Family Ties story + photos n australian truck photography

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Family Ties story + photos n australian truck photography Experience can be a harsh teacher, but spend time with R & L Richardson Haulage Contractors and it s evident the 50-year old company has

1 Family Ties story + photos n australian truck photography Experience can be a harsh teacher, but spend time with R & L Richardson Haulage Contractors and it s evident the 50-year old company has learnt its lessons well... The sixties in Australia will not be remembered as a high point for choice when it came to putting a truck on the road. So, when Ron and Lynette Richardson started their transport business, they chose one of the better farm trucks then available to transport operators. The enterprising couple kicked off hauling hay and local produce around the Penrith district with an Australian-built Bedford. Based on the western outskirts of Sydney, the business grew as the region developed with suburban and industrial expansion. As it grew, Ron and Lynette were joined by their three sons Warren, Brad and David. Over the years, Richardsons have tried different brands of trucks in search of the ideal machine. It didn t take them 50 years to discover Kenworth but after trying several models, R & L Richardson have committed to Kenworth s popular T409 SAR. Today the company is exclusively Kenworth and operates 14 T409 SARs and one T402. It was Dad s passion, Warren said of the decision to commit to Kenworth s T409SAR. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2012 and it s taken us just short of two years to have a full fleet of matching Kenworths... we ve achieved his wish. Ron Richardson left behind some big shoes to fill, with Warren organising fleet operations, Brad and David out on the road and their Mum, Lynette keeping the business running smoothly in the office. Family Ties - Page 1

We have been involved in the business for over 30 years and Mum over 50 years we ve gone from rigids to trailers, to truck-and-dogs and now we

suited to maximise payload while meeting the safety and performance standards required to make reliable deliveries across the Sydney metro

With its larger cab, the new T409SAR is a perfect fit for a job where you can be negotiating busy city traffic for 12 or more hours a day or

2 We have been involved in the business for over 30 years and Mum over 50 years we ve gone from rigids to trailers, to truck-and-dogs and now we re rolling into the era of Performance Based Standards (PBS). It s about being competitive and you ve got to remain competitive... or you won t last. The Richardson s decision to choose the T409SARs is based on Kenworth s application specific engineering, which delivers a truck ideally suited to maximise payload while meeting the safety and performance standards required to make reliable deliveries across the Sydney metro area. The SAR has come a long way, Warren commented. With its larger cab, the new T409SAR is a perfect fit for a job where you can be negotiating busy city traffic for 12 or more hours a day or out hauling at highway speeds in the country. It s still a traditional looking truck, and we like that, especially the big grille, but underneath the surface though, it s a tough, custom built unit. Above: (L-R) Brad, Warren, David & Lynette Richardson an emphasis on good gear has helped the family business keep ahead of the changes in the tipper industry Family Ties - Page 2

but says the new Kenworth is a major progression in the fleet s continual improvement. There s a big difference, Daniel said comparing his old T401 to the new T409SAR. Especially with driver comfort.

.. Daniel Vella (pictured above) has been keeping the wheels turning at Richardon s for over 14-years.

3 but says the new Kenworth is a major progression in the fleet s continual improvement. There s a big difference, Daniel said comparing his old T401 to the new T409SAR. Especially with driver comfort. Work Ethic Trouble-free driving on Sydney s congested roads calls for a special kind of driver and a special kind of truck... Daniel Vella (pictured above) has been keeping the wheels turning at Richardon s for over 14-years. He has recently climbed out of a T401 to get behind the wheel of one of the company s new T409SARs. He thought he liked his old T401, The cab s a lot larger... there s plenty of leg room and I can stretch my legs out. Also, the daylight doors are great. When I want to merge into a different lane, it s easy to check for any cars alongside. Everything makes this a pleasure to drive, says Daniel. That s half the battle isn t it? If the trucks are comfortable, it makes life easier. This is like a car you know what I mean. It has an 18-speed gearbox and I love driving them, even the heater and aircon is better. Yeah, I m happy. We give our operators the best gear out there and expect them to use it correctly... the simpler and easier we make their job, the better it is for us. Our drivers love em... and you can t underestimate driver acceptance, he adds. Like most medium-sized, family transport companys, R&L Richardson puts a strong emphasis on its staff, encouraging its drivers to stay with the company by making sure they feel part of a close-knit group. We give our operators the best gear out there and expect them to use it correctly and to the best of their ability. The simpler and easier we can make their job, the better it is for us. Family Ties - Page 3

