Sydney-based trucking and construction company Eather Group is aiming to hit its sustainability goals with the delivery of a new Mercedes-Benz Actros.
The family-run operation focuses on construction and major infrastructure projects, haulage, bulk material management and land rehabilitation.
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After recently rolling out the first stage of its Green Transport Plan, the company has bought a Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Actros 2658 to join conventional trucks in its fleet.
“We are always looking at what we can do better, especially from a sustainability perspective,” Eather Group marketing manager Divinia Eather says.
“We are not ready for electric (trucks) yet, but Euro 6 is the basis for our next step and that is something we can do straight away and it makes a big difference.”
While prioritising sustainability, Divinia says the business is also always looking at safety technology.
To work on major government infrastructure projects, Eather Group is required to run a high level of safety features. To meet this, Eather Group has added third-party safety features to its trucks and trailers on top of the full suite of integrated active safety features that come with the Actros.
“Safety is really important to us, so the safety tech built into the truck is really next level,” Divinia says.
“The fact the Actros is so comfortable and quiet also means that the driver is less fatigued and that is also important.”
The 2658 model that Eather Group now has includes a 16-litre six-cylinder engine that comes with a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission. Eather Group data shows the Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz model is already recording the best fuel economy in the operator’s fleet.
Rob Matuszweski, a lifelong fan of another truck brand in the Eather Group fleet, is the driver who is hopping behind the wheel of the Actros. He says he’s “more than happy” to be driving the 2658.
“After a day in the Actros he said: “Don’t put me back in the other truck, I’m staying in this one”,” Divinia says.
“Rob said the work takes much less of a toll on him in the Actros than the other trucks.”
Eather Group was established in 2010 by husband-and-wife duo Peter and Sally-ann Eather. It employs more than 40 people and has a fleet of more than 20 trucks, in addition to an array of earthmoving equipment.
Divinia says the company has an ethos of creating opportunities for people who are underrepresented in the industry.
“Our team has always been diverse because we give people a go,” she says.
“The industry average is 13 per cent female, with just two per cent actually on the tools. Currently, in our business, 36 per cent including four female drivers and three female machine operators.”
Importantly, 28 per cent of employees at Eather Group are involved in on-job learning and upskilling.
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