Followmont Transport ignites conversation around the exciting future of the Australia transport industry.
The Australian freight industry has been under massive pressure since the Coronavirus pandemic caused a catastrophic choking of freight lanes. Since the beginning of 2020, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented demand for freight to be delivered in Australia and around the world. Over two years later, with some signs of some sort of recovery, the spotlight has shone brightly on the freight transport and logistics industry as we look for answers to expedite essential deliveries to their destination.
Here at home, One World Courier freight partners are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into improving their warehousing and logistics operations, building massive warehouses to accommodate increased freight volumes. Not only that – how freight is delivered to distribution centres (DC’s) and is offloaded, sorted and back onto delivery vehicles needed to be more efficient and fast.
Before any freight can reach a DC, it needs to be picked up – this is where we are witnessed renewed investment in new trucks and semi-trailers. Take Followmont for instance, they took delivery last month of its 200th UD truck.
UD Trucks Australia and Volvo Group Australia also held an event with Followmont Transport (based in Queensland and offer FTL, LTL up and down the East coast) to celebrate a key partnership and also take a look back in time to reflect on the industry as well as discuss the future of the freight transport industry.
Followmont have invested heavily in UD trucks with an emphasis on brand visibility whilst in-transit, which incorporates a special design. Bright and bold red with a set of curtains to match with a gradient fade to reflect the corporate colours.
Find out more about UD Trucks and the QUON model as used by Followmont Transport.
A very special milestone.
Followmont Transport began in 1984 and has since has grown into one of Queensland’s largest family owned and operated freight transport and logistics businesses. Its current fleet exceeds 1000 vehicles and 19 company owned depots service all towns in Queensland and NSW. Followmont also purchased their first UD truck about 35 years ago and have since been a long-term customer and huge brand advocate, making the 200th UD a very special milestone for a very important customer.
Lauren Downs, Vice President, UD Trucks Australia said “Followmont’s passion for the UD brand is so genuine and infectious, and for that, we owe Followmont a huge ‘thank you’,” she said.
In addition to the unveiling of the new Followmont UD truck, an on-stge panel interview included Mark Tobin (CEO FMT), Martin Merrick (CEO VGA), Lauren Downs (VP UD Trucks) and Tom Chapman (VP Mack Trucks). The key industry leaders discussed their personal views on the Australian transport industry, what has shaped it and more importantly – what the future may look like.
Built off of trust and transparency.
Followmont CEO, Mark Tobin said, “This event is a symbol of the incredible partnership between our brands. It started off as a supply and demand need to one which has flourished over the decades to become one which is built off of trust and transparent communication. Both organizations know each other’s businesses and we work together to contribute and strengthen the Transport industry as a whole. Whilst our values are aligned the frequent and open communication has assisted to remove the anxiety out of the curveballs our industry has faced whether it be natural disasters, the pandemic or the current recruitment strain.”
With the staffing struggles that the industry is currently facing, Followmont thought it would be an optimum time to shed light on the vast opportunities our ever evolving industry can provide. “Whatever your background, age or ethnicity, there is a place for you within Transport and we are an industry which cares and accepts you as one of the family”, says Mark Tobin.