Australia’s world-class trailer manufacturing industry was on full display at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show with a raft of innovative new products unveiled
The innovativeness of Australia’s trailer manufacturing sector is something to behold.
Road trains are a modern marvel, as are the incredible heavy haulage low loaders and some of the giant cattle carriers (just to name a few).
What’s more, most of them are designed and built here in Australia, making them the flagbearers of our manufacturing industry.
The drive for increased safety and productivity from truck trailers was on full display at this year’s show. Check out the highlights below.
Drake unleash world first
For nearly 65 years, The Drake Group has been known for moving big things.
So, it was of no surprise to see the Wacol-based company stepping it up a notch again and unveiling a truly revolutionary product at this year’s show.
Too big for the BCEC, Drake had to unleash its world-first O’Phee ‘London’ double stack container SKEL super B-double combination to the public via the Little Stanley Street display.
Named after the iconic London double-decker buses, the super B-double double-stacked trailer combination is capable of carrying up to eight empty 20-foot containers.
The ‘London’ operates only at the Port of Brisbane and was thought up out of conversations between Qube and O’Phee Trailers.
The Drake Group, which comprises Drake Trailers, O’Phee Trailers, Drake Collectibles, and Dalzell and Bagley Engineering, is led by John Drake.
GLT unloads new waste tipper
Graham Lusty is an industry icon. For decades under his numerous companies, he has been building and designing world-class trailers.
Having been to nearly every truck show since 1985, he was a good person to gauge attendance numbers compared to previous years.
“Day one (Thursday) was probably the best we’ve seen here, and I’ve been doing truck shows since 1985,” he says.
Known for its grain tippers, the GLT team included a new addition to its impressive range, a high-volume green waste side tipper.
Lusty says the new trailer design was a result of the company’s decision to diversify in case of drought.
“Four years ago we had a protype here that had a lot of interest, but we were so overwhelmed with our grain-spec trailers that we didn’t get around to making anymore.
“We decided this year – in case there was drought – that we had to get into the waste market,” he says.
Robuk caps off busy year
Brisbane-based Robuk Engineering has had a few busy years since opening its doors in 2020.
The new kid on the block arrived at the 2021 show using the event as its “unofficial launch party”, but the party was no match for what it’d roll out for its 2023 appearance.
This year the company showcased the incredible Melbourne Storm-themed truck and trailer combo of Simon McMahon.
A tribute to McMahon’s favourite football team, the Kenworth T909 and Robuk trailer combination drew in flocks of people daily to inspect the impressive purple Melbourne Storm shrine.
Robuk says the Brisbane Truck Show allows it to tell the Robuk story face to face. Thanks to the showstopper that was the Storm truck, we’re sure they didn’t have any issues finding people to chat to!
Maxitrans marks milestone
Australia’s largest supplier of locally manufactured trailers, Maxitrans, was once again celebrating another key milestone at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.
Maxi-Cube, the company’s refrigerated trailer brand, marked its half century, a huge achievement, and followed sibling brand, Freighter, which celebrated its 75th anniversary at the previous event.
Leading the display were two popular trailer models from Freighter: a drop deck semi-trailer with ramps; and a drop-deck T-Liner featuring a revamped mezzanine deck design.
For the bulk haulage segment, Maxitrans had a Lusty EMS chassis tipper; while Trout River featured a live-bottom semi-trailer; and Maxi-Cube showcased its classic Reefer.
Holmwood takes high road
Before the Brisbane Truck Show, leading bulk liquid tanker manufacturer Holmwood Highgate was hoping for a big event.
“We are looking for record attendance levels and the opportunity to showcase our product to a greater audience than ever before,” Holmwood Highgate Marketing Manager Tom McKellar said before the show.
The Brisbane-based manufacturer certainly got what it hoped for, showcasing its range of Australian-made premium liquid tankers to a record 42,855 attendees.
The family-owned business employs more than 200 staff across its Queensland and Victorian locations producing its bread-and-butter fuel tankers, as well as tankers for bitumen, tallows, waste and oils, aviation and military refuelling applications.
Solid as a rock
Centre stage at Bruce Rock Engineering’s stand was a Kenworth T610SAR rigid fitted with its Evolution Series 13-cubic-metre side tipper; and its Evolution Series 23-cubic-metre four-axle dog trailer that meets the 20-metre PBS requirements.
The WA-based trailer manufacturer also displayed its light-weight earthmoving-specific TaRex end tipper as well as its drop deck widener (who doesn’t love a drop deck).
“The Brisbane Truck Show is a key event in our calendar,” the company says.
“We pride ourselves on collaborating closely with our customers to design and manufacture products that not only meet their requirements but exceeds expectations.”
Established in 1980 by Mike and Gay Verhoogt, the company is a major player in the industry, supplying an array of combinations and products to the heavy vehicle industry.
