Operators

rural trucking operations looking to the future

Rural Trucking Operations Looking to the Future

Based in Bolwarrah, about half an hour out of Ballarat in Victoria, Mark and Kaye Rix run a small rural bulk freight business from their small property on the edge of the settlement, Marcay Transport is one of many small rural trucking operations looking to the future.
Read More
remote running in Queensland

Remote Running in Queensland

There are certain things most trucking operators need to be able to do, but there are challenges to tasks like remote running in Queensland, which require a specialist with the ability to handle a complex operation in difficult conditions.
Read More
challenges to the business it did not expect

Challenges to the business it did not expect

Coming out of the crisis around COVID has brought John Kelly Transport in Toowoomba challenges to the business it did not expect to deal with. After the initial shock, when it became clear the transport industry would continue even during shutdowns, operators knuckled down and kept the wheels turning. However, coming out of the pandemic has been a shock for many businesses. 
Read More
a question of access and the type of combination

A Question of Access and the Type of Combination

With any mass sensitive tasks like bulk tippers, it’s a question of access and the type of combination which can work on any particular route and it is always critical to the success of an operation like Marcay Transport, based in Bolwarrah, about half an hour out of Ballarat in Victoria, where Mark and Kaye Rix run their small rural bulk freight business. Crossing borders into other states simply complicates the issue further.
Read More
taking on running a trucking busines

Taking on Running a Trucking Business

Mitch Kelly, who now runs John Kelly Transport in Toowoomba, worked for someone else for a little while, before taking on running a trucking business. He also tried university but couldn’t come to terms with the lifestyle and left. He then did an accounting diploma at TAFE. Later, he jumped into a body truck doing runs up to Kingaroy and claims that was the hardest job he ever had. He was 18 at the time and would start at 2am. Some nights he didn’t finish until 8pm and would go home, get up and do the whole thing again.
Read More
a mix of truck and five-axle dog combinations

A Mix of Truck and Five-Axle Dog Combinations

Marcay Transport runs a mix of truck and five-axle dog combinations pulled by Freightliner Coronados and the rest run as B-doubles, pulled by Cascadias. The operation is based in Bolwarrah, about half an hour out of Ballarat in Victoria, Mark and Kaye Rix run a small rural bulk freight business from their small property on the edge of the settlement. The trailers used in the fleet are a mixed bunch with some arriving second hand and others built specifically for Marcay.
Read More
a general carrier

A General Carrier

The John Kelly Transport business handles the chemicals, building supplies, plus a lot of work for Toll, it could be described as a general carrier. It runs nine B-triples and road trains a week into Adelaide, loaded with freight from a wide selection of its customers. Loaded singles and B-doubles are consolidated in Toowoomba into the larger combinations for the haul South-West. 
Read More
searching for higher productivity

Searching for Higher Productivity

Marcay Transport is always searching for higher productivity in hauling grain and fertiliser in rural areas of country Victoria and Southern New South Wales. Its operations, however, are hampered by complex rules and interstate differences.
Read More
third-generation operation looking to the future

Third-Generation Operation Looking to the Future

During a period when many multi-generational trucking businesses are selling up, it’s nice to find a thriving third-generation operation looking to the future with prospects to grow. PowerTorque talks to Mitch Kelly at his home base in Toowoomba, Queensland.
Read More