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From the Editor’s desk
Future focused
The Victorian Government is looking to supercharge the state’s $36 billion freight sector through the release of its updated Victorian Freight Plan
The plan, launched following direct consultation with over 100 freight and logistics industry leaders, will target investments in new road, rail and port infrastructure in an effort to support higher productivity combinations which can move more freight with less emissions. It also includes shared goals between government and industry which have been intertwined to grow a freight system that will reportedly enhance Victoria’s ‘liveability and economic prosperity’. This seems promising for transport considering the economy’s current position.
“Our plan will support operators to cut carbon emissions – making the industry most sustainable and ensuring freight can move around Victoria efficiently,” said Victorian Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne. “This will protect and strengthen Victoria’s competitive advantage, maintain our status Australia’s freight and logistics capital and support our workforce of 260,000 who keep our supply chains moving every day.”
The State Government will deliver a $8 million Freight Sector Innovation Fund as part of the updated Victorian Freight Plan. This move will look to help small and medium heavy vehicle operators both trial and transition to low-emission equipment.
The fund, according to the Government, will also expand electriccharging infrastructure to provide operators with greater access to lowemissions fuels. This is expected to create new tools for industry to assess and track their carbon emissions – all part of an effort to encourage decarbonisation.
The Port of Melbourne has already undertaken work which aligns with the Green and Digital and Shipping Corridor (GDSC) 2024 agreement to cut down on emissions including progressing a feasibility study on
green methanol bunkering and working to establish Green Shipping Corridors with key trade partners. Meanwhile, the Victorian Government is progressing further work as it seeks to become the first Australian state to be a sub national endorser of the global Memorandum of Understanding for decarbonising freight transport.
Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter Anderson, applauded the Department of Transport and Planning and Freight Victoria for producing what he referred to as a “visionary and practical strategy”.
“The freight industry is changing dramatically,” he said.
“Decarbonisation is reshaping how we operate, and this plan acknowledges the need to strike the right balance – between community expectations for cleaner, quieter transport and the economic imperative to move goods efficiently.
“The team at Freight Victoria and the Department deserve recognition for their engagement with industry and their commitment to delivering a plan that reflects real-world challenges and opportunities.”
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Business partnerships, people movements, developments that bolster freight productivity and more.
18 Economy
The ALRTA has identified Australia’s lack of crucial heavy vehicle washing infrastructure as a biosecurity threat.
20 Trailer builder
Australia’s trailer manufacturing industry is as strong as ever.
24 Rigid bodies
Alltruck Bodies stands as a large-scale rigid body manufacturer with a strong focus on solutions.
26 Hooklifts & skip loaders
Bulk Transport Equipment has teamed up with JOST to distribute the Hyva Titan EVO Hookloader.
28 Axles & suspensions
See the latest axle and suspension systems from SAF-Holland, BPW Transpec and Fuwa K Hitch in action.
34 Trailer building materials/components
A showcase of the products and services that keep trailers on the move.
38 E-Plas Rigid Body Builder Showcase
The only published list of all leading manufacturers in the country that specialise in the production of rigid bodies.
46 ALRTA
The ALRTA’s proposed voluntary accreditation model could save the economy up to $1.1 billion annually.
48 Safety insight
Simon National Carriers has many investments and operational processes in place to increase safety.
50 Infrastructure spotlight
What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month.
52 World map
Are trailer refurbishments the antidote to current woes, while growing circular economies?
57 Fleet of the month
SLR Trans is rolling out a major order of 26 Vawdrey Iceliner refrigerated trailers in the midst of an exciting growth trajectory.
58 What’s on
Upcoming shows and field days.
Victoria 13-21 Bliss Court, Derrimut VIC, 3026
Tel -(03) 9369 0000
Queensland 1/15 SeeanaPlace, Heathwood QLD, 4110
Tel -(07) 3372 2223
Western Australia 5 Freight Road, Kenwick WA, 6107
Tel -(08) 9350 6470
Simon National Carriers launches multiple PBS Super B-doubles
Australian freight carrier, Simon National Carriers, has deployed four PerformanceBased Standards (PBS) Super B-doubles.
The Vawdrey Titeliner combinations are operating under PBS Level 2 at Higher Mass Limits (HML).
The units, each having a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 65 tonnes and payload of 48 tonnes, have significantly increased productivity for Simon National Carriers.
Simon National Carriers National Transport and Distribution Manager, Mick West, told Trailer the Super B-double PBS configurations have been able to move more freight with less trucks – also lowering emissions.
“It’s a win-win situation,” he said.
“The sheer payload that we can get on these units is incredible.
“They’re certainly proving to be good combinations for us at the moment.”
The 18-pallet A trailer and 22-pallet B trailer combinations are being used to transport
general freight throughout the east coast. Their operations are also set to expand into Queensland.
Simons National Carriers National Fleet Manager, Scott Horwood, told Trailer the Super B-doubles have made great impressions so far due to their exceptional on-road handling.
“There’s a lot of benefits that we’re seeing with them,” he said.
“The drivers love the Super B-doubles because they handle a lot better, especially around roundabouts, compared to conventional B-doubles.”
BPW Transpec axles and running gear have majorly contributed to this factor.
“The BPW Transpec steerable axles and running gear certainly make these units stand out,” West said.
“When you get something new, the experienced drivers will be the first to tell you if there’s something that they don’t like about it.
Linfox announces new national transport contract, fleet investment
Linfox has secured a new long-term national contract with DuluxGroup.
The business has been chosen as a trusted company to transport DuluxGroup products from distribution centres to retailers and trade networks in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Linfox will invest in a high-productivity fleet, including 16-pallet semi-trailers in each state, to efficiently deliver the products to construction sites, major retailers such as Bunnings and Dulux’s own network of Dulux Trade and Inspirations Paint retail stores.
Linfox Resources and Industrial National Transport Manager, Mallory Tucker, said the expansion of its own offering reflects
Linfox’s commitment to supporting DuluxGroup’s strategic growth objectives.
“Network stability is critical, and this longterm partnership provides exactly that,” she said.
“Our flexibility and scale allows us to provide tailored solutions for DuluxGroup’s specific needs.”
Linfox’s new contract with DuluxGroup builds on a strategic partnership which spans many decades in Australia and New Zealand.
The transport company has consistently managed the challenges of delivering Dulux products to complex construction sites, where freight can range from a small delivery to a full semi-trailer load.
Linfox has also supported DuluxGroup’s
“But our drivers are all coming forward and putting their hands up for the Super B-doubles. That’s telling us something.”
The four Super B-doubles join a fleet of 66 Vawdrey trailers at Simon National Carriers which are predominantly Titeliners.
Based on their performance so far, Simon National Carriers is planning to invest in additional Super B-double units.
“We’re always looking into technology and trying to stay ahead of the game,” West told Trailer
“You’ve got to invest money to keep your fleet up to date and moving forward.
“You don’t replace old equipment with new vehicles that are smaller if you can get bigger ones for not much more cost and have a lot more efficiencies. So, it all made sense for us to purchase these trailers and go from there.
“We’ll continue to use them based on what we’re seeing and how well they’re moving freight.”
industrial sector by transporting powder coatings, automotive and heavy-duty paints.
This includes products used to paint the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as the fleet’s own transport equipment.
“Our adaptability means we can quickly respond to DuluxGroup’s diverse customer base and freight profiles,” Linfox said.
Linfox and DuluxGroup marking the occasion. Image: Linfox.
A Simon National Carriers Super B-double. Image: Simon National Carriers.
Rio Tinto appoints new CEO
Simon Trott has succeeded Jakob Stausholm as CEO of Rio Tinto.
Trott, previously Iron Ore Chief Executive, has over 25 years of experience in roles across a wide range of commodities and geographies.
In his previous role, he strengthened the business, improved operational performance, reset partnerships with key stakeholders and secured the future growth of Rio Tinto with new mine developments.
As Rio Tinto’s first Chief Commercial Officer, Trott previously established the group’s commercial operations –unlocking efficiency and deepening strategic customer relationships.
In addition, he has also held Managing Director roles across multiple Rio Tinto commodities and geographies.
Trott said it was a privilege to receive the opportunity to lead Rio Tinto into the future.
“The progress we have made over recent years gives us a foundation to build on with discipline and focus to deliver improved performance,” he said.
“With our outstanding assets and people around the world, we are well positioned to grow value for shareholders and the communities who host us.
“As we move forward at pace, I will be listening closely to our shareholders, customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders to shape our next chapter together.”
The search process for the new CEO
was led by Rio Tinto’s Nominations Committee, chaired by Dominic Barton, and the appointment decision was made by the full Rio Tinto Board.
The process built upon routine succession planning work which the Board has undertaken over a two-year period and included potential internal and external candidates.
Barton congratulated Trott on his appointment.
“Simon came into our Iron Ore business at a time of significant challenges and has been instrumental in rebuilding culture, strengthening external relationships and setting us on a pathway for growth,” he said.
“Under his leadership, Iron Ore has become a centre of innovation for the Group, driving operational excellence, technology and operating model optimisation – levers Simon can now bring to Rio Tinto at scale.
“Simon and the Board are aligned that Rio Tinto’s next phase is about unlocking significant value for shareholders from our portfolio, driven by operational performance and cost and financial discipline.”
Barton also extended his gratitude to Stausholm for his contributions to the company.
“I want to personally thank Jakob for his leadership and guidance,” he said.
“I have greatly enjoyed working with him.
“As we move forward at pace, I will be
listening closely to our shareholders, customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders to shape our next chapter together.”
Reflecting on his tenure as CEO, Stausholm said he has enjoyed leading Rio Tinto during an important chapter in its history.
“Working together, our brilliant people across the group have built genuine momentum, setting out a pathway to a decade of profitable growth,” he said.
“As the Chief Executive of our largest business during this time Simon has been an integral part of the journey.
“I am certain that under his leadership the Group will continue to thrive and deliver value for its stakeholders.”
Lindsay Australia announces new partnership
As part of the agreement, Lindsay Rural will transport advanced biostimulant solutions to growers when and where they need them most.
“Together, we’re growing a more resilient, sustainable, and productive future in agriculture,” Lindsay Australia said.
Rovensa Next Australia develops a range of agricultural solutions to biostimulate crops and maximise perfomance.
The company offers a science-driven, holistic approach to plant biostimulation which is designed to help crops thrive
under stress, improve nutrient use efficiency and enhance quality traits. It also possesses a global network which houses 13 plants in Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and the United States.
In a statement online, Rovensa Next Australia said it was pleased to enter an agreement with Lindsay Rural.
“We’re proud to partner with Lindsay Rural of Lindsay Australia Ltd, to amplify our reach and impact – ensuring cuttingedge biostimulant solutions are accessible where and when growers need them most,” the company said.
Lindsay Australia has announced an exclusive partnership with agricultural solutions company, Rovensa Next Australia.
Lindsay Transport prime movers. Image: Lindsay Transport.
Simon Trott. Image: Rio Tinto.
NHVR puts agricultural operators on notice
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is reminding all heavy vehicle operators of the requirements necessary to utilise the Victoria Emergency Drought Network Pre-Approved Permit-Based Scheme.
The Victoria Emergency Drought Network scheme aims to streamline and reduce regulatory barriers for interstate operators transporting grain and fodder into droughtaffected regions of Victoria.
It was developed in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Planning, Agriculture Victoria, Victorian Farmers Federation and Livestock Rural Transport Association of Victoria.
NHVR Director Southern Region, Paul Simionato, emphasised the critical need for all operators to hold a valid permit.
“The Victoria Emergency Drought Network is a crucial initiative, enabling the swift movement of essential supplies to communities in need,” he said.
“We’ve made every effort to simplify the process, including waiving permit fees under this scheme.
“However, it’s vital that operators understand that while the network is preapproved, access is still subject to holding a valid permit.
“This is a non-negotiable requirement to ensure safety, compliance, and effective management of our road infrastructure.”
The scheme extends access to two and three-trailer road trains with mass limits of 84.0 tonnes gross and dimension limits of 36.5 metres in length, 4.6 metres in height and 2.83 metres in width.
Eligible vehicles must align with specified reference vehicle mass and dimension limits.
Operators are required to comply with the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) framework using certified vehicletracking systems.
According to the NHVR, it is also essential that they ensure ‘strict adherence’ to biosecurity obligations as hay and fodder can carry pests and pathogens into Victoria.
This includes meeting specific entry conditions or obtaining a Plant Biosecurity Permit from Agriculture Victoria which prioritises drought relief permits.
“We’ve observed some instances where operators might be misinterpreting the ‘preapproved’ aspect,” Simionato said.
“To be clear: this is a pre-approved network for road train vehicles, but operators are still required to hold a permit to access it.
“Our goal is to facilitate essential movements, but compliance protects our road networks, public safety, and Victoria’s vital agricultural sector from biosecurity risks.”
Linfox pulls off historic Melbourne Zoo transport task
Linfox has completed what it claims is one of the biggest moves in Australia’s elephant history.
