Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 393 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

Sages through the ages have liked to say “nothing lasts for ever” but we’d like to add that this goes for nothing lasting forever as well. For, unless something entirely unforeseen occurs, ATN is set fair for the welcome return of relevant commentary and insights from some the more acute thinkers and reporters to have graced its pages in recent times. This edition marks the first return showing of David Harland’s wisdom surrounding the workings of the family business. His is a general vision, so industry concerns will be less prevalent. But, in an edition which features an interview of fearsomely busy industry servant Julie Russell, Harland’s focus on how family businesses promote female leaders is extraordinarily timely. On that score, in this edition, award-winning founder and director Leigh Smart…

NSW Police has stern words for industry after it uncovered a drug-affected truck driver using a GPS jamming device and a modified speedometer during a compliance operation at Mount White. Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Traffic Task Force and heavy vehicle inspectors from the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) inspected nine heavy vehicles at the weighbridge on May 3. A prime mover being driven by a 54-year-old Campbelltown man was found to have a “modified speedometer which would have stopped the vehicle’s odometer” from working, and an oral fluid sample returned a positive indication for the presence of a prohibited drug. The driver was suspended from driving for 24 hours as police awaited results from a second sample before determining further legal action, while inspectors were conducting…

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has brushed off Labor’s election loss to promise an increased effort to realise its goals. The union underlines that next year will see widespread industrial action as it steps up its fight for “better, safer jobs and accountability among powerful, wealthy companies at the top of the supply chain”. Speaking at the union’s national council in Cairns, TWU national secretary Michael Kaine flags that the move, five years in the making, will involve 200 enterprise agreements across road transport and aviation that “delegates and organisers have worked to align”. “Over the next year, we will launch the most concerted push in our union’s history to bolster our bargaining power and put safety and fairness at the heart of our industry,” Kaine says. “We make the…

A new agricultural vehicle and combination notice is operational across large parts of regional Australia, with almost two-thirds of local government areas agreeing to its implementation, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) reports. The notice aims to remove the need for operators to apply for permits to move such combinations on public roads. It will apply across designated roads in more than 260 local government areas that signed up during March and April. NHVR executive director freight and supply chain productivity Peter Caprioli says introduction of the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Notice simplifies the movement of large agricultural equipment and provides clearer guidelines for primary producers. “Farmers should check the Operator’s Guide and online maps to see whether they still require a permit to move a vehicle,…

Safe rates supporters have had a win in Victoria, with the state government introducing an amendment to the Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors (ODFC) Act, warning hirers and brokers that fines of up to $4,000 would apply for non-compliance. The Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Amendment Bill 2019 is said to “make work safer and fairer for owner drivers and forestry contractors, including drivers using digital freight and delivery platforms”. The Victorian government classifies owner drivers as small businesses that own and operate one to three vehicles to deliver goods. The ODFC Act “is meant to assist owner drivers assess if a hirer’s offer is adequate and gives them enough pay for their labour”, but the government says a review it had undertaken of the law “found many hirers and…

Lionel Samson Sadleirs Group (LSSG) has appointed David Cole as its new CEO. Cole has been in executive roles for more than 20 years, most recently as COO for Linfox subsidiary Armaguard. “I have enjoyed working with David Cole previously during his tenure at AHG Refrigerated,” LSSG chair Michael Smith says. “He was instrumental in redefining the strategic direction of the business by bringing together market-leading companies in Scott’s, Rand, Harris and JAT to form one single business, which in turn saw growth in revenue from $140m to $680m. Cole steps in for outgoing CEO Ian Kent, who was in the role since late 2015 and was thanked for his service by Smith. “We are in good shape because of Ian, and with the addition of David to our leadership…

The strengthened Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, which commenced on October 1, 2018, reinforce that operators have a responsibility to prevent or minimise potential injury, danger or loss by ensuring their transport activities are safe. Part of that duty is to ensure that drivers are fit for work and properly licensed to drive the heavy vehicle assigned to them. Operators need to be aware, for example, if a driver has accumulated demerit points so as to lose his or her licence. But NatRoad members find it difficult to obtain data about offences and other licensing details from employees and subcontractors. The NatRoad Board is concerned that there is no uniformity in Australian law for operators to securely access driver records and on road breaches of their drivers. A legislative change…

