If Krueger could describe 2024 in one word, it would be ‘remarkable’.
In its 46-year journey, the trailer builder has experienced various highlights with highs and lows forming the company into the giant it’s become today.
Yet, the last year has been filled with numerous key moments which have added to the business’ history even further.
“It’s been an exceptional year for the company in so many ways,” says Krueger CEO, Kevin Dennis. “We have achieved so many milestones along the way and we are now laying the foundations for continued growth across all of our products and brands. So, the future looks very bright.”
In the last 12 months, business for Krueger has been just as expected. The company kicked the year off with the largest single order in its entire existence, which of course was the one which saw over 250 semi-trailers delivered to Linfox in collaboration with Schmitz Cargobull Germany.
“The order had been in planning since mid-2023, but to see it all come together was a feat,” says Krueger National Sales Director, Grant Krueger. “Through our relationship with Linfox, we have always been tested to deliver for them. As they continue to grow as one of Australia’s biggest freight logistics companies, they lean on us to deliver and trust us to do so.”
The overall outcome of this order, Grant says, showed that Krueger possesses an incredible ability to continue to think outside the box in delivering for its customers. At the same time, it demonstrated that the relationships Krueger has with its supplier network, business partners and processes is stronger than ever.
“A lot of this comes from the work we put in to understand our clients’ needs,” he says. “On the surface, it’s building or acquiring trailers to help them move freight, but the work our engineering team does behind the scenes to understand where pain points such as asset integrity are is where Krueger really flexes its muscles.
“Dad built the business based on these factors, and his history in this industry shows it. Today, we still hold the same ideals and values in building the best product that will stand the test of time in the industry.”
On the back of the Linfox task, Krueger has experienced continued growth across the various brands within its business. Grant explains that its manufacturing group has continued to advance utilising its investments in advanced technology, while its retail businesses have performed “well despite challenges in the labour markets”.
“With a continued focus on high-level support to our customers, our national parts and service departments are firmly engaged in keeping customers on the road and with lower total costs of ownership,” he says. “Our RENU brand, previously known as the refurbishment part of our service business, has been very busy delivering high-quality remanufactured trailers back to their owners as well – providing second and third lives to Krueger trailers and other brands.”
In terms of product developments and innovations, Krueger’s manufacturing and sales departments have been extensively working on the new K-Van range of dry vans. As they continue to make strides with the product’s development, customer feedback, Kevin says, has been critical in helping Krueger understand how it can make the K-Van even better.
“We initially sold some our of dry vans to Diamond Brothers, and their feedback on how those assets performed has meant that we now have a product that we are happy with and understand,” he says. “Similarly, we have now launched our freezer box product, KoolBox. We’ve had customers wanting the combination of a Krueger build chassis with the Schmitz Cargobull box for many years, and we are now in a position of offer it as a Krueger-branded product.
“KoolBox does incorporate Schmitz Cargobull’s FERROPLAST technology, but there are options available that give customers a range of choices in what could be the best freezer asset in the industry.”
The biggest change to Krueger’s operations in 2024 has been its investments in advanced technology such as a state-of-the-art fibre laser cutting machine. Now 12 months into this journey of technological progression, Kevin says the company is starting to see the major advantages of the equipment and what it can truly do for both Krueger and its customers.
“Its value has been outstanding,” he says. “We’ve seen benefits across the whole business. We’re now cutting more steel with less waste than ever before, and in terms of what it means for our manufacturing arm, it gives us faster and more access to the parts required. We are outsourcing less and reducing costs, and as we continue to push the machine to do more we are buying more.”
It’s this same innovation that was recognised at the Victorian Transport Association’s 2024 Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIAs) in September where it was nominated for the Application of Technology Award. Although the laser cutter didn’t take the win home, Kevin says it was a major honour for the technology to even make it in the running.
“It was great to be recognised for the money and workmanship that we have invested into this technology,” he says. “It was the only laser cutter of its kind in the country at the time of its arrival, and that meant we needed to do a lot of work with our supplier and the programming to make it perform right for us.
“I believe the work that we’ve done in this space is now benefitting the industry, and I’m very proud to say that.”
This year has been the biggest one for Krueger in terms of nominations and awards. With the various achievements made, Krueger Creative Lead – Marketing, James Tamanika, says the company has showed that it’s still as strong as ever.
“As well as the nomination for the Application of Technology Award at the AFIAs, we were also a finalist in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame for the Leader in Transport and Rail Award,” he says. “It was such an honour, and although we didn’t win anything, we were being recognised for our business practices and quality.”