Linfox was recently entrusted to safely relocate nine Asian elephants from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo, a 40-kilometre journey which was more than two years in the making.
Linfox repurposed seven 20’ containers to construct specifically designed and fabricated crates for the nine elephants to travel in.
A unique gating system was used to allow the calves to travel alongside their mothers for comfort and reassurance.
According to Linfox, this ensured the highest level of care was provided.
One of the containers was 4.4 metres high and required a specialised trailer to accommodate Luk Chai, the first elephant to be born in Australia and a father to three calves within the herd.
A specific air conditioning system was also installed on the trailer combinations to ensure comfort and safety throughout their journeys.
In addition, cameras were utilised to carefully monitor the vehicles.
Linfox worked with authorities such as the Department of Transport and
Planning, Transurban, Victoria Police and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to obtain necessary travel permits and to plan the optimal route.
This process ensured a smooth journey, with a green light corridor also facilitating uninterrupted travel.
“This was a really coordinated effort,” said Linfox Compliance Manager, Michael Stephenson.
“Moving elephants may seem like a nerve-racking process, but the way it was all coordinated across all teams was incredible.
“Everyone was focused on getting it done smoothly and safely.”
Linfox’s involvement in the project arose due to a strong relationship between Paula Fox and Zoos Victoria.
It required extensive planning which included sourcing the appropriate driver and constructing adequate trailers to hold the elephants in.
Linfox Fleet Manager for Special Projects, Mick Best, was one of the drivers chosen for the job.
He has been with Linfox since 1992.
“Linfox is proud to have been trusted by Zoos Victoria to relocate nine Asian elephants to Werribee Open Range Zoo,” Best said.
“Through collective efforts, the move went smoothly and the elephants can now enjoy their new 21-hectare habitat.”
Linfox President of Fleet and Procurement, Ray Gamble, said Best’s experience was critical for the transport task.
“Mick’s experience in transporting large animals including the delivery of Amani the giraffe in 2004, and the first big elephant move in 2006, was instrumental in the success of this operation,” he said.
The entire project involved three Volvo FH prime movers and three drivers.
Warwick Rust named new COO of Followmont Transport
Warwick Rust has been appointed as Followmont Transport’s new Chief Operating Officer.
The leadership update follows Ross Longmire’s transition into the role of CEO earlier this year.
Rust has an extensive background in the transport industry.
He spent 19 years at Toll Group in a variety of roles including Commercial Manager, State Manager Queensland, National Strategic Operations Manager and General Manager Fleet.
He then served as General Manager Fleet at Team Global Express for threeand-a-half years.
Rust expressed his enthusiasm to be a part of Followmont Transport.
“Followmont has long been recognised not just for its operational excellence, but for its commitment to people, partnerships, and purpose,” he said.
“It’s a company built on strong family values, and a reputation that speaks volumes across the sector.”
Rust said it is both “humbling and energising” to be entrusted with the opportunity to be COO at the Queensland family-owned transport company.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside a team that’s driven, capable, and committed to the communities we support,” he said.
“I look forward to contributing to Followmont’s continued growth, innovation, and legacy of service.
“[I’m] excited for what’s ahead.”
Two of the three combinations involved. Image: Zoos Victoria.
Warwick Rust. Image: Followmont Transport.
MLG Oz wins $20M contract
Western Australian mining company, MLG Oz, has expanded its operations in the Pilbara region.
The Kalgoorlie-based operator was awarded a 12-month contract with Rio Tinto earlier this year to deliver a range of bulk haulage and site support services for Western Turner Syncline iron ore mine.
The scope of work includes off-road bulk ore haulage, material loading, rock breaking, unloading, stockpile management and road maintenance services. These services will support Rio Tinto’s ongoing operations and infrastructure at the site.
MLG Oz Managing Director, Murray Leahy, described the agreement as a key step in the company’s strategic growth beyond its traditional Goldfields base.
“Rio has been actively reviewing MLG’s approach and performance standards to assess our broader capability to deliver services in the Pilbara region,” he said.
“In particular, they have been focused
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DHL Global Forwarding announces several leadership appointments
DHL Global Forwarding has announced three strategic leadership appointments in Asia Pacific.
These developments follow the retirement of DHL Global Forwarding Vice President and Head of Road Freight and Multimodal, Bruno Selmoni.
Firstly, current Managing Director for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, Christopher Lim, has succeeded Selmoni as DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific Vice President and Head of Road Freight and Multimodal.
Lim joined DHL Group in 2004 as Regional Account Development Manager and has since assumed several management roles including Head of Sales and Marketing for Hong Kong and South China.
With Lim’s move, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific Senior Vice President of Ocean Freight, Praveen Gregory, has taken over as Managing Director of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
Gregory has extensive experience in the logistics sector.
Since joining DHL Group’s Dubai ocean freight operations in 2008, he has held
several roles across market intelligence, strategy and product development and regional management.
Former Vice President, Global Business Development for Order Management Solutions and Ocean Contract Management, Bjoern Schoon, has taken over from Gregory as Senior Vice President of Ocean Freight.
Schoon is a logistics expert with nearly 30 years of experience in ocean freight and supply chain across key global markets.
Before joining DHL, he accumulated leadership experience in his previous roles at Kuehne+Nagel, having assumed key positions including Managing Director for Belgium and Luxembourg in 2023 and for Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar between 2016 and 2022.
Before these positions, Schoon held senior roles in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South China with experience in sea logistics, account management and customer service.
DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific CEO, Niki Frank, said Selmoni’s retirement after almost 50 years of service marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter.
“There are new openings with his retirement, and I’m proud that we have filled them with outstanding internal leaders, which clearly indicates our colleagues’ drive and desire to grow within our network,” he said.
“Christopher, Praveen, and Bjoern each bring a powerful combination of expertise, experience, market insight and fresh energy to their roles.
“These new appointments are a strategic step aligned with Strategy 2030 to accelerate sustainable growth, innovate our services and empower our teams.
“I’m confident this team will drive our ambitions forward, delivering value for our customers and inspiring our colleagues to reach new heights.”
Capral boosts logistics through WA acquisition
Aluminium specialist, Capral, is set to strengthen its national supply chain footprint.
Capral has agreed to acquire Comsupply, a privately held aluminium systems and hardware distributor based in Perth, Western Australia, which generates approx. $15 million in annual revenue.
“Comsupply is a well-established and respected business in the WA market, and this acquisition provides Capral with a strong platform to expand our aluminium systems and hardware offering,” said Capral Divisional General Manager –Capral Building Systems, Barry Lunn.
“We see significant opportunity to leverage Comsupply’s local presence and product range, particularly the QRK partition systems, to grow our footprint and serve our customers in Western Australia
and with plans to expand in the future.”
The deal is part of Capral’s strategy to expand its national specification capability, which may involve establishing or enhancing logistics channels across Australia. This includes road freight, warehousing, and possibly 3PL (third-party logistics) partnerships.
Comsupply already services more than 350 accounts in WA, so maintaining and
growing this customer base will sustain or increase local freight movements and warehousing needs in the Perth region.
“This acquisition is aligned with Capral’s strategic objective of acquiring businesses that complement and strengthen our core operations,” said Capral CEO, Tony Dragicevich.
“Comsupply brings a loyal customer base, experienced team, and supplier relationships that will enhance our capabilities and support our long-term growth ambitions.”
The transaction is expected to be completed following customary conditions, integration planning is underway.
Comsupply will continue to operate as a standalone business in the near term, with its General Manager reporting into Capral’s Building Systems division.
A number of key milestones have been reached at the Port of Port Hedland’s Lumsden Point project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Pilbara Ports has completed the causeway that will connect two new wharfs to an extensive logistics hub.
This one-kilometre-long causeway incorporates a 12-metre-wide road and pipeline and logistics corridors.
A further four agreements have also been signed with the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), Kimberley Marine Support Base, Qube and Toll Group.
These will allocate reclaimed land within the port’s logistics hub to the businesses.
AREH has plans to utilise the land to support its nearby renewables project while Kimberley Marine Support Base, Qube and Toll have been allocated land to support stevedoring and material handling operations at Lumsden Point.
To meet water needs at Lumsden Point, Pilbara Ports has awarded a contract to Digga Civil to construct approximately 2.4 kilometres of new water mains.
These mains will connect Lumsden Point to the water supply network in the Wedgefield Industrial Area.
“Lumsden Point will unlock significant economic opportunities for the Pilbara, including in battery metals exports and renewable energy,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
“We’re already seeing jobs created during construction and a range of businesses signing on as customers, demonstrating the benefits of this project for the region.”
The Australian Government is investing $565 million in common user port upgrades in the Pilbara, $450 million of
which will enable the development of new multi-user facilities and berths at Lumsden Point.
The projects are delivered in partnership with the WA Government which is contributing $96.6 million to the project.
The first of two new wharfs at the Lumsden Point facility is scheduled for completion in mid-2026, with the operations expected to start shortly after.
A second wharf is planned to be completed in late-2026.
“I’m thrilled to see this latest milestone achieved on the landmark Lumsden Point project, which will unlock critical trade and investment opportunities at Port Hedland,” said WA Senator, Glenn Sterle.
“With four new customers securing port land, Lumsden’s role as a strategic gateway for renewable energy, resources and logistics in the Pilbara has never been clearer.”
NHVR releases new log haulage Code of Practice
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a new Code of Practice focused on assisting industry to improve safety outcomes in the transportation of logs.
The new Log Haulage Industry Code of Practice (LHC) provides guidance for businesses involved at each level of the forest log haulage task.
Acting NHVR Chief Safety and Productivity Officer, Kelli Walker, said after several years of development, the LHC offered a practical guide for anyone conducting business in the forestry sector.
“We’re extremely pleased to release the LHC after working closely with the Australian Forest Contractors Association and the Australian Forest Products Association,” she said.
“These associations, along with industry representatives, stakeholders and vehicle and equipment manufacturers, helped to recognise key issues in log haulage, such as the risk of vehicle rollover, and load loss.
“This new Code strikes a balance between detailed recommendations and practical information, to help an industry which operates in many different environments, with different kinds of products.”
The LHC provides information and guidance for any operator whose business:
• owns a forestry area where logs are harvested;
• harvests or stockpiles logs for transport;
• loads, operates or contracts heavy vehicles to transport logs; or
• manages a facility such as a mill where logs are delivered.
Walker said with heavy vehicles forming an essential part of the forestry industry, the NHVR and its partners were committed to helping improve safety outcomes.
“Achieving both productivity and safety in the log haulage industry means every person and business is required to play their role in mitigating and addressing risks,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to know the LHC will assist industry to do so and help ensure all workers get home safely at the end of the day.
“Thanks to everyone who contributed to the LHC’s development or assisted in providing feedback to help us reach this important milestone.”
Progress on the Lumsden Point project. Image: Pilbara Ports.
TGE announces FY25 results and divestment
Team Global Express has reported on its results for financial year 2025.
The multi-modal logistics network reported a solid performance against increasing inflationary and market challenges.
Statutory earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was $104 million – an increase of $99.7 million year-on-year (YOY).
This was partially underpinned by the reduction of separation costs from Team Global Express’ divestment from Toll Group.
“The completion of our divestment from the Toll Group enables us to increase our focus and investment in our operational performance and customer interface,” said Team Global Express CEO, Nick Stratford.
“While revenue was in line with the previous year, our diversified service offering and signing of new strategic partnerships locally and internationally have enabled us to maintain market share.
“Our liquidity position, combined with improved earnings and earnings retention, provides Team Global Express with the cash required to accelerate investment into our systems, people, and processes.”
Team Global Express maintained its market position to deliver total revenue of $2.9 billion.
The completion of transaction and separation arrangements in the previous reporting period resulted in a significant reduction in total comprehensive losses to $115.6 million.
This was an improvement of $74 million YOY.
As of 31 March 2025, Team Global Express has established a robust financial base with a total $93.4 million of available liquidity.
This consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $43.5 million and undrawn available debt facilities of $49.9 million.
Further to the reporting period, Team Global Express has also successfully restructured its Tasmanian operations.
Team Global Express established Strait Link Logistics as a separate entity focused on moving freight via the Strait Link Shipping business between the ports of Melbourne and Burnie.
Team Global Express and Strait Link Shipping, a subsidiary of Strait Link Australia Holdings (SLAH), have commenced a process for the logistics operation to be
sold to the SLAH Group.
A Share Purchase Agreement is expected to be finalised this calendar year.
The restructure has reportedly generated immediate value, with Team Global Express receiving a $25 million deposit from the SLAH Group in June 2025 as part of the anticipated transaction proceeds.
“Our restructuring of the Team Global Express Tasmania operations demonstrates the Group’s ability to identify and extract market value for our shareholders, while optimising our operational footprint,” said Team Global Express Group Executive Chairman, Christine Holgate.
“This strategic divestment allows Team Global Express to focus on its core multimodal network and maximise its capital allocation across the business.”
Team Global Express remains confident and optimistic for the financial year ahead while also acknowledging ongoing market headwinds.
