Power's expands Isuzu fleet

Bendigo-based transport operator Power's Country Express has expanded its fleet with the addition of an Isuzu FYJ 2000.

The 14-pallet curtain-sider with custom trailer joins a 10-strong Isuzu fleet, servicing an area encompassing the Victorian towns of Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maryborough, Rochester and Echuca. The company also conducts overnight runs to and from Melbourne.

Since beginning with one truck in 1998 the business has gone from strength to strength. Owner Damien Power and his wife Emma now have a staff of 38 and the company has won a number of awards.

Power's clinched the Investment in People Award at the Australian Freight Awards in 2012, and the Logistics Industry Skills Council's Innovation and Excellence in Workforce Development for Road Transport Award in 2013. Then, in 2014, the company was named Victorian Small Employer of the Year at the Victorian Training Awards.

Mr Power says he runs a range of Isuzu models.

"Across our Isuzu fleet we have little baby trucks right up to the Isuzu FYJ 2000," he says.

"The FYJ has extra carrying capacity, so it's purpose-built for what we needed. We installed a tailgate and mezzanine floor on it and, for the larger loads, we bought a trailer that can be towed.

"The trailer option has been a great move for us. It gives us the ability to deliver the load of a semi without the upfront capital cost of purchasing one. We're not doing interstate runs, so for the local region it's a perfect solution.

"The FYJ does urban routes as well as rural long hauls; it's a good combination because of the weight you can put on it, and there's the flexibility to use it as a rigid truck or a combination.

"We use it to cover a few different industries. We can deliver pallets and parcels to hardware shops, and use it to deliver equipment to the local mine up here.

"The reliability of the trucks is what brings us back to Isuzu every time, and the aftersales service from [Bendigo Isuzu dealer] Poyser has been excellent."

The FYJ 2000 is powered by SiTEC Series III six-cylinder engine, which produces 345hp and 1422Nm.

"We 'dual purpose' the FYJ so it can perform local deliveries during the day, in and around Bendigo, then it does longer runs at night into Melbourne," says Mr Power.

"Some of the drivers could be in the cabin for as long as six hours driving through the night, so comfort's important."

To that end Mr Power opted for an Allison 4430 Series six-speed automatic, while the truck rides on load-sharing suspension at the front and Hendrickson's HAS461 airbag system at the rear.

"The drivers really enjoy driving it," says Mr Power.

"They've commented on how quiet it is and how well it handles."

The truck also benefits from an ISRI 6860 air suspension seat and an ADR 42 compliant sleeper.

Mr Power says he's sold on the Isuzu brand.

"There's no doubt we'd go for Isuzu again," he says.

"We've had a really good run with all our Isuzus.

"Some of the older ones have done well – with over one million kilometres on the clock they're still going strong.

"The majority of our recent purchases are all Isuzu. For us it's down to the reliability, and the after-sales service has been excellent. The quality of the product is second to none."