There is hardly a trucking event in Australia that has received more public recognition over the past year than the International Truck, Trailer & Equipment Show, but the real yardstick for the success of any trade show is the economic effect it has on the businesses involved.
That’s why Trailer Magazine conducted a post-show survey focusing on sales performance and the generation of new business during the Show. One key finding was that Australia’s trailer manufacturing industry is experiencing a notable upward trend.
Genuine Truck Bodies (GTB), a rigid body specialist that recently began manufacturing articulated trailers for the Australian market, flexed its manufacturing muscle right outside the exhibition pavilion (pictured above), displaying a new refrigerated B-double design that proved to be a true crowd magnet.
“We had people looking at our equipment up close and personal,” said General Manager, Les Lange. “It's important to us that our potential clients are able to take their time and see for themselves the quality and the hard work we put into every product. The interest in the product was genuine and rewarding.”
Next to the all-new B-double, GTB also showcased a prototype 14-pallet dry freight rigid in order to underline the brand’s design promise of “lighter, stronger and more economical” equipment. “We had people not only praising the concepts but asking, ‘Can you do that on a trailer?’ And that’s exactly what we’re planning to do,” Les explained. “We have many more similar projects in our product planning department, so there will always be something innovative and exciting for the industry to discover when they talk to our team at GTB.”
According to Mr Lange, the amount of quality visitors at the Show was more than satisfying. “We estimate approximately $14 million in enquiries have come directly from the Show,” he said. 
Another growing brand that used the Show to boost its market position is Dandenong’s Bulk Transport Equipment (BTE), which displayed a wide array of equipment on the Town Square Lawn outside the Grand Pavilion (pictured right) – including an innovative, PBS-approved truck and five-axle dog combination.
“It was awesome,” said Director, Alan Griffiths. “We were flat out on all four days, with continuous traffic to the stand and noticeably more regional visitors attending. Lots of good enquiry for our tippers as well as the Hyva products. We are overwhelmed with quotes and follow ups now, and we are expecting strong sales as a result.”
Another company making the most of the Show was industry novice Air Tip, which unveiled a bold re-interpretation of the traditional side-tipper design in Melbourne. “The ITTES is the most efficient way for us to meet our market,” Managing Director, Clarke Petrick, told Trailer Magazine. “Our enquiries came from quality trade visitors from mainly WA, QLD and Victoria. It looks like we will close deals on 12 of our side tipping trailers, so we couldn’t be happier.”
Also located outside on the Town Square Lawn, Tipper Tarps generated solid business over the course of the four-day event. “Easily the best Melbourne Truck Show for us in eight years of participation,” Managing Director, Paul Ferbrache, concluded. “I have never had so many high quality contacts come through the stand. All the decision makers were there and plenty of business was done over the four days.” 
Inside the Exhibition Pavilion, Custom Transport Equipment (CTE) received a large number of enquiries, especially for its Tiltslide design (pictured right). “We feel like we hit the jackpot at the Show,” Managing Director, Darren Cook, said in the survey. “We had lots of really solid interest over all days, both trade and public. We don’t do quotes on the stand, but now we are busy getting back to everyone. The interest and enquiry was very promising, and in particular we had a lot of people from interstate – including NSW, WA and Queensland. I am sure the interest will turn into orders soon.”
Paul Vawdrey, Sales Director of Australia’s largest privately owned trailer building company, Vawdrey Australia, added: “The Melbourne Truck Show is our opportunity to not only show our large range of leading equipment designs, but more importantly to listen to what our clients need from their equipment. ITTES was also a good opportunity to catch up with all the quality decision makers that come to Melbourne for the week, during the Show and afterhours. We also like to promote the fact that our trailers are manufactured in Australia, as well as promoting the industry itself. That is why we invest in events such as this – in Australia's leading manufacturing and freight hub.”
Tanker specialist Byford unveiled a PBS-approved A-double unit at the Show and received widely positive feedback. “We increased our presence this year with a large indoor display, and we are really happy we did so. Our PBS combination, and low profile uninsulated tanker, generated a lot of interest and we think we will get some great results from our efforts.”
Another major player, Krueger Transport Equipment, was equally bullish at the end of the Show. The company had a large variety of equipment on Show and also used the opportunity to launch its new, Steelbro-branded side-lifer range. “We knew by Friday night that the Show was a success for us,” said John Krueger. “It delivered both the quantity and quality of decision makers we needed and wanted to see, so well done to the organisers. We were surprised by the quality of the audience, which is a sign how important a destination Melbourne is for Australia's transport industry. It's safe to say as an exhibitor, we certainly got a bang for our buck.”
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