When it comes to innovation this company gets a SOLID PLUS
When we think of solid we think of a whole bunch of other S words like strong, stable, sturdy and secure. So when we are talking about a business kicking goals in the solid tyre industry one must automatically think we are talking about the tyres.
Not the case.
While quality tyres remain the core business for Solid Plus, it’s the technical innovation that is making this business a leading success.
Henk Van Diggele the GM of Solid Plus; “Back in early 2008 we put ourselves in the customer’s shoes and asked ourselves, what is going to make their (the customer’s) life easier? What can we do so we both benefit from this relationship?”

“The answer to the question was a big technology project handed to the CIO with justified benefits and an end result that would make any business with forklift and industrial tyre operations happy”.
Two years later and the rubber flowers are blooming at Solid Plus, with a growing garden of accounts that include Australia’s largest airline, Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of structural, rail and steel products plus Lencrow Group, a leading Australian material handling company. These businesses now have a strong mutually beneficial relationship with Solid Plus that is married by the assets of technology. The new key digital features that are part of the solution include:
1. Online ordering minimising mistakes such as sizing
2. Online quoting by the customer themselves
3. Online reprinting of invoices
4. KPI’s recorded for each job
5. Invoicing the customer onsite instantaneously at job completion
6. Tailor made IT programs for each individual customer
7. Online fleet monitoring, LIVE 24/7 with Cents Per Hour (CPH) figures per forklift ; and
8. Online Reporting

All Solid Plus forklift tyre service trucks right across Australia are fitted with GPS navigators and tracking devices so customers are kept in the loop regarding arrival times.
“It’s a little ironic that our business has a focus on compact, reliable, durable and performance based tyres and that we have applied the same principals to our technology” said Gil Mayhew CIO at Tyres4U, the parent company of Solid Plus.
The customers are receiving accurate real time invoices direct to specific accounting staff, detailed records are kept and the customers can manage much of their account online.
The success of this initiative has filtered down from the corporate decision makers who save valuable time and money to the busy press operator getting his hands dirty, ensuring the forklift driver is a happy end user.

This point has been emphasised by Peter Luggerman a press operator at Solid Plus; “At Solid Plus we are committed to delivering on time, so having a paperless system where we are able to invoice on the spot through a simple tap on my device gives me one less thing to worry about. I can concentrate on the service and then get to the next job hassle free, minimising any customer down time.”

Solid Plus is cementing itself in the industrial/forklift tyre service industry through technical innovation. It has paved the way in revolutionising the forklift tyre industry by conducting much of its operations online in an automated manner that benefits both their business and the customer.
This is what Ross Grossick from Lencrow Group, a leading material handling company had to say about Solid Plus; “Solid Plus billing is instantaneous; we get real-time costing, we invoice our customers momentarily and the difference in our cash flow is now 20-30% better.”

Additional information on Solid Plus includes:
• A quality-endorsed IS09001, Australian owned and operated organisation
• Exclusive distribution rights for many tyre brands with the best range of pneumatic and solid forklift tyres including Watts and Continental brands
• Operations and distribution centres in every Australian state and a national dealer network of 186 independent service centres
• Some of the most highly respected expert technical people in the Australian tyre industry
• Same or next day solid tyre pressing service and an exchange wheel system for far remote areas.
For more information please contact:
Henk Van Diggele, General Manager, Solid Plus
Ph: 02 9716 1728
Email: henk@solidplus.com.au

The Little Rippa Road Cam will have its’ official launch at the 2010 NatRoads Gold Coast conference 5/6/7th August and is quickly becoming the Australian truckies road cam of choice.

The strong and rugged design.Little Rippa Road Cam, records road vision directly from the truckies cabin. Easily fitted to any truck make or model, this new product will revolutionize the industry and assist truckies recording in real time, what is ahead of the truckie and record actual live road footage.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

With a key locked recorded hard drive, time and date stamped, this road vision camera is an Australian first for the Australian Trucking Industry. With a national network of fully trained installers, the Little Rippa Road Cam can be quickly installed during a truckies downtime.

The NatRoad Conference 2010 is expecting record breaking attendance because of the many changes and innovations to the Australian Trucking industry. The conference will be held at the Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast in Queensland.

Who is NatRoad?
NatRoad, the National Road Transport Operators Association, was formed in 1994 when the Long Distance Road Transport Association and the National Transport Federation decided to combine their respective strengths. From this partnership, NatRoad has developed into Australia’s premier Association for long distance and regionally based trucking businesses.