“We remain committed to reinvesting into Team Global Express and capitalising on growing cross-border, ecommerce, and strategic partnership opportunities, specifically throughout Asia,” Holgate said.
“The business expects to deliver significant earnings growth in the year ahead, driven by sustainable improvements in ecommerce, underlying cost disciplines, and the optimising of our core business to meet changing marketplace demand.
“We have the financial flexibility to accelerate operational advances across the Group and continue to improve service to our customers.”
Restructure to unlock road network investment
Government agency, Transport for NSW, aims to cut almost 1,000 roles and redirect funds to road and transport upgrades.
This follows Premier Chris Minns’ plan to reduce public sector executive roles.
The agency, according to Nationwide News, will eliminate approx. 950 senior service and award-level roles in addition to the 300 executive and consultancy
positions announced in June.
The restructure is reported to affect almost 10 per cent of the workforce at Transport for NSW.
The Government of NSW said the changes are designed to create a leaner and more efficient organisation.
Transport Secretary, Josh Murray, as reported by Nationwide News, said the restructure will remove role duplication,
clarify reporting lines and ensure a clearer internal structure.
He confirmed no frontline service roles including train drivers, bus operators, maintenance crews or customer service workers will be impacted by the changes.
Executive job reductions are expected to deliver $108 million in savings, while broader corporate cutbacks could save more than $310 million
A Team Global Express container. Image: Team Global Express.
DHL announces global CEO
Oscar de Bok has been appointed as the new CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.
De Bok, a member of the DHL Group Management Board since 2019 and the former CEO of DHL Supply Chain, succeeded Tim Scharwath who entered retirement on 16 August 2025.
De Bok joined DHL Group in 1999 and was Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain for several countries and regions including Italy, the Nordics and Asia.
In October 2019, he was named CEO of DHL Supply Chain.
De Bok has been appointed CEO of Global Forwarding, Freight until August 2030.
Hendrik Venter, previously responsible for Supply Chain Mainland Europe, Middle East and Africa, follows de Bok as CEO of DHL Supply Chain and member of the Management Board of DHL Group.
DHL Group Supervisory Board Chair, Katrin Suder, said the Board is delighted to have de Bok lead the Global Forwarding, Freight division.
“His outstanding track record as CEO of our DHL Supply Chain division, combined with his deep understanding of our business, makes him an ideal candidate to accelerate sustainable growth in our forwarding and freight business,” she said.
“We are pleased to have found a firstclass successor for Oscar de Bok in Hendrik Venter, who has successfully led DHL Supply Chain businesses across different markets and regions.
“We wish them both the best of success.” Venter has more than 15 years of experience in management positions at DHL Supply Chain.
In October 2019, he took on the role of CEO of DHL Supply Chain Mainland Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In this position, he was responsible for the DHL Supply Chain business in 25 different markets, focusing on strengthening and expanding the region’s growth, as well as driving standardisation.
DHL Group CEO, Tobias Meyer, thanked Scharwath for his contributions and welcomed de Bok to the role.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Tim Scharwath,” he said.
“I am looking forward to continuing to work with Oscar de Bok in his new role and welcoming Hendrik Venter to the Management Board.
“Both colleagues have exceptional expertise, experience, and leadership skills, which will benefit our customers, our company, and our shareholders.”
NBTA raises concerns over Melbourne’s transport network
The National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) has expressed its concerns about a series of changes set to hit Melbourne’s inner west transport network.
The NBTA anticipates that the changes will impose steep new costs on the freight industry nationwide, especially those hauling fuel and chemicals.
While the long-overdue completion of the West Gate Tunnel is expected to greatly ease traffic congestion following years of roadworks and chaos, the NBTA fears that problems are about to get worse.
The association claims that several new 24/7 no-truck zones will block long-used suburban routes in the area, essentially forcing trucks onto the West Gate Freeway and or Tunnel.
As a result, heavy vehicles using the existing West Gate Freeway could face a
Image: Ryan/stock.adobe.com.
new $19.78 toll each way from late 2025.
“For vehicles considered to be ‘longer heavy vehicles’ – which includes all 26m B-doubles – the toll is steeper still ($29.67), despite cars remaining toll-free,” NBTA Chairman, Justin Keast, told Trailer
“The problem is compounded further for tankers carrying Dangerous Goods (DG) who will be barred from using the new Tunnel, but yet will still be subject to tolls for using the West Gate Freeway and Bridge that they have no choice but to use.
“This means DG tankers will be forced to use the old freeway and pay tolls for infrastructure they can’t even access.
“Imagine the public outcry if they tolled cars on the West Gate Bridge. But if you do it to heavy vehicles, you don’t hear a yelp.”
The NBTA sees this leading to a dramatic increase in transport costs and major disruptions to the safe delivery of fuel and chemicals.
According to the association, the changes won’t just hit bulk tankers but all freight companies relying on inner-west connections.
The NBTA has called on the Victorian Government to undertake an urgent review of the situation.
With tolling starting in November, it is calling for urgent clarification.
The NBTA has outlined its concerns in a written statement to Freight Victoria which calls on the Victorian Government to:
• clarify if safe DG routes exist;
• exempt DG tankers from the new tolls on the West Gate Bridge route; and
• exclude road tankers from the no-truck zones if serving key terminals.
“We’re asking for clear alternative DG routes to be published, toll exemptions for DG vehicles using the old freeway, and a fair go for operators who can’t legally use the new infrastructure,” Keast told Trailer
“As families grapple with the cost-of-living crisis across Australia, these impending changes risk seeing price rises pushed on to consumers to cover the shortfall created by the new West Gate tolls.
“As a result, from the day the new toll road opens, nearly every item the consumer buys will increase in price given the industry now has no alternative routes other than tolled ones.
“Transport companies will on-charge those fees to their customer base, who in turn will add this to the public’s purchase price.”
The West Gate Bridge during rush hour.
Oscar de Bok. Image: DHL Group.
Washed away
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association has identified Australia’s lack of crucial heavy vehicle washing infrastructure as a biosecurity threat.
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has addressed Australia’s shortage of truck washes.
ALRTA Executive Director, Anthony Boyle, said the lack of cleaning infrastructure in various regional areas is threatening the safety and security of operators carrying livestock and other bulk commodities.
“Operators moving between sensitive loads like grain, fertiliser and feed must clean vehicles between loads to meet biosecurity, contamination or export standards,” he said.
“Yet across regional Australia, there
are few, if any, compliant public facilities available to meet this demand.”
Boyle referred to South East Queensland and Warialda, New South Wales, as particular targets of this issue due to the fact that there have been frequent occurrences of effluent spilling on public roads and truck wash curfews that disrupt operations.
“Effluent spills on public roads is becoming a daily hazard,” Boyle said.
“Drivers are also facing curfews at truck wash facilities that force overnight delays, compounding fatigue risks and stalling productivity.”
Additionally, he said the ongoing
consolidation of Australia’s saleyard network is contributing to the impact.
“As the industry centralises through larger, fewer yards, the number of accessible truck wash facilities is also declining,” Boyle said.
“This is quietly undermining our national biosecurity posture, especially in areas with high freight intensity and animal movement.”
The ALRTA believes industry’s current infrastructure will be insufficient in defending against diseases.
It is further emphasising the need for more truck washing facilities as a result.
“What is even more concerning is how ill-
equipped we are to respond to a national livestock standstill event – such as an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease or Lumpy Skin Disease,” Boyle said.
“These are no longer abstract threats.
“Industry and government alike frequently describe such an outbreak as ‘not if, but when’.”
In the event of a standstill or regional containment order, it’s likely that the requirement to wash down and disinfect vehicles between every load would become immediate and absolute.
In these instances, Boyle believes Australia’s current washing infrastructure would be overwhelmed within hours.
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“ Without urgent investment, we are simply not prepared,” he said.
“This vulnerability affects every part of the supply chain – from producers and processors to bulk and livestock carriers.
“If we expect professional standards from transport operators, then we must provide the essential infrastructure to match those expectations, especially when national biosecurity hangs in the balance.”
In light of these criticisms, some jurisdictions are beginning to act.
In Victoria, the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) has developed a plan for a multi-purpose rest area in Geelong.
The concept combines a truck wash facility with amenities for driver rest and queue management near the Port of Geelong – following the recent Western Sydney rest stop model but going further by addressing hygiene infrastructure needs.
Victoria is also trialling new governance. A truck wash steering committee, chaired by Agriculture Victoria’s Biosecurity Division, is exploring strategic responses.
In South East Queensland, major processors are engaging with ALRTA to develop a regional master plan.
In South Australia, planning is underway to expand the effluent dump point network across key freight corridors.
“What’s becoming clear is that no single solution – or single player – can fix this,” Boyle said.
“ALRTA’s General Manager of Policy and Strategy, Ashley Mackinnon, highlighted the scale of work already underway to bring processors, saleyards and industry leaders into one conversation.
“The message is simple: teamwork is non-negotiable. A whole-ofchain mindset is critical to building infrastructure that can cope with normal operating demands – and crisis situations alike.
“ALRTA is using this mindset to develop a national supply chain solution – one that serves the needs of both livestock and bulk carriers, prioritises safety, hygiene, and traceability, and delivers real resilience in the face of future threats.”
A tank truck driver cleaning the exterior of a vehicle.
A livestock semi-trailer combination.
Hitting the jackpot
Total Logistic Solutions has taken delivery of Vawdrey’s 50,000th build.
Not many manufacturers, more so family-owned Australian businesses, can say that they’ve built 50,000 pieces of equipment. But Vawdrey can.
Vawdrey has been a pioneer in the Australian transport industry for more than half a century, and its 50,000th build is a testament to that. But it’s also a nod to one of the country’s biggest transport, warehousing and logistics solutions providers, and the one which took possession of the milestone unit, Total Logistic Solutions (TLS).
TLS was established in 1997 as a transport business with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. The company has seen tremendous growth in the years that have followed and it is now one of Australia’s largest independently owned logistics organisations.
TLS has been a regular customer of Vawdrey for many years. The fleet has now collected over 200 Vawdrey units which include 110 B-double Titeliners – 18 of which are Performance-Based Standards (PBS) Super B-doubles – and nine PBS A-double skels. For TLS, each trailer delivery has been a thread of the tapestry of what is now a very tight-knit bond with Vawdrey.
TLS’s possession of Vawdrey’s 50,000th commemorative trailer came to perfect timing. When TLS CEO, Jason McHenry, put an order in for two new PBS Super B-double drop deck combinations earlier this year, he wasn’t expecting to receive a phone call from Paul Vawdrey who would tell him that he would be getting Vawdrey’s 50,000th build.
“We bought two of the same sets and the second one ended up being the 50,000th unit,” he explains. “Just after I put the order in, I got a call from Paul Vawdrey. He said, ‘Jason, just letting you know that this happens to be our 50,000th build. Congratulations.’
“In that conversation, I told Paul that I wanted the trailers to be a dual livery set. I thought the 50,000th build was a really big deal for Vawdrey as well as us, so the agreement was made to dual brand those trailers so that we could mark the milestone together.”
The Super B-double combination accommodating the 50,000th unit is a Level 2B 42-pallet double drop deck Titeliner with a quad-axle configuration. It boasts a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 77.5 tonnes and a payload in excess of 43 tonnes.
In its operations, the 50,000th milestone combination is met with its sister Super B-double on the eastern seaboard. Together, they travel through a direct linehaul corridor from Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Brisbane, carrying general freight for some of TLS’s largest retail customers.
“These trailers assist us with carrying heavier weights,” Jason explains. “We’re looking to increase our weight distribution and capacity and the Super B-double with quad axles is the new format that we’re building our trailers in.” This configuration is an upside for TLS in terms of payloads and productivity. And the two new Super B-doubles have already proven that with significant gains in their linehaul division.
“We get one extra B-double movement with every three Super B-double loads,” Jason says. “So, where we normally run four movements, we only need three. This has increased our productivity, and because we are loading less trucks, it has also reduced traffic onsite.”
Vawdrey’s 50,000th build in a Super B-double delivered to Total Logistic Solutions.
The 50,000th Super B-double is the 16th combination of its kind at TLS. The deployment of these units, in addition to providing higher payloads, is also aimed at increased sustainability.
“The Super B-double is a really good solution for us because it feeds into our green goal of reducing emissions,”
Jason says. “For us, the higher capacity means less trucks on the road. By utilising Super B-doubles, we can also help our customers reduce their own carbon footprints.”
The two new Super B-double combinations are already showing positive signs in respect to these initiatives. Coupled to Scania Euro 6 prime movers, their fuel efficiency figures of 2.3-2.5km/l are on par with the fleet’s standard 34-pallet B-doubles.
“The Super B-doubles aren’t causing any extra drag on our prime movers at all,” Jason says. “They’re really good on the road. They tow fantastically, even though they’re taller and a bit longer, and the steerable axles really help with cornering as well.”
TLS has gained access to many benefits by partnering with Vawdrey for 20 years.
