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Adversity is inevitable in a globalised economy, but axle and suspension expert Fuwa K-Hitch has proven that it doesn’t have to keep Australian transport businesses from finding success. 

When Roman poet Horace famously stated that only adversity would reveal true genius, he most certainly didn’t have the transport equipment industry in mind. But in the face of a slowing economy and on-going political quarrel about the future of Australian manufacturing, his 2000-year-old observation is now seeing an unlikely revival in the axle and suspension market.

Melbourne business Fuwa K-Hitch has taken the age-old assertion as an inspiration to help transport businesses navigate a tough market by enabling them to achieve more productivity at a reduced cost base. “Times are tough, of that there is no doubt. The global economic downturn has spared no one and the transport industry in Australia is certainly feeling it,” says National Sales Manager, Chris Barrett.

“But the wheels have to keep turning, as they say. Existing trailers need to be kept on the road and running safely, and new equipment has to add much-needed productivity to our national fleet. At Fuwa K-Hitch, we want to play our part in that by providing transport businesses with high-quality, yet cost-effective equipment that can go the distance.”

He adds, “It’s all about empowering Australian transport businesses. It’s about giving them a great basis to work with and build on the ingenuity that has made them successful in the first place.”

While a shortfall in productivity growth is still weighing heavily on economic expansion in Australia, Chris says there is no reason to renounce faith in the notion of on-going growth and prosperity. “As part of the largest axle producer in the world and one of the biggest component suppliers in Australia, we have the right product range to help transport businesses of any size find a solution that is both economical and efficient. We believe there is opportunity in every challenge, and we have the size and scope to make a difference.”

Chris says Fuwa K-Hitch has every axle dimension covered, from general-purpose on-highway gear in the standard nine-13 tonne range, to extreme off-road equipment in the 20-tonne and beyond category. “On top of that, we will always go that extra mile to tailor a package that will suit the individual client, which is incredibly important in a time like today if you want to be able to add value,” he explains – adding that the global Fuwa network is actively supporting the Australian branch.

“As one of the largest manufacturing businesses in our field, we have forged strategic alliances with a whole range of world-renowned companies, such as VDL Weweler in the Netherlands and WABCO in Belgium, just to name a few. That way we have quick access to the latest technology from China, Europe and North America and can react to any market movement in an instant. That flexibility is a powerful value proposition for our fleet clientele here in Australia, who trust in us to supply them with the best there is for the work they do.”

Chris says combining that flexibility with local thought-leadership is key to remaining competitive, especially in the face of adversity. But with transport margins tightening by the day, cost control is an ever-present issue. “The good thing of being part of the Fuwa Group is the volume we achieve, so we can be extremely price competitive. Price and quality don’t need to contradict each other once you reach certain economies of scale, and if you get both right, you have a strong business case.”

Despite the global footprint of the Chinese-based Fuwa corporation, Chris says Fuwa K-Hitch is still very much a local business. “We place huge value on holding stock locally to ensure the quickest possible turnaround times from order to supply, which means we react quickly to our customers’ requirements while reducing their own inventory costs and reliance,” he says. “We have also forged close relationships with many trailer manufacturers locally to offer them the best possible pricing and service.”

Combining stock availability and proven aftersales service with a global innovation and manufacturing network, Chris says Fuwa-Hitch has used a phase of economic uncertainty to create a toolset that will foster ingenuity within its customers’ businesses: “We work extremely hard behind the scenes, but at the end of the day, it’s all about our customers here in Australia. We want to enable them to look at any economic scenario and be positive about it, because they know they can rely on their equipment and focus on getting the job done safely.”

Fast Fact: With branches in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as strong relationships with various OEMs and major aftermarket suppliers, Fuwa K-Hitch has built a national network spanning all of Australia.

Fuwa K-Hitch has partnered with Swinburne University and Ballarat consultancy Bisitecniks to design a fifth wheel testing laboratory in Melbourne. A Victorian first, it has already helped with the certification of Fuwa’s latest cast turntable model.

Until recently, testing the mechanical properties of a fifth wheel was a job that had to be carried out in Brisbane or Sydney, as the hydraulic equipment necessary is rare, expensive and complex to handle. For a long time, the two cities’ universities were the only institutions in the country allowing private enterprises access to such technology.

