BevChain sings the benefits of IAP after gaining productivity by enrolling in the program
May 10, 2010
BevChain Logistics has enrolled its trucks in the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) to increase its payload and cut the number of its vehicles on the road.
The carrier, which is a joint venture between Linfox and Lion Nathan, gained approval to run a custom designed prime mover and trailer for its beer delivery operations near Brisbane.
The combination has led to a 14.6 percent gain in tonnage per load, equalling four additional pallets per trip.
Under IAP, operators can use trucks with a higher carrying capacity in return for being monitored via GPS to ensure they do not stray onto restricted routes.
BevChain CEO Tony Franklin says the company will now be able to use a smaller number of vehicles, equalling fewer emissions and trips.
“We sought access for specially designed quad axle prime mover/trailer units to run a shuttle service from the brewery at Milton to Hendra, a total journey length of 11kms,” Franklin says.
BevChain had to negotiate access with Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The operator’s experience is at odds with companies like Baxter Transport. Baxter has struggled to gain access because councils lack funding to assess routes to determine if they can support heavier vehicles.
Baxter is determining whether to stay with IAP because the lack of access means the company is not benefiting from the time and money invested in the scheme.