Reduced downtime has been a major one and is the result of the way Vawdrey’s trailers are designed and built.
“We really can rely on these trailers,” Jason says. Being a Vawdrey-built trailer, the quality is really good. They’re very durable and we find very little downtime because of that.
“From a maintenance point of view, we can schedule services in and know that we’re going to get to those intervals before we have any issues. They’re great equipment and they’re fit for purpose.”
For TLS, the operational advantages of closely collaborating with Vawdrey have been aplenty. But Jason says receiving the
50,000th build has been one of the fleet’s biggest honours over the last two decades.
“We’ve been partners with Vawdrey for well over 20 years now, so having their 50,000th build is a really big deal for us,” he says. “We congratulate Vawdrey on what they have achieved. We’re very proud to be affiliated with them and they can rely on us to be a long-term partner.”
Contact Vawdrey Australia 1-53 Quantum Close Dandenong South, VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9797 3700 Web: www.vawdrey.com.au
Images: Vawdrey.
Vawdrey Director, Paul Vawdrey, and Total Logistic Solutions CEO, Jason McHenry.
Tipping point
Clermont Haulage’s new Bruce Rock Engineering Performance-Based Standards A-double road train of side tippers is an integral addition to its fleet of bulk haulage units on the east coast.
The mining industry is a significant contributor to Australia’s economy, and it’s also a driving force in a number of states. According to corporate advisor, Barclay Pearce Capital, Queensland houses unparalleled reserves of material like coal, gold and copper, while New South Wales holds 41 coal mines in its Hunter Valley Region alone. As Barclay’s data suggests, these two states greatly contribute to Australia’s mining industry due to their combined mineral wealth.
This is where Clermont Haulage comes in. The company, established in Clermont, Queensland, in 2005, is a bulk logistics haulage and handling solutions provider which oversees the transportation of a wide variety of minerals around many mine sites throughout Queensland and NSW. Transporting minerals such as magnetite,
lime and ilmenite are the main objectives of the business, while carrying coal has become an ever-increasing core focus.
“We have a couple of business additions under our company umbrella such as our supply of coal to domestic customers,” explains Clermont Haulage Chairman, Dan Mayes. “But our main focus is on a branch of mining services. This includes our bulk haulage of this coal in and around mine sites.”
Clermont Haulage’s expanding freight tasks have required specific trailing equipment that is well-suited for the bulk haulage of coal. As of the last seven years, the fleet has been sourcing its trailer builds from WA-based OEM, Bruce Rock Engineering (BRE), via Barnseys’ Trailer and Truck Sales in Rockhampton, Queensland.
“At the start, we were originally looking for certain trailers to assist our bulk coal haulage operations,” Dan recalls. “We ended up speaking with Barnseys’ Trailer and Truck Sales and they recommended BRE trailers to us. Once they got us involved with BRE, we were set.”
Barnseys’ Trailer and Truck Sales worked closely with BRE and Clermont Haulage to develop specialty side tippers that would be better equipped to handle the abundance of coal being moved. This effort set BRE apart in the eyes of Dan and the team at Clermont Haulage.
“The majority of side tippers tend to carry other materials like gravel which don’t need large bins,” he explains. “There’s a lot of the product when it is moved, so you need more space to actually transport it.
A Clermont Haulage A-double side tipper combination based in Gunnedah, New South Wales.
Images: Clermont Haulage.
“BRE was able to create much bigger bins which were better suited for us. These side tippers work perfectly in our operations of carrying coal because of this.”
The configurations of Clermont Haulage’s side tippers vary depending on the state they are deployed in and the respective regulatory requirements present. These different requirements were considered when the fleet invested in its latest BRE build, a Performance-Based Standards (PBS) A-double road train of side tippers for its NSW operations.
“The new side tipper road train is the biggest sort of combination we can run in the state,” Dan explains. “The specs it runs with ensure that we carry as much coal as possible.”
The PBS A-double road train boasts a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 85 tonnes with a payload capacity of 58 tonnes. It also utilises a four-axle rear trailer instead of a tri-axle setup to increase payloads even further.
“We’ve found the tare weights of BRE’s trailers to be quite low”, Dan explains, “meaning we can get more tonnes on them. It’s a great advantage.”
The new side tipper road train arrived just in time to assist a period of continued growth for Clermont Haulage in the mining market. That being said, Dan is excited to utilise it to its full potential.
“Our business is entering a phase of increased growth,” he says. “The mining sector continues to be strong and has positioned us to secure more business in our existing markets. That’s exactly what we’re doing, and we’re doing it with BRE’s trailers.
“The new PBS combination is the same spec that we usually get – an A-double road train with an extended coal bin and side doors. But what makes this one special is the fact that it’s an additional set that will take on more business in light of our growth.”
Clermont Haulage’s new BRE side tipper combination, equipped with an increased payload capacity like its predecessors, is expected to boost productivity for the company even further during this growth phase.
“We’re increasing our payload capacities with this new unit,” Dan explains. “This will mean that we won’t have to run as many combinations at a
given time, leading to substantial benefits such as having fewer combinations per run and therefore less truck movements on the road. This will also contribute to an overall improvement in safety because there will be less drivers out on runs and therefore a reduced chance of on-road complications.
“Additionally, running fewer combinations means we won’t have to source as many drivers. It isn’t too easy to get experienced truck drivers at the moment so less time, energy and resources will be spent looking for them.”
After bolstering Clermont Haulage’s transporting capabilities, Dan says the new road train will deepen relationships with existing customers and establish connections with new ones across NSW.
“We’re very excited to be specialising in the market with BRE,” he says. “This new side tipper will be integral to what we do going forward.”
Contact
Bruce Rock Engineering 15 Swan Street, WA 6418
Ph: 08 9061 1253
Web: www.brucerockengineering.com.au
An AB-triple side tipper based in Clermont, Queensland.
All for one
Alltruck Bodies stands as a large-scale rigid body manufacturer with a strong focus on personalised solutions and a bolstered leadership team.
The story of Alltruck Bodies is as classic as they come. The business was created back in 1991 by two entrepreneurs, Tony Romano and George Mitrousis, who both shared a dream of bringing high-quality truck body manufacturing to Australia’s competitive transport industry.
Starting in a small, leased factory in Dandenong, Victoria, with only four employees, Tony and George got to work. And, nearly 35 years later, it’s become clear
that their humble values around reliability and quality set the perfect framework for Alltruck Bodies.
“Alltruck Bodies has grown into a national manufacturer with facilities in both Victoria and Queensland,” says Alltruck Bodies Head of Sales, Andrew Cardamone. “It has a strong established customer base in the industry which includes major fleets, dealerships and OEMs.”
In recent years, Alltruck Bodies’ Victorian
headquarters has been transformed into a large hub for quality manufacturing, maintenance and client support. Meanwhile, its 4,000-square-metre manufacturing facility in Queensland has been built to effectively service growing demand for reliable and efficient truck bodies. Together, these sites house over 130 employees in total which support customers with greater flexibility and assured delivery dates.
While Alltruck Bodies’ founders have taken a step back from the daily management of the business in the last year, a new CEO has joined the company.
“Andrew Hadjikakou has a long history in Australian manufacturing and the transport industry,” Andrew explains. “Our founders still sit on the board and have large shareholdings in the company, but it’s been great having Andrew on board because he has brought a renewed focus into the company. He has driven significant improvements in our operations and attention to customers, and we’ve really been able to sharpen up our value proposition as a result.”
Alltruck Bodies has since discovered newfound efficiencies within its existing manufacturing processes which have led to the implementation of various new
The inside of Alltruck Bodies’ Victorian factory.
A TSS Sensitive Freight build.
methods aimed at lean manufacturing. These have passed the benefits of safety, quality and productivity on to customers.
“We’ve been able to reduce waste, increase productivity and enhance our capability to deliver projects on time by reviewing and refining our manufacturing processes,” Andrew says. “Our in-house production control ensures quality and consistency. Customers can come to us knowing that if they want to build 50 bodies, they’re all going to be of the same high standard. We have strict procedures in place to ensure that.”
This is all complemented by Alltruck Bodies’ high-volume output – something which Andrew says is one of its biggest strengths as a manufacturer.
“We are capable of building over 35 bodies per week,” he explains. “We’re manufacturing them faster so that customers can get them quicker. For us, the ability to ramp up production when needed is a superpower.”
Additionally, Alltruck Bodies can still accommodate personalised customer requests in the same way that it used to when it was a smaller operation. This flexibility is non-negotiable for the business.
“We combine large-scale manufacturing with personalised service,” Andrew says. “It really depends on what the customer is after. We’re very flexible in the way that we can respond to orders, and this is made much more possible through the broad
range of body types that we work with –curtainsiders, vans, trays, insulated bodies and trailers.”
Alltruck Bodies’ refined operations have also extended to other aspects of the business. Its safety measures, for one, have been altered under the helm of the company’s new CEO who has ushered in an era of increased awareness and prevention for workplace hazards.
“The safety around our truck body production has improved just as much as the time frames around our manufacturing,” Andrew says. “There’s been a huge focus on it. This has been delivered through the introduction of items like respiratory welding masks as well as the development and refinement of various safety practices. We’ve removed A-frame ladders from the manufacturing space because of the falling risk they present to workers and we have also installed scissor lifts and similar machinery to ensure our truck body builds can be completed in a secure fashion.”
This diligence even includes fostering and maintaining a more open and inclusive workplace culture. As someone who has worked for Alltruck Bodies for a decade, Andrew himself has been enthusiastic to see these changes ultimately serve the business for the better.
“I’ve loved my time at Alltruck Bodies,” he says. “I’ve made some great memories and friendships with customers here and I’m happy that the work environment has been improved upon further. We now have an
all-employee meeting at the end of each month which gives every worker an update on where the business is at and what’s happening within it.
“With a focus on safety and lean manufacturing, I think it has led to an even better workplace culture because everyone can gain an understanding of the company’s business priorities and work towards achieving them together. We are very focused on exceeding our customers’ expectations and winning their respect, and they will ultimately benefit from that.”
Equipped with an improved manufacturing process, safer workspace and motivated labour force, Alltruck Bodies is prepared for its next chapter of business. And it’s looking big.
“We’ve recently had some new large fleet customers come through to the business,” Andrew says. “This has been super exciting.”
Opportunities like these make Alltruck Bodies’ next steps very thrilling.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how we expand our production capacity while retaining the family business values we operate by,” Andrew says. “Our slogan is ‘Where quality is never compromised’. That was true when the company was founded and it remains true today.”
Contact
Alltruck Bodies
Ph: 03 9791 2144
Web: www.alltruckbodies.com.au
Images: Prime Creative Media.
The Alltruck Bodies Victorian team.
Hooklifts & skip loaders
On the hook
Bulk Transport Equipment has teamed up with JOST to deliver the Hyva Titan EVO Hookloader to waste transport customers across the country.
Bulk Transport Equipment (BTE), for close to two decades, has offered a wideranging value proposition to the transport industry. But hookloaders have played an essential role within this large product portfolio.
BTE has been supplying hookloaders through a variety of OEMs since its inception, including Hyva which remained a constant supplier for years. This arrangement has changed forms in recent years but BTE has remained wellacquainted with the product type.
“BTE’s experience with hookloaders is quite extensive,” says BTE Managing Director, Alan Griffiths. “We’ve been handling hookloaders for a very long time
and have come to know the equipment quite well. We’re very comfortable around recommending them and fitting them.”
BTE’s dealings with hookloaders have since been extended even further.
The business is now partnering with JOST, one of its long-term partners, to distribute Hyva hookloaders on a national scale.
“BTE has been working with JOST in some shape or form since we started,” Alan says. “But we’re now supplying Hyva hookloaders to customers as one of JOST’s agents.”
BTE is distributing Hyva’s Titan EVO multi-rail hookloader in particular – a
newly designed system for the waste industry which stands out due to its implementation of modern technology and versatility.
“The new Titan EVO hookloader suits customers who have a main rail underneath their bins,” Alan explains.
“The product allows for a much simpler installation onto any different truck chassis, and because of this, it can carry a much wider range of bins compared to other product models.”
The brand-new Titan EVO Hookloader has a lot of novel features which have improved the Hyva product in many practical ways. These include rails, which vary from 670mm to 1,200mm
A Hyva Titan EVO Hookloader.
Images: Bulk Transport Equipment.
in length and allow for many differentsized bins to be collected, as well as rear rollers plated with zinc for smooth rolling. Many of the hookloader’s other parts have also been casted with zinc for robustness and rust protection.
Another key feature of the EVO hookloader is the inclusion of hydraulicoperated valves instead of electronic controls. These make the product more reliable by avoiding electronic systems which can be more prone to glitching or failure.
The reliability of the Titan EVO multi-rail hookloader is also apparent throughout the various safety features fitted. These include inside and outside rear lock systems as well as a front lock system, all of which are implemented to secure a waste bin in place when it is being
carried. Additionally, its air-operated latch disconnects waste bins in a safe and effective manner.
