Page 13 - VTE JUNE

MegaTrans2018 Almost sounds like a new ‘transformer’, well perhaps it is
The inaugural show which was on from 10-12 May in Melbourne had the hallmarks of a show that intends to stay, as it had support from not only industry but also the Victorian government.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Ports, Luke Donnellan attended and launched the event at a breakfast function for industry and media.
The ministerial breakfast was moderated
by Peter Anderson, Chief Executive Officer
of the Victorian Transport Association. With Minister Donnellan taking the opportunity
to talk in glowing terms of the opportunities and investment that his government was facilitating. He talked of the $4.3 million to
be spent to improve Victoria’s roads, and $500,000 to review truck licenses to ensure the career continues to attract young workers.
Many other speakers were given a turn to discuss their areas of interest at the breakfast including Tony McMullan, CEO of the Truck Industry Council who talked about the need for Australia’s truck fleet to smarten up and move into contemporary times with current technologies. According the Mr McMullan the average age of a truck in Australia sits at 14.9 years and the fleet is not getting any younger as trucks are held for longer and longer periods.
Keeping these trucks is not just detrimental for the truck industry but it also means that the technology in those trucks is old.
A 14-year old truck employs older technology than a 14-year old car which means that environmental and occupant safety is not up to scratch, as well as the safety of other road users.
Alongside the breakfast there was an exhibition, and conferences that were aimed at the freight and logistics sector. While VTE is not involved per se with freight and logistics it has an inevitable affiliation with the industry through trucks.
Over the three days more than 9,500 people attended which is significant considering this was the inaugural event.
The exhibition was largely focused on freight and logistics, as it should be for this type of show, but some truck manufacturers and importers were on hand. One company used
the platform to relaunch into the Australian market – Diamond Reo, while Isuzu launched its locally developed electric vehicle concept program.
A number of companies partnered with the organisers – Prime Media – to stage the event including Australian Logistics Council, Victorian Transport Association, Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association, Freight Trade Alliance, Australian Peak Shippers Association, International Cargo Handling Coordination Association, Civil Contractors Federation, Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia, National Transport Commission, Transport Certification Australia, and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
The exhibition was spread over 30,000m2 of the exhibition centre with four distinct areas: Logistics & Material Handling; Warehousing & Storage; Road Transport, Air, Sea & Rail; Infrastructure; and Technology.
A Diamond in the
rough
Daysworth International, a well known leader in Terminal Tractors relaunched the Diamond Reo Road Truck brand at Megatrans.
Diamond Reo was an iconic heavy-duty road truck that graced Australia’s highways in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
At its re-release at Megatrans it was not revealed where the major components of the truck are sourced, though it has been written elsewhere that there is a chance that the chassis may be coming from the US.
Daysworth International revealed its Diamond Reo Giant, a 540 HP 6×4 prime mover with specifications for inner city haulage. This version will be available with either an Eaton or Allison transmission, Meritor axles and Hendrickson suspension.
Truck | Feature
Also launched is the Diamond Reo 8×4 Tilt Tray Construction Range which is also available as a tipper, water tanker, hook lift and crane truck.
The re-introduction of Diamond Reo road truck has been a 9-year project for Daysworth International.
According to the manufacturers the Diamond Reo Giant has been extensively tested offshore and in Australia since 2015. The new
generation of trucks has proven itself with more than one million kilometres of testing in the harshest Australian road conditions.
“We’ve run our 6×4 Diamond Reo tray truck fitted with Palfinger with all combinations of loads. The Diamond Reo has performed exceptionally with high performance and comfort,” Ivan Cicak, MME Transport said.
Diamond Reo trucks are available turn-key for delivery.
www.saea.com.au
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