Biggest indoor event in 18 months attracted all corners of industry in uncertain times
In the aftermath of the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show (BTS), history will show that, despite the ongoing threat of Covid-19 outbreaks putting paid to events at late notice, the show did go on – drawing tens of thousands of attendees in the process.
Having gone off without a hitch, the efforts of organisers Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), exhibitors and visitors didn’t go unnoticed by federal assistant freight and road safety minister Scott Buchholz, who voiced his endorsement after touring the show.
He puts emphasis on the timing of the event, with BTS back in 2021 during a heavy vehicle industry renaissance, following a significant increase in freight and logistics demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s also Australia’s largest indoor event in 18 months.
Thank you @NHVR & @Coles – partnering for Road Safety! pic.twitter.com/qukwI8P46s
— Scott Buchholz MP (@ScottBuchholzMP) May 14, 2021
“Here today, industry feedback was clear and it was a positive sign that the transport, freight, and heavy vehicle sectors were benefiting from the Morrison Governments investments and initiatives and driving the Covid-19 recovery.
“To the industry and to Todd Hacking and his team, all of the sponsors and exhibitors and of course the visitors here over the course of the show, thank you for supporting this industry.”
One of the highlights of the show was Kenworth’s unveiling of the Legend SAR
Buchholz notes the federal government is backing the industry via the 2021 Budget.
“In the budget, our government is supporting jobs and job creation in the transport, freight, and heavy vehicle sectors by extending temporary full expensing and the instant asset write-off.
“Our initiatives are keeping money in transport and trucking businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift or buy a new piece of equipment.
“These measures mean 99 per cent of businesses can deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are installed until June 30, 2023.”
HVIA CEO Todd Hacking showed Buchholz around the show and said this year’s event brought out real industry support for owner-drivers and their workmates.
“These operators are key to the Australian trucking industry,” Hacking says.
“We couldn’t do this without them.
“No other country is holding an event like this since Covid hit.
“The HVIA couldn’t be happier with the turnout of visitors from around Australia.
“We wouldn’t be here without the support we have received from the Morrison Government.
“The Budget gives the many small to medium business here confidence to investment in new equipment that makes them profitable going forward.
“It is also the first chance for the Australian trucking industry to catch up with mates, to be here with many of their colleagues they have known for years and haven’t seen because of Covid.”
In a common theme since the pandemic struck, Buchholz notes workers in the sector are Australia’s unsung heroes and the truck show not only put on display the latest and greatest in technology, it recognised the significant contribution of the workforce.
“I want to thank all the freight operators, drivers, DC workers, manufacturing and maintenance crews who have met the challenge of increased local demand, keeping our supermarkets stocked and our economy running,” he says.