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The 450 square-metre facility includes sectionable training rooms, multi-media presentation facilities and library. A large showroom area features a transparent perspex heavy trailer kitted out with SAF axles and suspensions and WABCO EBS braking system. Transpecs’ National Manager Scott Holt said that the new facility will further support the company’s aspirations for staff and industry development. “As manufacturer's representative for a number of key transport brands the up-skilling and development of our people and partners is crucially important” said Scott. “Ensuring effective supply of product is only one element of our quality offering to the transport industry. Knowledge and deeper comprehension ensures a quality long-term investment for all involved.” The opening was timed to correspond with GF-Holland fifth wheel training undertaken by visiting specialists from SAF-Holland, Germany. A number of additional courses have already taken place and a busy calendar of events is planned for 2012. Pictured (top):
The function, held at Villa Maria’s Auckland estate, included principals from SAF-Holland, Transpecs, and Transpecs’ parent company, the Gough Group. The event celebrated the organisations 37 year partnership to date and plans for future partnership into the new millennium. Attending on behalf of SAF-Holland were Detlef Borghardt (President of Trailer Systems) and Alexander Geis (President of Aftermarket). Karl Smith, CEO of the Gough Group described the partnership with SAF-Holland as a landmark partnership in a similar standing to that which the Gough Group has with Palfinger Austria and Caterpillar USA. “Our partnership with SAF-Holland has delivered premium value to both Transpecs and the New Zealand transport industry in general over many years. The outstanding value delivered by the SAF-Holland products, in partnership with our fantastic local team, reflects a benchmark standard of operational performance and profit-potential for our fleet partners” said Mr Smith. Smith said this enviable long-term partnership has delivered an exacting standard of support for the users of SAF-Holland and Transpecs’ products and services. “Our product support promise means a lot in the real-world where the quality of support drives the elimination of un-scheduled downtime, and the extension of service life. As a partnership we consistently promise premium performance along with superior long-term profitability”. “This celebration of our ongoing partnership reinforces that promise” said Mr Smith. Executives from SAF-Holland, the Gough Group and Transpecs were unanimous in their appreciation of the support shown by fleet, trailer manufacturing and service network partners in New Zealand. “We thank our partners throughout the local transport industry. We are under no illusions that we must continually strive to drive value through to our partners bottom-lines. This is the competitive edge we promise our customers and the foundation of all our mutual partnerships” said Smith. SAF-HOLLAND is one of the leading global manufacturers and suppliers of high-quality systems and components for commercial vehicles (trucks and trailers) as well as buses and recreational vehicles. The company has over 2950 employees worldwide, had revenue of Euro 631 million in 2010 and is listed on the S-Dax. Transpecs is the New Zealand representative for SAF-Holland’s premium range of SAF-branded axle and suspension products since 1994, and Holland-branded trailer fifth wheels, landing legs and ancillary transport equipment since 1974. Transpecs is a 100%-owned subsidiary of the Gough Group. Pictured from Left: Glenn Stapleton (General Manager – Gough Transport Group), Detlef Borghardt (President of Trailer Systems- SAF-Holland Group), Karl Smith (CEO - Gough Group), Alexander Geis (President of Aftermarket - SAF-Holland) and Scott Holt (National Manager Transport, Gough Transport Group).
Transpecs Product Manager Chris Scahill says that the new Hubodometer (hubo) range has been developed to address clear industry frustration with the older generation of hubodometers. “This is certainly not uniquely a Veeder Root issue; industry data shows that there are similar performance issues across all brands. As the market leader we’re motivated to be a part of the solution rather than the problem and we have taken developmental steps to deliver a solution to the New Zealand market” says Chris. The new generation Veeder Root hubo has enhancements that make them lighter, more durable and increases measurement accuracy. “The zinc die cast internal mechanism has been replaced by injection moulded plastic which reduces total hubo weight by 35%. This significantly reduces rotating mass and therefore durability and longevity of the hubo is enhanced” says Chris. Other enhancements include the replacement of the needle roller bearings with a self-lubricating bronze bush to further improve durability and accuracy. Transpecs are also encouraging industry users to ensure correct mounting of hubos. “Through our investigations we have found that the most common cause of hubo failure is incorrect mounting. We have information to address this on our website if operators are looking to make some improvement in this aspect” says Chris. Veeder Root Hubodometers are available nationwide from distributor’s Transport Wholesale Ltd (TWL), Cable Price and Truck Stops. To find out more, go to our special hubos page - click here.
