Kenworth prime mover delivers to PACCAR

PACCAR Australia took delivery of a one-of-a-kind crane last week. Measuring 20 metres in length, with dual-hoists and a 16-tonne load capacity, the crane will be installed as part of the Bayswater site expansion which has been underway since the ground-breaking ceremony in January.

The oversize load made its way down the Hume Highway from Sydney to Bayswater, Victoria, transported by the experienced team in heavy-haulage, Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire and PACCAR says they picked the right truck for the job, a Kenworth Legend 900. Affectionately called ‘Jack’, the Legend 900 is named after owner Craig Membrey’s son.

With more than 50 years of experience, Membrey’s, has an extensive range of equipment including a variety of cranes, containers and trailers, and a fleet of Kenworth trucks designed and built specifically for high GCM applications.

The Bayswater site expansion has seen the completion of a new 400-space staff car park in April, and, in preparation for the installation of a 2.1 metre Framing Robotic Cell in late 2020, the completion in September, of a 20 metre extension to the main plant.

The $37 million investment, first announced at the DAF Australian assembly launch in August last year, includes a 1500-square-metre factory extension, with upgrades to the paint shop, featuring four new paint robots, and improved layouts for frame, cab build, cab trim, engine assembly and final line stations.

To allow for more production space, the final test operation is also being relocated away from the main plant. In addition, a new 9300-square-metre on-site warehouse will be constructed, providing greater on-site storage for components and a reduction in lead time for parts.

The project, planned for completion in 2021, will coincide with PACCAR Australia’s 50th year of manufacturing in Australia and will increase efficiency, quality and safety. Overall, the plant expansion will enable PACCAR Australia to achieve its future growth plans producing Kenworth and DAF trucks in Australia.

“We are more than pleased with the progress of work that has been completed so far on the expansion of the PACCAR Australia site,” said Tom Cooper, PACCAR Australia’s Operations Director. “The workforce has been incredibly accommodating whilst we work through these changes to continue to produce quality trucks our customers expect.”

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, though are confident we will meet the project deadline with as little disruption as possible to staff and most importantly the manufacturing plant; culminating in a better plant and workplace for all,” he concluded.