Openica Logistics turns to MAN

A road freight firm specialising in the transport of boats, caravans and RVs has bolstered its fleet with four new MAN TGX prime movers

In capitalising on the strong growth of the recreational vehicle market in Australia, road freight firm Openica Logistics recently turned to MAN when it came time to expand its truck fleet, adding four new MAN prime movers to its stable.

The Melbourne-based company recently purchased four MAN TGX models – three examples of the TGX 26.540 and one of the TGX 26.480 – which will now help it transport caravans, RVs and boats across Australia. The growth in recent years of the Australian RV market has in turn underpinned growth in the sector's road freight requirements, and that was something Openica was quick to capitalise on.

According to Openica's Operations/Fleet Manager, Jono Kristeff, the MAN prime movers are shouldering the load while delivering significant savings.

"Operating in a B-double configuration, our MANs are averaging around 2.4 kilometres per litre on east coast runs and around 2.2 kilometres per litre on runs to Perth, which is fantastic economy in anybody's language," he said.

Each of the four new MAN prime movers is mated with MAN's 12-speed TipMatic semi-automatic transmission. The MAN 540 is a 12.4-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces a claimed 397kW at 1900rpm and 2500Nm between 1050rpm and 1350rpm. The 480 is essentially a detuned version of the same engine, producing 353kW at 1900rpm and 2300Nm between 1050rpm and 1400rpm.

The majority of the trucks in Openica's 33-strong fleet are medium rigids. The new MAN prime movers were sourced following the firm's success with a number of MAN rigid models but increasing demand for interstate work means the purchase of more MAN prime movers is likely.

Mr Kristeff says that while the MANs' fuel savings and reliability are enhancing the company's bottom line, the trucks' overall comfort and clever features are striking a chord with its drivers.

"Our drivers love the MANs," he said.

"Although they were a little sceptical to start with, it only took them one drive to be won over and then you can't get them out of the cab.

"The automatics take driver error out of the equation, shifting gears at the most efficient point in the rev range, using less fuel and removing driveline damage and clutch wear.

"We have also shattered the myth that automatics are less economical by returning such strong fuel economy figures."

Openica recently switched to a B-double configuration, the move allowing it to carry up to seven small caravans and three to four larger vans with the one truck. The firm has even applied for a greater allowance under the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme, which could see it moving to a B-triple format on selected routes.

Openica Logistics has its headquarters in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Dandenong South, while it has offices in Perth, WA, and Yatala, Qld, and depots in all major capitals. It specialises in the transport of caravans, motorhomes, boats, PWCs, cars, trucks, vans, trailers and machinery, and has a client base that includes leading RV names such as Jayco, Avan and Jurgens, and boating heavyweights Stacer, Quintrex and Whittley.

Mr Kristeff says the company has a clear vision.

"Our philosophy has always been to run a fleet of well-maintained, modern and efficient trucks, with the aim of taking the stress out of moving freight, providing excellent customer service with a can-do attitude, and providing our customers with reliable, efficient and cost-effective transport services," he said.

"The MANs are a key part of enabling Openica to meet those aims and that philosophy and the impressive all-white prime movers send a strong indication to the market and the industry that this is a company that means business."

Openica Logistics turns to MAN

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