Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 408 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

New details have emerged on the complex company structure of Redstar Transport and its liquidation process, which has been ongoing since December 2018. Liquidators Martin Francis Ford and Stephen Graham Longley recently applied to the Victorian Supreme Court under section 65-45 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (IPS) of the Corporations Act to have their remuneration approved and bypass certain funds-handling compliance provisions to hasten Redstar’s wind-up. Section 64-45 empowers the court to make directions regarding the payment, deposit or custody of money payable to, or held by, an external administrator of a company. Court documents show the Redstar Group comprised seven companies operating as an integrated business structure under which each entity was dependent on at least one other entity for its operational needs and support services. Five of the…

Lasting impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic and targeted cyberattacks continue to crimp Japan Post’s Toll international logistics business. The combined division comprising Toll, JP Toll Logistics and Toll Express Japan recorded a $116 million operating loss (EBIT) in the three months ending July 30, $92 million worse off than the prior corresponding period (pcp). A large-scale handling of Covid-19 prevention supplies led to added revenue but also increased operating expenses, with wider slowdowns attributed to pandemic-related economic impacts and the high-profile cyberattacks targeting the business. Its $546 million revenue rise was more than offset by a $637 million increase in costs, despite a $30 million reduction in personnel expenses. "Operating income increased by A$546 million (an increase of 26.2 per cent year-on-year) overall, due to large-scale handling of Covid-19 prevention…

Salta Properties and the Victorian government have signed an agreement to jointly fund the Dandenong South Intermodal Terminal. The upgrade will connect to the Port of Melbourne’s (POM's) $125 million on-dock rail project, allowing shuttles to run from Dandenong South directly into the port. The federal and the Victorian governments will jointly invest $28 million on government-owned land to connect rail to Salta’s site boundary. Salta will concurrently invest more than $50 million to construct the Dandenong South Intermodal Terminal to be located on Salta’s 180-hectare Nexus Dandenong South Intermodal Estate. Salta says work will start early in 2021. The first phase of the project is expected to take just 24 months from works commencement and will include the laying of 800m of rail track and the development of a…

Did you get down to South Bank when you were in town for last year’s Brisbane Truck Show? The music and BBQ at the Plough Inn were amazing. Up and down Little Stanley Street and throughout the precinct, there were great deals in every restaurant and bar, especially for Truck Show attendees. Or did you see the amazing display from Volvo Group Australia in front of the casino in Redacliff Place? ‘Mack the Transporter’, the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls’ pink trucks (looking Mickey Mouse even after stretching their legs across the Nullarbor), the Jimmy Barnes-inspired ‘Working Class Mack’ and a whole bunch of other new releases and favourites were all on show. What about the Daimler display in Queen Street Mall? How good was it to see school kids ooh-ing…

In July, PACCAR Parts relaunched its new loyalty program called Privileges Plus. It was rolled out with a new customer platform that has been built on the same principles that defined the previous iteration. However, the new platform has gone the extra mile in promoting the latest offers and savings on quality truck and trailer parts to members through an easy-to-use client portal. The program has been a year in the making, with well thought-out features, technical improvements for comfortable navigation and exciting discount offers for customers. PACCAR understands how important it is for businesses to keep their vehicles on the road at all times. Any downtime can have huge impact on operations and incur uninvited costs, and it is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has put extra pressure…

The Toyota HiLux is, by some odd twists of fate, one of Australia’s best-selling vehicles, despite the fact that it’s far from the perfect family vehicle. Built tough to endure mine sites and construction jobs, the HiLux’s most popular variant is the 4x4 dual-cab ute. Formerly residing firmly at the top of the heap, the four-door, five-seat HiLux is kept honest by the likes of the Ford Ranger, while upstarts like the Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max now nip at its heels. The eighth generation HiLux launched in 2015 with new engines and technology, and the 2020 facelift addresses key areas like ride, handling and power output, where its rivals have been, one by one, stealing the march on the former king of the hill. We put 750km on a…

Where numbers looked to be creeping back toward 2017 levels, August data sees 2,616 sales take this year’s tally to 21,955, further away from 3,266/23,008 in August 2017. While still well ahead of 21,088 units at this time in 2016, that year’s August tally was more than 200 ahead, at 2,818. Individually, last month spelled some good news for Kenworth in the heavy-duty sector as it regained market share from Volvo, while Fuso’s strong performance in the light-duty sector helped it make up some ground on Hino. HEAVY DUTY Heavy duty showed some buoyancy as the only sector up on last month, with 821 sales in August against 782 in July. That makes it 6,522 for the year, well below 1,083/7,123 in August 2017 but still ahead of 6,111 in…

