The news in the world of trucks this week includes Truck Sales Taking Off, Flynn Liquidation, Isuzu Bullbars, Groeneveld Takeover and a Penske Expansion.
The latest sales figures released by the Truck Industry Council (TIC) suggest an optimistic trucking industry is starting to invest in more new trucks at the heavier end of the market. Although the light- and medium-duty markets have been relatively strong in recent years, the heavy-duty segment has been less dynamic.
The last few months have seen the mood change, with higher heavy-duty sales, especially, but not exclusively, of cab-overs. Kenworth had a good sales month at 212 new trucks registered, but four other brands sold over 100 trucks each, Volvo, Isuzu, Scania and Mack.
This means heavy-duty sales are well up on last year. The first half of 2016 saw 4,510 heavy-duty sales, whereas 2017’s first six months has seen 5,130 sales of heavy-duty trucks.
These aren’t massive rises, but do indicate a real increase in demand for the more expensive trucks on the market, suggesting improving conditions for operators using heavy trucks and a belief any upturn is likely to continue for some time.
Flynn Liquidation
Lismore-based company, Flynn Transport, has gone into voluntary liquidation, with all assets to be sold in efforts to settle debts to creditors.
Though it has been reported that the liquidation has been prompted by internal fraud, Morgan Lane, Partner of Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants which is handling the process, declined to comment on the matter.
Isuzu Bullbars
Component maker for the automotive, truck and defence industries Abcor has announced a new five-year supplier contract with Isuzu to produce bull bars. The company says the deal represents the culmination of a long and involved development program with Isuzu in Japan and Australia to supply bull bars for Isuzu trucks for the Australian and New Zealand markets with potential to export to other Isuzu markets globally.
Penske to Perth
Penske Truck Rental will commence operations in Perth effective on 1 August, expanding to five branches nationally. The new operation will co-locate with Penske Power Systems in the Hazelmere branch.
The new rental operation will offer a range of trucks for the Perth hire fleet including new 120‐tonne MAN TGX D38 prime movers, 45‐tonne MAN TGS 440 prime movers, and Western Star 2800 6×2 14‐pallet body trucks.
Groeneveld Takeover
Timken has reached an agreement with Henk Groeneveld for the acquisition of the Groeneveld Group. In over 45 years the Groeneveld Group has grown into a global player in the field of products and services for on- and off-road equipment. It is present in around 40 countries worldwide and has almost 600 employees and a manufacturing operation in Italy.
“I am proud that Groeneveld becomes part of Timken, a great company, which is in the benefit of all stakeholders, including employees, customers and suppliers,” said Henk Groeneveld, Non-Executive President, Groeneveld.