But with Swinburne University recently opening a $15 million ‘Smart Structures’ Laboratory in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn, local transport equipment expert Fuwa K-Hitch sensed an opportunity to finally bring some professional turntable testing capacity to the state of Victoria.

At the heart of Swinburne’s Hawthorn Laboratory is a Multi-Axis Substructure Testing (MAST) device, which is effectively able to simulate a fully-fledged earthquake. Driven by a large underground pump hidden beneath a metre of concrete, it inspired the team at Fuwa K-Hitch to utilise some of the force behind it to put the brand’s first-ever cast fifth wheel model to the test.

“While we knew the Smart Structures Laboratory was primarily built to test the integrity of architectural structures, we couldn’t ignore the potential use the lab’s giant hydraulics system may have for the testing of transport equipment,” says Markus Sidler, Product Manager at Fuwa K-Hitch and the driving force behind making professional turntable testing capacity available in Victoria.

To ensure the test would be carried out in accordance with the latest ADR standards, Fuwa K-Hitch also brought well-known Ballarat consultancy Bisitecniks on board. “We are a registered ADR test facility covering a wide range of ADRs,” says Bisitecniks’ Paul Walsh. “Our role was to ensure that the testing was conducted in accordance with the ADRs and included designing the equipment to interface with the Swinburne hydraulic apparatus. Together, we then went on to develop and execute the testing program.”

According to Paul, the ADRs require a new fifth wheel to endure a strenuous fatigue test that sees it oscillate some two million times over the course of a fortnight – equating to about a decade of constant usage. “It is quite a gruesome test that would have uncovered any weaknesses of the product immediately, but I have to say that Fuwa K-Hitch’s new cast fifth wheel performed exceptionally well,” he explains – adding that the paperwork for ADR approval is now on the way to Canberra.

In addition to the fatigue test carried out in Melbourne, Bisitecniks also performed a so-called overturning test at its facilities in Ballarat, as required by the ADRs. This test demonstrates how a new fifth wheel would cope with the lateral forces occurring during a roll-over scenario. Fuwa K-Hitch’s new model passed that test as well.

Paul adds, “It’s always exciting to see a new product become ready for volume production, but given this was the first ever fifth wheel tested locally in Victoria, it was a particularly special project for us to be involved in.”

With the approval process now on the home stretch, Fuwa K-Hitch is expecting the new cast fifth wheel to go on sale just in time for the Christmas season. “We are really looking forward to having a cast turntable in our portfolio,” says Sales & Product Specialist, Shane Harbridge. “The new model will be the lightweight alternative transport businesses operating on the eastern seaboard have been asking for in the past, but still come with a generous 200kN rating, which is ample for double and even triple work.”

Shane says the new, locally tested cast fifth wheel will come in six standard heights, with the option of further customising it if required. “While we feel that fabricated fifth wheels still have a place in the marketplace, the new cast model is more variable in terms of height as it is based on bolt-on feet, so there’s more room to play. What’s more, we included the secondary safety in the main handle for easy and safe single-hand operation – showing just how much thought went into the design.”

“After having it independently tested in Melbourne, we are extremely confident that our new cast fifth wheel will shake up the market once it goes on sale at the end of the year,” adds Markus. “The fact that we have invested in the creation of a local testing facility should be testament of how important the project was for us as an Australian business, but of course the transport community will have the last word when the product finally hits the road.

“For our part, we are extremely happy with the outcome and hope that we not only created a new fifth wheel for the line haul market, but brought back some highly coveted engineering know-how to Victoria that was only available in New South Wales and Queensland before. Even though the final product will be built in China, having created that kind of local legacy is something we are very proud of.”

Fast Fact: Fuwa K-Hitch’s new cast fifth wheel can boast bolt pattern feet for easy interchangability and has proven locking components that are the same as the current service parts in the fabricated range – ensuring parts identification and replacement is easy and cost effective. “We have taken already known and trusted know how and incorporated it into our new era of fifth wheels with further model expansion to come,” says National Sales Director, Chris Barrett.

