ISUZU
- When the ‘New generation’ Isuzu was released in Australia, Isuzu sought assistance from Aerotrans Australia to help them develop a full range of truck cab aerodynamic devices.
- Starting with the N-Series, the project developed to cover the F-Series wide and narrow cabs, then the C-Series Giga and finally the full kit for the Giga-Max. Both Giga models not only needed a roof device, they also required specially designed side cab extenders to overcome huge gaps between truck and trailers caused by Australian regulations.
- While Isuzu Australia largely presented their design requirements they realised they needed a company of Aerotrans’ calibre to bring the project to a satisfactory completion. Their decision has been supported by an almost 100% perfect decade of product and service quality supply.
- Many companies can produce components, Isuzu Australia have been the recipients of a supply experience that is far more holistic than just product.
Navistar
a. With a desire to reintroduce the International brand of trucks into Australia, a local supply of cab mounted aerodynamics were needed. Due to its nearly three decade history with the International brand, Aerotrans Australia was approached to first develop a roof device to suit the extended cab ProStar.
b. This was followed up by a contract to redevelop to longer version as a low profile kit for tippers and tankers etc.
c. Through the positive engagement and service of Aerotrans within these two projects, it was then asked to develop an aerodynamic cowling to fit perfectly to the add-on sleeper box.
d. Through this time the DayCab aerodynamic fairing was being imported with the trucks from Mexico. However, through the total development and supply experience, Aerotrans was then approached to redevelop the DayCab fairing. Therefore, as the International brand is being reintroduced through the Iveco dealer network, Aerotrans Australia is the sole supplier for all aerodynamic fairings.
UD
a. Whereas in current days Aerotrans Australia using its brandline product is the approved supplier to VCV for all model UD trucks, some years ago it was chosen to manufacture the full range of truck can aerodynamics for all UD models, including the CW, CK, PK and MK.
b. The MK and PK requirements were for a roof mounted roof device along the same design as approved and utilized in Japan.
c. The larger CK & CW cabs needed Aerotrans to develop side cab extenders, suitably long enough to compensate for the larger cab-van gap evident in Australian articulated applications.
d. Once again the quality of product and service, from development to final supply, was near perfect.
Sterling
a. Having successfully produced a Full aerodynamic kit for the DayCab Sterling truck, Aerotrans was approached to develop a front bumper valance to assist truck aerodynamics and to improve the truck’s aesthetics.
b. While the ‘demise’ of the Sterling prevented success in commercial terms, in terms of image and technical success Aerotrans again exceeded client expectations.
Mercedes Sprinter
a. Rambler Truck Bodies developed a number of innovative options for their clients and quite often incorporated the talents and high quality options provided by Aerotrans Australia.
Amongst these were a number of projects for Snap-On-Tools, a special Mercedes bonnet for a Security Armoured truck and a more basic requirement to provide some aerodynamic assistance for a Mercedes Sprinter Cab-Chassis.
b. The Varley Group get involved with many special projects and Aerotrans Australia has been fortunate enough to work with them on a variety of projects.
In addition to providing adapted brand-line products for a number of different projects, Aerotrans remain actively involved to linking truck aerodynamics to emergency vehicles, such as Queensland Ambulance.
Maxitrans
a. Bowfront – for many years the quality of product had been an ongoing issue until Aerotrans Australia redeveloped the design and commenced production. A product that had been the source of negative discussion for years finally was imply supplied, fitted and forgotten.This all started from a question during a factory visit to Aerotrans at which the question was asked, “who paints your products?” The surprise to know that no products being viewed were painted, but rather the standard ex-mould production quality resulted in nearly two decades of almost 100% trouble free supply.
b. Van Rear In-Fill Panels – recognising that Aerotrans Australia was a company that could trusted to both develop and manufacture quality products, other collaborations were developed included the development of a rear of van moulded “in-fill panel” that not only improved the aesthetics of the van rear. They also position and hold the trailer lights.
c. Trailer-Skirts – while not as well accepted in Australia as in most developed countries, trailer manufacturers in Australia, not wishing to miss out when accepted will look to associate themselves with the product type at times of brand promotion. To demonstrate this awareness Maxitrans utilised the available concept FuelSkirts from Aerotrans Australia to use on a new design Tautliner® at a Melbourne Truck Show.
TopStart Trailers
Desiring to achieve some individualization, TopStart Trailers approached Aerotrans Australia to develop their own ‘cone-type’ moulding for the front of their curtain-sided trailers.
Although Aerotrans was restricted by operating conditions, nevertheless, they still achieved an end product that quickly identifies the trailer manufacturer.
For over a decade flawless front wall mouldings have been supplied, again without the slightest problem in product and service quality.
Vawdrey Australia
From supplying the rear refrigerated doors for its refrigerated vans, developing and supplying moulded side doors, to supplying its standard Aeroz-Products NoseCone®, Aerotrans Australia has been supplying Vawdrey Australia for many years.
So when Wickham Transport asked Vawdrey to supply a trailer with trailer skirts, Aeroz-Products Fuelskirts manufactured by Aerotrans were the obvious choice.
Of course nothing is easy in the transport game and confirming this fact, on this particular trailer the client needed six opening doors; three on each side. The challenge was set and once again Aerotrans rose to the occasion with the end-result being a practical, fuel efficient, and without doubt, aesthetically impressive.
Krueger Trailers
After a client enquiry, Krueger Trailers, a manufacturer of Schmitz Cargo Bull semi trailer vans, sought to work with Aerotrans Australia to adapt the Aeroz-Products FuelSkirts to suit its client’s build specification.
The end result is nothing less than spectacular with the wind-tunnel developed leading edge the Fuelskirts.
BUSES
Volgren (Vic)
Aerotrans was a major fibreglass component supplier to Volgren until the bus company switched its supply source to China. For many years Aerotrans acted as a support supplier, but gradually increased its supply quantity due to both the quality of product and service.
So good was Aerotrans Australia’s performance that at one point Volgren’s internal QC Manager in an internal report suggested that Volgren needed more suppliers at Aerotrans level.
While supply is now restricted to ‘Parts’ supply, prior to Volgren seeking cheap components out of China, Aerotrans supplied many internal and external components. Included in the long list were… bus fronts, bumpers, bus rears, dash tops, dash uprights, electrical cabinets, driver consoles to mention just a few.
Included in this association success were components supplied to Volgren for buses that were supplied to export markets such as Singapore.
Custom Coaches (NSW)
Aerotrans Australia, prior to being a mainline supplier to Volgren, also supplied to Custom Coaches, including interior parts such as a unique padded dashboard.
TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
Refrigeration Components
Aerotrans developed a range of moulded truck body fridge covers, initially for Eez-Freeze and now supplied to Tranz Freeze.
These mouldings are not only more attractive than the metal sheet cabinets used by many low volume suppliers, but are easier to fit and remove. Three sizes are manufactured but each shows clearly the fridge is a part of the same ‘family’.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Ensuites on Tow
Having been recommended to Aerotrans Australia, the inventors of the “Ensuites-on-Tow” sought to have one supplier for the total project, from pattern making, then mould production to the manufacturing of all components and assembly of the final product.
So what was Aerotrans Australia responsible for developing…?
a. The outer shell of the mobile bathroom
b. The moulded non-slip floor
c. The moulded internal front wall, included basin holder
d. The moulded entry door
e. The rear steps
f. The moulded guards
g. The moulded front access door
What else did Aerotrans Australia do…?
