Brimarco reports more rentals for unique quad-axle float

Australian trailer manufacturer Brimarco has identified a new market for its Tough As range of quad-axle floats, with an increasing number of customers entering into rental agreements with the company for the heavy-duty trailer.

Brimarco produces the quad-axle float and other Tough As trailers at its Ballarat manufacturing facility, catering to a variety of market segments in the civil construction, earthmoving, farming and agricultural, heavy equipment and capital equipment hire industries.

With the economy slowing and customers increasingly looking to stabilise their balance sheets and improve cash flow, Brimarco says it is receiving a surge of enquiries from customers wanting to rent trailers and floats instead of committing to outright sales, opening a new market for the business.

“With little growth in the economy and our customers preparing for the challenges ahead, we have definitely noticed a change in purchasing patterns,” said Brimarco Managing Director, Matt Kirwan-Hamilton.

“As a manufacturer, we have responded to this change by offering customers the opportunity to rent our products instead of making an outright purchase, which could expose them to costly finance at a time of higher interest rates, or reduced savings when cash flow is critical.

“Quad-axle floats are available for short-term and long-term rental and we are also offering a rent-to-buy option on several specification combinations, which we believe no other manufacturer is offering. In these challenging economic times of high interest rates and uncertainty, trailer rental provides for a lower risk, off balance sheet, and tax-effective alternative to purchasing,” Kirwan-Hamilton said.

Brimarco’s quad-axle float was developed in response to specific customer requests and specifications, as a natural extension to their best value heavy-duty range of tri-axle wideners.

“Before entering the market, we embarked on a rigorous process of intensive customer consultation and field-testing prototypes in real-world conditions, as well as designing model variants and options to suit demand,” he said.

“In our quad-axle range, we have fixed-width and 3.6-metre widening models that can carry 35 tonne at any width. Both models have an 8mm Bisalloy steel floor and combing rails as standard, along with our industry-leading five-year structural warranty.

“The tare weight of our quad widener is significantly less than our major competitors, yet it retains the same structural strength, allowing our customers increased flexibility and resale value. We were only able to achieve this after investing in a rigorous design and engineering process and the use of high-grade structural steel components.”

A long-time Brimarco tri-axle customer, Jarrod Gore, of Gore Haulage, was instrumental in testing and assisting with the refinement of the new quad-axle design.

“The quad tows and steers extremely well and I love its look, highlighted by an excellent build quality and finish,” Gore said. “The ability to rent the quad from Brimarco was massively appealing in the current financial climate, and having no kilometre restrictions was a huge positive.’’

Brimarco prides itself on a best-value proposition, and its production lead times, currently at between four to five months, are significantly less than other manufacturers, which are reportedly at 18 months to two years.

Brimarco also has a ‘custom build’ division that produces semi-trailer and rigid truck bodies for mobile libraries, mobile medical, mobile marketing, motorsport, emergency services and mobile accommodation.