Trailer Sales turns 40

Forty years in any business is an achievement, but it’s even more so in the Australian road transport industry. Trailer Sales reached that milestone in 2023 and can now rightly be regarded as a veteran in the field.

Part-owned by leading national trailer manufacturer MaxiTRANS, Trailer Sales distribute all the MaxiTRANS brands - Freighter, Maxi-CUBE, Hamelex White, Trout River, Lusty EMS and Azmeb – to transport operators across Queensland and northern New South Wales from their outlets in Rocklea and Townsville. Trailer Sales also supply trailers from FWR Trailers and RoadWest Transport, plus a wide range of truck and trailer spares, including their own ‘ProParts’ brand.

Trailer Sales didn’t start out with the name they’re widely known by today. The business was established in 1982 as ‘Freighter Queensland’, with operations getting underway in 1983. From this beginning, the business expanded in the late 1990s by acquiring distribution rights to Maxi-CUBE refrigerated vans, subsequently rebranding themselves as Freighter Maxi-CUBE Queensland (FMQ).

In 2009, another turning point came when FMQ strategically acquired Trailer Sales NQ; a move that included the prominent trailersales.com.au domain name. This acquisition not only expanded the company's reach but also led to the current, familiar name of Trailer Sales being applied from 2012.

Despite challenges in the new millennium, including the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Trailer Sales proved its resilience by 'rolling with the punches'. The company's flexibility and customer-focused approach has allowed it to make decisions swiftly, keeping business operations efficient, all with customer satisfaction at the forefront.

Today, Trailer Sales has 70 employees dedicated to serving the road transport industry. The range of trailers and truck-and-trailer parts on offer makes Trailer Sales a one-stop-shop for road transport operators in Queensland and northern New South Wales, while the service division covers everything from brake lining and wheel bearing repairs to complete vehicle rollover solutions.

According to Sales Manager, Scott Thiesfield, a core aspect of Trailer Sales' success has been its steadfast commitment to customers, building relationships that now span generations

"We're here for long term relationships,” Thiesfield explained. “It's not about selling one trailer; it's about having a long-lasting relationship with that customer."

Over the decades, General Manager, Mark Sutcliffe, has driven the company that evolved into Trailer Sales, increasing what started out as a limited number of products to today’s wide range that can meet any transport need.

Despite the successes and the inevitable challenges, the management team at Trailer Sales remains humble and grounded.

“We don't normally put too many things out there and give ourselves a pat on the back, but the 40th anniversary is an exception,” Thiesfield said.

Celebrating 40 years is not just about marking a milestone, it's about appreciating the staff, the customers, and everyone else who has supported Trailer Sales along the way. It's about highlighting the relationships forged over four decades and the continuity of service that has been the company's cornerstone.

"Cross-generational" relationships have been built, as have enduring partnerships with customers who have been with the company since its earliest days. That customer loyalty, reciprocated by the company's unwavering commitment to service, is a testament to Trailer Sales' ethos.

With its commitment to long-term customer relationships and a continuous drive for innovation, Trailer Sales has proven that it is more than ready to face and embrace the future.

Trailer Sales Dealer Principal, Mark Kelly, sums up the 40-year milestone by saying: "We appreciate the support from our staff and the customers who have supported us along this journey. May there be many more years to come.”