Hammar sideloader with BPW axles.
Image: BPW Transpec.
Customised Gas Australia Group (CGAG) has been embedded in the nation’s gas market for three decades. Established in the semi-rural area of Mulgrave, New South Wales, in 1995 by Managing Director, Rodney Flynn, the company began operations as a small transporter of unodourised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
The service has since grown into a behemoth within its niche market, now supporting a wide demographic of Australian consumers across a variety of related products, and even stretches into the agricultural sector.
“We supply gas to virtually 90 per cent of aerosol cans in the country,” Rodney says. “And although the unodourised LPG market is only a fraction of all gas used in Australia, we still cover everything from deodorant and fly sprays to cooking oil sprays and more. We have also started handling on-farm commodities like grain, hay and other crops for harvest. We’re self-sufficient in our ability to assist our customers because we run a one-stop shop. In addition to supplying customers with the gas they need, we can also build gas plants for them, and maintain their equipment with in-house mechanics and fitters, part of our 30-staff team.”
CGAG’s major growth has been underpinned by consistent investments into safe and high-quality equipment to ensure the proper handling of unodourised LPGs, which are classified as Dangerous Goods (DGs). This includes 15 gas tankers, 200 ISO tanks, various trailer combinations and a steady supply of axles and suspensions from renowned OEM, BPW Transpec.
Rodney was first introduced to BPW Transpec 20 years ago and, according to him, hasn’t experienced a parts failure in CGAG’s entire history with the manufacturer.
“These products are undeniably strong,” he says. “They’re accessible, reliable, and overall perfect for the operations we run.”
Presently, CGAG is working with BPW Transpec and its NSW Manager, Scott Merriman, to refit its entire fleet of trailer combinations with BPW Transpec drum brake axles, EP3 hubs, Air-Save tyre inflation systems and AL2 air suspension kits.
“These upgrades are critical for our operations because they will standardise the needs of our vehicles,” Rodney says. “We can minimise any spare parts we carry and streamline servicing by running the same hubs and axle and suspension specifications.”
BPW Transpec’s drum brake axles provide a myriad of mechanical improvements to CGAG’s fleet. Primarily, the axle is suitable for Electronic Braking System and Advanced Emergency Braking System applications, which are legal requirements for all DG-carrying vehicles. These capabilities are bolstered by the axles’ BPW ECO Master slack adjusters, which ensure optimum brake adjustment while reducing maintenance requirements.
Meanwhile, BPW Transpec’s Air-Save tyre inflation systems protect CGAG’s vehicles against uneven and premature tyre wear, as well as tyre blowouts, also ensuring safety in the transport of unodourised LPGs. Furthermore, the change to AL2 air bag suspensions further promotes safety by stablising transport with heavy-duty shock absorption and sway reduction.
These components have been fitted onto 10 of CGAG’s 30 fleet units – ranging from single LPG tankers and single skels to step decks, tippers, cattle crates and a hammar side loader.
“All our drivers have loved these changes,” Rodney says. “They understand the efficiency that we’re creating in our equipment and couldn’t be happier to support it. They specifically enjoy the new AL2 air bag suspension systems, which have made the handling and performance of our vehicles to be much better and safer. This bolstered safety has had real positive effects on the team. The safer our drivers feel, the better they drive, and the safer our entire operation becomes.”
This BPW Transpec equipment has also been fitted onto CGAG’s latest fleet addition, a Moore Trailers AB-triple tipper set for its agricultural business. Picked up last Christmas, the combination hit the road in mid-January, carrying chickpeas, grain and fertilisers across the eastern seaboard.
While CGAG’s refurbishments are still underway, Rodney and his team are extremely satisfied with the level of service and maintenance that BPW Transpec has provided. This has been a constant throughout the companies’ 20-year relationship.
“The service I receive from BPW makes me feel so valued,” he says. “I realise I may not be the biggest player working with them, but they still treat me like I’m essential.”
Rodney’s long-time collaborations with Merriman have been vital to this partnership.
“Scott Merriman has been instrumental in all our dealings with BPW Transpec,” Rodney adds. “His professionalism, consideration and knack for business have helped us grow immensely while protecting our own vision. He stands for both BPW’s products and our interests. He’s a class act.”
In the face of the positive refurbishment project, Rodney doesn’t see his work with BPW Transpec finishing up any time soon.
“Anything we do in the future will have BPW involved,” he says. “As technology progresses, we’re excited to look and see what we can implement, and how they can help us move forward. BPW does it right, so we’ll keep doing right by them.”
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