It’s relatively easy to figure if something is successful or not. If not, it consumes funds then just wilts and drifts into oblivion. Much like any truck show ever held in an Australian city other than Brisbane. If successful, however, it’s a better bet than Winx that envy and avarice will conspire with wanton self-interest to cause lascivious fingers to dip into the fiscal froth. Much like the Truck Industry Council’s (TIC) apparent willingness to shatter Brisbane’s stature as a world-class showcase of all that’s new and exciting in Australian road transport. In what amounts to little more than an assault on the enduring success of the Brisbane Truck Show, the Truck Industry Council has outlined a plan to run its own truck show and industry symposium in 2021 –…

It was entirely fitting that the new HiAce was given its Australian market introduction at the Toyota Centre of Excellence in Altona North, in Melbourne’s west. The place marks ground zero of the company’s rebirth following the demise of Corolla and Camry manufacturing here. Along with the centre, the facility will host a training operation with test track, a new design studio and the nation’s first commercial-grade hydrogen refuelling station, along with a cutting edge automated parts warehouse. On hand for the Australian launch, HiAce chief engineer Tokuo Ishikawa was initially hesitant when ATN asked how long he’d worked on the six-generation of this immensely popular vehicle, plumping for a decade. He explained at the presentation that a global consultation with owners of the van has taken in Australia, where…

Legal proceedings by Aldi against the Transport Workers Union (TWU) have commenced in the Supreme Court, which the union says “could have far reaching consequences for anyone who wants to protest against poor workplace safety, environmental or rights abuses”. The parties have been at loggerheads since 2017 over issues of safety in the transport supply chain, resulting in Aldi lodging an application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the TWU from conducting pickets at its premises, and restrain the publication of certain communications relating to the dispute between the parties. “Aldi is taking the case after the TWU protested against the supermarket giant’s refusal to discuss safety in its transport supply chain,” the union continues in a statement. “While companies such as Coles and Woolworths have recognised the danger in…

A recent VicRoads operation in Melbourne’s inner-west targeting heavy vehicle curfew breaches has renewed calls to implement a cleaner freight solution as a middle ground between the needs of industry and community. The curfews apply from 8pm-6am Monday-Saturday, 1pm Saturday to 6am Monday, and school pick-up and drop-off times to anyone not making local deliveries around the Yarraville and Footscray areas, with some residential roads considered rat runs between the Port of Melbourne and major highway connections. The blitz targeted tyres, steering, and registration, with 10 drivers penalised for breaching curfews or for being overloaded, defective or unregistered. VicRoads manager of transport safety services Russell Greenland says that there are “a range of excuses but generally they don’t see the signs which is a bit of a concern because they’re…

Burgeoning carrier Followmont Transport is celebrating 35 years servicing its home state of Queensland. The company has grown steadily there over the decades and the regular industry award winner had a signature year last year with the acquisitions for Towers Transport to bolster its New South Wales presence. The Towers purchase was a strategic move was made to offer additional services to its existing customer base for the benefit of their businesses, and is currently in the process of ramping up further. Along with its continued investment in fleet, properties, people, training and compliance, the company is also transitioning to improved digital platforms, offering a better customer and employee experience. Founded through humble beginnings in 1984, Bernie Tobin and Alan Salpietro saw a gap in the market when a rail…

A fatality in New South Wales four years ago has seen Lindsay Australia agreeing to a number of conditions following court proceedings. The undertaking costs a total of nearly $1.5 million and involves: • The installation of Guardian ‘Seeing Eye Machines’ in prime movers and trialling the installation in depot tug trucks • Implementing a safety culture leadership program delivered to selected executives, senior group managers, depot and operations managers across the business at each depot site • Engaging external safety experts/consultants to perform a tug truck safety audit at its Sydney depot to assess compliance with the company’s safety system • Developing and implementing an augmented reality technology training tool in conjunction with SafeWork NSW and an industry advisory group • Conducting a radio media campaign promoting the importance…

