide me. Our aim is to get the vehicles fixed as fast as possible every time.

“Compared to EU we are lagging a bit in EBS adoption, but once we have installed it people will have much more safer trucks on the roads, along with improved tyre wear. ”We have this safety technology right here, so we should be using it.”

Contact

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

www.trailermag.com.au

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Trailer building materials/components

Bulk liquid road tankers fuelled by Capral grunt

For over five decades, Holmwood Highgate has trusted Capral for supply of aluminium products across its various road transport manufacturing divisions.

The Australian aluminium transport manufacturing industry is in an expansion phase and with an increase in demand, the industry is set to continue to rely on local suppliers like Capral for aluminium extrusions, sheet and plate. The shipping disruptions caused by Covid-19 over the past two years has strained the local transport manufacturing sector. As the country’s largest manufacturer and distributor of aluminium products, Capral has continued to ease that pressure by keeping up the supply of aluminium

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products through its six manufacturing sites across Australia.

“Capral has assisted us greatly in the last 12 months on critical delivery requirements due to Covid restrictions,” says Mike Reynolds, who is Holmwood Highgate’s Business Production Manager – Commercial. Holmwood Highgate is one of Capral’s oldest customers – a relationship that has lasted the better part of five decades. Holmwood is Australia’s original manufacturer of high-quality aluminium road tankers, and a market-leader in

bulk liquid road tanker manufacturing. Its fuel range features 1,500 litre mini rigid tankers through to multi trailer road trains, on highway and off highway heavy duty models, and custom-built models. It also builds specialised equipment for mining, chemical, and water applications.

Holmwood Highgate’s association with Capral extends back to the days when its Hockney business was part of the original Hockney Alcan enterprise. When Hockney diversified into aluminium tray manufacture, it produced the legendary ‘Alcan’ tray – the very first one-tonne aluminium tray. Holmwood Highgate purchased the Hockney business in 2000, but it continues to manufacture the Alcan tray under its specialised truck and tray body manufacturing division – Hockney Engineers.

“Since the 70s, Capral is the main supplier of our aluminium extruded products and a crucial part of our daily manufacturing. Today, they also supply to us general aluminium products such as plate, sheet and extruded products.

Capral has produced excellent quality products over the years. They have been very supportive in delivering our orders on time,” adds Mike, who’s role as production manager involves overseeing

the processing of client orders through engineering, purchasing/stores, and workshop, right down to final delivery.

Holmwood Highgate uses Capral aluminium across a range of its businesses, including mining spec liquid transportation specialist Narwhal Fluid Quip, tank and trailer accessories manufacturer Highgate Engineers, tanker specialist Hockney & Co, and leisure boat manufacturer Runaway Bay Pontoon.

“A very large percentage of what we make is made from aluminium,” says Mark Skinner, Holmwood Highgate’s Principal Engineer. “We’re dedicated road tanker manufacturers for the Australian market.

While we manufacture military equipment as well, our predominant focus is on fuel tankers. All of our fuel tankers are made from aluminium,” he adds.

“The quality of the product we source from Capral is excellent. Right from the beginning, the quality has been good.

Capral aluminium meets the necessary standards that we need from an engineering point of view. We manufacture based on specific standards that call out for precise aluminium standards and all of Capral’s products comply with our specifications.”

Capral extrudes a comprehensive range

of standard and custom shapes up to 420mm wide, 20kg/m weight and 16m length. Available alloys include 6060, 6063, 6106, 6005A, 6082, 6061, 1350, 6101. In addition to aluminium extrusions, the company also supplies powder coating in a wide range of colours and preform cutting, punching and CNC machining operations.

“With the effects of Covid in the last two years, I would like to think that Australia can increase more locally manufactured products. As Holmwood Highgate is only one of many of Capral’s customers, the Australian aluminium transport manufacturing industry will continue to rely on Capral to locally manufacture their products,” Mike says.

Mark agrees with that statement. “In our company, we manufacture a highquality product. It is a leading product in

Australia. As a local manufacturer and a family-owned business we try as much as we can to support local manufacturers and companies that we’ve dealt with for a long time. As Mike said, Holmwood’s relationship with Capral goes back decades and we would look to continue that in the future. We don’t see any reason to move away from Capral,” he says.

Capral’s manufacturing plants are located in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Meanwhile, its regional distribution centres support a network of trade centres across NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, SA, NT, and WA.

Contact

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

www.trailermag.com.au

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Trailer building materials/components

The Fifth Dimension

Safety, stability, improved turning radius and ease of coupling and uncoupling are among the many benefits of a truck’s fifth wheel, but this vital component requires regular maintenance to continue operating safely and effectively.

There aren’t many components on a modern truck that can trace their lineage back to horse-drawn carriages of the mid-1850s, but that’s the case with the fifth wheel, which was adapted for motor vehicles in the early 1900s.

These days it’s near impossible to imagine life without the ease of coupling and uncoupling, not to mention the stability and manoeuvrability afforded by this device. But as handy and ingenious as the fifth wheel is, it is not a set and forget component. Far from it, because the fifth wheel is the key point of contact between your rig and trailer, so bears the brunt of the loads you haul, day in and day out.

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For this reason, regular and thorough fifth wheel maintenance is essential, to avoid annoying and costly hitching problems, or worse still the nightmare scenario of a trailer disconnecting and becoming a potentially lethal object.

Performing basic regular maintenance will help ensure your truck’s fifth wheel remains in good and serviceable condition, and that your fleet continues to run at optimal efficiency.

To find out best practices when it comes to fifth wheel maintenance, we have approached one of the biggest manufacturers, SAF-Holland, for some tips on how to look after your fifth wheel.

In the case of SAF-Holland fifth wheels, it is recommended that maintenance is performed every three months or 50,000km, whichever comes first. The first step in any maintenance procedure is to thoroughly steam clean all components to remove as much of the old dirt, grease and debris as possible. Once the fifth wheel has been cleaned up, inspect the mounting and assembly. Check the fastener torque and look for any bent, worn, broken or missing bolts and other parts. Replace any missing or damaged bolts using genuine SAF- Holland parts available from your nearest PACCAR Dealer, or visit paccarparts.com.au.

Check the operation of the locking mechanism by opening and closing the locks with an SAF-Holland Kingpin Lock Tester. Ensure that the nut and washer fit snug against the fifth wheel and that the mechanism locks completely closed around the kingpin.

Once that’s done, use a water-resistant lithium-base grease to grease the trailer contact surface and the bracket supports, as well as the grease nipple for the locks.

Regular maintenance will help ensure your truck’s fifth wheel remains in good and serviceable condition Remember to also lubricate the cam track and pivot with a light oil or diesel oil. On sliding fifth wheels, spray a light oil or diesel oil on the rack and slide path.

The next step is to check your fifth wheel slide adjustments. To do this, first position the truck and trailer in a straight line on level ground, then lock the trailer brakes.

Release the slide locking plungers, either via the air operated switch in the cab, or the manual release lever on the fifth wheel. Visually check that both plungers are fully extended. If the plungers do not release, raise the trailer to relieve pressure on the plungers. This will allow the fifth wheel to slide more easily. Slowly drive the truck forward or backward to position the fifth wheel. Re-engage the slide locking plungers and verify that both plungers have fully engaged.

Remember to avoid using any fifth wheel that is not operating properly. If there is a problem with any aspect of your fifth wheel, contact your nearest PACCAR Dealer for advice.

As chain of responsibility laws bring heightened focus on quality components and maintenance schedules, it is imperative that fifth wheel maintenance is carried out regularly on your truck and trailer fleet. The PACCAR Part Dealer network are experts in trailer maintenance, and many are accredited through quality suppliers like SAF-Holland.

For more information or to discuss your trailer and fifth wheel maintenance requirements, contact your local PACCAR Dealer, or visit paccarparts.com.au.

Special thanks to Phil Crosbie, National Aftermarket Manager at SAF Holland Australia who imparted his knowledge to assist with this article.

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Trailer building materials/components

Boost workshop efficiency with Bendix IR heat guns

The non-contact temperature measurement gun from Bendix is an affordable tool that can help you determine if your vehicle has any potential braking issues. Here are some hot tips on how to apply it to brake checks on trucks.

Infrared (IR) heat measurement technology is primarily used to measure temperature of a surface without making any contact and also at a distance. This makes the Bendix IR heat gun a safe and efficient tool in workshop applications for commercial vehicle brake issue diagnosis.

With the wider availability and increasing affordability of non-contact infra-red (IR) heat measurement technology IR temperature guns are now an affordable

tool to help determine potential braking issues quickly, and often without the need for brake tear down.

