Good relations

By: Sloanebuilt Trailers

Good relations.

It's a surprising move to shift from a desk to the drivers seat, but for Mick Colley, it has proven to be the ideal way of creating a new business and then controllling its continuing growth.

"We have grown strongly through our focus on maintaining good relationships and always focusing on the needs of the customer. If we can do the job, we do it to the best possible standard, and we are very mindful that everyone that works with us represents that attitude," said Mick.

Continuing company growth has seen the fleet expand with the addition of a fruther two trucks each year, culminating in the arrival of a Mack Superliner. This is a top-of-the-line model with the 685 hp Mack engine and M-Drive AMT transmission. Body work has been standardised with Sloanebuilt tubs and trailers, and this latest Superliner tows a five-axle dog trailer with a lift-up front axle on the rear of the tri-axled trailers.

Currently, there's a second PBS truck and trailer on order and Mick has settled on the formula of staying with a Mack Trident and M-Drive again, with a Sloanebuilt tub, and this time with a four-axled dog trailer. This combination permits a gross weight of 57.5 tonnes.

Like the five-axled Sloanebuilt trailer, both the PBS units have to run on HML routes, similar to running a B-Double. On-board weighting  is fitted as standard to all PBS units, and the preferred choice of hoist is Edbro.

"The quality from Sloanebuilt is why we have now standardised on their tubs and trailers. Everytime you raise the bin and look underneath, you can see where the quality is built into the product. It is now very refined and very reliable. The way the hoses and wiring are clipped to the body; the care taken to get everything right the first time. You don't have any issues with their products, which are excellent together with their service levels. Sloanebuilt also takes care of all the PBS paperwork for compliance."

"We are successful because we appreciate that good relationships are something that have to be cultivated. We enjoy that same level of relationship with the Peter May Group, our finance brokers in Toowoomba, where Paul Dashwood takes care of all our finance requirements. Wokring with Sloanebuilt, Mack at Chipping NOrton, and our customers, all comes under the same approach to our business," said Mick.