Deals on Wheels #469

DEALS Showcase
A COMMITMENT
Built on trust
It was 75 years ago that the fi st Freighter trailer rolled onto Australian
roads. This remarkable success story is a testament of Freighter’s
unwavering quality benchmark and reliable customer service
Symons Clark Logistics has
been committed to Freighter
trailers for over 25 years
24
Symons Clark logistics
director David Clark
That’s what
draws me
to Freighter: they
look after me
Freighter’s customers are the driving force
behind Freighter’s successful journey
in Australia. One such business is South
Australia-based Symons Clark Logistics,
currently managed by brothers David and
Ricky Clark.
Speaking with David, the company’s
logistics director, about what has made his
company continue to commit to Freighter
trailers 25 years after buying its first, he says:
“Freighter has never given me any grief in 25
years. They have always accommodated in
helping me achieve what I wish to achieve
with my business needs. The quality of what
Freighter makes and the durability of these
trailers is very good.”
Symons Clark is one of the oldest transport
and logistics businesses in South Australia,
with its roots dating all the way back to 1875.
Passing hands through several generations
and families, the current business is
operated by David and his son James Clark
alongside Ricky and his son Jason Clark.
With a fleet of over 90 trucks and 176
trailers, the business provides transport, bulk
haulage, container services, warehousing
and distribution, and equipment hire across
the South Australian market, along with
transport services to major cities along the
east coast.
“The majority of our trailers are from
MaxiTRANS, made up of Freighter, Hamelex
White and Lusty EMS units,” David explains.
“Our first trailer was a 40ft ri-axle Freighter
trailer and we continued to buy the same
model for some years to cart shipping
containers. Once B-doubles came in the
market, we started buying those sets and
now we buy Road Trains and AB-triples. We
also have Road Train Dollies, 20ft ipping
Skels and tri-axle tippers.
"We have ordered three new Stag sets of
B-doubles from MaxiTRANS that are coming
later this year.
“Most of our trailers and equipment are
standard models, however, we do have some
custom-built Freighters in our fleet, with
features such as longer tipper bodies on the
A-trailers, tri-axle tipper racks and a custombuilt
Sliding Tipping Skel that we bought
around seven years ago and are still using.
“The design of Freighter trailers is 100 per
cent productive. Our trailers are in use every
day, they do a lot of work but they don’t wear
out. They are very robust and a very good
product. I’ve never really had any issues
with Freighter trailers, which is the reason
I continue to buy these products. I always
chase quality over price but I have to say that
these trailers are a good price too.
“Since the initial days of our link with
Freighter we have not had any problem
with their sales or customer service. Their
area sales manager Gary Lines, as well
as Mike Baas and Petros Skondras in the
workshop, are 100 per cent committed to
the product and to Symons Clark. They’re
very accommodating in helping me design
something specific and to get things through.
“I go with quality, experience and service
and how people look after my business so
I’m not one to change. I’m a bit of a creature of
habit and when I know I’m being looked after.
I’m totally committed towards them as they
are to me. That’s what draws me to Freighter:
they look after me.”