It was at the start of 2020 when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. And, as the worldwide pandemic was officially announced on 11 March, people and businesses around the globe braced in uncertainty for what was to come.
Over the next few months and years, cities all over the world experienced strict rules and regulations that were established to deal with the state of emergency. Melbourne, in particular, faced several lockdowns and firm laws which are still fresh in the memory for many.
Yet, as businesses closed their doors, schools moved to remote learning and people became familiar with a new way of living, Australian petroleum company, Ampol, was preparing for something big.
A fleet replacement program was on the table, and for this, Ampol would work remotely with ATE Tankers to set the plan in place.
“It was just at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and so there were a heap of supply chain problems, but ATE Tankers just stood back, made some decisions and we worked through it,” says Ampol Logistics Asset Manager, Michael Meredith.
“Being based in New South Wales, we could not get down to ATE Tankers’ manufacturing plant in Victoria. We did everything through Microsoft Teams, and with their communication and professionalism, they just made it work. It was great.”
ATE Tankers stood out to Ampol due to its open communication and ability to accommodate to the fleet’s needs.
The way the trailer builder handled everything, Michael says, was fantastic – it ultimately gave Ampol the confidence it needed to begin such a significant task during such unpredictable times.
“The way they talked to us and went through the process of what we wanted was just so well-organised,” he says. “They were friendly, they wanted to help, and they got to know us before going through all of our needs and wants and making decisions. Because of that, we came out the other end with a product that suits our business.”
Four years down the track, Michael says the fleet replacement program has been progressing beautifully. Ampol has just taken delivery of its 30th trailer set from ATE Tankers, with many more planned to arrive in the near future.
The new bogie tanker combination joins 22 of its kind in the growing fleet, along with two 19m B-doubles, three 27.5m road trains and two tri-axle units which have all been deployed in Ampol’s interstate fuel transportation services.
“We felt really honoured to take the 30th off ATE’s hands,” Michael says. “It was just a smooth transition, we did it without any problems.”
The tankers deliver for Ampol’s small to medium-sized enterprise customers where they transport petroleum products to above ground storage tanks (varying in sizes from 5,000 to 60,000 litres) all throughout Australia.
To increase uniformity across the fleet, the trailers have all been built to the exact same spec. From the pumping gear, metering systems, hose reels and all other equipment necessary, each and every new ATE tanker at Ampol has been constructed to deliver fuel efficiently and seamlessly across the country.
“With ATE’s expertise, we’ve made it very easy for our drivers so that they can go from one trailer to the other,” Michael says. “If we need a driver to go to a different state, it won’t matter because we have the same setup – the same truck, the same trailer and the same pumping gear.”
Image: Ampol.In their last four years of operations, Michael says the tankers have been flawless.
“They’re very well-built and engineered, and they sit well on the road because of the way that they’re designed,” he says. “They’re very well-controlled and balanced trailers, and overall, we haven’t had any issues with them whatsoever.
“With the help of ATE, we’ve gone to slightly bigger tanks which have been able to move bigger volumes of product for us safely. They feel fantastic, and they allow us to achieve more efficient deliveries.”
Michael says the success that Ampol has achieved with these trailers is ultimately testament to the people behind their production.
“We’ve always had ATE’s backing,” he says. “Their aftersales service is just unbelievable. You hear of a few companies that go above and beyond but ATE just seem to do it seamlessly.
“They’ve been really good to deal with in the last few years. It’s been a great relationship, and it will continue.”
ATE Tankers is now working on five rigid tankers for Ampol – two to go to its WA depot in Perth, two for Queensland and one for NSW. They’re expected to be arriving in the next two months.
Building on its commitment to service and the company’s enduring set of strong values, ATE Tankers is celebrating 10 years as an Australian Made Campaign licensee.
Image: ATE Tankers.ATE’s tanker units have met the criteria to carry the famous gold and green kangaroo logo for the past decade, and thus have earnt the right to be recognised as genuine Australian Made products that are built to Australia’s high quality and safety standards.
“ATE Tankers is one of 4,500-plus certified Australian Made businesses that manufacture products here in Australia, and the only current licensee making this type of product here,” says Australian Made Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro. “That’s something to be very proud of.”
ATE Tankers’ ability to retain its certification and reach this milestone, Ben says, speaks volumes.
“We love seeing licensees that benefit from the use of the Australian Made brand for such a long period of time,” he says. “To see this business celebrate a decade of making certified Australian products is a wonderful testament to ATE Tankers and their ability to thrive in this sector.”
While the kangaroo logo is typically attributed to high-quality local manufacturing, recent Roy Morgan research has found that the logo also conveys several other attributes to consumers including safety, reliability, ethical labour, good value, sustainability, local employment and environmental friendliness.
“There is a greater awareness around the benefit of making things here in Australia and having sovereign manufacturing capability and self-sufficiency,” Ben says. “My understanding is that ATE Tankers plays a role in those supply chains – it’s in the business of making the gear that helps move product around the country.
“ATE Tankers positions itself as an integral part of the Australian industry and I think we’re lucky to have them as one of our Aussie manufacturers. We look forward to seeing ATE Tankers produce Australian Made products for another decade into the future.”
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