Work Horse

Fledgling freight carrier, Red Horse Transport, in a little under a quarter century, has diligently carved out a respectable reputation, initially in southeast Queensland and now as an interstate player.

Determined to become a national presence, the company, it’s fair to say, has appraised the wider Australian transportation and logistics sectors and likes what it sees.

While market share capture is not one of its stated aims, the business is having an industrious period of growth all the same. Shortly after it opened a 5000m² warehouse in Stapylton, strategically located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Red Horse Transport commenced plans to establish a new site in South Australia.

Widely regarded as a key growth corridor for logistics and freight carriers, South Australia is still largely untapped on the national network for companies looking to offer advanced storage solutions downstream from their transport services.

That facility opened late last year. It marks another milestone in the organisation’s recent ascent.

Internally, the investment is viewed as an opportunity for Red Horse Transport to deliver leadership in the logistics sector by better equipping itself to serve clients with greater efficiency and care, one of the hallmarks of the business according to the company, which was founded in 2001.

The mandate has drastically diversified since it first began as a metro last mile provider defined by its use of commercial vans. The opportunity to evolve alongside the country’s growing logistics demands prompted the company to steadily expand to the national bulk freight transportation specialist it is today.

The fleet has grown to nearly 150 mobile assets including prime movers, rigids, LCVs and trailers.

Heavy cargo in its oversized load management is handled by Kenworth and Volvo prime movers. Smaller freight tasks are allocated to rigids including new Hyundai trucks. The Toyota HiAce is the van of choice.

Two areas Red Horse Transport likes to pride itself on are innovation and customer service. Indeed, the three core values celebrated at Red Horse Transport — family, teamwork, and safety — were embodied by the late General Manager Patrick Glassborow, whose sad passing in 2024 has been commemorated on a new Kenworth K220 dedicated to his memory.

The single steer tandem drive prime mover built for roadtrain work is powered by a Euro 5 Cummins X-15 600hp engine that is capable of delivering 2050lb/ft in the old scale. The powertrain incorporates an 18-speed Endurant XD Pro transmission running through Meritor MFS73 single steer axles with a 7.3-tonne capacity.

Suspension is on taper leaf steel springs. The rear axle is standardised to a ratio of 4.10.

According to Fleet Manager Joe Xi, the new truck in intended to serve as a moving testament to Patrick’s unwavering leadership and profound impact on the company.

Big Red, as the Kenworth K220 has been dubbed, is more than just a vehicle—it’s a symbol of the spirit and vision Patrick instilled in Red Horse Transport.

“As it travels across Australia, it carries not only goods but also the memory of a man who transformed a small operation into a trusted logistics provider,” he says.

“This tribute is a daily reminder of his values, dedication, and the family-like culture he fostered within our company.”

Patrick’s colleagues at Red Horse Transport recently offered their thoughts on the positive impact he had on the organisation.

Daniel Tilby, Operations Manager, joined the company 12 months ago. His decision owed in part to the vision and experience Pat had for the business and the industry in general.

“Along with the directors, I was drawn to the standards at which Pat had encouraged and set and the expectation of service that was expected for it to be a successful company,” he says.

“Pat had deep experience, knowledge, leadership and daily commitment. I wanted to be part of something special alongside him and the directors and help build a great company so joining the team and having the chance to learn from Patrick and follow his leadership was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

After 35 years in the freight industry working for some major businesses, Daniel still believed there was much more to learn.

Pat, he recalls, was the perfect leader to provide mentorship for not only developing skills but adding to his knowledge base that had been lacking in his previous roles.

“His experience was invaluable, his leadership solid and honest in how he dealt with everyone from his team to our valuable customers and suppliers,” he says.

“It was easy to see what his vision was for the future and for the company on the back of the foundations he has already set in place.”

Mayzee Wells, Red Horse Transport Compliance & Customer Officer, says it was apparent that Pat was very different from the moment she first met him. “He wasn’t like a normal run-of-the-mill General Manager,” she recalls.

“He was a straight shooter, straight off the bat and his humour was out of this world funny. He had a very down-to-earth, calm demeanour which made me feel very comfortable and at ease and I feel so privileged to have been able to work with him for the time that I did.”

Pat was also a mentor figure to Mayzee, having taught her considerably about business intricacies across a range of concerns.

“What stood out most for me, is the actual way he taught, the way he worked, and the way he managed his staff,” she says.

“He treated everyone as equals, there was no difference if you were a manager or administration at Red Horse, we were all respected and treated the same and felt as though our jobs were all as important as each other’s which I have never felt before in a workplace, and I strongly believe that it was Pat that instilled that culture.”

She took advantage of the fact that Pat was very knowledgeable by trying to learn as much as she could from him, which he was always more than happy to share despite being very busy.

“He would always have time for you whether it be for work or even just daily life, he would give you his time and he was genuine and for that, I will always be grateful,” she says.

Patrick had been exposed from a young age to road transport. His father had been a workaday truck driver for Mullins Transport in Melbourne.

Pat’s own path to trucking was circuitous having worked in health then later becoming an owner-operator himself before he attended university where he received a bachelor’s in business studies.

From there he worked his way to State Manager and ultimately General Manager of Red Horse Transport.

“Pat had the ability to understand all perspectives of business and was a champion for drivers as he knew how hard they worked,” says his widow, Allie Glassborow.

“He understood customers’ needs and wants and was able to make things happen. He was also good at finance, sales and all things business management. There aren’t many in the industry like him and he had a large network of people across the country that relied on him.”

Pat passed in June. He was 58. He is survived by wife Allie and two adult children, daughter Searsha, and son Lachlan, who supported and cared for him through his years of illness.

“Pat struggled health wise and showed great strength and determination to overcoming his health issues on a day-to-day basis and remained positive,” adds Allie.

“Work was a great motivator for him, and he always strived for success.”

A mentor at a suicide prevention group called Brothers in Arms, spending time late night helping others, often strangers on the phone, Pat was called “inspirational and a high achiever,” by Phillip Mills CEO of Beattie Transport, a company he previously worked at.

“Regardless of his personal struggles, Pat pushed his challenges aside and soldiered on in a selfless manner,” noted the former colleague of Pat. He eventually met his end with dignity and poise.

Though the last few months of his life were really hard, Mayzee says he would still turn up to work and give 100 per cent.

“I think that is very admirable. He was a family man, and they were his driver, the love for his wife, son, and daughter was very obvious by the way he spoke of them,” she adds.

“There will never be another Pat, he was one of a kind. I am very thankful to have been a part of his journey here.”