A decade of expansion and change

Press, 21 August 1989, Page 32

A decade of expansion and change

Wilder Transport began in a small depot in Disraeli Street, Sydenham, 10 years ago. There were only two vehicles with David Wilder and the present operations manager, Bob Lakin, operating the business. In its second year the company moved to Hazeldean Road and in the following year it expanded to Orbell Street. "In 1981 we made the ultimate move when we came out to McAlpine Street in Sockburn,” Mr Wilder says. “By then we had four drivers, a storeman and one clerical staff. But out most significant expansion came in 1983 with the deregulation of the transport industry which allowed road vehicles to travel beyond the 150 kilometre limit.” By 1986 there were 30 staff members in the Christchurch operation and a new depot opened in Dunedin. During the same year, Wilder Transport expanded to the North Island and offered a nationwide service. Now 60 staff members are employed in Christchurch and 14 in Dunedin. Wilder Transport serves about 2000 South Island organisations, many of which are among New Zealand’s larger companies.

In Sockburn, Wilder Transport rented premises until the new complex was built. “We had grown out of our old premises and we were in a position where we had to spend money to achieve our goals. We expect to be much more efficient and most cost conscious as a consequence. “We believe the future for New Zealand is looking good and efficient transport services will play an important role in that future.” Wilder Transport operates 24 heavy vehicles plus 10 owner drivers. There is also a fleet of 12 light vehicles and cars. Freight is carried on 40 trailer units. "Six of our tractor units work on the long hauls and each cover in excess of 300,000 kilometres each year. We insist on using only top-of-the-range vehicles which are maintained to a high standard. “We recently sold one of our vehicles which had covered 1.3 million kilometres in four years. That demonstrates the type of business we are involved in,” Mr Wilder says. Although Wilder Transport operates a nationwide service, its vehicles rarely leave the South Island.

"We operate a system where trailers are ex-

changed at strategic points. The trailers go on while the trucks return. It is a bit like running a modern version of the Pony Express.

“We have two older tractor units permanently stationed on the Cook Strait Rail Ferry. These are used to take trailer units on to the ferry and deliver them to waiting vehicles at Picton and Wellington,” Mr Wilder says.

Wilder Transport has been successful in spite of the general economic downturn and the dramatic changes that have occurred within the transport industry. According to Mr Wilder, the company has always been sensitive to the market and is flexible enough to meet any market requirements. Another factor has been the move in recent years of companies and manufacturers to the North Island. This has meant that many former South Island organisations have required distribution and transport services in Christchurch. "We have been able to meet the requirements of relocated organisations by providing an efficient transport network, a distribution service and a managed warehousing facility,” Mr Wilder says.