Productivity is a key to move, as is long-term expertise
Semi Skel Hire sets up for growth in the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) space following its recent acquisition by the TR Group, seeking the expertise of major trailer player Vawdrey Australia.
Vawdrey delivered 10 new PBS-approved A-doubles to TR Semi Skel in October, which the group is calling ‘stage one’ in its plan to offer high-productivity trailer solutions to industry.
“There has been increasing demand for PBS and we saw an opportunity in the market for the hire of this sort of equipment,” TR Semi Skel Hire Victorian state manager Kim Kelly says.
“Obtaining PBS approvals is a complicated process and various transport companies are hiring people specifically to help them with it.
“Vawdrey Australia is a pioneer in the PBS field and we plan to continue working with them for all of our PBS requirements. At the moment, PBS-approved A-doubles are highly called for, but regulations and specifications change all the time, so with the help of Vawdrey, we’ll be keeping right up with any changes and moving along with these.”
Founded by Geoff Kelly back in 1994, the Melbourne-based company boasts a hire fleet of more than 1,200 trailers with more on the order books, and keeps its family values with daughter Kim and son David Kelly working within the business.
TR Group was founded a couple of years earlier in 1992 over the ditch, and now has a fleet of around 5,500 rental and lease vehicles around New Zealand.
Kim Kelly says her family made the decision to sell their business to accommodate further growth and allow the business to reach its full potential, with plans for national expansion.
“The acquisition has opened up opportunities to begin opening up depots Australia-wide, as well as giving us the ability to purchase more equipment across more categories, including PBS and trailers for the construction sector,” she adds.
With TR Group and the fantastic relationships it has in New Zealand, it is bringing its values over to us and we are hoping to replicate its success in Australia.”
Read how TR Group snapped up Semi Skel Hire, here
TR Semi Skel Hire has confirmed plans for a new depot in Brisbane, which will be operational before the end of 2020, as well as expanding down the eastern seaboard and then West.
The company has ordered a number of B-double flat tops to accommodate for an increase in equipment demand, in addition to the recently delivered A-doubles.
An exciting move for TR Semi Skel Hire is the recent move to offer prime mover hire, which will allow customers to hire a full PBS-approved truck and trailer combination.
“We’ll be working closely with Vawdrey in obtaining all of our PBS permits,” Kim explains.
“With the introduction of prime mover hire, customers will be able to hire out the full unit.
“PBS is new to us and while the goal is to have these combinations out for long term hire, it also means people can hire the equipment just for a day if they need to.
“And if one of their PBS combinations is off the road for a month, being able to get the prime mover at the same time will make it a lot easier,” she says.
TR Semi Skel Hire says it will continue to grow and push forward in the PBS space, thanks to the relationship with Vawdrey Australia.