IR heat technology is particularly useful in commercial vehicle workshops given the number of axles that trucks and trailing stock typically have.

A commercial unit such as the Bendix’s IR heat gun is calibrated and operates with a simple point and click temperature measurement and has the capacity to

Table 1 – Measurement example:

Axle

LHS °C

RHS °C

Axle 1

125

110

Axle 2

70

95

Axle 3

115

89

measure in the range of 0-500°C, covering most automotive applications.

Checking brakes on commercial vehicles

One of the most important considerations when checking brakes in commercial vehicles is to ensure that the brake loads are distributed evenly across all axles within the combination, this means that each of the brake assemblies are doing their share of the work, preventing overloading of the other brakes which can lead to excessive heat, brake wear and excess mechanical stress.

Before checking the temperature, confirm the distance from the item you are measuring is within the range of the device. Keep this distance consistent if measuring multiple items for comparative purposes for instance, brake assemblies.

This distance will vary slightly, but as a general guide 15-20cm is ideal, however, confirm with the user manual for your unit.

Before checking the brakes, the vehicle should be driven (preferably loaded) and perform approximately 10 stops from 8060 km/h to warm up the brakes. Following this, the brake temperature should be taken at the brake drum/disc, usually at the centre of each to ensure the same location for all brakes.

The next step is to compare the temperatures across all brakes. If the temperature between brakes varies by more than approximately 50°C, then they should be inspected for wear and correct operation.

R

m

Tips for measuring temperatures

When ‘heating the brakes’, the ideal temperature is 100-200°C this will clearly show any differences in operating performance. Brake temperatures should also be measured on one side of the vehicle at a time, as they can cool quickly – measuring brakes close to each will give best results. Please note that it’s not the

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

S L

absolute temperature we’re interested in, but the difference between brakes.

In this tri-axle trailer example shown in Table 1 (opposite), measurements were taken on each side, so each wheel side needs to be compared: LHS Axle 1,2,3 etc.

RHS: Temperatures show some variation, this can be attributed to mechanical variation and measurement technique, no action is needed.

LHS: Axle 2, 70°C is significantly lower than Axles 1 and 3 (125°C, 115°C), further investigation is needed on this brake.

Bendix IR thermometers have been proven successful in measuring the temperature of hot, hazardous or hard-toreach objects without contact, both safely and quickly.

Bendix IR thermometer features

Contact

Bendix Web: www.bendix.com.au

Temperature range: -50~500°C Repeatability: 1% of reading or 1°C Response time: 500 mSec, 95% response Emissivity: 0.10~1.00 Adjustable (0.95 Preset) Distance to Spot size: 12:1 Typical battery life: 12 hours Accuracy: 0~500°C: ±1.5°C, -50~0°C: ±3°C

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Partnership to enhance supply chain visibility Asset tracking and clever use of sensors is expected to change how the road transport industry manages physical goods.

Kuehne + Nagel and Chorus, a moonshot project at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, are partnering to offer select Kuehne + Nagel Road Logistics customers real-time solutions and granular, prescriptive insights into the health and state of their global supply chain and logistics operations.

Chorus is developing new sensor and orchestration technology designed to radically improve our understanding of where physical goods are located, where they are needed, what state they are in, and how they are used. The technology will be integrated into Kuehne + Nagel’s digital road service offering, eTrucknow, to provide its Road Logistics customers unique solutions, such as the ability to track the real-time location and condition of goods, with the goal of providing enhanced visibility. Through the partnership, Kuehne + Nagel and Chorus aim to generate learnings and insights

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

that guide the development of additional solutions.

Recent challenges in the global supply chain have illustrated the extent to which lack of real-time intelligence leads to unsustainable levels of wastage, inefficiencies, and revenue loss. Kuehne + Nagel and Chorus are working together to address these long-standing global supply chain challenges in road logistics. With Kuehne + Nagel’s century-long experience in logistics and Chorus’ radical new technologies, the two companies have started to develop unique solutions for supply chain management.

Stefan Paul, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Road Logistics and Sales, said: “We are focused on developing solutions for some of the toughest global supply chain problems. Our partnership with Chorus will enhance our capabilities to build innovative solutions,

further enriching eTrucknow offering.

By combining visibility with intelligence we aim to provide our customers more accurate, actionable and data-driven insights into the overall health of their supply chain down to carton level.”

