Sonnex’s diverse 26 year-long manufacturing history began in Australia’s automotive industry.
Founded in 1999 by Jano Tuchyna, the business initially provided engineering and maintenance assistance to a variety of manufacturers in South Australia, one being Holden.
This support turned into the essential upkeep of manufacturer production lines which proved an ideal environment for Jano and the company to develop many of its now-staple metal shaping techniques like profile cutting, CNC folding and surface finishing.
Yet as the country’s car manufacturing industry fell into decline in the years to follow, Sonnex decided to use its expanded skillset to adapt the business, transitioning into new markets to meet manufacturing demand through the use of new technology.
From there, Jano’s acquisition of a laser machine – reportedly the first of its size in the Southern Hemisphere – allowed Sonnex to cut and produce sizes of metal that it claims Australian consumers were not previously able to purchase.
Armed with equipment working to an unprecedented quality, the transition into other markets proved extremely successful, and Sonnex hasn’t looked back. According to Sonnex Manufacturing Manager, Ben Gibbs, the company’s production capabilities now efficiently service a multitude of sectors.
“Currently, we service mining, defence, manufacturing, food and beverages and everything in between,” he says. “We also manufacture for white goods, medical devices and the medical industry at large, as well as for motorsport, transport and civil engineering. We pretty much have our fingers in every bit of precision manufacturing.”
Sonnex’s chameleon business operations have helped the company to amass both a team of talented employees and an arsenal of cutting-edge technology across its many sectors. For example, one of the company’s latest transitions – applying its manufacturing prowess further towards the transport industry – has been in effect since late last year through the purchasing of RLB Enterprises.
While the industry shift had first seemed to be uncharted territory for Sonnex, the company has sought to take this challenge in its stride and use it as a learning opportunity.
“We’re coming into this very tentatively,” Ben says. “We’re trying to learn from everyone’s experiences. We’re leaning on suppliers for their industry knowledge.”
JOST is one of these key suppliers, and one which has worked extensively with Sonnex to provide equipment and components since the latter’s entry into the sector last October.
As the parent company of RLB Enterprises, Sonnex already owns and operates some heavy-duty manufacturing equipment and vehicles and is now collaborating with JOST to navigate the servicing and operating of this machinery further. As part of this servicing, JOST supplies Sonnex with essential components to ensure smooth handling of the machinery they’re fitted to.
“We are currently using JOST turntables, landing legs, hydraulic cylinders, Razor tarp systems, kingpins, Rockinger couplings and JOST aluminium wheels,” Ben says.
One of Sonnex’s tippers with JOST components. Image: Sonnex.JOST’s provided componentry has helped Sonnex to construct and innovate its transport vehicles with precision, something that Ben views as crucial to Sonnex’s operations.
“Precision is one of the biggest attributes that we like to focus on at Sonnex,” he says. “That quality has really come through with the JOST products as we’ve been using them.”
The importance of precision in production and manufacturing is just one of the business approaches and ideals that Sonnex and JOST share as like-minded companies. Both parties place high value on customer service, and as a customer of JOST, Sonnex can certainly vouch for this.
“The customer focus between our companies is definitely the value that aligns them the most,” Ben says. “At Sonnex, we’re very much about working closely with all our customers and taking all their product builds personally.
“We do our best to support each customer through their own request, and that’s the kind of service that we’ve been enjoying from JOST. It’s been nothing but helpful.
“Grant De Bais has been the main JOST contact for us and he has been absolutely fantastic.”
In addition to upgrading its existing fleet, RLB Enterprises, under Sonnex, is seeking to expand its product range with the addition of more vehicles to further integrate the company in the large and competitive industry. Ben is exploring the option to manufacture triple-axle tippers, converter dollies, plant trailers, pig trailers, dog trailers and more – all of which will receive the JOST treatment.
“JOST has a great reputation,” he says. “We’re definitely looking to expand what we can do with them.
“I’ve already been in conversation with them in terms of what other products they can provide.”
Sonnex has enjoyed great success as a jack of all trades, applying its refined manufacturing techniques to a variety of industries for much of its lifetime. As the company breaks into the transport sector, its relationship with JOST has proven to be one of extreme quality and care, delivering meticulous and innovative products.
JOST has become a key part of Sonnex’s production process. Image: Sonnex.The post Sonnex reaps benefits of JOST partnership appeared first on Trailer Magazine.