Manufactured near Manchester in the United Kingdom, the new series has been designed in co-operation with Southern Cross’s local engineering team to meet the requirements of the Australian market and specific Australian Design Rules.
“The new Australian designed refrigerated and dry vans are manufactured by Montracon Ltd and shipped to Australia as a finished trailer ensuring ADR compliance, with minor options being completed in Australia,” says Alf De Fazio, General Manager of Southern Cross Vans. “As a result, they combine European quality and Australian know-how.
“The new series is equipped with a Full Main Rail Chassis, as well as 60kg/m3 density RTM Styrofoam insulation side walls which will give us the opportunity to place them anywhere in Australia under varied operating and temperature conditions.”
Southern Cross Vans has partnered with renowned local suppliers to ensure the new series will be equipped with Australian spec axles, brakes, LED lights and refrigeration systems. “The client will not only obtain a three-year warranty on the box by Southern Cross, but also receive comprehensive backup regarding ancillary equipment and components,” says Alf.
“Nevertheless, our customers will still have the flexibility to specify their preferred air suspension, axles or refrigeration unit combination. They can also choose additional options, such as full side skirts or a full width rear dock compression member, which have not been available on locally supplied units before,” Alf says.
The new Montracon series – featuring full freezer (-28°C) specification, stainless rear frame and hardware, B-double compliance, Southern Cross’ Double Loader system, Side Intrusion underrun protection and EBS Brake System as standard fitment – compliment Southern Cross’s existing Arctic Star Refrigerated product range and enable the company to supply large orders in a timely manner.
“The new venture will enable Southern Cross Vans to supply equipment with many standard inclusions, and yet be able to offer substantial benefits t regarding product performance and pricing,” says Alf.
Since the product was released in Australia in May last year, three 22 pallet refrigerated semi units and four 14 pallet refrigerated rigid units have gone into service across the country under varied conditions.
Bobbins Refrigerated Transport, Geoff Richards Transport and Toll Logistics are currently running these units and all have reported positive feedback that includes great road handling with minimal body roll due to the full main rail chassis, better prime mover fuel consumption due to the trailer aerodynamic side skirting and safer braking control under varied load conditions due to the standard EBS brake system. They have also reported excellent temperature control, equating to reduced refrigeration fuel consumption due to the construction and excellent thermal qualities of the panels.
SRM Transport and GBR Transport are currently running the 14 pallet rigid bodies for local distribution purposes for a high profile supermarket chain. These companies are experiencing excellent durability under high traffic dock loading/unloading conditions and are satisfied with the thermal characteristics of the units.
In addition to the 22 pallet semi trailer units, Southern Cross Vans has set up a separate dedicated production area for the sole purpose of assembling both local and Montracon UK rigid bodies ranging from 8 pallet to 14 pallet configurations. “This new production area within our current Dandenong manufacturing facility will enable us to concentrate on being able to offer the rigid market a competitive, well built product in a timely delivery as it does not rely on the current semi production schedule. The two production areas will be fed independently via our in house panel manufacturing area,” explains Alf.
The company is also expanding its ‘Arctic Star – Montracon’ product range to include FRP-Dry Freight semi trailers and rigid bodies. The first units will arrive in Australia at the end of April 2012.
To add, Montracon Lead Roll Back Trailers in both refrigerated and FRP are currently in the design phase, with the Australian release anticipated to occur in the second half of 2012.
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