Townsville operator ramps up amid COVID-19 supply surge

Queensland road freight specialist Mystgold says it's had to ramp up its operations significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its staff and working around the clock to keep the shelves of northern Queensland supermarkets stocked.

According to Chris McMurray, owner of the Townsville-based firm, he's never experienced anything like the surge in business he's witnessed over the past six weeks.

"The trucks just don't stop," says Mr McMurray.

"We have been doing a lot of hot-seating to meet the demand. The trucks are working during the day with one driver and then all night with another."

The firm primarily hauls Parmalat milk and Tip Top bread in addition to its contract with Woolworths, and in fact the business was named Woolworths Carrier of the Year in 2018.

With a staff of 72, Mystgold recently put on a further six people to help meet the extra demand, while it runs a dozen Freightliner Coronado 114 trucks in an overall fleet of 38 trucks.

"The demand has been unbelievable – I have never seen anything like it," says McMurray.

"We are still seeing big numbers even now. It has been a huge challenge but we have gotten it all done."

Related reading:
Freightliner launches Cascadia in Australia
Testing times for Freightliner Cascadia
Freightliner Coronado 11 truck and dog: Review

Mr McMurray says he's been thrilled to hire some people who have suddenly found themselves unemployed, almost overnight.

"I've known guys who have done courier work around town for a very long time and all of a sudden, they had no work at all with all of the shutdowns. They have been hit hard," Mr McMurray says.

"It has been great to be able to give work to some of those guys."

Mr McMurray says his Coronados have performed well throughout.

"I haven't been able to fault them at all; they have been good for my business," he says.

And now he says he's looking forward to assessing the new-generation Freightliner Cascadia.

"We can't wait to get into that truck to try it for ourselves," he says.

"We are getting into a demo in the next few weeks and the drivers are pretty excited about that."

Mr McMurray said his drivers have noted how many motorists seem to be more mindful of heavy vehicles in recent weeks.

"Our drivers have noticed a big difference out on the road," he says.

"Car drivers are being much more courteous, moving over to let trucks through, or not sitting in front holding them up.

"It seems that they are aware that our drivers are out there driving all night to make sure they have milk and bread for breakfast when they wake up. The public really seem to be noticing trucks and the role that they play."