After years of outsourcing logistics, one of Australia’s most innovative food packaging specialists, Packaging Traders, has taken the wheel on its delivery operations—literally—by launching an in-house fleet based on IVECO trucks.
The move was driven by the company’s commitment to improving service delivery and gaining tighter control over its supply chain. Founded in 2006 by industrial chemist Peter Thompson, Packaging Traders has built a reputation for technical expertise, particularly in selecting the right packaging materials for specific food products.
“The packaging is made of polymers, plastics, paper – it’s all chemistry related,” explained Peter. “All these materials have different performance characteristics and respond differently to the foods they hold depending on their make up.”
The company supplies a wide variety of packaging to industries such as supermarkets, bakeries, coffee roasters and pet food manufacturers. Products include window bags, coffee bags, zipper bags, grease-proof packaging and more. With global sourcing and custom printing options, Packaging Traders supports customers with both on-demand and warehoused stock options.
Yet the final piece in the logistics puzzle—delivery—was where Packaging Traders saw room for improvement.
“We couldn’t rely on third party transport companies to always deliver on time, and we thought this would ultimately cost us business, so we acted before it did,” said Peter.
The first step came during the COVID period, when the company acquired a new IVECO Stralis 6×2 ATi 360 rigid truck from IVECO Sydney. That initial investment delivered solid performance for several years, until growing volumes necessitated more payload capacity.
Packaging Traders then upgraded to two IVECO S-Way 8×4 AT 460 rigid trucks, also supplied by IVECO Sydney. Each vehicle features a tautliner body capable of carrying 28 double-stacked pallets, equating to a 10 to 11-tonne payload depending on the product mix.
“The S-Ways have been excellent – they’re powerful, comfortable, and versatile. The 8×4 configuration also gives us flexibility to load the trucks to their legal capacity without issues,” Peter said.
Under the hood, the S-Ways are powered by 460hp Euro 6 (Step E) engines delivering 2,150 Nm of torque, coupled with IVECO’s Hi-Tronix 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission. This setup enables reliable operation on regional runs to Dubbo and beyond, while also being efficient enough for metro deliveries.
For inner-city routes, Packaging Traders added a Daily 70C cab chassis with a tray body, offering a four-tonne payload ideal for navigating tighter streets around Sydney.
Beyond the specifications, Peter says the real value is in driver satisfaction and operational control. “The comfort in the S-Ways is really good, and they come with all the latest safety tech and driver evaluation systems that help with things like fuel efficiency.”
Peter himself occasionally jumps behind the wheel to fulfil orders—another sign of the company’s hands-on approach to customer service.
All servicing is handled through IVECO Sydney, ensuring minimal downtime and consistent performance across the fleet. “The team at the dealership have been great—both at the point of purchase and for ongoing maintenance,” Peter said.
The decision to run an in-house fleet has proven a game-changer for Packaging Traders. It has not only improved reliability and delivery timing but also strengthened customer confidence.
“It’s the main reason we began an in-house fleet,” Peter said. “Our customers depend on us to deliver, and now we can ensure that happens on our terms.”
This strategic shift aligns well with broader trends in the supply chain space, where reliability and direct control are increasingly prized—especially in industries where product quality, speed and trust are essential.
For other small to mid-sized businesses considering the leap to an internal transport model, Packaging Traders’ journey offers a compelling case study—especially when backed by reliable commercial vehicle partners like IVECO.
