Secon Freight Logistics’ family story came to life in the latest Cold Xpress podcast where Vin and Brendon Considine traced the company’s evolution from a single-truck operation to a key part of the Silk Logistics network.
They began with the company’s origins at the Melbourne wharves, where founder Maurie Considine started the business after becoming frustrated with unreliable transport.
As Brendon recalled: “He always had issues with truck drivers not turning up on time. So, he said ‘let’s see if we can get a business up and running’.”
The first truck nearly didn’t arrive due to the 1969 Lara bushfires.
“If those trucks arrived on the day they were supposed to, they’d be gone,” said Brendon. “The business wouldn’t have got off the ground.”
The brothers explained how the operation expanded– first with Maurie and brother Terry in the office, and the rest working outside.
As the company grew, all five Considine sons eventually joined.
Life in the wharf cartage world meant gruelling hours.
Vin recalled seven-day work weeks as the business scaled.
“We were forever there,” he said. “Saturdays we had to work, then Sunday I was organising stuff. I was working probably seven days a week for I don’t know how long.”
The conversation also laid bare major turning points. None more significant than the sudden passing of older brother and long-time CEO Terry in 2014.
“Terry was such a pillar,” Brendon said.
“Everything revolved around him.
His contribution triggered the formalisation of Secon’s values now known internally as ‘The Right Way’: Respect, Integrity, Governance, Honesty and Trust.
“Those five values underpinned the next 10 years,” Brendon said, recounting a moment when a customer accidentally paid a large bill twice.
“My accountant said we could just keep it, and I said, like hell we will. Where do our values stand?”
Secon’s growth also demanded governance.
The brothers detailed how they moved to Board structures and external advice.
“I could see I wasn’t the best person for the CEO role,” said Brendon. “It was time to pass on the baton to Steve.”
The podcast touched on other battles including a near-eviction saga where council pressure threatened the business.
Eventually Secon moved into its Truganina base, restructured its rates and operations and returned to strong profitability.
The cleaner structure paved the way for Silk Logistics Holdings’ acquisition.
“You can only sell a business if it’s profitable,” Vin said. “And we couldn’t sell it until we turned things around.”
Yet despite modern systems, a broader network and corporate ownership, Secon’s heart remains the same. Tuesday night family dinners still drift into work talk.
“The beginning of dinner, Mum says, ‘We’re not talking about work’,” Vin Said.
“Two minutes later, we’re talking about work.”
For Secon, the blend of family commitment, values and operational grit continues to define the business.
Just as it did when Maurie first put a single truck on the road more than 50 years ago.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