The off-highway transporter will be hauled throughout the mine by a Caterpillar 777D dump-truck with its tipper body replaced by a fifth wheel. Its primary role will be to transport 192 and 70 tonne excavators to different worksites and to the onsite workshops as required. The 40 wheeler trailer features key systems supplied by Gough Group companies’ Transpecs and Transport Wholesale Ltd. This includes 10 SAF drum braked axles from their heavy-duty range, leaf suspensions and Wabco braking system. The trailer unit compliments Goughs contract to supply 95 pieces of Caterpillar machinery, worth $120 million, to Solid Energy’s Stockton opencast coking coal mine. This contract comprises 58 trucks, 19 excavators, five tracked and three wheeled bulldozers, seven wheel-loaders and three motor-graders. Manufactured by Pahiatua trailer manufacturer Jackson Enterprises the off-highway transporter weighs in at 70 tonne and is 6 metres wide and 22 metres long. The intensive six month design and build project involved up to 11 of the company’s staff at any one time. Jackson Enterprises founder and co-owner Trevor Jackson says that the huge heavy-duty transporter “is actually so simple”. The 40 wheels are suspended on a Jackson-built hydraulic system, with the trailer deck height at 1.35, and the gooseneck at 3.8m. The bare trailer’s tare weight is 53t, but twin hydraulic ramps and hardwood decking take that out to 72t. The massive task of moving the transporter from its current location at Goughs in Christchurch will be undertaken in mid February. The transporter unit will be hauled on-road by a 70 tonne capacity low loader via the Lewis Pass. It will require two tractor units to pull the transporter up the Middleton Track, the access road up to the mine. The permitted load for this unique transport project is 29 metres long by 6.5 metres wide by 4.6 metres high. The overall trip will be done in stages and is expected to take three days rather than the normal 4.5 hours by car. As another comparison, the travel time for the majority of the Caterpillar equipment supplied in the contract has been 6-7 hours via transporter from Christchurch to the mine site. Pictured:
This five axle alloy bulk-bin trailer is not only a ‘great looker’, it is a highly specified new generation of trailer - future proofed to allow for increased payloads with a GVM of 32 tonne. The advantages of this configuration also deliver significant savings in RUC’s (road user charges) with the extra axle. “With changes in the allowance of design coming from the new Mass and Dimension rule, trailer builders throughout New Zealand have been finding ways to save their customers money by increasing payloads and saving on costs such as RUC’s” says Transpecs regional sales manager Craig Hunter. “The trailer is reported to tow like a dream which is a big credit to the craftsmanship of the Domett team” said Craig. The Domett family has a long history in trailer building with four generations having been involved in the industry. Andy and Paul Domett founded Domett Truck and Trailer and bring unparalleled experience and knowledge with the ability to design and build most types of trailers you see on the road today. The trailer is loaded with the highest quality Transpecs supplied products including the latest generation of SAF Intradisc axles, which includes their patented Integral brake disc rotors to protect against cracking. The foundation brakes are controlled by the Wabco E version EBS electronic braking, which is supported around the country by Transpecs own brake engineering team, 19.5” Alcoa forged aluminium wheels, the latest C Series Edbro hydraulic ram and OMFB PTO, pump and tipping valves. With Transpecs supplying only the highest quality products along with unmatched nationwide back-up and support, customers now feel confident that they will not only get whole life savings from using Transpecs equipment, but in the case of unforeseen circumstances, replacement parts are available in all main centres throughout New Zealand. To find out more about Domett Trailers visit: www.domett-trailers.co.nz |
The new Training Centre, based at Transpecs’s South Auckland site, was opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Gough Group CEO Karl Smith and SAF-Holland President of Aftermarket Alexander Geis.
SAF-Holland Global and Transpecs celebrated their ongoing partnership with a function hosting leading trailer manufacturers, service partners and road transport fleet partners in May.
After industry feedback, Veeder Root in combination with NZ representative’ Transpecs have delivered a new and enhanced Hubodometer range for the local transport industry.
Pukekohe based Riordin & West have taken delivery of their second high capacity 5 axle trailer built by Domett Truck & Trailers and featuring Transpecs high-performance trailer components.
