Manheim Industrial Australia Selected To Auction Don Watson Transport Truck & Trailer Fleet

Manheim Industrial Australia has been selected as auction partner by national freight company Don Watson Transport, taking responsibility for selling the company’s large fleet of trucks and trailers.

Don Watson Transport, one of the country’s leading refrigerated logistics operations and a 77-year-old family-owned business, made the difficult decision to close its operations earlier in June this year.

The fleet to be sold via Manheim Industrial auctions comprises 130 well-maintained heavy trucks and 170 trailers, plus a further 10 rigids. The assets will have their decals removed and be repainted white.

These trucks and trailers are located across several sites, including Derrimut in Victoria, Weatherill Park in New South Wales, and Hemmant in Queensland.

As a leading industrial equipment auctioneer with physical locations across Australia, Manheim is well-placed to handle this large, high-profile, and multi-location truck and trailer sale.

Among Don Watson Transport’s priorities are ensuring orderly sales of its assets. Manheim understands the company’s commitment to taking care of its people and its determination to preserve the goodwill accumulated over decades.

Having won the contract, Manheim will begin to prepare the trucks and trailers for sale—including the rectifications—and prepare for a steady sale-off backed by extensive marketing and awareness campaigns.

Manheim is confident that these trucks and trailers will find new homes during the process, noting the sterling reputation Don Watson Transport has earned across the sector when it comes to maintaining its vehicles.

“We are honoured to have been appointed as the exclusive remarketing partner for Don Watson Transport. This mandate reflects the strength of our advisory capability, national footprint, and proven expertise in managing high-value, multi-jurisdiction, complex fleet divestments,” said Manheim Australia Head of Advisory Aiden Hsu.

Manheim Head of Transport Sales Chris Williams added, “After decades of Don Watson Transport delivering excellence in the industry, Manheim is privileged to be given the responsibility of selling down the fleet.

“The fleet itself, as would be known widely in the industry, consists of a huge range of prime movers including Kenworth K200s, K200 King Cabs, T409s, T609s, T610s, T909s, Mack Superliners, Scanias, and more.

“With extensive service history, engine rebuilds, and new crate motors in many of the trucks, they are ready to go to work. Additionally, the refrigerated trailers are made up primarily of FTE, Lucar, and Vawdrey, which will be a great addition to any company’s fleet.”

Watson Group CEO Lyndon Watson added, “When we took the incredibly tough decision to close the business due to market conditions, our top priority was ensuring all staff received their entitlements.”

“An orderly and effective process to divest our fleet was an important piece. Manheim’s tailored approach, deep understanding of transport assets, process for asset preparation, and commitment to understanding our requirements were key in them being selected as the preferred partner.”

To learn more about the Manheim Don Watson Transport auction event, visit the landing page here. Register your interest to stay up to date with auction details, asset lists, and inspection opportunities.

About Manheim

Manheim is a leading auction company with a large regional and metropolitan footprint, entrusted to value and sell car and industrial assets on behalf of lenders, leasing businesses, governments, corporate fleets, dealerships, automotive OEMs, insurers, rental companies, and insolvency practitioners.

The business values and auctions everything from small hatchbacks and SUVs to combine harvesters, graders, and mining trucks, and stands ready to assist and advise organisations both large and small.

The company offers its clients an extensive physical network of sites and deep sector experience in the Australian and New Zealand markets, with its presence on both sides of the Tasman a key point of difference in a competitive market.

Manheim Australia is part of Manheim, a global remarketing company based in the United States. It’s part of Cox Automotive, the world’s largest vehicle services firm, which in Australia produces an array of retail software and industry insights.