■ We had a little tongue-in-cheek fun about safety last month on the fitment of face-masks on prime movers but you really can’t be too careful when there’s a truck around. Not even if you’re in advertising. So it is that Clemenger BBDO Melbourne got into a contretemps with industry watchdog Ad Standards over its NAB bank ad shot on a closed set. As ad industry news service Mumbrella explains, the original ad showed a delivery driver blocking a lane of a road while unloading his truck. The issue? Lack of danger-mitigation. It was reshot with traffic cones around the driver and his truck, and ‘Loading Zone’ and ‘Lane Closed’ signs added to make the truck appear legally parked. Such is the magic of advertising. ■ NAB argued that that…

Woolworths Group has unveiled a deal that gives it 65 per cent of PFD Food Services. The major supermarket owner will also acquire all PFD’s freehold properties centred on 26 distribution centres, Woolworths says. Under the deal, Woolworths will initially invest $302 million in PFD to acquire a 65 per cent equity interest. Woolworths Group will also acquire PFD's freehold distribution centre properties for $249 million, which will be leased back to PFD. "We look forward to delivering even better experiences together for our customers as we continue to respond to their changing needs in a post-Covid world,” Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci says. "This investment is a logical adjacency for Woolworths Group and further supports the evolution of the Group into a Food and Everyday Needs Ecosystem. "We will…

Expanding networks and reducing the need for access permits will continue to boost freight efficiency, according to a productivity blueprint the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) released recently. South Australian transport minister Corey Wingard sees the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan 2020-25 as an important step to ensure governments and road managers were taking steps to meet Australia’s future freight growth. "The plan outlines important objectives, including partnering with local governments to build capability and promoting more productive heavy vehicles that are better for the environment and communities, as well as providing certainty and consistency with access," Wingard says. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto expects the Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan 2020-25 to assist Australia’s 425 road managers to coordinate their approach to addressing Australia’s growing road freight task. "The response to…

Sound diversification strategies have largely shielded Lindsay Australia from the impacts of Covid-19, its full-year financial results highlight. Group revenue grew 6.6 per cent to $411.51 million, another yearly record, however net profit after tax decreased 40.1 per cent to $5.32 million. Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the financial year also increased $2.68 million to $40.4 million, an increase of 7.1 per cent. The strong overall revenue lift result was supported by the expansion of refrigerated rail and record sales in Lindsay Rural, the company states. Broken down into individual divisions, Lindsay Transport’s freight revenue grew 5.3 per cent to $282.43 million, buoyed by the addition of 110 refrigerated rail containers throughout the year. Highlighting the rail emphasis, its contribution to the Transport division increased…

Perth’s leading position on port rail logistics has gained a new boost, with Pacific National (PN) revealing a new container shuttle service there. PN estimates that more than 20,000 return truck trips could be taken off Fremantle and Perth roads annually as part of a new port rail shuttle service between North Quay Rail Terminal (NQRT) at Fremantle Port and Perth Freight Terminal in Kewdale. The service is aimed at containers otherwise moved along the Leach and Roe highways. PN reckons the service on the Kwinana freight line has potential to initially shift up to 26,000 shipping containers onto trains each year. "Shifting haulage of large volumes of containerised freight from road to rail benefits the broader WA community," PN CEO Dean Dalla Valle says. "It results in fewer road…

Arare survey of fleet-owner and-manager attitudes to the significant issues they face has found the light of day. Software firm Verizon Connect recently released the findings of the study – the 2020 Australian Fleet Trends Report – undertaken by ACA Research, which confirms fuel costs are a central concern, with efficient use front of mind. Based on responses from 200 senior Australian fleet executives, the survey examines views surrounding driver behaviour, fuel usage, fuel tax credits and vehicle maintenance, and also covered the following industries: services, construction, production, retail and education. On some issues, they are divided into ‘distribution’, ‘construction’ and ‘production’. ATN sought out Greg Newham, head of Verizon Connect in Australia & New Zealand, for his take on the survey’s findings. SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS Automated time sheets are…

A new generation of fleet management systems powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived, revolutionising the way businesses capture data, manage fleets and ensure a safe, productive working environment. Decision-makers across Australia’s logistics and transport sector already recognise the value of AI to drive decision-making and identify efficiencies. By 2030, it’s expected that AI could add $13 trillion to global economic output, according to McKinsey & Company. MIT research shows nine out of 10 business executives agree that AI represents an opportunity for them right now. Here’s how the technology is set to transform your operations: ELEVATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Delivering exceptional customer service is a key differentiator for any business. Your customers want their products and deliveries on time, but they’re also looking for businesses that make their lives easier…

What’s on your bucket list of 4x4 and off-road vehicles to drive? A classic LandCruiser maybe? An AMG-G63 6x6 perhaps? What about a Bushmaster? Any takers for a Rolls-Royce Cullinan or Lamborghini LM002? Classics, exotics or just downright unstoppable, these are the vehicles off road that dreams are made of and most of us will never have the opportunity to climb behind the wheel of them. The venerable Mercedes-Benz Unimog fits in to all of those categories: classic, exotic and damn near unstoppable, so you can imagine my smile when offered a drive of the latest Mog. CRAFTING A CLASSIC The Unimog has been in production for more than 70 years. It was conceived as a vehicle that could do the job of a tractor, a truck and farm equipment.…

