Brockhoff hails new facility as company foreshadows equipment refinements
Fresh from getting its New South Wales dealership facility up and running, trailer maker MaxiTrans has focused on rolling out refinements to new products.
While the Hamelex White VersaBolt tipper concept was unveiled a year ago, it has now entered production.
The first unit was rolled into the firm’s new facility at Smeaton Grange facility this week to be shown off to customers.
And the company aims to have advancements to VersaBolt unveiled within eight weeks.
Also awaiting public unveiling is the new AirMax suspension that will complement its existing CS range and the Freighter EziLiner’s innovative “spring assisted” load restraint gates are due development in the coming weeks.
Maxitrans MD Michael Brockhoff describes Smeaton Grange, deep in Sydney’s west and close to major freeways, as “strategically nearly the perfect place to be” in NSW for his firm.
He notes its 20,000 square metre footprint includes space for expansion.
With the facility providing credibility in the NSW marketplace and six sales staff on the ground, he believes the firm is well placed to lift sales the targeted 50 per cent.
“The capability of the new dealership adds value to our sales offices in the Riverina and Central Coast, while giving customers access to our products regardless of their location,” Brockhoff says.
The service workshop is equipped to complete all fibreglass, aluminium and steel repairs from minor servicing to full rollover repairs, as well as trailer pre-deliveries and tipper body fit-ups.
With eastern states now well-covered, conditions will have to improve markedly for the company to make a move on Western Australia.
“It will be some time before we can justify this sort of facility there,” Brockhoff says, pointing to the large number of idle trailers available due to the mining downturn.
More broadly, the company is bullish.
Brockhoff notes that performance based standards (PBS) is pushing the market towards more customisation and that the company expects the Australian dollar to decrease further.
Together, this opens up export opportunities and hampers importing firms, particularly from the US.
Of the new rental service launched late last year, it is growing but from a low base.
It has “started off slowly” and the company is “taking a very cautious approach”.
Despite that, it expects to offer rentals on all its products as the service develops.
Smeaton Grange
Total site: 20,000 sqm
Workshop: 2400sqm
Service pits: 4
Chassis repair bays: 6
Fibreglass repair sections: 2
Paint spray booth: 1
Automated Truck and trailer wash: 1
Customer service van (24 hour): 1
Operating hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm.