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Industry mourns Barker Trailers co-founder Ernie Barker

Barker started the Victorian business with brother Arthur in 1974

 

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) leads tributes for Barker Trailers co-founder Ernie Barker after his recent passing.

Together with his brother, Arthur,Ernie Barker manufactured the first custom Barker Trailer in 1974 and founded the business that has grown from humble beginnings to employing about 200 people across two Victorian sites, in Woodend and Maryborough.

“Ernie Barker had great influence in the industry during his time, and his passing signifies the end of an era for Barker Trailers,” ATA Geoff Crouch says.

“Ernie was an industry pioneer and a highly skilled tradesman with great technical knowledge and a commitment to the craft of building high quality trailers.”


How the trailer maker underwent a management change in 2017, here


ATA notes that, under Barker’s leadership, the company had been involved in improving industry safety and productivity via the Industry Technical Council and was a regular attendee at Trucking Australia and Technology and Maintenance conferences.

“With his brother, Arthur, Ernie led Barker Trailers to become an award-winning business, while also being heavily involved in his local community,” Crouch says.

“On behalf of the ATA and the trucking industry I extend my condolences and deepest sympathy to Ernie’s family and the Barker Trailers community.”

Barker Trailers celebrated its 10,000th trailer last year in an event attended by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and is a regular award-winning business, including the Workforce Skills Development Award at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards 2019 and Victorian Transport Assocation Investment in People Award 2018.

 

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