In 2008, NatRoad amalgamated with the Australian Road Train Association to create NatRoad, the National Road Transport Operators Association incorporating the Australian Road Train Association – Australia’s largest trucking association, representing all long distance and regionally-based operators.
NatRoad is a not-for-profit Association overseen by a Board of Directors who all run trucking businesses. You can be sure that we will focus on those issues most important to you – keeping your trucks and business running.
NatRoad has members in every state and territory. Your business doesn’t necessarily stop at the border, so why should your Association? We can provide support, information and advice regardless of where you operate.
Members range from owner-drivers to large fleet operators. We have the expertise to help you whether big or small.
The NatRoad Vision
“To be recognised as Australia’s Leading National Road Transport Operators Association.”
Our Mission

NatRoad is committed to provide leadership, support and development of its members, staff and stakeholders in the Australian road transport industry. We strive to maximise members long term viability by providing tools, networking opportunities and industry education within the following core values.
If you are involved in the Australian Trucking Industry in any way, you should be part of NatRoad.

Volvo sees the future of long distance trucking as longer trucks, controlled by autopilot, and driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways.

Some of the highlights of the Volvo Concept 2020 project includes:

•the linking of vehicles together wirelessly into long trains that travel at 90 km/h, allowing drivers to take rest breaks behind the wheel

•the use of green corridors which separate trucks from other traffic, driving in their own lanes, like a railway but without rails

•a new dashboard in the cab with a thin film panel on which information is tailored to suit the driver. The panel is operated like a touchpad, just like an iPhone

•a new drivers’ seat, which has a thin, ventilated mesh backrest, more like a modern office chair than a traditional driver’s seat. Behind the driver is a futon sofa which folds out into a wide, comfortable bed in the evening

•a sleek look for the exterior, reducing the perception of the vehicle’s size. The LED headlamps and turn indicators are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras that project their images onto the inside of the windscreen

•the lower section of the front of the vehicle features integrated collision protection projecting forwards about half a metre

Australian truckies new rest areas will cost $300 million over 10 years, with money starting to flow in 2011-12.

The Australian Government is currently funding new and upgraded truck rest areas through its $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program. The program began in 2008-09, and comes to an end in 2011-12.

Since governments are requiring truckies to take rest breaks, it’s important we provide them with places to rest. It is now obvious that the Rudd Labor Government has no intention of funding these crucial rest areas themselves.

Mr Truss originally made the rest area commitment at the 2009 Australian Trucking Convention, and repeated it at the 2010 convention on the Gold Coast in April.

The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, said the announcement recently made by Mr Robb showed the Liberal and National parties would not honour the commitment if elected later this year.

But the spokesperson for Mr Truss said the Coalition would reallocate funds within the existing roads budget to fund the new rest areas.

Truckiesonline asks all Australian truckies to take the pledge for the next Fatality Free Friday 28th. May 2010

Shoe message to spread interstate
The striking ‘empty shoes’ awareness event which took place last year in the lead up to Fatality Free Friday is making a return.

Fatality Free Friday founding sponsor Suncorp Insurance will host this major media call on 28 May – Fatality Free Friday – to draw attention to the number of lives lost each year on Australian roads.

The display is to be held in the Brisbane CBD’s Radacliffe Place where Fatality Free Friday supporters will be encouraging pledge signings on the day.

Also plans are underway to hold an ‘empty shoe’ display in Melbourne on 28 May.

Police forces in both Victoria and Queensland are lending significant assistance to the event.

If you’d like to organise a Fatality Free Friday event in your community, we’d love to hear from you – contact us today.

Keep checking back on the Fatality Free Friday to stay up to date with new Fatality Free Friday events happening around the country.

To register your commitment to Fatality Free Friday click here

If you are a “truckie”, TAKING THE PLEDGE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Volvo Trucks is launching the rugged, new Volvo FMX. Built specifically for heavy construction tasks, this truck will be available on European markets in September, followed by a global rollout during the rest of the year.
“We are extremely proud of this truck and can hardly wait to see it at work for our construction customers,” says Staffan Jufors, President and CEO, Volvo Trucks. “With the new Volvo FMX, we are truly breaking new ground for us and our customers’ operations.”

Rugged look for a rugged truck

The most obvious change with the new, high-clearance Volvo FMX is its robust, modern exterior. With a new upper grill, aggressive lower front, 3-part steel bumper with 3 mm thick steel corners, rugged skid plate and protective bull bar, this is a tough construction truck. For additional functionality, the Volvo FMX also features a powerful tow hook, headlamp mesh protection, new anti-slip steps and a convenient ladder – just to name a few examples.

“A quick glance at this truck and its powerful stance immediately reveals the close connection between Volvo Trucks and our sister-company, Volvo Construction Equipment – among the world leaders in dumpers, excavators and wheel-loaders,” says Staffan Jufors. “The new Volvo FMX literally breathes construction – reflecting its capabilities, inside and out.”