All of these bells and whistles have seemed to be very well-received within the market. As Alan explains, BTE has already sold more than 10 units in the mere two months that it has been onboard with JOST in the partnership.
“We’re really excited to be dealing with this product again,” he says. “We’ve set up two new facilities in Melbourne to do it right. These locations, together with our factory in Toowoomba, Queensland, can supply and fit the hookloaders while offering spare parts, maintenance and other services as well.”
Alan, in addition to bringing the new purpose-built workshops to fruition, has also ensured that his team can provide
top-of-the-line service to customers that require Hyva installations. In this sense, BTE effectively offers a one-stop shop for fleets and operators to receive quality work and servicing on their Hyva transport equipment.
“Staff members working in our main factory and service and repair workshops have been trained to handle the installation of these hookloaders,” he explains. “We’re very well-equipped to support this distribution because we’re able to cater to ultra-specific needs.
If a customer wants a trailer, BTE can build it to make sure it pairs up with the hookloader to avoid towing issues.”
These additions can even include other JOST parts.
“We incorporate as many JOST components into our builds as we can,” Alan says. “For example, we heavily utilise JOST ROCKINGER tow couplings on the back of our trailers. Additionally, we typically include JOST turntables, hoists, kingpins and landing legs which all work great.
“All of these components are also covered by JOST’s outstanding servicing team and spare parts network, so there are many benefits of including other JOST products for the customer.”
This fierce commitment to customer experience has long been a similarity shared between BTE and JOST. It’s one that has essentially served as the foundation of their effective business partnership.
“We both value strong service and strong customer support,” Alan says. “These qualities are necessary when representing good quality products. The team at JOST think the same way, so we’re very similar in that respect and we get on well because of it.”
The return of Hyva hookloaders to BTE’s product line has resulted in big success for BTE. Alan sees no end to this demand any time soon.
“Hyva’s Titan EVO multi-rail hookloader has proven to be a very popular choice right now,” he says. “It feels good to be bringing them to the market again and we’re committed to distributing this product for the long run.”
Contact
JOST Australia
Ph: 1800 811 487
Web: www.jostaustralia.com.au
E: sales@jostaustralia.com.au
Front bin lock pictured.
Wheels of fortune
Darwin Logistics’ new Duraquip super quad road train has provided a plethora of operational benefits, many of which can be attributed to the complete SAF-Holland axle and suspension setup.
Darwin Logistics might be a new kid on the block, but it’s already made quite the impression to its neighbours. The Northern Territory-based fleet has already transported 22,000 tonnes of ilmenite. A daily 15-hour round trip down the Roper Highway to the port in Darwin and back has also tallied up over a quarter of a million kilometres. This is appreciable for a company that was founded just one year ago.
The freight task of transporting ilmenite was primarily dedicated to three subcontractor road trains (one triple and two quad side tipper combinations) until Darwin Logistics began looking into getting a new super quad road train of its
own. This was just three months after the business established.
“The Roper Highway to Port Darwin route is a very long journey for us,” explains Darwin Logistics Managing Director, Jake Eggleton. “We needed to maximise our payload and efficiency.”
Deploying a Performance-Based Standards (PBS) Duraquip HaulFORCE super quad road train of side tippers allowed the indigenous heavy haulage company to do just that. The super quad, coupled to a tandem drive Kenworth T909 prime mover, boasts an incredible 128-tonne payload.
“We’ve increased our efficiency by 30 per cent,” Jake says. “The payloads on
our other quads are at around 100 tonnes, and we’re still using the same amount of fuel on the super quad for the 30-per cent increase. When you consider the fact that wages and fuel costs have stayed the same, it’s massive.”
The HaulFORCE super quad, running at 22.5 tonnes per tri-axle group, features a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 181.5 tonnes. Every trailer and dolly was also licensed and shortened to maximise the final payload figure as much as possible. As a result, Darwin Logistics was able to achieve a total combination length of 53.4 metres end to end, just under the NT’s maximum road train length of 53.5 metres. The density of the ilmenite product played a significant part in this.
“We cart quite dense,” says Darwin Logistics Operations Manager, Matt Costello. “The product is two and a half tonnes per cubic metre and we’re able to place the product fairly well for our weights. Transporting a denser product has allowed us to use shorter trailers because we don’t necessarily need the length to be able to move weight around.”
Within its operations, the Duraquip trailer combination has been performing faultlessly. Matt says the side tippers empty the ilmenite without hang up or any complications.
“The super quad has been perfect,” he says. “The bins clear out effortlessly without any material getting stuck. I can’t complain about it at all.”
The Duraquip HaulFORCE’s on-road handling is just as superb. Paramount to
Darwin Logistics’ new Duraquip super quad road train.
SAF-Holland Modul airbag suspension.
this is the SAF-Holland equipment featured – a complete setup of airbag suspensions and disc brake axles.
“There are 94 wheels on this super quad,” Jake says. “We’ve got SAF-Holland Modul airbag suspensions and ZI9 disc brake liftup axles on every dolly and trailer.”
According to Jake, the SAF-Holland Modul suspension systems have proven their worth in the super quad’s arduous journeys throughout the NT.
“The Stuart and Roper highways aren’t the best roads to go down, but the super quad has been running completely smoothly every day,” he says. “We’ve been very surprised with how well the combination handles. The low speed swept path performance is impressive even around tight intersections, so the stability of the whole unit in general has been superior.”
The versatility and power of the SAFHolland disc brake axles have also stood out on the road train combination.
“The disc brakes are extremely good, even with the axles raised up,” Matt says.
“We have 11 axles in the air and 10 on the ground to save wear and tear when empty, and the super quad tracks quite well compared to a trailer without them.
“The brakes pull the combination up really quickly. For ease of maintenance, longevity and consistent brake wear, you can’t go past them.”
Apart from standard inspections, the SAFHolland disc brake axles and suspensions have required barely any service or maintenance procedures so far. This is projected to result in extreme cost savings for Darwin Logistics in the long-term.
“There have been no problems with the SAF-Holland products at all,” Matt says. “The axles and suspensions just had their first service that SAF-Holland covers. There were no issues or anything untoward.
“This is significant from an operational perspective because it means we aren’t having to face downtimes and increased costs for repairs.”
Aside from the success of the super quad and its SAF-Holland components, Darwin Logistics found the entire
collaboration with Duraquip to be extremely beneficial. Jake explains that the trailer builder left no stone unturned when it came to tailoring the fleet’s high-productivity combination to its specific needs of increasing payloads and efficiencies.
“Duraquip were brilliant to work with,” he says. “They flew up here and worked with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator from the design of the combination all the way through to the on-road audit. They were great at taking care of everything.
“Duraquip were able to engineer something for us that came under 53.5 metres and still fit the purpose. The whole process was seamless, so we will definitely be going back to them for another super quad, and hopefully soon.”
Every dolly and trailer features SAF-Holland Modul airbag suspensions and ZI9 disc brake lift-up axles.
Floor it
BPW Transpec axles, suspensions and Cargo Floors have made Link Linehaul Northam’s manure transport operations much more effective.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. These words have never been truer than when applied to Link Linehaul Northam, a transport outfit operating out of the Western Australian town of Northam.
The 15-year-old company is no stranger to change, having undertaken various business endeavours in its lifetime. The company’s initial form was that of a grain mover as Link Linehaul Northam owner and full-time driver, Glen Linklater, explains.
“We started off with one truck and tried carting grain, but it didn’t work out,” he says. “There was an oversupply of trucks in that space, so we took a chance at the poultry industry instead to clean manure from commercial poultry sheds.
“We got an opportunity more or less straight away, and since then, our business has grown with the several other companies that we work with.”
After operating in this space for several years, Link Linehaul Northam’s manure
carting capabilities have been greatly enhanced. This has primarily been through two new Barker Trailers units which feature BPW Transpec axles and suspensions, parts which are now nonnegotiable for the fleet.
“I originally bought a set of cattle crate trailers around 12 years ago which came with BPW Transpec axles and suspensions,” Glen explains. “I hadn’t been exposed to the BPW product before then.
“I found that the axles and suspension systems were really good, so I continued to use them for everything else that I did. I’ve since built new stock crates with BPW Transpec axles as well, so I spec all of my new gear with those axles now.”
The two latest Barker Trailers units also include Cargo Floors – integral pieces of equipment from BPW Transpec which have significantly helped Glen with the unloading of poultry manure. Like with the axles and suspensions, Glen got a taste
of BPW Transpec’s moving floor systems some time ago. They too have since become essential to his operations.
“I borrowed a trailer around nine years ago which had a moving floor in it and it was great,” he says. “So, I then bought my own trailer with a BPW Cargo Floor. It was far superior to anything I had seen in every way, particularly with its build quality and hydraulic power. The Cargo Floor has since been a great product for what I do and what I transport.”
Link Linehaul Northam’s Barker Trailers units travel locally (within 200 kilometres of the company’s northern depot) back and forth between poultry farms to collect manure. Glen says the BPW Transpec Cargo Floors, consisting of flat 10mm floorboards, have been imperative to this process because they have ultimately made the fleet’s operations much more safer and versatile.
“We used to use big capacity grain tippers when we first started off,” he
Link Linehaul Northam’s Barker Trailers Cargo Floor trailer.
explains. “We never rolled one over, but we had the potential to an untold amount of times. It wasn’t safe because the manure was hanging up in the bowls.
“But the Cargo Floors are much safer, and they give you the potential to tip anywhere – uphill, downhill, on the side of a hill, it doesn’t matter. You just empty out your cargo. So, the moving floors work great because they make our trailers more flexible and they also reduce the risk factors of the operation.”
Glen says the BPW Transpec axles and suspension systems too have benefitted the fleet majorly.
“The axles and airbag suspensions are performing great,” he says. “We have extreme confidence in them because we know that all of BPW’s products are incredibly durable. They seem to withhold throughout our operations with no difficulty.”
The Barker Trailers units themselves are also extremely adaptable.
“They’re just single trailers but I’ve got the ability to road train them,” Glen says. “One of them has a Ringfeder coupling, so they can be two singles or one A-double road train.
“The bins are a lot bigger in capacity, too. In terms of cubic metres, you can cart what two tipper trailers can carry with just one moving floor.”
These units are also fitted with Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) and anti-rollover schematics underneath which have seemingly grown on Glen.
“I wasn’t for all of the extra technology at the start,” he says. “I was a bit opposed to it because I thought it was just more technology that wasn’t going to last, and I thought it would give me grief with carting the manure. But it hasn’t at all.”
BPW Transpec’s axles, suspensions, Cargo Floors and EBS have all come together to provide a high level of safety and efficiency for Link Linehaul Northam’s operations.
“I have been so impressed with the performance of the BPW equipment,” Glen says. “I have never had any trouble with their axles.
“The overall product is great. I think BPW Transpec have a really strong market share because their parts are flawless and their service is exceptional.”
Images: BPW Transpec.
BPW Transpec axles and suspensions.
Link Linehaul Northam owner, Glen Linklater.
Hitched up
C.D. Dodd has deployed a new flat top combination which, featuring a range of Fuwa K Hitch components, was custom-built for an electric Volvo prime mover.
For over 35 years, WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment has kept its operations local. The family-owned and operated business has manufactured trailer equipment out of Bellevue, Western Australia, since 1990, having been helmed by founder, Bob Wright, and his decades of road transport experience.
Following its inception, WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment serviced customers with an intimate charm and a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to both manufacturing and its associated services. This approach continues to be enjoyed by a loyal pool of customers, even as Bob has passed the baton to current General Manager, Mark Nicholas.
“We don’t import anything we build, it’s all local,” Mark says. “We’ve got 18 people employed here and we rely on our customers. That’s how we’ve done things for 35 years, and we’re doing alright.”
Among this collection of customers
devoted to WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment’s one-stop shop value proposition is C.D. Dodd, a major metal and battery recycling company which operates out of five purpose-built facilities across WA. The third-generation familyowned business has long relied on WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment for custom builds to suit its varied operations which extend to scrap metal decommissioning, mine site cleanups and onshore scrap metal and battery recycling services.
“We have worked with WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment quite a lot during our time in the industry,” says C.D. Dodd Fleet Manager, Esko Laanesaar. “They have mostly built side tipper trailers for us which we use between sites and the yard. We have a few road trains of those which travel between Kalgoorlie and Perth.”
C.D. Dodd recently approached WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment for a trailer build that would be tailored to its new Volvo FM
electric prime mover – a tri-axle flat top trailer with the flexibility of twist locks and bolsters for containers.
“We were one of the first in WA to have the Volvo,” Esko says. “We were thinking about how we were going to use it and wanted to build a really custom-made trailer with the same Volvo paint on it.
“The flat top trailer is mainly being used in metropolitan areas. That’s what it was built for. In the scrap metal industry, every load you pick up is different. So, we’ve tried to build something that would be as universal as possible.”
C.D. Dodd’s vision for the trailer was clear. It would require very robust and high-quality products, and this meant using Fuwa K Hitch running gear.
