Daltrans Bulk Haulage has been on the commercial transport scene for nearly nine years, founded in Toowoomba, Queensland, in December 2015 by owner, Dallas Kropp.
Dallas, who’s had a career’s worth of truck driving experience himself, brought his informed perspective to the administrative and operational sides of trucking and watched Daltrans quickly grow into an industry mainstay.
The company’s presence, employees and fleet since expanded considerably – something Dallas didn’t quite expect.
“We have 13 sets of trailers now, along with 11 prime movers, a couple of operators and some subcontractors beyond that,” he says. “When I had started Daltrans, we only had two sets of trailers. We didn’t envisage that we’d ever get to where we are now.
“We don’t really know what the future holds. We just go as hard as we can for as long as we can.”
This determined mantra has served the company well through thick and thin.
The industry has been partially dependent on primary goods and commodities which need to be in supply to be shipped, and poor agricultural harvest seasons can put transport business under heavy strain at times, forcing them to increase their outreach and logistical routes, Dallas explains.
“Everyone in the industry solely relies on primary production and agriculture,” he says. “If there’s a bad season and there are no crops, then there’s no volume or product to be moved.
“We’re at the mercy of that sector to maintain our business. When transport companies aren’t in demand, they have to try going to another part of the country, stepping out of their traditional movement areas to keep trucks moving and drivers in seats.
“At the start of the year, we went through one of our tightest times in that sense. We had to venture beyond our own comfort zone to keep the whole show afloat.”
Daltrans has always pulled through, remaining a strong logistical force through these cyclical spells of supply and other industry issues.
This resilience can be at least partly attributed to the company’s long partnership with JOST and GLT which together have led to deliveries that have served Dallas from before Daltrans’ inception.
Having previously bought his first set of GLT trailers in 2012 as a logistics driver for different companies, Dallas was greatly exposed to the manufacturer’s products, how they operated, the kinds of freight they could effectively transport and the company’s aftersales care.
So, when it came time for him to choose a trailer manufacturer and components supplier for Daltrans, GLT and JOST were at the top of the list.
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The fleet’s new trailers at GLT’s Carole Park, Queensland, facility. Image: GLT.[/caption]
Daltrans’ GLT orders have remained largely unchanged in the company’s near decade-long life, usually consisting of the same A-double configurations and including some AB-triples.
In terms of JOST components featured, Daltrans utilises the OEM’s landing legs, kingpins and fifth wheels.
“We’ve had quite a bit of JOST gear over the years, and we haven’t had trouble with any of it,” Dallas says. “JOST has been pretty good to come to the party with some parts and in getting them to us as fast as they can."
Daltrans’ latest GLT order is no exception. The two tipper road trains, in addition to providing functionality for the fleet, were also ordered as a sentimental way to commemorate Dallas’ 50th birthday.
“Our vehicle approvals run Performance-Based Standards (PBS) doubles into Brisbane, which has been in place from four or five years ago,” he says. “We replicated what we had because we know that they work. They’re a proven performance set of trailers that we wanted to get more of.”
Continuing traditions spec-wise, the new tri-axle road trains came with JOST landing legs, kingpins and fifth wheels.
“We know that JOST has good products that work,” Dallas says. “If you’re in this game for the long term, you want to have something that’s going to turn up and keep being reliable. That’s why we keep using the same gear from JOST.”
During its time in the transport industry, Daltrans has remained competitive through a steadfast commitment to what works. The company’s loyalty to GLT and reliance on efficient equipment from JOST has only cemented this approach for the future.
“We’re proud to have built almost 60 trailers for Daltrans over the years”, GLT CEO, Shay Chalmers adds, “with each meticulously designed to maximise payload and suit Dallas’ growing business.”
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Daltrans’ trailers set up as an A-double combination. Image: GLT.[/caption]
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