While not disclosing the parties involved, the fine was issued following an investigation and prosecution by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) following a call to the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line. The investigation found that two drivers had been employed by the company to undertake interstate driving between Queensland and New South Wales. During the period they were employed, the drivers breached their fatigue hours 22 times and 14 times respectively in trucks that were fitted with GPS tracking equipment. "This was a very serious breach of the duty to ensure safety and is the first prosecution in Queensland under the changed Chain of Responsibility legislation introduced in late 2018," NHVR executive director statutory compliance Ray Hassall says. "It was clear that the company failed to…

Heavy truck crash fatalities over the 12 months to June hit 157, down 17.8 per cent on last financial year’s 191 and a record low. The outcome is aided in no small measure by the fall in fatal crashes involving heavy-duty rigid trucks, Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) quarterly figures show. How much lockdowns have contributed to a 15 per cent fall in fatal heavy-duty truck crashes overall may never be known but it is hugely welcome. And as welcome is that strong showing from the rigid segment, which actually doubled the fall recorded by articulated trucks, 20 to 10. After five years of consistent numbers in – or, in one case just under – the 160s, the numbers for all heavy truck crashes hit 140, a…

Qube’s annual results show a hefty hit to the bottom line, but the logistics and freight facilities firm will bounce back once two meaty deals come on-stream. Though revenues were up 3.4 per cent to $1.9 billion, one-off costs mean its net profit after tax (NPAT) fell 55 per cent to $87.5 million. Pandemic costs of $21 million overall, of which around $10.5 million are non-cash expenses, go to NPAT. Hardest hit are the Operating Division, at $135 million, and the Patrick stevedoring joint venture, while $7.5 million was lost on revised work practices. The division booked a $6 million hit through a trade debtor recoverables review and $5.5 million in asset base costs. Against that, $10.5 million was saved through initiatives including temporary reductions in fixed remuneration and board…

The winds of change have swept through K&S Corporation, with vast restructuring delivering a much different outlook on recent years. Last year, it reported its annual net profit fell 86.4 per cent to $2.32 million, despite revenues rising 7.2 per cent to $905.2 million. This year, K&S saw a statutory profit after tax of $11.2 million, 384 per cent higher than the prior corresponding period (pcp), even though operating revenues decreased by 12.7 per cent to $790.6 million. The change is underscored by what K&S cites as "operational efficiencies, supplier renegotiations, cessation of underperforming activities, and the rationalisation and replacement of specific fleet assets that reduced operating costs", coupled with the support of Australian JobKeeper and NZ wage subsidy benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic. It points to the following restructuring…

There was a time, Graeme Cromack casually reflects, when Mercedes-Benz came close, very close in fact, to being a major part of the family trucking business. But that time was more than 50 years ago and since then, for one reason or another, Benz has largely missed the boat. Until now! It’s a long story and as Graeme sits watching company driver Ben ‘BJ’ Jacobs reverse the meticulously maintained 2658 prime mover under a similarly sleek curtain-sided trailer, he recalls stories from the early days of a family that, like most families in the district, actually relied on boats for many things. Specifically, the boats which once plied products and produce to and from Grafton along the broad and occasionally flooded expanse of the Clarence River in northern NSW. “It…

“It’s not going to be easy.” Our health experts and policy makers said it from the outset, and the statement rings truer than ever as Australians continue their daily battle to avert the risk of a national second wave of Covid-19. With our own headquarters based in Melbourne, at Isuzu Trucks we are well aware of the incredible on-the-ground challenges faced by our customers and partners in road transport, and those affected by Stage Four lockdown measures. Essential change has been wide and varied for those of us still in operation – from opening the dealership door through to workplace practices, reduced staff and maintaining customer support. Freight and logistics industry participants have an even tougher job complying with changing border control regulations and warehouse capacity limitations. Recognising the negative…

The Toyota HiLux has always bumped around in an odd netherworld between bushy suburbia and the blue-collar universe. Starting life as a simple, rugged tool for the hard-hat and Akubra brigades, along the way it’s morphed into one of the most popular passenger vehicles in Australia. That dual identity brings with it a series of compromises that the HiLux’s original designers never really planned for. The 2020 refresh of the eighth-generation HiLux, which launched in 2015, inches the needle over towards a passengers-first sentiment, presenting a more civil side to the HiLux without impacting its abilities on the construction site or back paddock. Niceties like a digital speedometer and Apple CarPlay, and necessities like AEB and adaptive cruise control, are all part of the mix of this upgraded HiLux, along…