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and Volvo’s safety alliance has found a generous new backer. Australia Post has announced a four-year partnership with the ATA with a focus on safety on the roads. The announcement coincides with National Road Safety Week, and includes a $200,000 sponsorship pledge for the rebranded Volvo ATA Safety Truck. The Volvo ATA Safety Truck, a road safety exhibition that has been in operation since 2008, is being updated to specifically target 16- to 25-year-old drivers and vulnerable road users. The new partnership will have a focus on educating drivers on how to share the road safely with heavy vehicles through hands-on informative, small group presentations and virtual reality technology, and will see Australia Post join the ATA’s corporate sponsors providing funds for the rebranded truck.…

Experienced commercial vehicle executive Mark Cameron has been appointed to the newly created position of regional director for Australia and New Zealand, at leading automotive electric technology company, SEA Electric. Cameron will assist the company manage its fast growth in the local market, while also helping to capitalise on emerging opportunities for its proprietary van and minibus products along with OEM partnerships. Cameron has previously held senior positions with Scania in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia, including as regional director for South Malaysia and Singapore and MD for Tanzania. Cameron says he is now focused on assisting the company execute its local goals. “I’ve joined SEA Electric at a very exciting time,” he adds. “We’ve become the electric drivetrain supplier of choice for many of the region’s leading truck brands…

In an article for Quartz at Work, EY’s Carrie Hall writes, “At a time when gender parity remains elusive at all levels of business management, family firms are especially compelling options for women who aspire to lead…” Referring to the EY global family survey, Hall says that “the world’s largest, longest-lasting family businesses are advancing women, including non-family members, further and faster than their non-family counterparts”. This is a bold statement, given that women make up at least 40 per cent of the workforce in 80 countries, and remain greatly underrepresented in leadership roles; but the facts back it. Results of the 525 largest family businesses surveyed, were that: • 30 per cent are strongly considering a woman as the next CEO (vs 4 per cent globally, 5 per cent…

This is the last in a series of logistics pricing articles drawn from some 105 pricing strategies collected over the last 30 years. Thus far, we have examined over 30 strategies and here we examine a basket of prices that have a geographic flavour. URBAN PRICING STRATEGIES High-rise delivery As e-commerce and home delivery have grown massively over the last 20 years, so have the problems with urban delivery. Not only are congestion, parking and unloading considerations problematic, but CBDs and close-in suburbs have well established or growing levels of new high rise buildings. These buildings can take significant time to deliver to if there is not a ground floor mail or parcel delivery room or reserved drop area. Time adds costs and high rise delivery can add significantly to…

2019 HiAce long wheel base and super long wheel base ENGINE 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo diesel or 3.5-litre V6 petrol POWER Diesel 130kW @ 3,400rpm; petrol 207kW @ 6,000rpm TORQUE Diesel manual 420Nm @ 1,400-2,600rpm; auto 450Nm at 1,600–2,400rpm – petrol 351Nm at 4,600rpm GEAR BOX Six-speed manual and auto FRONT SUSPENSION MacPherson strut, stabiliser bar REAR SUSPENSION Leaf spring rigid axle TURNING CIRCLE LWB 11m; SLWB 12.8m CARGO SPACE LWB 6.2 cubic metres; SLWB: 9.3 cu m; 1,760mm, 1,268mm between wheel housings TOWING CAPACITY LWB TD/petrol man 1,900kg/1,400kg; LWB crew auto 1,500kg; SLWB: 1,500kg FUEL TANK CAPACITY 70 litres FUEL USE Diesel manual 7.5L/100km; auto 8.2L/100km – petrol manual 12.4L/100km; auto 12L/100km EMISSIONS Euro 5…

Eight months down the Chain of Responsibility (COR) reform track, NHVR statutory compliance executive director Ray Hassall reveals the NHVR is currently undertaking six COR investigations and a further eight cases were being monitored. “Investigations range from serious systemic breaches to responding to information gathered through the NHVR’s Confidential Reporting Line,” Hassall says. “All current investigations include the executive officers of companies, in addition to other roles within the supply chain. “It’s important that executives make themselves aware of the responsibility associated with their interactions with the heavy vehicle supply chain.” Those investigations include the following allegations: • directions to disregard of work/rest requirements • the absence of safety management systems to prevent non-compliance • ineffective driver monitoring systems, poor load restraint practices Executive officers have an obligation to exercise…

