Daimler Trucks expands south with STM Trucks and Machinery

Since opening its doors in the mid-1970s, STM (formerly Sydney Trucks and Machinery) has grown to become a major player in New South Wales and the group brings more than 50 years of experience to the Daimler stable.

While the longstanding family business has sold Fuso trucks since the early 1980s, the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands are a new addition to the STM product offering, which also includes trusted machinery brands like Kobelco, D’avino, Merlo and ASV.

The company currently operates a large dealership at Smeaton Grange, where it was awarded Fuso Metro Dealer of the Year award for the past two years running, but STM Director of Sales and Marketing, Rocco Papallo, says the team can’t wait to expand its truck range.

“Obviously we deal with both industries, but the construction customers need trucks too – the guys that play in the civil and earthmoving space – so where they can they’ll be able to use us,” Mr Papallo said.

“We didn’t have a suitable American-style tipper and dog truck, which we have with Freightliner, and then Mercedes is the market leader in terms of safety features – I mean, you look around Sydney and you see them everywhere!”

The STM difference, Mr Papallo explains, is that they offer the same quality service they always have, despite growing as a business.

“We’re a family business that’s focused on service and support, we like to maintain a good reputation and support our customers when they need it,” he said.

“That’s where we differ from some of the bigger companies. You can pick up the phone and speak to someone here, and decisions are quick to be made.

“We’re a big enough company to trust, but still small enough to care.”

The Daimler Trucks South Coast dealership will open in August, out of a temporary site at Unanderra, and will sell and support the Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Freightliner brands initially, before adding the Fuso brand from January 1, 2025.

“We’re in the midst of relocating to the temporary site, so that’ll house both our machinery and the Daimler Trucks brands as well, so we’re hoping to get that up and running in about six weeks,” Mr Papallo said.

Construction is set to begin on the all-new facility, which will set a new standard for commercial vehicle dealerships in the region when it opens in early 2026 – even including an adjoining truck stop that many of its customers are likely to use.

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, says that the company is excited about the new dealership as it partners with STM to support customers further South.

“We are thrilled to have such a dedicated outfit as STM supporting our customers in the booming South Coast region,” Mr Whitehead said.

“The new facility is going to be remarkable and we’d like to thank Michael and Ralph Gerace, and Nick Papallo, for their investment that will be warmly welcomed by our customers in the region.”

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Aftersales and Network Operations Vice President Antonio Briceño says the customer-focused approach of the STM Trucks and Machinery team is a huge asset to the brand.

“The fact that STM Trucks and Machinery has won the Fuso Metro Dealer of the Year award for the last two years indicates what the customers of the South Coast can look forward to,” he said.

“Daimler Trucks South Coast will deliver the kind of customer support that the STM Trucks and Machinery team has been providing Fuso customers for forty plus years and we couldn’t be happier.”

Mr Briceño says the location is also important for the Daimler Trucks brand, which has never had a one-stop dealership solution within the South Coast region.

“It’s very important because we’ve had a piecemeal approach to that area where we didn’t have the ability, under one roof, to provide service, parts and sales for all Daimler truck brands,” he said.

“Now that we’ve got a proven dealer – and they’ve proven themselves across more than 40 years – that is really good representation for us and for our brand.”

STM Trucks and Machinery Dealer Principal, Michael Gerace, says he and the team are counting down the days to open the doors to the Wollongong facility, with more trucks on offer than ever before.

“Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner are market-leading brands, and we are very keen to sell and support them, in addition to the great Fuso products,” Mr Gerace said.

“We know the benefits that the technology in these trucks can deliver for customers, so we are excited to introduce a new dealership that will include all three of these fantastic brands,” Mr Gerace concluded.