SLR Trans is a serious player in the cold chain. The company transports ambient, frozen and time sensitive products nationally across an ever-widening network.
Having the capacity to do so was more recently boosted last May when SLR Trans opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Archerfield.
The 5,600m² cold store and freezer distribution centre provides distinct advantages to the expanding refrigerated transport logistics business, namely the capacity to store 8,000-pallet spaces over six areas providing specific temperature and ripening capabilities.
That in itself marks a crucial upgrade for the operation as it must maintain strict cold-chain compliance for meat, seafood, dairy, chocolates, fresh produce and pharmaceuticals.
The facility also features a 12.3-metre-deep anteroom for staging. It’s also located near the Rocklea Markets, where most of the major supermarket distribution centres, and rail and road networks are situated.
“It makes sense for us to be in this part of town to support our customers and partner with businesses around us,” says Aumar Moosa, SLR Trans Chief Operating Officer.
“There has been a lack of new cold storage developments in the Queensland market to cater to the growing demands of the latest technology and efficiencies like online grocery shopping. This gives us a great opportunity to house customers out there looking for storage space or perhaps cross docking facilities.”
The trend across most industries is to harness energy efficient solutions.
A new facility is more attractive given it consumes much less power than a cold store to draw the temperatures down especially to freezer temperatures which are well below minus 20 Celsius.
“We are confident that we are achieving the energy efficiencies required to be environmentally responsible for the future which means sustainability,” says Aumar.
Significant investments have gone into introducing new mobile assets over the past 18 months.
There are over 300 units of equipment in the fleet and three new UTEs, a Hino light rigid, a semi-trailer and Volvo FH prime mover have been added in recent weeks to service a growing customer base.
The mixed fleet includes Volvo FH16 series 600hp prime movers for long haul assignments along with Schmitz Cargobull trailers. For short haul and local operations, SLR Trans relies on Hino FS & 300 series and Isuzu FH series trucks.
“We have quite a variety in our fleet including the Mazda BT-50 utes,” Aumar says.
“These are what we have been investing in. We love the reliability and their unmatched performance.”
The business has partnered closely with Scully RSV since 2017. Initially the relationship was forged on deploying Scully RSV Utes for its home delivery task.
Today SLR Trans hires 14-pallet rigid trucks through Scully, and predominantly 10- and 22-pallet space trailers which are being utilised predominantly on B-double combinations.
“Business Development Managers Bevan Chambers and Glenn Smith from Scully have listened to our operational needs and concerns and continually improved the services in terms of quality,” says Aumar.
“We feel this makes a huge difference and helps in our day-to-day operations. In the transport industry, we can’t plan everything down to the minute and at SLR, we never say no to customers. For last-minute hires and requests, Scully has always been there for us.”
The trust and service built over a seven-year period has made Scully a first-choice option for SLR Trans.
In that time there have been plenty of challenges for servicing customers from COVID to supply chain delays and the inflationary environment many businesses find themselves in.
On a daily basis, SLR Trans trucks complete an estimated 3000 last mile deliveries.
The overarching goal of the organisation is to maintain a reliable fleet that ensures the job is done efficiently while maintaining the temperatures of the products.
“We focus on facilitating our drivers with the latest technological advancements in safety features,” says Aumar.
“All our UTEs not only assist drivers with lane departure warning but also assist to steer the vehicle back into the lane to keep the driver on the road. Additionally, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by incorporating environmentally friendly practices into our operations.”
Scully, in this regard, has certainly enhanced its product offering according to Aumar.
“Scully over the years has definitely improved their product,” he says.
“Their workmanship is exemplary. We have put Scully refrigerated truck bodies to the test and the bodies have been withstanding the rigid work we do moving tonnes on a daily basis.” Seasonal peaks, especially when it comes to food delivery, will often require the business to flex up its operational footprint.
Scully RSV here can help having built a reputation on the short- and long-term customised rental solutions it can offer customers including a thorough fleet replacement program.
There are over 1,000 assets in its product portfolio which companies like SLR Trans can leverage. As a result, customers are able to foster a positive customer service experience.
Building and maintaining long-term relationships is a primary consideration according to Aumar, who is of the belief that it will help harmonise the key pillars the business is always working towards: service experience and service excellence.
“Our operations run smoothly no matter the seasonality of the occasion,” says Aumar. “That’s in large part due to the nature of the robust team we have at SLR who enjoy a challenge.”
