Sydney building supplies firm on the up with Isuzu

A family business first established in 1983, Sydney’s MBS Building & Landscape delivers building materials to jobs large and small all over Sydney and further afield.

Isuzu has been a key ingredient in the firm’s success, with its twin-steer Isuzu FYJ 300-350s Autos in 8x4 and 10x4 formats and varying wheelbases delivering the goods with great accuracy via their truck-mounted cranes.

The company has been favouring the crane trucks over traditional tippers in recent times because they reduce congestion on busy work sites and their surrounding roads.

“We have to deliver, no matter what the site,” explains MBS Managing Director, Louie Papadakis.

“It’s a necessity for us to have the crane trucks come in with the material in one-tonne bags and off-load these directly to the site.

“In the established city areas we face some tricky locations, like loading up to the fourth floor of buildings or over the top of structures and tall trees into narrow spaces.

“In the newer areas, we are parking roadside and delivering materials to the exact spot needed – not simply dropping kerbside and making the builders shovel it in.”

MBS uses a mixture of HMF Cranes by West Trans and Palfinger cranes with a reach of eight metres through to 31 metres. This allows them to place one-tonne bags of soil, mulch, pebbles and building products exactly (or as close to) where they’re needed.

With trucks carefully matched to support the cranes and their loads, MBS turned to Sutton Trucks Arncliffe, who recommended the twin-steer FYJ 300-350 for the company’s heavy-weight application.

Isuzu’s FYJ 300-350 features a GVM of 30,000kg (28,000kg on-road legal limit), a hefty GCM of 45,000kg, and a second Meritor steer axle to support stable load sharing.

For heavy loads and off-road, the FYJ’s driveline and gear ratios have been specifically optimised for maximum stability and gradeability.

Paired with the option of Hendrickson airbag rear suspension and a heavy-duty six-speed Allison 4430 auto transmission, it's a winning recipe for MBS.

“The FYJ is a solid, durable, and reliable vehicle,” says Louie. “As for the brand itself – Isuzu is unbreakable.

“From initial contact via Suttons and the backup care provided by Isuzu, the whole experience has been outstanding.

“As we retire some of our older tipper fleet, we will be looking to replace those with small and medium models from Isuzu, making the operational and maintenance side a whole lot more straightforward for us.”

Louie says MBS prides itself on keeping up with market trends and expectations.

“MBS has moved with the rapid expansion of the building industry,” he says. “We feel this is the now and the future for professional outfits like us.

“Mums and Dads can still order a tonne of soil and it’s easy to shovel away straight into garden beds or spread across lawns for top dressing.

“Builders who need a number of materials and a range of products can order bulk bags of soil, mulch, or pebbles, and get it dropped exactly where they need it.”

MBS is eyeing further expansion in the months and years ahead, including for its wholesale division for resellers, Australian Sands.

“This is when understanding industry change and looking at how to better deliver what the customer requires is critical for us,” says Louie.

“You have to innovate and have partners that want to be part of that journey.

“Our relationship with Isuzu Trucks forms a major part of our current and future direction.”