Chorus General Manager, Suresh Vishnubhatla, said: “Supply chains are the backbone of the global economy yet the industry still lacks important tools and insights, leading to terrible waste and inefficiency.

“Disturbances in the systems lead to shortages, scarcity and unavailability of critical resources. We are delighted to be partnering with Kuehne + Nagel as these challenges cannot be solved alone and require strong strategic partnerships with organisations that possess deep expertise to improve systemic resilience. Together we hope these tools can help businesses be more sustainable, efficient, and productive.”

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Coming of age Vic Mix, a Melbourne-based concrete supplier, runs a fleet of hard-to-miss pink heavy vehicles across its operations. An eyecatching new 630hp Mercedes-Benz Actros is the latest addition.

Vic Mix takes transportation of its core products - namely cement, sand and rock — very seriously.

The Victorian business, which specialises in pre-mixed concrete for decorative, industrial and domestic use, considers itself a transport company first and a concrete company second. The fleet at current is made up of a range of different trucks to suit all projects, with revenue bifurcated between commercial and residential streams. These include 8x4 agitators, tankers and truck and dog applications that ferry materials depotto-depot and between quarries. A new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2663 was introduced into the fleet of pink trucks some weeks back for the latter task.

Its owner-driver, Daniel Venditti, fits into this broader picture as a long-time subcontractor who has been working for Vic Mix or one of its subsidiaries, for the better part of 30 years, having started out at the age of 19. That amounts to a lot of hours in the saddle, especially when appointed to do so, more often than not, six days a week.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

“I’ve driven Kenworths, Sterling and International trucks,” he says. “I’ve been in a truck for most of my adult life.”

The human body over that time can take a battering. To the point his last truck, an Actros 2658, provided him noticeable relief at once as a working environment and on overheads. Fuel consumption being a major one.

In the 2658 Daniel soon discovered remarkably low noise levels. Up until that point he had been making gradual upgrades through a range of ageing trucks hunkered over a clutch pedal. There were a few factors that helped convince Daniel to ultimately try out an automated transmission, Mitchell Hynd, Whitehorse Truck Centre, Sales Manager, was one of them.

“Quite often veteran drivers have to be talked into driving an automatic as was the case with me,” says Daniel. “Once you make that change you wonder why you didn’t do it earlier. I’ll never go back.”

Last April, after four and a half years of gallant service and over 600,000 kilometres, Daniel traded in the Actros 2658.

“There were no issues with the truck so his servicing was essentially paid for,” says Mitchell.

“Knowing Daniel was chasing 63 tonnes in the application, the Actros MP5 can provide him with the extra power he needs now that he has upgraded.”

The new Actros 2663 features the Euro 6 rated OM 473 630 hp engine capable of 3000 Nm maximum torque. Coupled with the Mercedes PowerShift 3, it enables fast shifting from forward to reverse and highratio reverse gears for easy manoeuvring.

On that front, the Actros is particularly suited for the access requirements of the sites hence the five-axle dog trailer which accords with this consideration.

“A six-axle dog might provide an increase in payload, but it won’t get drivers into the concrete plants, the most common destination for Daniel, who is in and out of these facilities, not to mention traffic, throughout the day.

“Cabovers, to compare, are much easier to manoeuvre than a bonneted truck in this line of work,” Daniel says. “This has also got the pulling power I need.”

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PRIME MOVER and TRAILER are Australia’s most-read monthly news resources for the commercial road transport industry covering all facets of our industry from bitumen to boardroom.

Subscribe today to get access to award winning reporting and thought-provoking insight – 22 times a year – from the most acclaimed journalists in the country.

SPECIAL OFFER Subscribe online today to receive both magazines for the price of just one!

Save over 50% and never miss another story from our fast-paced industry.

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XXX Industry icon

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When I first started in the transport loading and crane industry, everything was full mechanical

The man behind Border Crane Consultants Jason Barry started Border Crane Consultants with his wife Melissa in 2011 with almost 20 years of experience in the mechanical industry under his belt.

Jason became heavily involved in the transport industry at around 2000, when he finished his light vehicle apprenticeship and moved to Albury-Wodonga to advance in his career.

“That was when I was introduced to the heavy transport, so my first job in that area, I was working for Kenworth, Volvo and Isuzu at the time,” he says. “I was doing that while I was studying.”

Jason worked at a few mechanical shops,

Industry icon Made possible by Smedley’s Engineers. Industry Icon is a series dedicated to honouring the unsung heroes of the commercial road transport industry.

