When your wife and business partner celebrates her 50th birthday, it’s not often that you get the chance to surprise her with the ultimate gift whilst simultaneously growing your impressive fleet of refrigerated vehicles, but that is exactly what Wayne McLaughlin, owner of McLaughlin Freightlines (MFL) recently managed to achieve.
Already renowned in the transport industry for using innovative, high specification PEKI trailers whose performance is matched by their outstanding finish and appearance, Wayne and Diane have taken their fleet to the next level with the inclusion of a PEKI Freezer Semi-trailer and Kenworth T908 combination that has been, wait for it, custom painted in “Hackett Gold”, an exclusive colour previously introduced by Holden HSV for their performance vehicles and celebration of Grant Hackett’s Olympic swimming feats.
Described as a person who is “gold” to all that know her, an overwhelmed Diane was totally surprised by the gift. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw the combination. It looked absolutely stunning and I just love the colour and it certainly has presence on the road.”
Enhancing the finish, Colin Apps and Terry Cubit from QTK Thermo-King also joined in the party, ensuring the refrigeration plant was also custom painted in the same colour to match the trailer and truck.
Whilst the eye-catching truck and trailer catches people’s attention down every road it travels, it hasn’t overshadowed the commitment that McLaughlin’s has long held for its loyal customer base.
Whilst operational efficiency and meeting customers requirements will always be of highest importance to McLaughlin’s, this recent addition has also allowed Wayne and Diane to indulge in their passion and support for their son Scott and his aspirations to become one of Australia’s best motor sport drivers, having recently commenced an apprenticeship with Stone Brothers Ford Racing team as well as securing a drive in the 2010 V8 Supercar Fujitsu Series.
In paying homage to their son, the Thermo-King refrigeration unit features a lifelike mural of Scott undertaking some of his sharpest and fastest work in
his Go-Kart.
Beneath the glitz and glamour, the PEKI Semi-trailer contains a host of components that have been specified to ensure long-term performance and durability.
Designed to operate at temperatures down to -29°C, the PEKI Freezer Semi-Trailer has fully insulated walls, floor, roof and doors, incorporating a 120mm insulated roof, 100mm insulated front wall and 100mm insulated aluminium floor with 40mm insulated fibreglass side walls.
Rear door and door seal insulation have also been optimised whilst low temperature LED interior illumination will help to minimise refrigeration plant fuel usage. The inclusion of the Double Loader Aeroquip System will also please customers who will no doubt take advantage of the ability to maximise payload capabilities on each run.
To complement the stunning paint finish, the semi-trailer has also been equipped with numerous polished stainless steel components including rear frame, bumper bar, mudguards and toolbox lids.
As part of keeping its stunning appearance and ensuring its entire fleet provides has an extended operational life, McLaughlin’s undertakes a stringent maintenance program. All refrigerated units are regularly hot washed with a pressure cleaner and are also sterilised using acid based chemicals.
Users of food transport services acknowledge that an aesthetically pleasing trailer reinforces the message of a professional, hygienic and efficient operator, and it is a message that McLaughlin’s like to promote throughout the country as they travel the highways.
Based on the Gold Coast, Wayne and Diane McLaughlin started from humble beginnings operating a small fleet of pneumatic tankers carting chicken feed to poultry farms throughout Victoria. Their business has grown through their commitment to customer service, loyal staff and of course, hard work!
Today, McLaughlin Freightlines operates a fleet of over 60 trucks and 85 trailers throughout the eastern states, providing full refrigerated and general logistic services to customers such as Steggles that includes the delivery of feed from the mills, transporting live chicks and birds as well as distributing fresh and frozen chicken products to warehouses.
Recently appointed Regional Sales Manager for PEKI, Trevor Cox, was impressed when the trailer was delivered to McLaughlin’s head office, stating that, “As much as this trailer was all about Wayne and Diane demonstrating and combining their passion for their business and life together, PEKI is equally proud to have been able to bring to life their ultimate trailer solution.”
“It’s certainly unique in colour and appearance but equally impressive in performance and efficiency and we are proud to have been associated with McLaughlin’s for such a long period and been part of their prosperity as well as their customers.”
The Kenworth T908 has also been named as “Tom”, after Diane’s late father as it hits the highway, so there is little chance of missing the combination as it passes by!