Going cap in hand

dated September 7th, 2009

The trucking industry in Australia is very different from their counterparts in the rest of the world in many ways. The industry also has some striking similarities with the industry in Europe and the US giving it a chance to draw in technology from both markets to improve productivity and performance.

One aspect of the industry here in Australia can sometimes hold us back from getting the best out of our equipment suppliers. It is our tendency to take the manufacturers at their word and not pressurise them to bring in the latest technology available. Australian transport operators seem grateful someone has built a truck/trailer/braking system for them and never question whether a newer, better model is available.

This point is reinforced, this week, by Bob Murphy in his Trucks, Trains and Traffic blog. He points to the cosy relationship between the suppliers and those setting the standards, developing the Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The trucking industry needs to be out there driving this forward and not letting the self interest of the original equipment manufacturers get in the way of progress.