Family-owned customs, freight, and transport specialists, JJ Lawson, are marking 50 years of business success with a golden touch—literally. To commemorate their golden anniversary, the Sydney-based company has taken delivery of six new Mack Anthems, one of which features a striking gold livery that tells the story of their remarkable journey.
“We wanted something different to celebrate our 50 years,” said Greg Lawson, who co-owns the business with his brother Marty. “Our signwriter, Bear Signs, came up with the idea of a gold livery wrap featuring a collage of historical photos of our fleet and special moments in our company’s history. The result exceeded all expectations.”
The new Mack Anthem continues a tradition of marking milestones with standout trucks. For JJ Lawson’s 45th anniversary, they commissioned a unique Mack Granite dressed in the reverse colours of their usual livery to honour their support for the North Sydney Bears rugby league team. This time, they returned to their classic red, but the golden wrap ensures the new Anthem turns heads on the road.
A Legacy Built on Reliability
Founded by Jim Lawson in 1975, JJ Lawson has built its reputation on reliability and exceptional service. Early on, Jim recognised the importance of maintaining high standards and made the strategic decision to build his own fleet. In the mid-1990s, the company purchased its first Mack—a Fleet-Liner CH Day-cab in a B-double configuration. The fleet has since grown organically, peaking at 30 trucks and currently operating 18 Macks and two Volvos.
All trucks are covered by Mack Platinum Service Agreements, a decision that has streamlined fleet maintenance. “We’ve thought about running our own workshop,” Greg explains, “but the logistics, specialised equipment, and staffing required made it more practical to leave it to the experts. With Mack, there’s no need to stress—they understand our business and keep things running smoothly.”
A Trusted Partnership
JJ Lawson’s long-standing relationship with Mack Trucks spans over 25 years. The partnership is built on shared values of dependability and quality, crucial traits for a business that primarily moves containerised freight from ports and airports across Australia.
Tony O’Connell, Vice President of Sales at Mack Australia, spoke highly of the collaboration: “JJ Lawson is the kind of customer every truck manufacturer values—knowledgeable about their business and trusting us to keep their fleet running at peak performance. We’re proud to have been their provider of choice for 25 years and honoured to help celebrate their 50th anniversary.”
Looking to the Future
The new Mack Anthems will replace four Mack Granites that joined the fleet just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges of that time—including disrupted shipping schedules and reduced office staffing—JJ Lawson navigated through, maintaining its reputation for reliability.
Greg aims to refresh the fleet every five years, ensuring top-quality vehicles that not only uphold the company’s image but also help attract and retain drivers. “Having a consistent fleet makes operations smoother,” he notes. “Drivers know what to expect, and there’s no need for additional training.”
As JJ Lawson celebrates five decades of success, the golden Mack Anthem stands as a rolling tribute to the company’s legacy—built on family values, exceptional service, and a partnership that has stood the test of time.