CHRIS THOMSON (WA News)

A national freight company that denied two truck drivers and a forklift operator their lunch breaks underpaid them a combined $33,750 a Perth magistrate has found.

Long-term truck drivers Timothy Falconer and Mitchell O’Brien, and forklift operator Bernie Williams, told WA industrial magistrate Giuseppe Cicchini that SCT Logistics breached employment contracts by not paying them the correct amount for working during lunch breaks.

The truck drivers said this continued from March 2003 to December 2007 at the company’s Forrestfield depot.

They demanded half-an-hour’s pay at double time for each lunchtime missed.

However, SCT claimed the men were never barred from taking lunch. The company argued instead that most drivers preferred to skip lunch so they could finish work earlier or get paid more.

Mr Williams said that at times between April 2003 and December 2007 he too had to work through lunch without being paid appropriate overtime rates. The company disputed this.

In a recent ruling, Magistrate Cicchini accepted the truck drivers were “almost invariably” unable to take a lunch break.

He found that Mr Williams was instructed to work through several lunch breaks without being able to take one later in the day.

He found Mr Falconer was underpaid $17,771.26, Mr O’Brien $13, 859.79, and Mr Williams $2119.15.

Isuzu Trucks has extended its reign at the top of the Australian truck market to 21 consecutive years.

It follows on the back of a strong sales performance in the midst of extremely demanding economic conditions in 2009.
According to official industry figures, Isuzu Trucks finished 2009 with a total of 7480 units, eclipsing its nearest competitor by 3221 units.
Despite a 24.3 per cent decline in the total Australian truck market largely due to the effects of the global financial crisis, Isuzu Trucks extended its hold on top spot, increasing its December ‘year-to-date’ market share from 28.7 to 30.8 per cent.

Isuzu N Series models continued to dominate the light market with an impressive 40.7 per cent market share for a total of 3544 units, placing Isuzu 1647 trucks ahead of its nearest competitor.

In the hotly contested medium segment, Isuzu Trucks also made an impact delivering 3113 units and extending its market share to 42.4 per cent to comfortably claim top place.

In recent years Isuzu has made inroads into the heavy duty market with its FV models, FX range and expanded Giga line-up.
The trend continued in 2009 with Isuzu securing fourth place with 9.9 per cent market share, a performance that saw it placed ahead of a number of European and American heavy duty manufacturers.
According to Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) director and chief operating officer Phil Taylor, Isuzu Trucks’ sales results in 2009 were extremely pleasing.
“Achieving 21 consecutive years of Australian truck market sales leadership is very rewarding for IAL, particularly in light of the demanding market conditions,” Mr Taylor said.
“Despite a fall in overall sales volume, securing a total market share of almost 31 per cent is a satisfying effort in the face of difficult economic conditions.
“It means that approximately one in three new trucks sold in Australia in 2009 was an Isuzu.
“We thank all our loyal customers for their continued support throughout last year.”

Mr Taylor said that Isuzu’s recent introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, coupled with constant evolution of its expansive high-tech diesel truck ranges, positioned the manufacturer well for the future.

Preparations are being putting in place around Australia as the trucking industry gets ready to celebrate TruckWeek 2010 from Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 February.
The week brings all sectors of the industry together to inform the community and politicians about the importance of the trucking industry, the issues the industry will face in the coming years, how to drive safely around trucks, and the great careers that are now available in trucking.

Across Australia, trucking companies, both large and small, have organised events as diverse as inviting local politicians to participate in on-road trials, to organising a stall at the local market day to promote sharing the road safely with trucks.

In Canberra, the ATA has organised a parliamentary delegation program, inviting politicians to meet with industry leaders to discuss the key issues facing the industry.

In Sydney, ATA NSW will welcome Members of the NSW Parliament and the Sydney Ports CEO, Grant Gilfillan, to a series of barbecue breakfasts at the port with local truck drivers, while in Melbourne the VTA will give local politicians the chance to see the latest developments in truck safety in conjunction with Linfox.

Meanwhile, in Brisbane, Simon National Carriers will open their doors to local and state politicians to explain how technology can be used to make the roads safer for all road users.

It’s not just in the capital cities where events are being held. Dozens of small operators have taken the time to introduce the trucking industry to the wider community, such as in Leongatha, Victoria, where Ryan’s Transport will take The Nationals’ state leader Peter Ryan for a drive, or in Newcastle, where Daracon has invited its local state member of parliament for a tour.

TruckWeek 2010 is a great opportunity for our industry to showcase today’s trucking industry and where we are heading” To check out the full range of TruckWeek events, go to www.truckweek.com.au.