The competition in the axle and suspension market has become increasingly fierce over the past year or two, forcing suppliers to be more resourceful than ever to retain market share. If you believe Fuwa K-Hitch, though, remaining relevant is a straightforward process.

With the Australian Government desperately trying to find the right recipe for sustainable growth, standing still can prove ruinous for the many small and medium sized enterprises in the country – especially those supplying the already-fluctuating commercial road transport industry.

The axle and suspension market is a case in point. With mining investment waning and the freight task shifting to construction and container movement, it has to re-orientate itself and quickly seize the next growth opportunity to avoid being crippled by the loss of momentum in the heavy-duty market.

But to execute such a change of direction can be a balancing act – especially since there is more than one future growth strategy currently at issue. According to Chris Barrett, National Sales Manager at Fuwa K-Hitch, the only way to navigate such a situation is to be mindful and not make a rushed decision.

“There is no reason to abandon ship and rush headlong into the future,” he says. “Mining investment is waning but that doesn’t mean you can just move on. At Fuwa K-Hitch, we will continue to service the heavy-duty sector like we did when it was at the highest high, because we know that’s what we owe our faithful clientele.”

Chris explains that he and his team can draw on a vast range of mechanical suspensions – ranging from 11 tonne through to 20 tonne and available in both cast and fabricated – as well as the matching axles to make sure they have the best equipment available to suit every application in the heavy-duty segment of the market.

“Mechanical suspensions are still common in heavy-duty off-road work, where they have to endure extreme loading and harsh conditions with dust, mud and debris. That’s why our design here is a bit more traditional and uncomplicated so it can better suit the extreme environment and can be repaired by almost any basic workshop. In some cases, there’s also a certain degree of parts interchangeability to make our gear nice and easy to use, wherever you are. We are extremely proud of having developed such a strong portfolio and will continue to promote and develop it.”

With his commitment to the heavy-duty market unaffected, Chris says flexibility is more important at the moment than frantically trying to change course. “What you need is a flexible product portfolio and a deep understanding of the Australian marketplace in all its facets, from mining through to produce haulage,” he explains. “But of course there’s a technical element to it too. You have to have access to a complete range of suspensions and axles to be able to spread the net in a time like today – and luckily, Fuwa K-Hitch has just that.”

With everyone in the axle and suspension market hustling to find new business, Chris says only those with the right portfolio will be able to succeed. “But that’s still no guarantee,” he adds. “The second step is to spec the correct gear for the job – and that’s the skill that will make all the difference going forward.”

According to Chris, Fuwa K-Hitch has accumulated the same expertise that made it famous in the mining industry for the on-road market, where air suspensions are now the norm. “Air suspensions are light in tare weight and relatively easy to service and maintain, but they offer additional features and benefits over mechanical alternatives, such as raise/lower functions, dump valves and axle lifts,” he says.

“Combined with better ride and stability characteristics and cohesion with brake and stability enhancements such as ABS and EBS control systems, air suspension systems can make for a real advantage on the highway and sometimes even off the road. That’s why our 2015-16 product catalogue includes air suspensions rated at nine, 11 and 13 tonnes and with varying ride heights to handle any possible freight task.” 

Chris says there is no ‘one size fits all’ scenario in Australian trucking anymore, which is why range and know-how are equally important for a modern supplier to survive and thrive. “Environment and application, centre of gravity requirements or constraints, as well as speed and loading considerations are all important – but you need to be able to ask the right questions to find the right solution,” he explains.

“All of this information is available from Fuwa K-Hitch, who can also advise transport businesses of any limitations or warranty considerations that need to be taken into account prior to deciding what type of suspension and axle packages suit them.”

With the Australian economy entering a historic transition phase and the axle and suspension market under added pressure, Chris says customers should be “very mindful” and ensure that they are aware of service scheduling, special tooling requirements, parts listings and spare parts availability when spec’ing a new commercial vehicle.

“The competition is tough and a lot of promises are being made out there, but it will always come down to range and know-how – if you think about it, it’s actually pretty straightforward. That’s also why we think we are well prepared going into the new Financial Year – we’re flexible enough to react quickly but we are also committed to our existing clientele, which I believe will pay off in the long-term.”