“We put C.D. Dodd onto Fuwa K Hitch around five years ago and they’ve been using their components ever since,” Mark says. “C.D. Dodd has bought about 16 trailers from us in the last five years as
Images: WA
Bos Semi Trailer Equipment.
C.D. Dodd’s new flat top coupled to an electric Volvo prime mover.
well as 10 tri-axle dollies which have all included Fuwa K Hitch disc brakes and airbag suspensions. So, C.D. Dodd has been pretty consistent and loyal to both us and Fuwa K Hitch.”
These particular Fuwa K Hitch components have made a reappearance on WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment’s latest build for C.D. Dodd where they have also been specially tailored to the prime mover’s electric application. This can particularly be seen with the fitment of the Fuwa K Hitch disc brake axles, one of them being a lift-up unit which limits tyre and axle wear when the combination is not fully loaded.
“The lift-up axle is set up automatically,” Esko says. “If there are loads exceeding 10 tonnes put onto it, it lowers itself to the ground. And as soon as you unload the axle, it retracts up. It also has manual override, so if the load is around 10 tonnes and you’re driving over bumps or uneven terrain, the axle won’t move up and down.”
Fuwa K Hitch air suspensions have also increased the handling and performance of the combination.
“The air suspension systems have been performing very well so far,” Esko says. “We think air suspensions are more accurate and better to have, so we decided to go with them.”
While Esko and C.D. Dodd praise the efficiencies that Fuwa K Hitch’s products bring to the custom flat top trailer and its operations, Mark and WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment vouch for the other benefits in the way of reliability and servicing.
“The Fuwa K Hitch components on this build are really good,” Mark says. “They’re very reliable and easy to maintain. We’ve had zero issues to date with Fuwa K Hitch axles. They’ve been bulletproof.”
The service that WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment receives from Fuwa K Hitch is also second to none.
“Availability is generally off the shelf,” Mark explains. “Fuwa K Hitch supports their product really well and they’ll often come and show us how to fit things up.”
WA Bos Semi Trailer Equipment fits Fuwa K Hitch products on a fairly regular basis. For Mark, the exceptional performance of the components therefore comes as no surprise.
“We fit Fuwa K Hitch running gear on a lot of trailers,” he explains. “Many of our customers choose their axles and suspensions because of how reliable they are.
“Because of this, we get nothing but good feedback on the Fuwa K Hitch products we use. The team over there are very friendly and helpful, and their products have proven their worth.”
Contact
Fuwa K Hitch
Ph: 03 9369 0000
Web: www.khitch.com.au
Fuwa K Hitch axles and suspensions fitted.
Pumped up
Tyre
punctures
have been the bane of many fleets’ operations,
but MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium solution
is proving to be the panacea for companies like AJM Transport .
Twelve months ago, AJM Transport Group General Manager, Dennis Roohan, was faced with one major headache. The business’ fleet of 100-plus trailers was experiencing tyre punctures on a regular basis, and this was majorly affecting productivity. But that was before the overnight express specialist began retrofitting and standardising MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium system to its trailers.
“There was a significant number of trailers which would get punctures or tyre-related issues,” Dennis says. “That was happening most nights of the week. We ultimately needed a solution to try and alleviate those problems.”
Dennis now rests easy knowing he has tyre pressure data for 106 semi-trailers at his fingertips.
“There’s a report in my email every morning,” he explains. “I can see all of the tyre pressures and anything that needs to be fixed before it becomes a problem at seven o’clock at night when the loaded express freight needs to go.”
The introduction of MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium system was ideal timing for the Newcastle-based transport company, as its growing fleet is in constant demand for transporting express and time sensitive freight along the length of the eastern seaboard. With branches in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, AJM Transport commands a dominant presence around Australia but needs a constantly mobile fleet to maintain that status.
As a result, MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium solution has helped to keep AJM Transport at the top of its game by providing optimised tyre performance, brake temperature alerts, proactive maintenance and live tracking and alerts. Even after a year of operation, Dennis can first-hand see the Trailer Premium’s safety benefits for the company’s fleet of Vawdrey B-double drop deck curtainsiders and B-double Iceliners.
“We know that our tyres are all at the correct operating pressure,” he says. “That alleviates the problem of having drivers sitting on the side of the road waiting for someone to come and repair or replace their tyre.”
Not only is there greater safety from low pressure alerts, but the system alerts operators to overheating tyres.
“With the temperature technology, we can tell when the wheel ends are getting hot,” Dennis says. “There’s that added ability there that we should never burn a set of tyres to the ground which is a common problem these days.
“That’s the other bonus for the customer, and it’s something that we’ve sold hard to them. At the end of the day, their freight will get there on time and intact because we can see our pressures and our hub temperatures with MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium.”
AJM Transport has been so impressed with the system that it has ensured that it is not only a standard specification across all new units but a required addition to older equipment.
“MICHELIN’s Trailer Premium has been fitted on anything that has come off the line at Vawdrey since this time last year,” Dennis says. “We’ve also retrofitted quite a lot to our older fleet.”
With the added safety comes increased cost savings for AJM Transport. Thanks to MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium solution, the transport company also experiences minimal maintenance requirements and repair issues.
For Dennis and the AJM Transport team, it’s now a case of no longer needing to physically check tyres at the services but rather that it checks the tyres well before they go into the workshop.
“Now, we’ll look at the Trailer Premium platform and go from there,” he says. “There’s definitely been a gain in productivity there in the workshop because of that.”
With transport companies always cognisant of profitability, AJM Transport is confident that with MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s Trailer Premium being fully operational, tyre punctures won’t affect its bottom line. Nor its reputation.
“The Trailer Premium system has improved our productivity, both on-road and in our workshop,” Dennis says. “And MICHELIN Connected Fleet have been a really good bunch of people to work with. They’ve done what they said they were going to do, so they’ve delivered.”
Contact
MICHELIN Connected Fleet
Ph: 03 9069 1314
Web: connectedfleet.michelin.com/en-au
An AJM Transport B-double.
MELBOURNE
QUEENSLAND
Happy landings
Tuff Trailers enhances the safety and efficiency of its trailing equipment with Razor International’s electric landing leg system.
For the past 20 years, Tuff Trailers has worked closely with electronics specialist, Razor International, to boost the value proposition of its product portfolio.
Matt Dengate of Tuff Trailers says the OEM at the time was trying to find the best electric landing leg system in the industry which had good service and backup support.
“We were really looking out for quality, and Razor came in on the topside there,” he says. “Working as an automated piece of equipment, these landing legs offer a new level of efficiency to trailer unhitching for operators who can unload the legs without even having to leave their vehicle if outside conditions aren’t ideal.
“If you’re a seasoned operator, and the
weather is cold and miserable, the last thing you’d want to be doing is standing beside your trailer, unhitching your truck and having to wind down landing legs in the wet and mud.
“The great thing about the Razor landing legs is that you can press a button and they lower themselves down until they hit the ground, with different options for different unloading speeds.Additionally, the landing legs come with a radio controller interface, so operators can use a key panel in their truck cab to lower the legs down before they’re even ready to get out of the prime mover.”
The automation of the electric landing leg system, according to Razor, also presents safety benefits to operators, as
the landing legs’ automated process of being lowered saves the driver physical strain and fatigue involved in manually winding them down in addition to the aforementioned inconvenience or discomfort. This element of safety also extends to the protruding loads of certain trailer payloads.
“Usually, conventional deck widening trailers would go to 3.5m, whereas we build up to 4.5m agricultural deck wideners,” Matt says. “So, that means the decks would be an additional half a metre per side.
“Razor systems don’t require a landing leg handle and are driven directly to the leg. The alternative would be to have a handle that is a metre longer than it needs to be on a fixed width trailer.
“If you have a Razor system, you just press a button and it goes down. So, there’s an advantage to the operator for safety by avoiding protruding loads.”
These benefits in safety and efficiency and have made the electric landing leg system a popular specification for many of Tuff Trailers’ customers, all of whom have been more than pleased with its performance according to Matt.
“The feedback on the Razor landing legs is great,” he says. “Razor has always been in the pursuit of delivering quality.”
A SureLift Crane Hire delivery.
Images: Tu Trailers.
Razor International’s electric landing leg system fitted.
enhancing performance and extending the life of your engine.
www.castrolvecton.com.au New Kenworth trucks come with the reassurance of
2025 E-Plas Rigid Body Builder Showcase
Final destination
Australia’s last mile delivery demands are booming, fuelled by the rise of e-commerce in the country and its impacts on how consumers order goods.
The last mile is often the last stretch in logistics where freight makes its way from a transportation hub to its final delivery point which could be anywhere from a home to an office or warehouse. In the age of online shopping and the advent of e-commerce, demand for lastmile delivery services have seemingly surged around the world, as consumers increasingly desire the convenience of a package arriving at their doors. According to Grand View Research, the world’s lastmile delivery market size was estimated at $132.71 billion USD (AUD $203.23 billion) in 2022, a figure expected to reach $258.68 billion USD ($396.14 billion AUD) by 2030.
Australia’s last mile delivery market has reportedly followed these global growth trends. In 2024, the domestic last-mile delivery market was valued at AUD $1.75 billion by Expert Market Research and is apparently showing no signs of slowing down. Data from this source, along with the likes of Market Research Analytics, have projected this domestic market
to grow at a compound annual growth rate of between 10.55 and 16.10 per cent between 2025 and 2034.
As previously mentioned, e-commerce has been a large contributor to this demand for last mile delivery, as it has enabled consumers to receive deliveries from the comfort of their homes or place of business. E-commerce activity among Australian consumers has grown in tandem with last mile delivery, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting that e-commerce’s retail share in total digital activity of the Australian economy has increased from 6.8 per cent between 2020 and 2021 to 7.1 per cent between 2021 and 2022. According to Market Research Analytics, because e-commerce is acting as a major growth factor for Australia’s last mile delivery market, the largest segment responsible for its demand is the business-to-consumers segment (B2C), and a related spike in demand for same-day deliveries. Market Research also found that, in keeping with its large
B2C demographic, Australia’s last mile delivery market experiences its highest volumes of demand in the country’s major metropolitan areas – Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. This high demand for last mile delivery in Australia has been met with an influx of both large corporations and smaller companies trying to fill it. According to Market Research Analytics, market share is concentrated among established logistics providers like Australia Post, DHL, FedEx and other major players. However, the presence of smaller, specialised companies focused on niche segments like CouriersPlease and Sendle is also noteworthy.
According to the E-commerce Guide, the top 10 e-commerce platforms in Australia are Amazon, eBay Australia, JB Hi-Fi, Kmart, Woolworths, Gumtree Australia, Big W, Coles, Chemist Warehouse and Kogan. Collectively, these platforms host more than 285 million online users in estimated website traffic.
These players are making plans to grow and maintain their influence in Australia’s last mile delivery market. For example, according to Expert Market Research, Amazon announced plans to expand its delivery network in Australia by enlisting local entrepreneurs through its Delivery Service Partner initiative in March of last year. The retailer aimed to work with small businesses operating 20 to 40 vehicles in Australia’s top three cities, employing many local drivers in the process.
The report also explains that this fierce competition in the sector, along with newfound customer expectations on delivery speed, is fuelling innovation. Examples of this can be seen in the development of advanced logistics technology, largely in the form of AI-powered route optimisation and autonomous delivery vehicles, both of which are on track to redefine delivery efficiency.
Fast fact
Australia’s last mile delivery market is tipped to grow more than twofold within a decade, expanding from $1.75 billion in 2024 to well over $3.5 billion by the mid-2030s.
On the global scale of last mile delivery, this increased innovation of different logistics technologies is one of seven observed trends in the market, according to Dista. In addition to this rapid adoption of generative AI, these key trends include location-based intelligence tracking, predictive logistics, quick commerce as companies work to make delivery times faster, more sustainable deliveries in an age of growing consumer awareness on production processes and their economic impacts, contactless delivery and omnichannel retailing. Omnichannel retailing is a particularly important trend to observe, with Dista reporting it as the ‘future of commerce’. The source shared that 73 per cent of shoppers report using multiple channels before making a purchase, while 90 per cent of shoppers expect seamless interactions across online and offline platforms.
This massive growth in the last mile delivery market, while good for customers reaping the rewards of increased competition and efficiency as a result, is also reportedly coming with its own set of challenges. Market Research Analytics found that expenses like fuel prices, labour costs and infrastructure limitations were all contributing to higher
Fast fact
More than 285 million visits are made each month to Australia’s top 10 e-commerce platforms, driving demand for faster, more e cient last mile delivery services in major cities.
operational costs for retailers, who then may pass this cost onto consumers. Specific infrastructure limitations refer to congestion in urban areas – where last mile delivery demand is the highest –posing a challenge to speedy service. Additionally, sustainability concerns are becoming increasing worries for both businesses and consumers, as environmental impacts of same-day deliveries and quick last mile operations are being felt.
