Adelaide Liquid Waste and Isuzu's F Series

The story really begins four years ago in 2017, when Ben and Suzanne sold their previous sewer waste pumping and treatment business, Septic Pumping Services, to an international company.

Operating 11 trucks and known as local specialists in that field, selling the company was never the plan, but Ben and Suzanne appreciate that opportunities don’t come knocking every day and signed-off a deal.

However, the international operation left Adelaide, leaving a hole in the market and customers without a reliable waste collection service. Putting their industry knowledge back into action, Ben and Suzanne started Adelaide Liquid Waste, purchasing four Isuzu trucks to start their fleet.

Two FRR 110-260’s have been fitted out with Hyva four-tonne cranes with an eight metre reach, allowing the team to get in close for portable toilet collection and delivery services.

A medium-duty FTR 165-260 and FXZ 240-350, both with vacuum tank bodies, offer a liquid waste pumping service.

With the help of North East Isuzu and North East Engineering and Blade Engineering, Ben and Suzanne built each of their new trucks to exact specifications, safe in the knowledge that the trucks worked well for their application.

Ben explained some of the build challenges: “We always found that when our vacuum tanks were located right behind the cab’s headboard, there was too much weight across the front axle.

“I spent quite a bit of time with Darren from North East Isuzu working out the best weight distribution for the FRRs, and we created space on either side of the tank for transporting portable toilets, with the crane situated at the very rear of the tray.

“Our drivers love this because they can get in close without having to do any manual delivery of the toilets.

“The FTR and FXZ tankers are a big hit with our drivers too, because they’re so easy to use.

“Basically, all they need to do is pull up to the site, roll out the hose and operate the control panel at the back of the truck, which kicks the hydraulic pump into gear.”

With truck specifics nailed down, Ben and Suzanne’s next point of action was coming up with a design that would catch the eye and drum up business. They settled on a sleek matte grey paint and logo that has gained them wanted attention.

“In Adelaide, septic trucks don’t have a great image, some operators tend not to look after them because it’s not a particularly glamourous industry.

“We make sure our trucks are washed every weekend and take pride in the way they look, and we know it translates into sales. We definitely want to channel that pride and good energy into our new business.”

Within their first three months of operation last year, Adelaide Liquid Waste signed some major commercial contracts and couldn’t be busier heading into 2021.

But a champion player needs a champion team, and an experienced driver roster keeps the operation on track, Suzanne explained.

“We referred the drivers that worked for us in the original business to the international buyer… but they’ve all since come back to work for us at Adelaide Liquid Waste,” she said.

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“These drivers are like the A-Team, they know exactly what they’re doing and they’re amazing at what they do.

“When we bought the business the first time around, Ben and I had no idea about liquid waste, the drivers taught us everything. They’ve stayed with us the whole way through, even in our new venture, so we’re incredibly grateful for that.”

“The drivers love these trucks,” Suzanne said.

“They tell me the F Series models are so smooth to drive, it’s just like driving a car… and we normally don’t get comments like that regarding trucks!

“With all the new technology and features, the ride is so much more comfortable, they’re just better for bodies that are on the road all day.”

Ben explained the new fleet purchase was based on more than Isuzu’s good reputation; it was the trucks’ capability on the job and the aftercare guarantee—leading to whole-of-life cost savings for the business—that sealed the deal.

“In a business like ours, you can’t have downtime; it just can’t happen. Reliability is key, working hand-in-hand with what we do.

“We rate ourselves as running a first-class business at Adelaide Liquid Waste, so our trucks need to be on the same page.”