Arrow Transport has invested in 10 new Performance-Based Standards sideloaders from Steelbro fitted with Fuwa K Hitch axles and suspension systems.
Arrow Transport is in the midst of a rapid expansion phase, having undergone various changes in the past months.
Most notably, it recently reshaped its leadership team, expanded its bulk division and retrained its customer service officers to prepare for the next step in its national growth strategy.
Now, Arrow Transport is expanding its fleet. The business has invested in 10 new Performance-Based Standards (PBS) quad-axle sideloaders from Steelbro to cater to the aftermath of the aforementioned growth – an increase in demand for high-quality logistics and wharf cartage services.
“We are gradually putting these units into operation throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria,” says Arrow Transport National Fleet Manager, Rod Thorne. “All 10 units are due to be deployed by the end of the month.”
Arrow Transport customised the make of these quad-axle sideloaders based on the formula of an exclusive Steelbro fleet of 12 sideloaders in Western Australia. Upon deployment, they will all be used as local delivery trailers to transport heavy containers weighing up to 30 tonnes along the east coast.
“The last two units will be lead trailers in road train configurations,” Rod says. “Instead of having a steer axle at the back, they will be fitted with front axles which lift and steer. This is also the first application of this sideloader design for Steelbro.”
While the quad-axle skels that have arrived are very fresh, Rod says Arrow Transport has been impressed with their performance so far.
“We only have a few of the new quads physically on the road, but they seem very positive in the early stages,” he says. “The drivers are happy with the trailers, the simplicity of their operations and what they’re being used for.”
Fuwa K Hitch KT250 air suspension systems, KF21 drum brake TP bearing axles and KFS12 drum brake self-steer TP bearing axles are integral components of these units. Rod says the Fuwa K Hitch product was specified after having proven its worth across half of Arrow Transport’s existing national fleet.
“We have Fuwa K Hitch axles and suspension systems on all of our Steelbro units,” he says. “We also have Weweler air suspension and a multitude of components on 40 to 50 per cent of our standard trailing equipment.
“Fuwa K Hitch axles and suspensions are performing very well within our fleet so far. We have very minimal issues and breakdowns with these components, and the advantages of that are simplicity of maintenance, reduced servicing and less downtime.”
Steelbro itself has a strong and longstanding relationship with Fuwa K Hitch. A connection dating back to the 1980s is shared between the families of Howard Porter and Steelbro Managing Director, Roy Lombardi, and the original owner of KHitch.
Both businesses have since grown together. The trailer builder now utilises Fuwa K Hitch components on sideloaders not just for the Australian market but for South Africa, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, South East Asia and parts of Europe as well.
“The relationship continued ever since then,” Roy says. “Fuwa K Hitch has taken the brand to the next level by expanding its footprint Australia-wide and improving the technology behind the scenes.”
Roy says Howard Porter continues to choose the Fuwa K Hitch brand because of its strong reputation and local presence in WA. Together, these factors make investing in axles and suspensions both easy and rewarding.
“Fuwa K Hitch’s truck and trailer components are world-class,” he says. “The brand has a strong following with transport operators, and the product has proven itself over many years by operating in some pretty unforgiving conditions. Both continue to be expanded for different applications.”
Product reliability, backup service and spare parts availability is of key importance to Howard Porter. Having accessibility to spare parts in remote areas reduces downtime not only for the business, but for end users like Arrow Transport by keeping equipment on the road.
Fuwa K Hitch has mastered that via its great distributor network across the country.
“I’ve been in the business for five years, and all our skels have been built with Fuwa K Hitch axles in that time,” says Steelbro East Coast Business Development and Sales Manager, Malcolm Newcombe. “Around 90 per cent of our trailers have been sold with Fuwa K Hitch components. We do get customers requesting different options, but that’s their choice.
“It’s a really good product that has been well-received in the marketplace. A lot of people like Fuwa K Hitch suspension systems because they are very reliable and also have parallel Pro-Par bearings. Further to that, it’s backed by an impressive support network with local representatives all around the country.
“I’ve been in the industry for 20 years and I’ve never had a problem with Fuwa K Hitch axles and suspensions.”
