Confidence is not something that appears overnight in the Australian trailer manufacturing sector. It is earned through longevity, technical credibility and the ability to stand behind what you build.
For Trailer Manufacturing Group (TMG), that confidence is anchored in its relationship with Air Brake Services (ABS) Trailquip, a business that has spent decades supplying the industry with critical systems and know-how.
TMG operates as a division of ABS Trailquip, extending the group’s long-standing expertise into complete trailer manufacturing. Established in 2024, TMG represents the latest step in a strategic evolution from supplying components to delivering fully engineered trailer solutions.
ABS Trailquip itself was founded in 2004 and has grown into one of Australia’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of truck and trailer equipment. Its reputation has been built on the fundamentals which matter most to operators – air brake systems, suspension, running gear and compliance – areas where durability, safety and strict ADR adherence are essential.
That technical heritage now underpins TMG’s ambitions as a modern trailer manufacturing brand.
For many years, ABS Trailquip was best known as the engineering backbone behind trailers rather than the badge on the side. Its dollies, braking systems and suspension packages developed a reputation for durability and technical depth, particularly among operators running complex combinations.
TMG represents the next logical step in that journey – taking the systems knowledge embedded within ABS and applying it to complete, market-ready trailer platforms.
“TMG is a division of ABS,” says TMG COO, Travis Piek. “My experience in the refrigerator trailer and semi-trailer space, and then working together with the engineers at ABS, allowed us to collaborate and design the products that we have come up with.”
Travis brings his own global perspective to that collaboration. Having immigrated from South Africa two years ago, he brought with him more than two decades of engineering and manufacturing experience spanning the automotive, heavy equipment and trailer sectors.
“I’ve spent over 20 years as a mechanical engineer,” he explains. “I began my career with a company which designed and built production assembly lines for manufacturers such as Toyota, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. From there, I consulted to BHP Billiton’s smelting operations before moving into design engineering at Bell Equipment South Africa.”
Travis’ career later took him into the trailer sector in earnest, joining Serco Industries where he progressed to Technical Director and worked extensively with European-style trailer designs.
“As a group, we produced around 2,000 units a year,” he says. “I obtained a lot of experience in refrigerated trailers, curtainsiders and truck bodies, which was all heavily influenced by European manufacturing philosophies.”
That blend of European trailer design thinking and Australian operating realities now defines the TMG approach.
TMG’s flagship offering is its refrigerated trailer range which was developed with a clear focus on durability and efficiency. The core product is a 22-pallet refrigerated semi-trailer that can be configured as a standard semi or A-double operation using ABS Trailquip dollies. Development is also underway on lead trailers to enable full B-double combinations, while dry freight variants are nearing final release.
“It’s primarily a 22-pallet semi-trailer that can be put into either a semi or A-double configuration,” Travis says. “We’re also developing dry freight trailers which will be offered in the same combinations – A-double, B-double, AB-triple or whatever configuration the customer wants to run.”
Standard specifications reflect the ABS Trailquip DNA throughout the build. Suspension, axles and braking systems come directly from ABS Trailquip, complemented by Right Weigh digital scales, Haldex electronic braking systems, water tanks, spare wheel carriers and toolboxes. The trailers are designed to be coupling-compatible, allowing operators to configure road train combinations with minimal modification.
TMG also offers flexibility on refrigeration units, supporting Carrier Transicold, Mitsubishi, Schmitz Cargobull and Thermo King systems which bolt directly onto the front wall. For customers who prefer to specify their own suspension, it can build trailers on BPW Transpec, SAF-Holland or Hendrickson suspension and axle configurations. The same level of choice applies to braking systems, with both Knorr‑Bremse and WABCO options available.
While refrigerated trailers are often viewed as premium assets, TMG has deliberately positioned its offering to balance cost competitiveness with long-term durability.
“We’ve placed our price points really aggressively,” Travis says. “We’re able to do that because of the partnership with ABS Trailquip and the importing of our panels.”
Those panels are currently imported, a strategic decision made while TMG builds scale and capability locally. However, the engineering, chassis design and final assembly are firmly Australian focused, ensuring suitability for local conditions and compliance.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into making the trailers water-tight and air-tight,” Travis says. “That improves efficiency because the fridge works less and burns less fuel. The focus is on making sure the trailer lasts an entire lifecycle.”
For customers who are more price‑conscious, TMG also offers the option of completing the entire manufacturing process overseas.
Serviceability has also been engineered into the product. Many external components, including underrun protection, light bars and many other components are bolt-on rather than welded.
“If there’s damage, you can unbolt the component, replace the part and bolt it back on,” Travis says. “That minimises downtime and reduces repair costs.”
What differentiates TMG in a crowded trailer market is the depth of integration between design, component engineering and final assembly.
“All the running gear, suspension and brake systems are ABS’ core business,” Travis says. “Together, we can offer a complete package. Everything is in‑house.”
This single‑supplier model streamlines the process end‑to‑end and makes aftersales support far more straightforward.
“With TMG, the ABS running gear is under our umbrella,” Travis says.
ABS Trailquip’s established workshop infrastructure and skilled workforce further strengthen that proposition. Rather than building a manufacturing operation from scratch, TMG has been able to leverage existing expertise.
“Our skilled team already have industry knowledge,” Travis says. “That’s a big strength.”
While TMG trailers are Australian built, global influence plays a role in both design and supply chain strategy.
“I have quite a few contacts from Europe from my years in manufacturing in South Africa,” Travis says. “We get a lot of help out of Europe.”
ABS’ long-standing supplier relationships also support reliable access to proven components from around the world.
“ABS being in the industry for the number of years that they have gives us the advantage to procure strategically,” Travis says.
TMG’s growth strategy is deliberately measured. The immediate focus remains on refrigerated and dry freight trailers, supported by the completion of lead trailer development to enable full combination offerings. Curtainsiders and skeletal trailers are already developed and ready to scale as demand dictates.
“We want to offer a compelling value proposition,” Travis says. “The market has been struggling, and transport operators are under pressure to keep costs low.
“We want to offer something that does the job without adding pressure to capital expenditure.”
Continuous improvement sits at the centre of that vision, from simplifying manufacturing processes to refining designs that reduce build time without compromising quality.
Beyond the product itself, TMG’s approach to customer support is intentionally direct.
“Customers can pick up the phone and call me,” Travis says. “There are no unnecessary layers in the way.”
Through ABS’ national network, TMG can also draw on established service coverage while continuing to expand its own partner base as the brand matures.
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