The Tanker Expert
The spirit of co-operation has seen Murray Goulburn and the flagship Devondale brand earn a reputation for quality and food safety. To maintain a high quality, sustainable milk supply, Moama-based company Byford now designed a 25m B-double that will boost the co-operative’s efficiency.
Murray Goulburn (MGC) processes over 35 per cent of the nation’s milk supply into quality products, which are sold on both domestic and export markets. Therefore, it is no surprise that MGC’s Fleet Manager, Bernie Cornell, decided on Byford’s innovative tanker technology to ensure a maximum return of investment.
“The production, processing, distribution, retail, packaging and labelling of food are governed by a mass of laws, regulations, codes of practice and guidance, so we often have go the extra mile to ensure a flawless production process,” Bernie explains. “That’s why we need the most advanced transport equipment available to stay at the forefront of environmental sustainability and maintain the health of our suppliers’ land.”
On that account, MGC ordered a 25m B-double combination custom-built by Byford less than half a year ago. “We demanded maximum safety, maximum capacity and maximum pumping rate in a short space of time,” says Bernie. “And since we’ve used Byford in the past, we already knew what to expect – a reliable, honest and strong product.”
To achieve maximum efficiency at a competitive price, Byford’s design department based an elliptical stainless steel barrel on an integrated chassis, using semiautomated MIG and TIG welding equipment to maximize weld consistency, quality and appearance on every longitude weld. But, the secret ingredient is the demountable pump module retractable hose reel, which Byford introduced in 2009.
“MGC was the first company to use our new technology in the milk business,” says Managing Director, Gary Byford, whose pioneering spirit has fuelled the invention of the flexible hose reel in the first place. “We are proud to be the first company that fitted a retractable hose reel to a 25m B-double – and the market’s reaction has proven us right. MGC have already received six of the same kind and they are operating flawlessly.”
Overall, Byford has already built 45 B-double combinations that feature the retractable hose reel. “The hose reel is a real revelation that will notably simplify the milk pick-up process,” Gary says. “Plus it’s a very versatile tool as it can be used on both sides of the tanker.”
But, Bernie says there is one more feature that made all the difference when MGC made the final purchase decision – Byford’s reliable back-up service. MGC’s fleet of over 170 truck and B-double combinations operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week, all around Victoria. “Customer service was a key factor in the decision process, and Byford ticked all the boxes.” Since MGC took delivery in April, the Byford combination is working around the clock, mainly servicing Victoria’s vast west. “It’s a well-engineered product,” Bernie says. “First of all, it is able to provide a safe working environment for our crew, which is paramount. But, it also represents both brands well and enables us to utilise unknown synergies.”
According to Bernie, maintaining a flawless image is of the utmost importance in Australia’s contested food transport industry. “It is extremely important to handle food correctly while it is being received, stored and served,” says Bernie. “Each MGC vehicle and employee has to communicate that message. That’s why we only use prime transport equipment and often return to the Byford brand as they have a long history in the dairy industry.”
By staying close to the dairy industry and listening to the operational and safety needs of the people involved, Byford Equipment was able to pioneer a number of innovations in milk transport. From increasing tanker capacity from 9,500 to 17,000 litre in 1983; to the introduction of the bottom entry manway and the automatic fail safe breather in 1984; to the inclusion of the first computerised milk volume metering equipment in Australia ten years later; innovation has always been Byford’s DNA.
In 2010, Byford Equipment introduced the next generation of its demountable pump module retractable hose reel to simplify the relocation process. “The hose reel is a great example that we still profit from Irene and Gary’s inventive spirit today,” Bernie says. “They simply know what they are talking about.” And, although the family business has grown to over 70 people, Gary Byford can still be spotted at truck stops talking to operators about their tankers to find out how to make the job even quicker, easier and safer.