Toll Group has rejected in strong terms mysterious allegations related to its operations and strategy. The reaction follows the leaking of emails confirming an investigation into the allegations conducted under its whistleblowing code that has since closed. “These are anonymous, wholly unsubstantiated and completely false allegations,” a Toll spokesperson states. “However, in line with Toll’s stringent whistleblower policy, all allegations are followed-up and thoroughly examined by an independent third party. “None of these anonymous allegations were found to have any substance or truth. “Should we be able to locate the source of public communications on these false allegations, we will be taking action against the individual or individuals to the full extent of what is possible in law.” The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports that the allegations allude to: gilding…

Mainfreight has announced its “best ever” full-year financial results, spotlighting “healthy profit improvement across all of our global regions” and salary increases in Australia and New Zealand. Its net profit (before abnormals) was NZ$141.08 million (A$133 million), up $29.08 million or 26.0 per cent. On its Australian arm, the NZ-based company reports revenue of A$710.17 million, up A$86.90 million or 13.9 per cent, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) at A$55.37 million, up A$5.49 million or 11 per cent. “After a relatively slow start to our financial year we have achieved satisfactory full year results in Australia,” Mainfreight comments. “The new branch location for Transport was opened in Toowoomba (having been delayed), and the Geelong branch moved to a new facility. “Plans are underway for additional domestic…

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has cast as misguided Austroads’ approach to width. A research project by government agency Austroads – Exploration of heavy freight vehicle dimensions: productivity, safety and other considerations – is said to be ignoring the findings of the expert panel inquiry into national freight and supply chain priorities. “Last year, the expert panel inquiry into national freight and supply chain priorities recommended better supply chain integration, including common standards such as the width of refrigerated truck trailers, that should align with major international partners,” Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chair Geoff Crouch says “However, current research work underway by government research body Austroads is exploring moving to an overall permissible width of 2.55 metres, ignoring the international benchmark of 2.6 metres, especially for refrigerated truck trailers. “An…

For more than 20 years, the Australian Trucking Association and Paccar and its dealer network have collaborated to present the annual Technical and Maintenance Conference (TMC) – one of Australia’s longest running technical conferences. Our industry is changing fast, so in 2018 we were excited to relaunch as the Technology and Maintenance Conference, revising the program to include an increased focus on technology, as well as the key issues of safety, productivity, environment, costs and careers. TMC is a must-attend event for technology and maintenance professionals in the trucking industry and brings together maintenance technicians, apprentices, fleet managers and technical fleet professionals. Delegates will have the opportunity to embrace new ideas, while developing and maintaining real skills. TMC 2019 will give delegates the opportunity to learn industry best practice through…

Truckline has seen Martin Hinkley to the role of general manager. Previously national sales manager ANZ – Iveco Parts, Hinkley brings to the CNH Industrial sister firm nearly 20 years of industry knowledge across both parts and whole goods. “Truckline has a great history and has always been known for their customer service,” Hinkley says. “I want to ensure staff continue to be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to deliver peace of mind to customers. I’ve been in the industry for half my life and I’ve started from the ground up, so I really understand how crucial it is for our customers to minimise downtime.” Hinkley joins Truckline at a time of great progress for the company, with a new e-commerce platform, nation-wide branch refurbishments and potential expansion…

They say if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. In the world of road transport, Julie Russell embodies that adage. Not only was the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) president re-elected for a third term this year, Russell’s peak body involvement expanded through her appointment to the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) board. Alongside her industry advocacy roles, the former National Trucking Woman of the Year remains a director of third-generation family business Russell Transport, where, with degrees in psychology and business management, she has performed roles in risk, compliance, human resources and back office support for more than 15 years. Shetells ATN thatthe industry is approaching an important crossroads, with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review set to shape the future of road transport in…

As someone who admits that science at school wasn’t his strong suit, Formula Chemicals director Leigh Smart has done well since starting his business in a garage with the $1,000 borrowed from his father some 46 years ago. With the business expanding across four factories and employing more than 40 staff and a fleet of its own, Smart has become more than just a dangerous goods operator but an outstanding contributor to the trucking industry. Seated in his West Ryde office in Sydney, Smart is a humble man who is happy with the things he’s achieved and the fortune he’s made. Aged 70, he says he’s got few regrets, and hopes that his children will continue on with the business. The company blends up to 15 million litres of various…