Risk analyst says cost is less of an issue given the amount of imports
Transport operators should take up new equipment instead of upgrading old gear in order to stay compliant, a leading risk advisory firm says.
Latus Business Solutions managing director Mike Wood says he has seen a lot of non-compliant equipment out on the road because companies use expense as an excuse.
“Domestically produced equipment has always been regarded as the best however we are now seeing imported equipment equal if not better and of course the price is significantly less,” Wood says.
“So now, there is little or no excuse for having shoddy non-compliant equipment on our roads.
“Often, new trailers have a better tare and hence more payload, less maintenance and down time, let alone, the prevention of a single breach which the fine could be half of that of a new trailer,” he adds.
“Consider efficiency and consequential loss before writing off the idea of new compliant equipment.”
Many manufacturers have gone to great lengths to ensure the materials and build of imported trailer chassis are the equal to, or better, than anything built domestically, he says.
“Often the best way to achieve compliance and efficiency is with newer equipment that is compliant from the outset rather than spending a fortune on trying to an old bit of gear up to speed,” Wood says.
“So do your maths before rejecting the idea of new equipment.”