Linehaul specialist, Brims Transport, has taken delivery of eight new prime movers.
The major order will see the independent carrier introduce six new Kenworths and two new Euro 6 DAF trucks.
Headquartered at Chinderah in New South Wales, less than 10 kilometres south of the Tweed River, Brims Transport runs general freight predominantly along the east coast of Australia.
Three new Kenworth T610SARs along with three Kenworth K200s have joined the fleet as part of a strategic refresh undertaken by the family business now in its 21st year.
The company is a 24/7 operation with 25 trucks — prime movers all.
General Manager Jason Brims took over operations in 2019 following the passing of the founder, his grandfather Ross Brims.
“We were getting over the older trucks in the fleet and it was a good time for us to bring in some new vehicles,” he said.
The majority of operations are devoted to B-double interstate work to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, augmented by local metro distribution centre shuttles on the Gold Coast.
Brown and Hurley Kyogle facilitated the deliveries which include two new Euro 6 DAF CF530s.
These vehicles will run on shuttles between DCs up to 16 hours a day should they be utilised on a split shift.
“I like them a lot. We introduced the first CF530 six months ago and followed that up with one in the new year with the third delivered this week,” Brims said.
“They’re well suited for local work. Some of the sites we go to are a bit tight for bonneted B-doubles and these are smoother, comfy and they roar into the job and come out as required.”
These are not the first Euro 6 DAFs in the fleet.
The fleet had a short-lived truck and dog combination but it unfortunately was lost it in the Northern NSW floods of March 2022. That truck was only six weeks old.
“We didn’t get to the first service on that first DAF,” recalled Brims.
The new DAFs have helped cushion the blow of that initial setback.
“I’m really impressed with the new CF530s,” Brims said.
“They’re fuel efficient, a joy to drive, fit-for-purpose.”
Meanwhile, the K200s are powered by a 550hp X15 engine with 2050lb/ft of torque riding on Meritor running gear.
“We’ve gone for the 2.8-metre big cabs on these for the driver’s comfort,” he said.
The Kenworth T610SAR, however, is a change for some of the drivers who would like the option of operating a bonneted American truck.
“It’s a consideration for some of the drivers and they’re comfortable as well, which is another benefit,” said Brims.
“To be honest the T610SAR looks bloody awesome and that’s half the reason I got it,” he said.
“Everyone who has driven one absolutely loves them.”
One of the units is shared between three drivers. They’ve had some trouble getting one of the drivers out of it after the first two weeks.
“He didn’t want to stop, which is good in a way,” added Brims.
The new trucks don’t hurt driver recruitment and retention, two of the big issues facing the industry at present.
For Brims, there are plenty of people who come through the doors.
The shortage, nevertheless, is in finding quality drivers.
The recruitment process from initial application, screening, meeting, induction and medical compliance is thorough and much more lengthier these days.
“I’ve got a very good crew at the minute and I can’t complain about anyone,” Brims said.
“That’s a credit to the process. It shows it’s working.”
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