As the driving force behind the successful Australian trailer manufacturer Graham Lusty Trailers (GLT), CEO Graham Lusty is satisfied to see the company reach new heights and embark on its next phase of expansion.
He states that with advancements in technology and shifting consumer preferences, the next few years promise to be an exciting time for trailer manufacturers in Australia.
Graham launched Brisbane-based GLT in 2009. Prior to that, Graham had set up other trailer companies over the years, including G&J Lusty, Lusty Allison and Lusty EMS, before retiring.
A short time into his retirement it became clear to Graham that he was meant to still be building trailers so he came out of retirement and set up Graham Lusty Trailers, which rapidly established itself as one of the most trusted and innovative trailers companies in Australia.
As Graham says, “Retirement just wasn’t for me. I had a passion for building trailers and a drive to succeed. My aim has always been and still is to build the highest quality trailers.”
Graham holds the 100-strong GLT workforce in high esteem, crediting them with its continued success in producing top-quality, bespoke trailers.
With over five decades of trailer manufacturing experience, Graham states, “I have never been prouder of the exceptional level of knowledge and expertise that we have amassed at GLT.”
The year 2012 marked a pivotal moment for GLT Trailers as private equity firm TIP Group acquired a 50 per cent stake in the company.
“This partnership was a game-changer, bringing new growth opportunities and providing access to vital resources such as banking, legal, and financial expertise,” Graham says.
With this newfound support, GLT Trailers rapidly expanded.
The Lusty family legacy continues at GLT with three generations of Lustys working together, with Graham’s daughter Fiona as a Director and Chief Business Officer and his grandson Hugo as an Automation technician. Hugo, like his grandfather, is an automotive enthusiast passionate about car racing. The two bond over their shared love for racing production sports cars.
GLT is ramping up the production of its award-winning high-volume side tipper. This game-changing trailer has set the industry’s standard for stability and efficiency.
According to Graham, “It’s a high-volume side tipper that packs a punch, staying within the trailer footprint while outperforming many of its competitors in terms of stability.”
The GLT team is also responsible for creating the longest trailer in Australia, a 64′ walking floor trailer with a self-steer suspension and axles at the rear, a project that has taken over two and a half years of research and development to perfect.
In a strategic move, GLT has teamed up with sister company Icon Metal, a Sydney-based metal fabrication company, to produce the sub-frames for its high-volume side tippers. This new partnership could drive significant growth for the company.
“I’ve been building trailers for 50 years and I’m incredibly proud of where we are now,” Graham says.
“We’re making some of the lightest chassis in the industry, delivering longevity and toughness for our customers. We’re continually improving our processes and upskilling our team.
“I thoroughly enjoy what we’re doing. I’ve waited a long time to see the business come to this point with the level of technical sophistication that we are working at today.”
GLT has been a fixture at the Brisbane Truck Show for years. The team is promising that 2023 will be bigger and better than ever before, showcasing some of its best and innovative products.
.JPG)
