“I need it now,” is a frequently used plea by mining and construction engineers across the busy Pilbara. It has given rise to a number of hotshot operators that can drop everything and get a truck on its way to a remote destination, sometimes within minutes. But some freight is less urgent than it is fragile and damage-prone and doesn’t take kindly to anything other than careful handling from pick-up to delivery.

Peter Macdougall owns Macknsons, a WA-based company specialising in freight that has zero damage-tolerance.

IT equipment, medical machines and commercial fridges are on the weekly duty roster, and the company has contracts with the WA Art Gallery and Museum for movement of precious material that cannot be replaced. A number of private customers also entrust their collectibles to Macknsons when a move is needed.

“We have no room for risk,” Peter says as he considers the track record of the business. “We are totally dependent on our reputation and our people are intensely focused on getting the cargo from the pick-up to the placement on time and with no damage.”

The company has a wide range of truck brands but has recently added two Iveco Dailys – a tray-top and a curtainsider to the fleet, along with two X-Way rigids. Peter is very impressed with the comfort and quietness of the new trucks – he drove one of the Iveco X-Ways from Brisbane back to Perth and enjoyed the trip. “Quite a contrast to the Kenworths I started with 20 years ago,” he said.

One of the key advantages Macknsons provides its customers is a regular delivery schedule to key WA centres, rather than depending on individual item hotshot runs that cost significantly more. The network also allows fixed planning of routes and driver rosters, with efficiencies in truck usage and maintenance planning as a bonus.

AV Trucks is a big part of the reason he has chosen Iveco. “The team at AVs is outstanding,” he said.” If I have a problem I have the personal numbers of the key people at the dealership, from the dealer principal down, and the service so far has been fantastic.”

More Ivecos on the way it would seem.