Independent construction supplier, Midway Concrete and Garden Supplies, has invested in four new Freightliners for its growing agitator fleet.
With over 60 agitators already operating, the Melbourne business has added new Freightliner CL112 10×4 agitator units to the more standardised 6×4 and 8×4 models it runs from plants in Melton, South Morang and North Laverton.
The 10×4 Freightliner, according to Daimler Truck & Bus Australia Pacific, will enable an extra cubic metre of concrete to be delivered per load.
Midway Director David Boxshall said moving to the new larger trucks was a logical next step.
“We don’t want to use semis, I don’t think semis work for our line of work,” he said “The streets are too tight, so the 10x4s will work well.”
Boxshall and his wife Sharon bought out the company in 2001. Since then Credit Choice Director, Vince Giunta has secured finance for Midway. He believes the 10×4 model trucks make a lot of sense as an investment.
“With the extra capacity these new models can bring, it adds flexibility to the fleet of trucks and also improves productivity and ability to service the large clients with better delivery times, which is important when pouring concrete to various jobs,” he said in a statement.
The 10×4 Freightliners still come out in front even if they don’t run full every trip according to Boxshall.
“It will go to the bigger jobs in the morning, but in the afternoon, it can do any load that comes along,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether it is full, it is about having the diversity of having the capacity,” said Boxshall.
Productivity is a key driver at Midway, which installed a state-of-the-art batching plant at its innovative North Laverton facility, which also hosts a large modern showroom allowing customers to view various concrete surfacing options.
The drive-in batching plant tower mixes the different material required for each load and fills an eight square metre agitator bowl in less than one minute, saving precious time.
Boxhall likes the productivity of the 10×4 CL112, but was also attracted by the combination of a Cummins engine and Allison automatic transmission, which were given the tick of approval by the Midway workshop manager.
He was also happy to work on a deal with the Daimler Trucks Laverton General Manager, Marcus Prato, who had sold him a range of trucks in a previous role over a long period.
“I have a great relationship with Marcus and so does Peter, my mechanic,” said Boxshall.
“I know that I can ring and the team will sort out whatever needs doing.”
The relationship with Prato and Daimler Trucks Laverton is a strong one. It reminds Boxshall of the service the Midway provides its customers.
The approach, as Boxshall sees it, gives the smaller Midway operation an advantage over the much larger corporate concrete suppliers.
“We deal with people face to face, we talk to people, we have them in the showroom or we pick up the phone and speak with them,” he said.
“The customers are not stuck on call waiting with a number, they have a name and we will answer their calls.”
The Freightliner CL112 is available as a 6×4, 8×4 or 10×4 and comes standard with a load sharing front axle.
Locally developed and tested Electronic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control is available, along with lane departure warning.