New revenue, new flexibility

SCF first began in 1992, and within two years it was on track to become a dominant force in Australia’s logistics sector.

The company’s market share was significantly bolstered by its innovative intermodal container offering which provided the flexibility to transport any freight across the country’s vast network of roads and railways.

Today, SCF’s fleet includes over 16,000 high-quality units across 10 nationwide depots in Australia and New Zealand – meaning availability is always high and the changing needs of industry and customers can be met with ease.

Built upon 30 years of experience, SCF’s intermodal containers are purpose-designed with the specific safety features and functionalities required for road and rail transport. SCF General Manager of Intermodal Equipment, Nick Schwartz, describes the company’s fleet as durable, hard-wearing, safe and secure.

“Our containers come with many of the same great features as traditional trailers, while also being multimodal for use on road and rail,” he says. “Each unit is two pallets wide and carefully crafted to maximise payload and capacity for Australian freight.”

End-door and side-door options are available along with custom builds and refrigerated containers.

SCF’s refrigerated range is kitted out with superior thermal insulation and can maintain temperature with reduced machinery run time – helping keep fuel consumption and expenses down.

They also feature diesel TK or Carrier machinery with on-board fuel tanks, allowing them to operate without being connected to truck diesel or power.

One of the most compelling features of intermodal containers is their highly versatile nature. As Nick explains, they can be quickly and easily swapped out for new freight types.

“Conversion from a dry combination to a refrigerated combination takes just minutes,” he says. “The ability to rapidly interchange equipment types allows our customers to quickly adjust to changing freight requirements while using their existing skel fleet.

“This adaptability also enables fleets to expand and contract when required, allowing an increase in deliveries and better fleet utilisation overall. In addition, there are numerous occasions where containers provide a temporary storage solution prior to the actual freight linehaul movement.”

Flexible intermodal solutions, according to Nick, can also unlock multiple new revenue opportunities. He says the ease of conversion means businesses can rapidly adapt to meet changing client needs, freight profiles and seasonal demands.

“Many of our customers with skel fleets naturally experience periods of lower utilisation,” he says. “We have worked with many of these customers to supply transport containers to convert underutilised skels into trailers.

“For example, a company that mainly uses skels for wharf cartage can easily add a curtainsider container to undertake PUD work.”

Additionally, intermodal containers can open the door to entirely new transport modes such as rail. Nick explains that expanding from road-only to road-and-rail applications could lead businesses to new territories, clients and revenue streams.

“We are seeing a growing trend in the market for road and intermodal users to push more freight onto rail due to benefits in cost, geographical reach and ESG,” he says. “A rail offering can complement road operations and allow for new growth opportunities with new and existing customers.”

SCF has helped a huge range of companies bolster their logistical reaches with intermodal containers. One of these companies is Total Logistic Solutions (TLS).

When TLS sought a container option to pair with nine new Vawdrey A-double skels earlier this year, it reached out to SCF. Drawn to SCF’s durability, flexibility and two-pallet wide specifications, TLS chose its solution of 40’ containers and skels which would operate as dynamic and sturdy long-haul freight trailers.

“We partnered with SCF because we had heard good things about them in the market,” says TLS CEO, Jason McHenry. “Having the containers two pallets wide has given us the flexibility to transport carpet rolls one way and then palletised freight on return trips from Brisbane to Melbourne.”

For companies with high-volume operations like these, intermodal containers are an ideal solution.

“Our national footprint and high intermodal container availability means that as a business grows so can its operations, and any increased demand can be met efficiently, effectively and consistently,” Nick says.

By enhancing their fleets with intermodal containers and/or skel trailers supplied by SCF, Nick says businesses can ultimately open themselves up to both new customers and new freight across a wider range of transport channels.

“Backed by our 30-year tenure in the industry”, he says, “SCF is well-placed to provide the optimal intermodal solution – helping improve operational flexibility, increase revenue and strengthen the country’s supply chain.”