The longer the drivers stay and enjoy their job, the happier it is for everyone. By giving them the Kenworth/Cummins combination to drive, we re 90 per cent of the way there.

4 The longer the drivers stay and enjoy their job, the happier it is for everyone. By giving them the Kenworth/Cummins combination to drive, we re 90 per cent of the way there. Owners may not like unscheduled downtime, but drivers hate it more. As the advertisment says, you re not earning when the wheels aren t turning and professional operators know they can rely on Kenworth build quality and premium components. Kenworth, Cummins and Eaton matched up with Borcat tipper bodies on BPW axles and suspension are the cornerstones for Richardsons. They have enjoyed a long relationship with each supplier, beginning with its first Kenworth, a W925 in 1985, and using Borcat tipper bodies for over 30 years. Below: The changeover to Kenworth T409SARs was completed in 2013 a boost in productivity and driver satisfaction Family Ties - Page 4

5 R&L Richardson s reputation for never taking shortcuts on maintenance... has put a premium on the resale value of the company s trucks. The T409SARs are a mix of Cummins ISX and ISXe5 engines, rated to 550hp and putting together 1850ftlbs torque. The engines back onto Eaton s heavy-duty RTLO20918A-AS3 18-speed Roadranger transmission powering Meritor s RT tandem drive. Warren highlights the Cummins engine s fuel economy and performance, saying the engine braking is impressive. We have an excellent relationship with Gilbert & Roach, Warren says of the local Huntingwood dealership. Michael s (Mortensen) product knowledge is excellent. The dealership is just 20 minutes away and is a one-stop shop for everything sales, service and repairs. As well, their night shift is a key factor... if any quick mechanical work is required, we can have the job done and the truck ready for work in the morning, explains Warren. R&L Richardson s reputation for never taking shortcuts on maintenance and only ever using original equipment parts has put ma premium on the resale value of the company s trucks. Family Ties - Page 5

We had three T401s for sale, Warren commented. The buyer looking at them couldn t decide which truck he wanted. In the end he bought all three.

We replaced them with T409SARs specced for PBS requirements. You know times are changing, for example the introduction of PBS vehicles.

Above: Four axle trailers are versatile for most jobs Richardson s trucks can be found working throughout the Sydney metro area, north up to Newcastle, out to Lithgow and

6 We had three T401s for sale, Warren commented. The buyer looking at them couldn t decide which truck he wanted. In the end he bought all three... that same operator has gone on to buy nine of our Kenworths. We ve just sold two T408SARs with only 500, ,000kms on them because we had buyers ready. We replaced them with T409SARs specced for PBS requirements. You know times are changing, for example the introduction of PBS vehicles. We stick with the four axle trailers because they prove to be versatile for most applications, explains Warren. Above: Four axle trailers are versatile for most jobs Richardson s trucks can be found working throughout the Sydney metro area, north up to Newcastle, out to Lithgow and south as far as Wollongong. Everyone thinks we have more trucks than we actually do own because they re seen everywhere. It s probably because all the SARs are identical... and we do like to keep em busy. Get your copy of the latest issue of Kenworth Downunder at Family Ties - Page 6

THE KENWORTH SHOWREEL

THE KENWORTH SHOWREEL story + photos n australian truck photography Rags to Riches There wouldn t be many owners, or operators who know the ins and outs of their Kenworths like Craig Arthur... It all started for Craig with