ATA

new navigation tools for truck drivers

Not Just When There is a Crisis

All of those people who are representing the trucking industry need to work together, pushing in the same direction and not just when there is a crisis. So it is good to hear the Australian Trucking Association Chair talking about working with its member associations and avoiding duplication in his speech to the ATA’s AGM this week. The increase in focusing on strategic projects is also good news for everyone in the industry. Read more

https://youtu.be/lnBfQG9jLCo

Ingenuity, Innovation and IWD

Here is a video which celebrated ingenuity, innovation and IWD (international Women’s Day) which is this week. In the video, a selection of technologies vital to life on the road for truck drivers are shown to have been invented by women. Read more

finding our industry’s future leaders

Finding Our Industry’s Future Leaders

Like many Australian industries, the trucking industry is facing disruption and innovation as modern technologies change the way it does business and goes about finding our industry’s future leaders.  Read more

safer roads, rest areas and bridges

Safer Roads, Rest Areas and Bridges

The Australian Trucking Association has called on the Australian Government to improve road safety and boost industry productivity by investing in safer roads, rest areas and bridges.  Read more

three major new appointments

Three Major New Appointments

The last week has seen three major new appointments to organisations associated with the trucking industry, the Australian Trucking Association, Volvo Trucks and the Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds foundation have all appointed new people in top positions. Read more

Three Major New Appointments The last week has seen three major new appointments to organisations associated with the trucking industry, the Australian Trucking Association, Volvo Trucks and the Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds foundation have all appointed new people in top positions The ATA has appointed international association executive Andrew McKellar as its new CEO. Most recently, he has been the Paris-based Secretary General for Mobility at the International Automobile Federation. Before joining the FIA, Andrew was CEO of the Australian Automobile Association and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. In government, he was a senior adviser to successive Australian industry ministers from 1996 to 1998. He also worked as an economist and research officer in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Commonwealth Treasury and the Queensland Treasury. “The board was very impressed by Andrew’s experience in international advocacy for road safety during his tenure at the FIA and his understanding of the emerging trends influencing safety, sustainability and competitiveness in road transport and mobility globally,” said David Smith, ATA Chair. “Andrew’s extensive skills and experience in public policy and advocacy will be indispensable as he makes the case for improving our industry’s productivity, and as he protects the interests of trucking businesses in the discussions about truck charges that are ahead.” Gary Bone will be taking on the role of Vice President, Volvo Trucks Australia, following the recent promotion of Tony O’Connell to Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Malaysia. “In a rapidly changing transport environment I am delighted to see Gary back at the helm of the Volvo Trucks brand,” said Martin Merrick, President and CEO, Volvo Group Australia. “We have just launched an amazing new line up of Volvo Trucks onto the Australian market and Gary will be well placed to steer the Volvo brand into a future that will see significant advancement in the next decade.” Gary has 17 years’ experience with Mack and Volvo Group Australia, initially starting out in Mack retail sales. Since then he has held a number of roles, including two years in the USA with the Mack brand, before assuming the position of Senior Vice President of Mack Trucks Australia from 2005 to 2008, and as Vice President of Volvo Trucks Australia from 2009 to 2013. Gary rejoined Volvo Group Australia as Vice President, Mack Trucks Australia in March 2020 after more than 5 years at the helm of Chesterfield Australia. Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds (HHTS) has announced the appointment of Naomi Frauenfelder as the Foundation’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer, with Naomi commencing her responsibilities mid January, 2021. “The HHTS Board is delighted to welcome Naomi into this executive leadership role, and looks forward to working collaboratively with her as the Foundation builds on its three key pillars; training, standards, and wellness,” said HHTS Chair Paul Graham Naomi Frauenfelder brings a wealth of knowledge to HHTS, having previously held the position of Executive Director at the TrackSAFE Foundation. TrackSAFE is an Australian rail industry not-for-profit that addresses suicide on the rail network and the resultant trauma caused to train drivers and other frontline staff.

Trucking Industry Stalwart Honoured

The Australia Day 2021 Honours List announced this week sees a trucking industry stalwart honoured as the  founder of Ron Crouch Transport, Ron Crouch, has been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia. The citation says he is being recognised for his service to community and the road transport industry. Read more

getting rid of curfews

Getting Rid of Curfews

At the beginning of the pandemic the idea of getting rid of curfews was all about ensuring the supermarket shelves remained fully stocked, while the population set about a prolonged panic buy. Now, the situation is different with shorter lockdowns and much of the economy running close to normal, but also few calls from residents in formerly curfewed areas for their return. Read more

going live across the nation

Going Live Across the Nation 

This week the Australian Trucking Association was going live across the nation as it held its first major Covid-safe event, known as ATA Live. The ATA team created a virtual event involving presentations, an episode of Q&A, an award ceremony and charity auction, which was live-streamed via an online broadcast to viewers across Australia and the world. Read more