Growing Bonds

In farming terminology, Damorange Refrigerated Transport could be described as a perennial crop – one that requires a decent period of time to establish itself.

It started out in 1974 as a one-truck, one-trailer operation – family owned and operated by Shane Splatt and his wife, Margaret, as L & S Splatt. By the 1980s it was thriving in the farming belt of the Werribee district, transforming into Damorange in 1988 and becoming a well-respected transporter of farming produce.

The couple retired in 2017 from active trucking duties, passing the baton to their son, Scott, who runs the business that now operates a fleet of 75 prime movers and 150 trailers crisscrossing the East coast.

The business specialises in refrigerated transport and storage of fresh fruit and vegetables, supporting growers and suppliers nationwide.

Based out of Werribee South, half an hour west of Melbourne, in the heart of Victoria’s thriving produce region, it is strategically positioned to service growers and distributors alike.

When Damorange Refrigerated Transport moved to Werribee, the area was the domain of many small fruit and vegetable farmers, often operating on small scale 30-acre lots. It was these producers who became the lifeblood of the transport business and, as those farm allotments grew, so too did Shane Splatt’s family trucking business.

With depots in Brisbane, Gayndah, and Guyra and satellite depots in Sydney and Adelaide, the transport company is focused on its goal of being Australia’s industry leader in the safe, efficient transportation and storage of fresh produce and an integral part of the nation’s cold chain network.

Those close relationships with key partners in its formative years that reflect Damorange’s approach to transport today.

Damorange has operated two Kenworth T909 prime movers, each fitted out with a full Dana driveline that includes the signature D46-170 rear axles, since late 2021.

In that time, these trucks have travelled more than one million kilometres, with minimal need for repairs or replacement. That reduced downtime off the roads has resulted in very few warranty claims being made on the two Kenworths.

Operating an impressive fleet of prime movers and trailers, with a high percentage carting refrigerated fruit and vegetables on interstate runs, it’s not surprising that Damorange relies heavily on keeping its customers happy.

“Our customers have a lot of faith in us to deliver on what we say we will. That’s part of our success,” company founder, Shane Splatt, previously said.

“We do the right thing by them, and they’ve accepted us and kept us on. For 30 years in some cases.”

The family credo of building relationships that prosper and grow is firmly instilled in second generation company owner, Scott Splatt.

“Our last Dana drive line product was specified on our T909’s was purchased in 2021 and 2022 and have now reached over a million kilometres each and the durability of the product has been exceptional,” Scott says.

“We plan to update this equipment soon and would have no hesitation in using the Dana drive axles, D46-170 in our next purchases.”

That ease of operation and maintenance has resulted in the Damorange in-house mechanics enjoying servicing the drivelines at the Werribee South yard.

“Our mechanical team have no issues and find the Dana product durable for our freight task.”

Invariably, one of the mechanical team working on the Dana drivelines will be a third generation Splatt member – Scott’s son, Jaidyn, who is completing his 3rd year in a mechanical apprenticeship with the company and has worked on all their equipment within the fleet.

The Damorange Refrigerated Transport relationship with Kenworth trucks began in 1993, receiving a brand new T900 Kenworth truck. Shane Splatt’s later decision to buy a pair of Kenworth prime movers cast the business’s decision to stick with that brand. They haven’t looked back since.

The pride in Kenworth prime movers has stemmed from their reliability and serviceability over the years. With the company’s trucks being on linehaul jobs around the country there is always the need to have access to a service centre should the need arise.