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“Bluescope provides various products of mixed weights and configurations to the market place and needs the versatility to be able to transport product of differing lengths,” explains Sam.
Every trailer in the order benefits from a collection of unique safety features developed in unison by all three companies, including weight gauges and Retract-AStep retractable ladders. Safety is further enhanced by the inclusion of the Ausbinder Mark II ratchet for restraining loads, which combines the actions of a ratchet tie down with a conventional loadbinder. Perhaps the most interesting safety innovation in the trailers, though, are the moveable three-piece tailboards. Kruger manufactured a series of pockets into the top of each trailer floor for the tailboards so that, depending on the type of material being transported, Bluescope can position the tailboard right against the product to further help restrain the load if necessary – a big factor in increasing the trailers’ flexibility.
The three-section rear load racks offer the ability to reposition each load rack in half-metre intervals towards the front of the trailer to support the various lengths of steel. These load racks come complete with an easy-to-operate locking latch to ensure they remain locked in position.
“Bluescope, like ourselves and Krueger, is an industry leader in safety innovations and asked us if it could be done,” says Sam of the tailboards. “So we talked about it with Krueger and decided it most certainly could. “It’s only early days, but the feedback we’re getting from Bluescope is that they are pleasantly surprised with how well the idea is performing and will be looking at implementing this across their entire fleet at a later stage.”
Other interesting features of the order include heavy-duty fixed front load racks to suit steel cartage, which were fitted to the trailers to provide the correct load restraining support for the load. “Krueger is prepared to go the extra distance for our customers. We listen to our customers and understand their freight task and then provide trailer solutions focused on load restraint and safety that deliver maximum productivity,” says Grant Krueger.
Sam believes that it is vital for a company such as Metropolitan Express to be at the forefront of innovation, staying one step ahead of the competition by developing smarter technology. To facilitate this, the company is always busy working with both suppliers and clients on new or refined products.
“A good example of this is the final version of our new top-of-the-truck apparatus that we will be releasing shortly. Basically,it is a sliding device which can slide along the full length of the trailer while allowing the driver to hop on and use a harness to restrain himself and stay safe. We’re all about getting the guys to return home safely after a day at work, and as we actually back up our words with actions, we’ve worked very hard with Bluescope and Krueger’s engineers to develop this apparatus,” he says.
“Overall, we find it very easy to deal with Krueger, communication is definitely one
of their strong points. And like us they’re also very driven by devising dynamic solutions.”