Freight Cyber entered the transport industry just over two years ago and in that time has become a leading innovator of technology-based fleet management solutions.
Based out of Melbourne, Victoria, the company is looking to revolutionise the transport and logistics industry through its intelligent compliance-driven solution, FCX – a fully integrated modular system designed to digitalise and streamline every aspect of transport operations.
Freight Cyber connects the entire supply chain ecosystem through API-integrated portals for customers, subcontractors, workforce and workshops which is all backed by real-time data insights powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. The business’ FCX Drive driver mobile app enhances driver safety and compliance with features including an Electronic Work Diary (EWD), fatigue management, biometric sign-ins, live tracking, voice alerts and offline capabilities.
Freight Cyber has also broken into the transport industry’s hardware sector with the development of the Integrated Trailer Access Platform (ITAP) driver height safety system. This is a long-awaited move according to Managing Director, Ree Ram.
“Our move into the hardware space is aligned with our core value proposition of safety, compliance and innovation,” she says. “We are ensuring that operators not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive operational excellence and protect their most valuable assets – their people.”
This entrance into the hardware sector has been further cemented by Freight Cyber’s acquisition of Austruck Bodies and Trailers in January. The business has since been rebranded to Austruck X. Based in Seaford, Victoria, Austruck X has been building a variety of trailing equipment and rigid body designs in the market since 1988. Its heavy vehicle offering included curtainsiders, dog trailers, semi-trailers, insulated vans, tippers and beaver tail trays, all of which have been retained as part of its rebranded operations.
Following the acquisition, Freight Cyber has wasted no time in restructuring the company into a corporate enterprise.
“We spent lots of time reviewing the businesses’ former model, evaluating its relationships with suppliers and making sense of its operations,” Ree says. “We reviewed its many supplier agreements to see how we could get better pricing and build long term relationships. Rather than using 10 different suppliers for the same products, we’re choosing one or two to work with that can deliver high-quality products at competitive pricing.”
Integral to this group of existing suppliers is coating solutions innovator, Dulux Automotive Coatings, which provides Austruck X with key coating products for its builds. This business relationship is one that Ree is very excited to retain under Austruck X’s revamped operations.
“The relationship with Dulux is one we inherited, but we’re very excited to be working with the brand,” she says. “Dulux Automotive Coatings’ FleetShield products deliver the high-quality edge over the competition and the longevity we’re after to gain control in the market.”
Ree believes the FleetShield 2K topcoat and the UltraEpoxy 2K primer both set Austruck X’s builds apart due to their robust protection and unique colour options.
The FleetShield 2K topcoat is a premium quality two-pack polyurethane finish offering solid, metallic and pearl colours which are both durable and glossy. Meanwhile, FleetShield UltraEpoxy is a 2K polyamide cured primer specifically designed for commercial vehicle utility. It allows for topcoating with most two-pack and single-pack topcoats.
These products provide fleets and transport units with extensive colour offerings, excellent gloss retention and stone chip resistance. These factors are paramount for heavy vehicles that face harsh road conditions while on long transport journeys.
Austruck X, implementing these coatings into its products at the request of customers, recognises the high-quality finish that will be delivered to their specifications.
“We use Dulux’s products on every trailer and truck body that we build,” Ree says. “These primers and topcoats give us extreme durability in our finished products.
“Dulux’s custom colours can be quite complex. Each customer has their own marketing and branding that we need to follow, and we know Dulux can help deliver these colour types no matter how specific they are.”
The quality in Dulux Automotive Coatings’ value offering extends to aftersales care which Ree finds very assuring as a consumer.
“One thing I’ve seen in the very short time that I’ve been involved in the business is the level of diligence in Dulux’s post-delivery care,” she says. “After we receive the specified product for our customers, Dulux will send its own team of painters to train ours to ensure quality is not compromised.
“They show them how to properly mix and apply the products and what to avoid in the process. It is such a valuable service and it’s the kind of care we want from our suppliers.”
According to Ree, this care also includes Dulux representatives visiting Austruck X’s factory at least once a month to ensure that everything is in order.
“I’m very pleased with Dulux’s commitment to this business relationship,” she says.
Freight Cyber’s inherited relationship with Dulux Automotive Coatings has proven to be extremely valuable for Austruck X’s expansion and growth strategy. With Dulux Automotive Coatings providing quality fleet protection and detailed aftersales care, Freight Cyber’s Austruck X product capabilities have received a major upgrade.
