For Perth-based specialist sensitive freight transporter, Macknsons, there’s a lot more involved than just providing customers with an ‘A to B’ freight service – and there’s also a lot more at stake.

Counting the Western Australian Museum, the Art gallery of Western Australia and private collectors amongst its clientele, for Macknsons, often what’s inside the truck is considered priceless.

Established in 1995 by Peter McDougall, Macknsons has earned a stellar reputation across Western Australia for its care in transporting priceless artefacts, artworks and collectables, along with fragile freight to the medical, hospitality and mining industries.

Peter began in the transport sector at 17 as a furniture removalist where he plied his skills for several years before deciding to specialise in sensitive freight – now he leads a team of 25 people and operates 12 trucks, including two IVECO X-Ways and two Daily cab chassis.

What sets Macknsons aside from its peers? According to Peter there are a few key elements.

“We’re a ‘people company’ that share a passion for providing a great service and moving our customers assets safely,” Peter said. 

“It’s a service-focused business and everybody who works with us has care factor; they also undergo long term on the job training – they’re highly motivated professionals always looking to improve all measures.”

Macknsons’ business model also holds accountability as a high priority, according to Peter.

“We ship all over WA and provide our clients with full visibility – we’re solely responsible from pick-up to delivery, there’s no cross docking; we use vehicle tracking and advanced transport and warehouse management systems to ensure we know at what point in the journey every piece of freight is,” he said.

Another important component in transporting delicate freight is having the right truck fleet, this sees Macknsons run vehicles with electronically controlled airbag rear suspensions, including the X-Way models. The airbag set-up is much gentler on the precious cargo while also allowing ride height adjustment for greater loading and unloading convenience if required.

Peter is a recent convert to IVECO, having been attracted to the marque by its sharp styling, abundant standard features and reputation for driver comfort.

Macknsons’ Daily models include a work-ready 45C Tradie-Made and a larger 70C curtainsider, which are predominantly used for deliveries in metropolitan Perth and surrounds.   

“The Daily cab chassis have more equipment and features than our Landcruiser, they’re a great little truck,” Peter said.

“I’ve also spent some time in the X-Ways, I drove one from our bodybuilder in Brisbane back to Perth and it was amazing – two pedal operation and so quiet, it just glides along. You can hop out of it after a long day on the road and still feel fresh.”

The 6x4 rigid X-Ways feature high-roof sleeper cabs, 360hp Euro6 engines, Hi-Tronix automated manual transmission and are fitted with Pantech bodies. The specification is well suited to longer routes, including journeys to mine sites and remote communities in central and northern areas of the state.

“The main things we look for when adding to our truck fleet are safety, fuel efficiency, driver comfort and dealer support, and we’re very pleased with what IVECO has been able to provide in these areas,” Peter said. 

The latest vehicles are maintained by selling dealer, AV Trucks, with the X-Ways also covered by extended warranties of 4 years / 750,000kms, providing added peace of mind. Peter said his experience with IVECO and AV Trucks has been extremely positive.

“Reliability and support is important to us – we want to do business with like-minded service focused companies and I feel IVECO is certainly there for us,” he said.