The skyrocketing in demand for last mile delivery in the digital age has proven to come with its own list of benefits and drawbacks – championing the consumer experience while also posing operational risks. As demand continues to rise and e-commerce platforms continue to service it, it seems the growth of this sector is not slowing down any time soon.
2025 E-Plas Rigid Body Builder Showcase
Published annually in the September edition of Trailer, the Rigid Body Builder Showcase is the only published list of all leading rigid body manufacturers in the country and their build capabilities. The resource is used by transport businesses, component suppliers and original equipment manufacturers alike.
Rigid Body Builder Directory
For your convenience, we present to you a contact list of all participating specialists and suppliers. Whether you would like to place an order or learn more about their expertise and capabilities, see below for their details.
AAA Trailers
7 Gauge Circuit
Canning Vale WA 6155
Ph: 1300 333 888
Web: www.aaatrailers.com.au
Aldom Transport Engineering
280 Cormack Road
Wingfield SA 5013
Ph: 08 8346 3711
Web: www.aldom.com.au
Alltruck Bodies
245 Frankston-Dandenong Road
Dandenong VIC 3175
Ph: 03 9791 2144
Web: www.alltruckbodies.com.au
ATE Tankers
29-35 Vella Drive
Sunshine West VIC 3020
Ph: 03 9310 2722
Web: www.atetankers.com.au
auSTATE Services
15 Swaffham Road
Minto NSW 2566
Ph: 02 8795 0600
Web: www.austateservices.com.au
Big Rigs Australia
248 Bradman Street
Acacia Ridge QLD 4110
Ph: 07 3345 3444
Web: www.bigrigsaustralia.com.au
Border Crane Consultants
98 Baranduda Drive
Baranduda VIC 3691
Ph: 02 6056 0440
Web: www.bordercraneconsultants.com.au
Bruce Rock Engineering
15 Swan Street
Bruce Rock WA 6418
Ph: 08 9061 1253
Web: www.brucerockengineering.com.au
Bulk Transport Equipment
12-16 Fowler Road
Dandenong South VIC 3175
Ph: 03 9794 0330
Web: www.bte.net.au
Byford Equipment
Moama Business Park, Cobb Highway
Moama NSW 2731
Ph: 03 5482 0666
Web: www.byfordequipment.com.au
Byrne Trailers
278 Hammond Avenue
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Ph: 02 6923 7300
Web: www.byrnetrailers.com.au
Cain Equipment Australia
Building
6/102-128 Bridge Road
Keysborough VIC 3173
Ph: 1800 462 246
Web: hwww.cainequip.com.au
CE Body Builders/Major Motors
57 Wandeara Crescent
Mundaring WA 6073
Ph: 08 9295 6636
Web: www.cebodybuilders.com.au
CIMC Vehicle Australia
20 Whitfield Boulevard
Cranbourne West VIC 3977
Ph: 03 9797 2100
Web: www.cimc.com.au
Cook’s Body Works
140-144 Cochranes Road
Moorabbin VIC 3189
Ph: 03 9555 4166
Web: www.cooksbodyworks.com.au
Custom Transport Equipment
73 Wellwood Road
Drouin VIC 3818
Ph: 03 5625 5408
Web: www.ctequip.com.au
Drake Trailers
19 Formation Street
Wacol QLD 4076
Ph: 07 3271 5888
Web: www.thedrakegroup.com.au
Eurocold
100 McPhee Drive
Berrinba QLD 4117
Ph: 07 3569 2858
Web: www.eurocold.com.au
Freighter Group
233-243 Learmonth Rd
Wendouree VIC 3355
Ph: 03 5339 0300
Web: www.freighter.com.au
FTE
9 Healey Road
Dandenong South VIC 3175
Ph: 03 9794 7466
Web: www.fte.com.au
Rigid Body Builder Directory
Furina Truck Bodies
13 Broadhurst Road
Ingleburn NSW 2565
Ph: 02 9829 2572
Web: www.furinabodies.com.au
G H Varley
21 School Drive
Tomago NSW 2322
Ph: 02 4964 0400
Web: www.varleygroup.com
GLT
2/39 Silica Street
Carole Park QLD 4300
Ph: 1300 731 442
Web: www.glttrailers.au
Gorski Engineering
195 Hume Highway
Somerton VIC 3062
Ph: 03 9308 5433
Web: www.gorski.com.au
Hercules Engineering
87 Canterbury Road
Kilsyth VIC 3137
Ph: 03 9728 2111
Web: www.hercs.com.au
Hercules QLD
19 Clinker Street
Darra QLD 4076
Ph: 07 3712 0388
Web: www.hercqld.com.au
Moore Trailers
58 French Road
Pittsworth QLD 4356
Ph: 07 4693 1088
Web: www.mooretrailers.com.au
Muscat Trailers
7 Graham Hill Road
Narellan NSW 2567
Ph: 02 4648 2101
Web: www.muscattrailers.com.au
Nixons Engineering Wagga
254 Hammond Avenue
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Ph: 02 6921 6011
Web: www.nixons.com.au
Prestige Truck Bodies
27 Lakewood Boulevard
Carrum Downs VIC 3201
Ph: 03 8773 0600
Web: www.prestigetruckbodies.com.au
Scully RSV
88 Grindle Road
Rocklea QLD 4106
Ph: 1800 728 559
Web: www.scullyrsv.com.au
Shakanda Engineering
16-18 Sanders Street
Korumburra VIC 3950
Ph: 03 5662 3144
Web: www.shakandaaustralia.com
Shephard Transport Equipment
31 Arc Place
Larapinta QLD 4110
Ph: 07 3711 0400
Web: www.ste.com.au
Sloanebuilt
21-23 Dunn Road
Smeaton Grange NSW 2567
Ph: 02 6056 0440
Web: www.sloanebuilt.com.au
Southern Cross Trailers 11 Manthorpe Street
Dry Creek SA 5094
Ph: 08 8405 7600
Web: www.scteg.com.au
Starworx 5A Westwood Drive
Ravenhall VIC 3023
Ph: 03 9958 9750
Web: www.starworx.net.au
Tieman Tankers
180-186 Northbourne Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061
Ph: 03 9469 6700
Web: www.tieman.com.au
Transport Refrigeration Services 3 Distillers Place
Huntingwood NSW 2148
Ph: 02 8822 8100
Web: www.trsservice.com.au
Vawdrey 1-53 Quantum Close
Dandenong South VIC 3175
Ph: 03 9797 3700
Web: www.vawdrey.com.au
Star power
The
Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association is calling for a voluntary accreditation model to be developed
which could save the economy up to $1.1 billion annually.
As the Australian Government sets its sights on productivity-led growth, the role of rural freight in national resilience, food security and economic reform can not be ignored. That being said, the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) took the opportunity to put forward a bold, practical and cost-effective reform blueprint at the Productivity Commission’s Economic Reform Roundtable last month in Canberra.
At the heart of the ALRTA’s submission was its flagship 6-Star Trucking model – a voluntary, incentive-based accreditation framework designed by industry for industry. The model recognises operators who exceed minimum compliance benchmarks across fatigue, maintenance, biosecurity, animal welfare and driver training. Its aim is simple – reward best practice with tangible benefits like reduced enforcement, profitability incentives and improved access.
“This is not about reinventing the wheel,” says ALRTA Executive Director, Anthony Boyle. “It’s about aligning existing safety and accreditation levers into a streamlined, scalable framework that government can trust, industry can adopt, and Australia can benefit from.”
Economic modelling conducted using data from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics and Austroads shows that the 6-Star Trucking model has the potential to save the national economy between $422 million and $1.1 billion per year. This is driven by a combination of crash and fatigue risk reduction, improved maintenance efficiency, lower insurance costs and productivity gains from harmonised high productivity vehicle access. These gains average around $29,000 per truck annually, proving that safer and more professional operations are also more profitable. These are also savings that flow through the entire supply chain from producers to processors and consumers.
Another key strength of the 6-Star model
is that it protects and rewards those operators investing in safety, welfare and professionalism.
“There’s a real shift happening across the freight industry,” says ALRTA General Manager of Policy and Strategy, Ashley Mackinnon. “We’re seeing greater recognition that safer equipment, accredited training and animal welfare compliance are not just regulatory boxes to tick — they’re competitive advantages.”
The ALRTA’s 6-Star initiative puts this principle into practice. By offering tangible benefits such as improved access, fee relief and insurer recognition, it ensures that better operators become more productive, helping justify the upfront investment in high-standard vehicles and workforce development. This, the ALRTA believes, levels the playing field for those doing the right thing and promotes a performance-driven culture across the rural freight sector.
The 6-Star model is just one component of the ALRTA’s broader Gate to Plate strategy – a national blueprint for rural freight reform. The roundtable submission outlines several aligned initiatives including:
• a harmonised HPV access framework which replaces fragmented, state-based rules;
• a co-designed National Truckwash and Biosecurity Infrastructure Plan;
• a Rural Driver Training Academy which recognises rural freight driving as a skilled occupation; and
• investment in disaster-resilient freight corridors to ensure supply continuity.
ALRTA President, Gerard Johnson, says these principles reflect not only the needs of rural operators but also the national interest.
“We’re not looking for special treatment – we’re offering real-world solutions like safer roads, stronger supply chains and lower compliance costs,” he says. “If this roundtable is serious about resilience and productivity, rural freight has to be in the room.
“Too often, policy discussions focus on metropolitan congestion and urban freight hubs. Yet, it is rural freight that connects Australia’s $90 billion agricultural sector to ports, processors and international markets. With more than 300,000 jobs reliant on rural supply chains, the stakes are high. And so are the opportunities.”
The ALRTA is now calling for formal collaboration with the Australian Government to advance the 6-Star Trucking framework through structured cost-benefit analysis and pilot implementation. With alignment to national strategies on freight, food security, biosecurity and growing industry momentum, the case for reform has never been clearer.
Contact
Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association
Ph: 02 6247 5434
Web: www.alrta.org.au
A B-double livestock combination. Image: ALRTA.
Skel trailers
Evolution side tippers
Road train dollies
Flat tops, drop decks
Deck wideners and extendables
Coldcore
ANE and
Walking
PBS
Seeing is believing
Simon National Carriers is investing in driver monitoring technology to increase safety around many other operational processes in place.
Simon National Carriers is a national freight carrier based in Brisbane, Queensland, which has continually expanded since officially incorporating in 1973. The business runs a fleet of approximately 220 trailers including curtainsiders, flat tops, drop decks, ramp trailers and skels which specialise in a range of transport tasks throughout Australia.
Within its operations, increasing and maintaining safety standards is a top priority for Simon National Carriers.
“Safety is a big part of Simon National Carriers,” says Simon National Carriers National Transport and Distribution
Manager, Mick West. “We spend a lot of money on safety within the business. We buy the latest equipment with the latest technology and the latest safety features, and we’ll continue to do that.”
Chief among these investments is Guardian Seeing Machines. Simon National Carriers has installed 54 of the driver monitoring systems in its linehaul prime movers in a bid to reduce the chances of on-road fatigue-related accidents occurring.
“It’s a big investment,” Mick explains. “Each unit is quite expensive to have in the truck, but they’re proven. There hasn’t been a fatigue-related incident that hasn’t
been picked up by the machines.
“Driver monitoring systems save lives, and that’s what we’re about. We want to get our drivers home safely, so we’ll continue to invest in technology that will make their jobs safer.”
Simon National Carriers has built a reputation on prioritising safety and compliance. With Seeing Machine units and In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS), it is able to monitor the behaviours of its fleet and drivers in real-time in terms of speed, acceleration/deceleration, harsh braking and more. But around that, it also preserves extensive maintenance programs.
As Simons National Carriers National Fleet Manager, Scott Horwood, explains, this includes having a dedicated training department which educates all operators, truck drivers and mechanics on road rules, fatigue management, defensive driving, compliance with regulations, cab assessment, basic maintenance and load restraint.
“Our maintenance procedures are first-class,” he says. “We have a really stringent maintenance program as well as preventative maintenance processes which are just as important as getting the safest and newest equipment into the fleet.
“Training is also a very important piece of the puzzle. Without the education of our staff, we can’t do what we all do.”
Australia’s largest supply chain and logistics trade show, MegaTrans, is returning in 2026.
Scheduled to take place from 16-17 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, MegaTrans 2026 will once again shine a spotlight on the Sustainable Supply Chain of the Future – attracting key players across freight, logistics, warehouse operations, transport technology, infrastructure and more.
To participate, visit www.megatrans.com.au/get-involved/.
Images: Simon National Carriers.
The business has installed 54 driver monitoring systems across its expansive fleet.
A Simon National Carriers Super B-double.
Road upgrades & new developments
What you need to know about Australia’s biggest road projects this month
Flood resilience study to bolster National Highway network
The Northern Territory Government is planning to improve the resilience, connectivity and efficiency of the National Highway network through a flood resilience study.
The study will investigate the flood resilience of the National Highway network – the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly highways – which connect the NT’s major cities and remote communities.
This project aims to help future proof the state’s main transport links by identifying vulnerabilities and developing strategies to upgrade infrastructure.
