Let’s Get Packing!

In-depth

9 May

Food packaging specialist start in-house fleet with IVECO

After outsourcing its transport requirements for many years, one of Australia’s most innovative food grade packaging suppliers sought to elevate its service levels by transitioning to an in-house model using IVECO trucks.

Established in 2006 by industrial chemist, Peter Thompson, Packaging Traders has steadily grown its position in the market and draws on Peter’s chemistry background as a major point of difference from its competitors.

The company’s range of packaging includes paper window bags, BOPP bags, coffee bags, zipper bags, block and box bottom bags, cake boxes and grease-proof packaging just to name a few. Given the variety of materials used in their manufacture – plastics, laminates, papers, foils and a wide number of coatings – the way in which Peter’s chemistry background gives Packaging Traders an edge soon becomes apparent.

“The packaging is made of polymers, plastics, paper – it’s all chemistry related,” Peter explained.

“All these materials have different performance characteristics and respond differently to the foods they hold depending on their makeup.”

**For deliveries around greater Sydney, the company also uses a tray bodied Daily 70C.**

Servicing major supermarkets, bakeries, coffee roasters, pet food manufacturers and other sectors, Packaging Traders work closely with clients to understand their needs and then recommend products which are sourced from all over the globe.

“Using our experience, we not only guide our clients to choose the most appropriate materials and packaging types based on their requirements, we also assist with printing and supply and delivery – we can deliver the packaging as soon as available or store it for them in our warehouse,” Peter said.

It was the business’ goal of providing a more complete service including having better control of its supply chain, that prompted Packaging Traders to start its own fleet, basing the trucks at its Sydney offices and warehouse facility.

“The only area we felt we were slightly letting customers down was in the delivery of our products. We couldn’t rely on third party transport companies to always deliver on time, and we thought this would ultimately cost us business, so we acted before it did,” Peter said.

**Packaging Traders owner, Peter Thompson.**

“This was happening during the COVID period; we were very lucky to find a new Stralis 6x2 ATi 360 rigid at IVECO Sydney that was available, we quickly bought it and got it to work. It was a good truck that we used for several years, and only recently sold to move into something with greater payload to better handle our growing business.

“We had no hesitation in replacing the Strails with two S-Way 8x4 AT 460s rigids; given how well the Stralis went, we didn’t even consider another brand. The S-Ways run tautliner bodies and allow us to carry 28 pallets (double stacked) for a total payload of 10 to 11 tonnes depending on the types of products we’re carrying.”

**The S-Ways' 8x4 configuration gives Packaging Traders greater scope for load distribution for deliveries.**

The two S-Ways feature 460hp / 2,150 Nm Euro6 (Step E) engines and IVECO’s Hi-Tronix 12-Speed Automated Manual Transmission, allowing them to easily move goods from Sydney to as far as Dubbo and beyond. For deliveries around greater Sydney – including more congested metropolitan areas – the company operates a tray bodied Daily 70C cab chassis which provides around a four tonne payload.

Peter said the IVECO fleet is well liked by his drivers and himself, as from time to time he gets behind the wheel to fulfil orders.

“The comfort in the S-Ways is really good, and going from the Stralis to the S-Way, we appreciate the additional power available – they easily manage our cargo. The 8x4 configuration also provides extra flexibility in how we load and deliver the products, keeping us legal at all times,” he said.

“The trucks also have all the latest active safety technology and driver evaluation systems that prompt you with information such as how to improve fuel efficiency.”

Packaging Traders’ S-Ways were purchased from IVECO Sydney, with the dealership also involved in the trucks’ servicing along with that of the 70C Daily.

“The guys at the dealership were great to deal with during purchase and do a good job maintaining the vehicles ensuring they’re always running at their best, so we can provide timely and reliable delivery to our clients, after all, it’s the main reason we began an in-house fleet,” Peter said.