When Australasia’s leading provider of integrated logistics services, Toll Group, was assigned to cart Coles’ produce around Brisbane; Queensland Fleet Manager Peter Bradford did not hesitate to contact Paul Vawdrey. “I’ve used Vawdrey equipment for the past ten years, and I didn’t want to take a risk. Vawdrey always delivered reliable performance and stood behind Toll Group without reservation.”
Supplying Toll, a global corporation generating annual consolidated revenue of $6.9 billion and operating an extensive network of 1100 sites in 50 countries, and Coles, a renowned supermarket chain with more than 100,000 employees and 11 million customer transactions a week; Vawdrey recommended the tried and true Iceliner series.
“The new vehicles are equipped with SAF J-series axles,” Peter recalls. “As we’ve used the J-series before, I didn’t intend to change a winning combination.”
“SAF J-series axles are designed and manufactured to suit Australia’s harsh environment. All moving parts are made to the highest standards to minimise maintenance requirements; and a special bearing configuration matched to the hub capacity ensures durable performance and no compromise to axle integrity,” Managing Director SAF Holland Australia Nick Stavrakis says.
As State Fleet Manager, Peter Bradford can draw upon decades of experience managing Toll’s road transport branch. Operating 570 vehicles in Queensland, Toll has banked on Vawdrey for a decade, utilising refrigerated, flat top and curtain sided trailers to cart groceries, dairy, beverages and general freight. “The fleet’s average age is about five years,” Peter says. “So the new equipment will commence work as soon as possible; replacing obsolete gear.”
In addition, the trailers received new livery, showcasing Toll’s new colour scheme that will soon replace the aged orange logo; “representing strength, reliability and operational excellence,” Peter explains. “Toll is refreshing the logo, an evolution of the current design rather than a complete redesign, in order to grow our profile and strength in the market place. The refreshed logo is symbolic of our current growth and enhances our brand equity – the value of the Toll brand.”
The new design retains elements of the previous Toll logo – the direction of the characters to capture movement and speed, the lift pattern at the top of the ‘TO’ to symbolise movement, and the green colour. “The new design is all about the future of Toll. It is an evolutionary step – a decision to freshen up the brand through the logo, and I believe this process will allow the company to have an even higher profile and image in the marketplace,” says Peter.
In search of a multi-temperature trailer to display the new design, Toll decided upon Vawdrey’s 24 pallet Iceliner -18. “They’re reliable, and they have a good backup service; so they were awarded the contract.”
Having spent the past 36 years manufacturing truck bodies and semi trailers that are built to suit the Australian roads, Vawdrey accepted the challenge; knowing that Toll expected nothing but premium quality. “Australia challenges manufacturers like no other country on earth so you can’t afford any short cuts in the building process,” says National Sales Director Paul Vawdrey. Based on field experience, the temperature-controlled vehicles are designed to withstand competition.
“In the contract game we have to be competitive; so we decided to purchase equipment that is not the dearest on the market, but not the cheapest either; and that is both reliable and solid. Once we’ve found a good product, we will stick to it as we need reliable affiliates like Vawdrey and SAF Holland.”
However, the joint venture uniting Toll, Coles, Vawdrey and SAF Holland is not only based on economical strategies, but on mutual respect and common values. “We are achievers,” Peter Bradford resumes. “We set a goal and try to accomplish it. That’s the spirit.”
Albert Toll founded the eponymous company in 1888 in Newcastle hauling coal with horse and cart. It became part of the Peko Wallsend Group in the 1960s when it transported goods associated with diversified mining and manufacturing activities. In 1986 Toll was sold to a management buyout team led by current Managing Director Paul Little and Toll’s first Chairman Peter Rowsthorn, and in 1993 Toll was listed on the ASX.
Since listing on the ASX, Toll has progressively built and grown a unique logistics model in response to increasing customer demand for a complete end-to-end logistics solution, incorporating the critical components of operational expertise, scale, diversity of services and technology solutions.
Today, Toll is one of the Asian region’s leading providers of integrated logistics services, pursuing continuous growth. “Our fleet will grow as the business expands,” predicts Peter, who is expecting delivery in jovial anticipation. “It is always exciting to receive new equipment.” And since Toll intends to increase expansion, this excitement is sure to continue well into the future.
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