New vehicle shows confidence in S.I. future

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 31

New vehicle shows confidence in S.I. future

The new $280,000 Scania Tautliner, Curtainsider truck and trailer unit recently put into service for Opzeeland Transport, (Hornby), Limited.

It is probably the biggest volume transporter of the type in use in the South Island, according to company Manager, Mr John E. van Opzeeland.

The unit has a total tonne capacity of 25 tonnes. Total area to be filled at any one time is 115 cubic metres. The deck level is somewhat lower than is the norm at 1.2 metres from the ground.

It has an internal loading height of 3 metres. To get the required deck length within the 19 metre length a number of unusual adaptations have been carried out.

The total deck length is 16 metres according to Mr Opzeeland.

The recent purchase of a Scania tautliner, curtainsider truck system by Opzeeland Transport, (Hornby), Limited is a reflection of company confidence in the future.

“If we do a job we do it well,” asserts the Manager of Opzeeland Transport, Mr John E. van Opzeeland.

He believes this traditional insistence on quality of service is one reason why the company has continued to flourish in what has been for some freight transporters an adverse period.

Maintaining a cutting competitive edge has always been part of the company policy he believes. “It is our intention to provide the best possible transport equipment and to work toward becoming leaders in the industry,” he said.

At present the company has a total of 16 truck and trailer combinations plying freight throughout the

South Island. In addition to the transport of general goods, the firm offers storage, warehousing and distribution.

The sizes of goods handled by Opzeeland range from small items or quantities around the city to large, bulk loads to ail parts of the South Island. Until fairly recently the trucks used by the company were predominantly 1 Japanese machines but the new line-haul vehicles in use are a Swedish make — Scania. The latest addition, the tautliner, curtainsider used primarily for the haulage of corrugated cardboard is a Scania unit. The business has been "built on efficiency and service” according to John van Opzeeland.

He is dedicated to the belief that the company must provide an efficient service, combined with a competent operator, and a tidy vehicle.

It is his belief that all of the 13 drivers, five administrative staff and the storeman and mechanic involved at their base at 12 Mount View Place all contribute to the success of the concern.

Talking of the staff other than the family, John says, “They work just as hard as we do — often harder. The business could not have done so well without them.” “We” refers to the van Opzeelands, as the firm is still very much a family business.

Company founder Cor van Opzeeland is now a Director.

John the manager, took over the day-to-day management six years ago, the elder daughter, Marianne runs the office and is company secretary, and the younger son, Eddy, is responsible for the operations side of the business.

The company was established in Hornby in 1955, by Cor van Opzeeland and his wife, Helen.