It will also deliver options to upgrade the network, improve flood immunity and climate change resilience.
This will include concept options, network priority sections and cost estimates for proposed upgrades.
According to Department of Logistics and Infrastructure General Manager of Transport and Civil Infrastructure, Claire Brown, the study will provide valuable information on how to minimise the impact of weather events on the National Highway network.
“The National Highway network is a key transport corridor for the Northern Territory,” she said.
“This study will assess the flood immunity and resilience standard of the highway network, and also develop strategies to enhance the National Highway network and reduce road closures and the impact of flooding in the future.”
maintenance costs.
“The pavement improvements deliver a better overall experience for road users as they reduce disruptions due to roadworks and closures,” he said.
“This is particularly important for heavy vehicle drivers and the freight industry who rely on this route to move their goods across NSW.
“By investing now to improve the quality and durability of transport infrastructure, we reduce the ongoing costs of maintenance
Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
The North East Link Project is slated to be complete in 2028.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Gabrielle Williams, said it has been a long time coming.
“The North East Link has been talked about for decades and we are getting on and delivering it – creating thousands of jobs in the process,” she said.
A shot of the Oxley Highway. Image: Transport for NSW.
Refurb revolution
Faced with mounting operational costs, driver shortages, increasing governmental safety and emissions regulations trailer fleet operators are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Are trailer refurbishments the antidote to the current woes, while growing circular economies?
The trailer industry has been witnessing a steady revolution over the past few years – trailer refurbishment, coupled with parts remanufacturing, or reman, with more trailer manufacturers seeing the benefit of offering these services as part of their operations.
With operators finding it harder to make ends meet, coupled with escalating new vehicle costs, ESG requirements and emission reductions targets, the cost efficiency and environmental benefits of refurbishment of trailers has seen more trailer manufacturers offering recycling and upcycling of existing vehicles as a win-win for all stakeholders.
According to market research firm, Focus Fusion Analytics, the trailer repair service market was valued at $5.1 billion USD (~€4.462 billion) in 2024 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.3 per cent from 2026 to 2033, reaching $8.3 billion USD (~€7.26 billion) by 2033.
This is according to its report entitled ‘Trailer Repair Service Market Adoption, Trends, Key Market Highlights & Scope 2033’, released in June this year.
“The trailer repair service market is experiencing robust growth, fuelled by evolving transportation regulations and sustainability mandates,” said Focus Fusion Analytics in its findings.
The US market research firm reported that the need for “efficient repair ecosystems” will steadily grow as global road freight demand doubles by 2050, according to World Bank predictions.
The report found that refurbishment services were growing as a result of “governments across Europe and North America offering incentives for retrofitting older trailers with low-emission systems”, while the “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is enforcing stricter trailer emission compliance, pushing fleets to engage in frequent maintenance and system upgrades”.
“The trailer repair service market is poised for steady growth from 2026 to
2033, driven by technological innovation, shifting consumer behaviour, and expanding global demand,” the report stated.
It listed digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and increased
Refurbishment o ers financial and ESG options for trailer fleet operators. Image: kot500/stock.adobe.com.
automation across value chains as key trends shaping the trailer repair market, resulting in trailer industry stakeholders increasing their focus on R&D, strategic partnerships, and regional expansions to gain competitive advantage.
“The trailer repair service market is expected to witness diversification, increased product customisation and greater integration of AI and IoT technologies, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors, manufacturers, and service providers globally,” said the report as it looked to future developments.
One of the trailer industry’s dominant forces to champion the refurbishment of vehicles has been TIP Group.
In November 2024, it purchased UKbased trailer refurbishment company, Trailer Auto Group (TAG), itself only established in 2022 to meet increasing refurbishment demands due to ESG requirements and new trailer costs.
TIP saw that strategic acquisition as enabling it to extend the life of its fleet and enhance its refurbishment offerings to customers, while operating 30 locations in the UK.
Moreover, since 2023 TIP has been collaborating with DSV to refurbish more than 2500 of the company’s trailers, with 2025 seeing it breathe new life into 500 Schmitz Huckepack trailers in DSV’s European fleet.
The continuing refurbishment reflects a shared vision of promoting circular economy initiatives by TIP and DSV to help reduce carbon emissions.
The companies have found that refurbishing, rather than replacing, trailers,
provides significant emission reductions. TIP has estimated that the refurbished 500 trailers in 2025 would result in estimated emissions savings of 8,000 tonnes of CO₂.
TIP and DSV have witnesses that refurbishment of the trailers has led to a doubling of vehicles’ operational lifespan, with DSV reporting that, after five years of active usage, the trailers will run for additional six years, reducing the replacement of trailers.
As part of the refurbishment programme, TIP and DSV highlighted the maintenance programs maximised fleet productivity by minimising trailer downtime and ensuring optimal performance.
TIP Group CEO and President, Arjen Kraaij, extolled the virtues of refurbishment as promoting circular economies.
“Both companies advocate for circular economy initiatives that contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions,” said Kraaij. “Refurbishment is a great example, both supporting DSV’s sustainability ambitions and optimizing their fleet performance, a true win-win.”
DSV Global Equipment Services Managing Director, Flemming Steiness said: “Refurbishing trailers instead of replacing them is a simple yet powerful way to cut emissions, while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect.”
TIP Group’s ESG Director, Markus Pretzl, noted there is a direct correlation between refurbishment and circular economies principles, by “maximising the use of natural resources, reducing waste, and extending the lifecycle of assets”.
TIP calculates that a refurbished trailer can save an estimated 15.7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over its lifetime compared to the emissions required to manufacture a new one.
TIP is also advancing its refurbishment credentials by joining forces with French logistics company, Groupe MoussetJetransporte to introduce a milk collection tanker refurbishment programme, which will extend vehicles’ lifespans, while delivering economic and environmental benefits.
The parties expect to see a 35 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions over a period of 18 years for each refurbished vehicle, as well as providing enhanced CSR value to the company and its partners.
In an industry where time is a crucial factor in determining business success, TIP
sees trailer refurbishments as providing shorter turn arounds, and wait times, than with new trailer purchases.
“While a new trailer can take up to a year due to supply chain issues, refurbishment allows us to turn trailers around in just a few months,” said TIP Group’s Global Maintenance and Development Director, Jan van Vugt.
Polish trailer manufacturer, Wielton S.A. has ventured into the refurbishment market, launching its new ReTrailer Sp. z o.o. in 2025, specifically designed for the recycling and upcycling, or ‘second life cycle’ of semi-trailers and components.
The Wielton off-shoot specialises in factory refurbishment of semi-trailers, the sale and rental of used trailers and the responsible recycling and disposal of trailers beyond repair, thereby managing the full life cycle of semi-trailers.
ReTrailer’s embracing of a circular economy approach to trailers is aligned with the Wielton Group’s core 2023-2027 strategy.
“Realising how important it is to take care of the environment in the face of a changing world and the economic challenges that haulage companies have
been facing recently, we have decided to extend the scope of our activities to include the thorough refurbishment of trailers,” said Wielton Group CEO, Paweł Szataniak.
“By improving the condition and appearance of a used vehicle, using the potential of each component, it will gain a new, longer life and contribute to reducing the carbon footprint produced by transport.”
Wielton estimates the refurbishment of semi-trailers will add an additional six years to their life cycles.
ReTrailer CEO, Bartosz Budnicki, said the company aimed to combine environmental awareness with cost-effectiveness.
“In today’s reality, hauliers, in order to reduce costs and increase competitiveness, are looking for solutions to extend the life of their rolling stock,” said Budnicki.
“ReTrailer responds to these challenges by offering not only significant savings but also certified CO₂ reductions for environmentally conscious customers.”
Commercial vehicle equipment specialist, BPW has joined the growing number of proponents of the positive effects
of circular economy on the transport and logistics industries, through the refurbishment of parts.
BPW is showing how the refurbishment of trailers, including its Reman Line, is making the transport industry more sustainable.
At the Transport Logistic 2025 exhibition in Munich, TIP Trailer Services’ Central Region Operations Director, Jan Philip Grünwald, joined the BPW stand to share a range of industry insights into the benefits of the circular economy for trailers.
Grünwald shared his insights into how trailer refurbishment works in actual terms, as well as the main advantages of refurbishments compared to the purchase of new vehicles.
He also considered the issue of why remanufactured components, such as BPW’s Reman brake callipers, are changing industry approaches.
Although part of its Reman Line, the BPW ECO Disc TSB brake calliper is still considered a genuine BPW original part, representing a cost-effective and driving safety alternative for older vehicles.
“Our parts offer superior functionality and a durable design. The cathodic dip-painting with zinc phosphate coating
BPW has embraced circular economy through refurbishment with its Reman Line. Image: BPW.
protects against corrosion and ensures a high residual value for the vehicle,” said BPW Head of Research & Development for the Truck & Trailer Components Business Unit, Dr. Daniel Köhler.
BPW Head of Fleet Sales Europe, Ralf Merkelbach, said some fleet operators were postponing capital investment and retaining their older trailers for longer due to stricter environmental regulations, new vehicle costs and increasing operating costs.
As a result, trailer refurbishment, which is common in the liquid transport sector, is now becoming more common, and acceptable in the standard transport sector.
BPW presented its remanufacturing solution at the 2025 Going Circular
Competition, a feature of the Circular Economy Forum 2025, held in July, where it was a top five finalist with its entry.
SAF-Holland has also seen the need to keep pace with industry demands and trends by rebranding its US-based remanufacturing arm of Like-Nu to Haldex REMAN, in January 2025.
The REMAN product line includes ABS valves, air disc and hydraulic brake calipers, air dryers, compressors and water pumps.
While there will be a continuing demand for new trailers, fleet operators are now firmly embracing refurbishment as a solution to meet their performance and profitability needs, while supporting a greener and more sustainable future for the transport industry.
Refurb report card
• Good option to buying new
• Reduces maintenance costs
• Refresh existing assets at less cost
• Extends life of existing trailers
• Near same performance as new trailers
• Sell and lease back after refurbishment
• Fleet longevity
• Equipped for regular usage
• Proactive component replacement
• Fewer unplanned services
• More reliable fleets
• Extends trailer usage
• Reduced fleet carbon footprints
• Minimise environmental impact
• Faster trailer availability
Going big
SLR Trans is rolling out a major order of 26 Vawdrey Iceliner refrigerated trailers in the midst of an exciting growth trajectory.
Queensland-based refrigerated transport company, SLR Trans, has found itself in a period of substantial growth following a spike in demand from its existing customer base. To effectively cater to this, the business has made a significant investment in its trailer fleet.
“We always strive to look after our current clients,” says SLR Trans COO, Aumar Moosa. “In order to do that, we need reliable equipment that doesn’t fail. This investment ensures we have sufficient, dependable resources to meet those demands.”
The investment in question involves 26 Vawdrey Iceliner refrigerated trailers. The first 16 have already arrived in the form of eight B-doubles and will be met by the remaining builds in the coming months.
“We’ve already received eight B-double sets, and the rest will be delivered as they are completed by Vawdrey,” Aumar says.
“Thanks to Vawdrey’s impressive production speed, we’re confident that all 26 trailers will be delivered within the next two months.”
The majority of these trailers will be used as 26m B-double combinations and 12-axle modular B-triple road trains. The
remaining units will be deployed as standard semi-trailers.
The B-doubles that have already arrived are operating under Concessional Mass Limits (CML) each at a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of up to 64.5 tonnes with payloads of around 34 tonnes. Comparatively, the B-triple road train combinations to arrive will also operate under CML but at GCMs of 84.5 tonnes and payloads of 43 tonnes.
The B-double trailers will all be utilised to transport refrigerated freight for customers in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. Their routes will cover the eastern seaboard via movements throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Extending into regional Queensland, the B-doubles will also run between many major distribution centres and interstate hubs.
The eight new B-doubles, although in their relative infancy, are already performing to the expectations of SLR Trans.
“The performance of these trailers has been excellent,” Aumar says. “The
B -doubles have smoothly integrated into our operations with virtually no downtime or mechanical issues. They are docked daily and endure regular knocks, yet they’ve proven to be incredibly robust. We haven’t seen any issues at all.
“Driver feedback has also been very positive, especially regarding the ride quality, ease of opening and closing the rear doors and the smooth operation of sliding the lead trailer body.”
The 26 refrigerated trailers will join six other Vawdrey Iceliner B-double sets in SLR Trans’ fleet – units which Aumar says have stood out due to their reliability.
“The build quality is top-notch, and it’s just what we expect from Vawdrey,” he says. “The attention to detail across internal panel fit outs and aluminium skirtings and durability of the rear doors and lighting systems really stands out.
“Most importantly, they’re reliable. They just work without requiring constant workshop visits. That reliability gives us peace of mind in a fast-paced, timesensitive freight environment.”
One of the new B-doubles. Image: Vawdrey.
Truck Shows & Field Days
Pencil in some information on dates and venues of various truck shows, field days and road transport industry conferences both locally and internationally.
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