Clark windows’ 40 years with Isuzu Trucks

When Clark Windows opened their first manufacturing facility in the coastal town of Smithton 40 years ago, it was all hands-on deck and Craig pulling double-duty as Director and Salesman on the floor.

They now rely on a team of 70 employees and tradespeople to deliver their products and service on time to customers across the state.

Reflecting on those dynamic days in the 80s, Craig says there were many lessons that he’s kept close to heart. And as his time at the business draws to a close, he’s keen to share some of that wisdom.

“The major factor is that you have to commit to delivering the product on time."

“You have to try to make it the best possible quality, and if anything doesn’t turn out absolutely correct, rectify it as fast as possible to keep your customer happy.

“Thankfully we learned the hard lessons early, met the right people, and now we’re proud to produce thousands of windows every year.”

Ensuring those products get to where they need to go, Clark Windows proudly presents a modern fleet of nine medium-duty Isuzu trucks – five FRR 110-240s, an FRR 107-210, an NQR 87-190, an NPR 65-190, and an NPR 300.

Webster’s Bevan Coleman and Cameron Smith are two local faces that Craig and Sandra have come to know and trust over the course of their decades-long partnership. They’ve helped to deliver two new FRR 110-240 trucks within the year to bolster Clark Windows’ operation.

“They can come and sit at our dinner table, and we feel quite comfortable discussing any subject, it’s that sort of relationship,” said Craig.

“It’s face-to-face, personal, and it’s very Tasmanian…it’s how we all like to do business,” added Sandra.

As the business expanded, this strong foundation helped to ease any growing pains the company would feel on the transport front, with Websters having a thorough understanding of Clark Windows’ on-the-road requirements.

Each model has been chosen for the safety and comfort of the team and specified for the task of window and door installation throughout Tasmania.

“The first truck was the NLR 200, then we went with the 300, 450, 500, all the way up to our current fleet.”

The Clark fleet of nine trucks is backed by extended warranties and service agreements with the Websters dealership to ensure a working life of up to five years or 500,000 km.

Their capable FRR 110-240s are specified with an extra-long wheelbase for handling larger installations and sport a GVM of 11,000kg, with two-pedal automated manual transmissions, making for a comfortable drive. ?

These trucks are powered by a four-cylinder, 16-valve SOHC engine (the Isuzu N-4HK1-TCH) which offers power of 177kW (240hp) and torque of 765Nm, lending plenty of grunt for carting weighty glass around.

The company’s three versatile medium wheelbase NQR and NPRs nip around on the smaller jobs, with an impressive turning circle of 12.4m (kerb to kerb), suiting the tighter sites around Hobart and Launceston.

The company’s 40-year milestone is a fitting send-off for Craig and Sandra as they reflect on the final stretch of their careers.

They say that all that remains now is a comprehensive handover to the new owners, a pair of brothers who have worked within the company for many years.

"We’re definitely leaving the place in the safest of hands,” assured Craig, a sentiment which is echoed by Sandra.

“There’s so much about the place that we’ll miss; the customer interactions, the people, and the development of our young individuals.

“We’ve had some amazing apprentices turn into long-running employees…we’ve been very lucky that way, it’s been an amazing journey," she concluded.