Headlining Krueger’s 2024 achievements was the introduction of its founder, John Krueger, into the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Honour Roll. For Krueger, James says this one took the cake.
“With 46 years of Krueger and many other years as a truck driver in the industry, this award is a massive recognition to John’s legacy in the transport and manufacturing industry,” he says. “We could not be happier with this recognition.”
The accolade, presented on 9 October, recognised John’s outstanding service and contributions to the industry through his decades-long commitment to advancing Australian manufacturing.
Since creating Krueger in 1976, John has been at the forefront of building semi-trailers from the business’ operations based in Melbourne’s western suburbs. And during that time, Krueger has become a respected name in the industry known for its innovative designs, high-quality products and unwavering dedication to customer service.
The Honour Roll itself celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on Victoria’s manufacturing industry across all industries, and it’s fair to say that John has done just that with constant contributions to the transport industry’s evolution well as his ongoing support for local manufacturing and community engagement. But for him, the award was totally unexpected.
“It was a highlight, that’s for sure,” he says. “I never set out to become an award winner or for Krueger to even be a major manufacturer like it is today. I built this business for my family, and I guess I had some good ideas and good ways of making things too.
“I’ve had a great group of people around me over this 46-year journey to help me achieve what we have today. The business has been through its ups and downs but we are still here, and we always will be.”
Following this recognition, John is planning to release a book about himself and Krueger – another trophy for the business to add to the shelf once it’s released.
“I have been working on a book of memoirs for a few years now,” he says. “It’s a collection of stories and thoughts over my past from growing up and building the business, as well as some notes on my passions, family and some of the values and lessons that I have learnt along the way.
“I don’t think it’ll be a best seller but rather something for my friends and family to read and reflect on.”
For Krueger, another big reward of 2024 has been a $250,000 technology grant from Business Victoria.
“Earlier this year, we began discussions with the Victorian Government around our business and how we are looking towards the future,” Kevin says. “Following these discussions, we had visits from over five different State Government members which led to us to being awarded the grant.”
The funding arrived as part of the Victorian Government’s Made in Victoria – Manufacturing Growth Programme which helps small and medium-sized manufacturers introduce new technologies, expand their operations, improve productivity and enhance sovereign manufacturing.
For Krueger, it will see major developments kick off in the new year.
“We can’t say much, but what it means for the business is future progression,” Kevin says. “We are looking towards technology, new processes and new job employment as part of a huge project which will be launched in 2025.
“Around this, we had a visit from Professor the Honourable Professor Margaret Gardner AC who is the 30th Governor of Victoria. She met with us to go through the project as it stands and the plans over the next six to 12 months.
“This whole arrangement means a lot to Krueger, so we want to thank the Honourable Natalie Hutchins MP and the Honourable Sarah Connolly MP for their time and support with the grant.”
Amid all of the success experienced during 2024, Krueger has been focused on giving back to the community. The company, as James explains, has spent this year getting back in touch with the local community and industry bodies as a way to pay it forward.
“Doing this not only grounds the company but also boosts our brand inside the local community which a lot of our staff belong to,” he says. “With participation in charity golf days and attending women in business lunches and industry catch-ups, Krueger has had a face to talk to in attendance.”
In addition to this, Krueger, in recent times, has had two major community engagements affect the company in a very positive way.
“We partnered with Need for Feed Australia driver and 15-year-old Krueger trailer owner, Mark Tuckerman, who gives his time to donate hay and fodder to the farming communities of Australia in need,” James says. “We partnered with him at the end of 2023 to help maintain his trailer so that every chance he had to volunteer, it would be good to go.
“Mark is a great example of true human nature, and given he drives an old Krueger combination we wanted to make sure he would be ready to go to work when needed.”
The second instance was the result of an unfortunate situation in late 2023 where John was involved in a major car accident near his home and sustained significant injuries. He was immediately airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for urgent care and spent nearly two months under the supervision of the nurses and staff.
However, after leaving the hospital, John set up a donation drive to raise money for the men and women of Ambulance Victoria and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. To date, Krueger has raised over $70,000 for this cause with donations from John, his staff and the company’s valued customers and suppliers.
“After what I experienced, it was these fantastic men and women that fixed me,” John says. “I owe them a lot more than just money, and they have my thanks and gratitude.
“I wanted to raise up to $100,000 but getting to what we have has been a great achievement, and we’re still raising donations.”
Looking ahead, Krueger has a lot planned for 2025 and the years to follow. And while the family behind the company can’t say too much about what’s going to happen, the next few years, too, are set to be remarkable.