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

spent a few years at Cummins doing engine rebuilding and service mechanical work and went to an independent heavy repairer before going full-time on cranes, 18 years ago. He says the thing that has changed the most during his time in the field is the electronics – especially with the engine management systems and the braking.

“When I first started in the transport loading and crane industry, everything was full mechanical,” he says. “It was all mechanical check valves, mechanical limiting, and that’s 100 per cent obsolete now. There’s pretty much no cranes or loading systems out there now that are not ran by electronics with PCBs and ECUs and things like that.”

Jason says this was a very significant change, which lead to developments in diagnostics.

”

“From that, obviously that changes your thought path on diagnostics,” he says.

“So instead of being able to see what was going wrong, you had to then rely on more electrical diagnosis and computers and laptops.”

Jason is also an Approved Vehicle Examiner (AVE) for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), and he says there has been a series of changes during the last seven years with the requirements for having engineers reports and modification plates in Victoria and NSW. “I’m an accredited vehicle engineer through NHVR,” he says. “I do all the VASS engineering reports for VSB6, so over the years there’s definitely been a lot of changes in the standards to do with your VSB6.”

His efforts and contributions for the industry haven’t gone unnoticed, as Jason won the Craig Roseneder Award for technical & maintenance excellence in 2019.

“I was nominated by one of my customers from Mackay in 2018,” he says. “I was a finalist that year, and then I was renominated in 2019 and I was the winner. As a part of that, I got to travel over to Atlanta in America for their TMC conference, and I got to network with all the fleet operators, suppliers and mechanics in America.”

Jason says the award came with many benefits, as it helped him expand his knowledge in the transport industry.

“I started developing my skills and learning more in regards to the transport industry and that’s when I started leaning more towards the engineering side of things,” he said. “I’d been involved with the TMC for 14 or 15 years at the time. I love the way how professional everything was and the communications between the mechanics, the operators and the suppliers. I only ever missed a couple of their events, just due to other commitments.”

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XXX What’s on

Truck Shows & Field Days 2022 Pencil in some information on dates and venues of various truck shows, field days and road transport industry conferences both locally and internationally.

Got an upcoming event? Then let us know about it – email editor@trailermag.com.au August Victoria Mallee Machinery Field Days 4-5 August 2022 Mallee, VIC Visit: www.mmfd.com.au

New South Wales Nyngan Ag Expo 6 August 2022 Nyngan Showground Nyngan, NSW Visit: www.nynganagexpo.com AgQuip 16-18 August Gunnedah, NSW Visit: www.acmruralevents.com.au/agquip/ home

Western Australia Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days 24-25 August 2022 Dowerin, WA Visit: www.dowerinfielddays.com.au

September Victoria NBTA Bulk Tanker Day 2 September CMV Truck and Bus, Melbourne Visit: www.nbta.com.au/bulktankerday

Western Australia Newdegate Machinery Field Days 7-8 September 2022 Newdegate, WA Visit: www.newdegatemachineryfielddays.com

New South Wales Berry Small Farm Field Days 9-10 September 2022 Berry Showground Berry, NSW Visit: www.berryrotary.org.au/ small-farm-field-day

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Trailer Magazine JULY 22

Henty Machinery Field Days 20-22 September 2022 Henty, NSW Visit: www.hmfd.com.au

Germany IAA Commercial Vehicles Show 20-25 September 2022 Hannover, Germany Visit: www.iaa.de

October Victoria Elmore Field Days 4-6 October 2022 Elmore, VIC Visit: www.elmorefielddays.com.au Royal Geelong Show 13-16 October Geelong, VIC Visit: www.royalgeelongshow.org.au Wandin Silvan Field Days 14-15 October 2022 Wandin, VIC Visit: www.wandinsilvanfielddays.com.au

New South Wales

Murrumbateman Field Days 15-16 October 2022 Murrumbateman, NSW Visit: www.mfdays.com Deniliquin Truck Show & Industry Expo 15-16 October 2022 Deniliquin, NSW Visit: www.denitruckshow.com.au

Germany Bauma 24-30 October 2022 Munich, Germany Visit: www.bauma.de/en

November Brazil Sao Paulo Expo 7-11 November 2022 Brazil Visit: www.fenatran.com.br

New South Wales Illawarra Convoy 20 November 2022 Illawarra, NSW Visit: www.illawarraconvoy.com.au

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