A sensitive freight carrier has added two IVECO X-Ways and two Daily cab chassis to its fleet.
Perth-based Macknsons runs 12 trucks across operations that involve moving fragile, often priceless cargo including items for the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Western Australian Museum and private collectors.
Established in 1995 by Peter McDougall, Macknsons has earned a stellar reputation across Western Australia for its care in transporting rare artefacts, artworks and collectables, along with fragile freight to the medical, hospitality and mining industries.
Life in the transport sector began for McDougall at 17 as a furniture removalist where he plied his skills for several years before deciding to specialise in sensitive freight.
Now he leads a team of 25 people in a business that provides much more than an ‘A to B’ freight service.
“We’re a ‘people company’ that share a passion for providing a great service and moving our customers assets safely,” he said.
“It’s a service-focused business and everybody who works with us has care factor — they also undergo long-term on the job training. They’re highly motivated professionals always looking to improve all measures.”
Macknsons’ business model also holds accountability as a high priority, according to McDougall.
“We ship all over WA and provide our clients with full visibility – we’re solely responsible from pick-up to delivery,” he said.
“There’s no cross docking. We use vehicle tracking and advanced transport and warehouse management systems to ensure we know at what point in the journey every piece of freight is,” explained McDougall.
Having the right truck fleet, naturally, is vital in this niche application.
Macknsons therefore runs vehicles with electronically controlled airbag rear suspensions, including the new X-Way models.
The airbag set-up is much gentler on the precious cargo while also allowing ride height adjustment for greater loading and unloading convenience if required.
A recent convert to IVECO, McDougall was attracted to the marque by its sharp styling, abundant standard features and reputation for driver comfort.
Macknsons’ Daily models include a work-ready 45C Tradie-Made and a larger 70C curtainsider, which are predominantly used for deliveries in metropolitan Perth and surrounds.
“The Daily cab chassis have more equipment and features than our Landcruiser, they’re a great little truck,” McDougall said.
“I’ve also spent some time in the X-Ways, I drove one from our bodybuilder in Brisbane back to Perth and it was amazing – two pedal operation and so quiet, it just glides along. You can hop out of it after a long day on the road and still feel fresh.”
The 6×4 rigid X-Ways feature high-roof sleeper cabs, 360hp Euro 6 engines, Hi-Tronix automated manual transmission and are fitted with Pantech bodies.
The specification is well suited to longer routes, including journeys to mine sites and remote communities in central and northern areas of the state.
“The main things we look for when adding to our truck fleet are safety, fuel efficiency, driver comfort and dealer support, and we’re very pleased with what IVECO has been able to provide in these areas,” McDougall said.
The latest vehicles are maintained by selling dealer, AV Trucks, with the X-Ways also covered by extended warranties of 4 years / 750,000kms.
McDougall noted his experience with IVECO and AV Trucks has been extremely positive.
“Reliability and support is important to us – we want to do business with like-minded service focused companies and I feel IVECO is certainly there for us.”