Timbertruss, one of Australia’s largest manufacturers of prefabricated roof trusses, wall frames and structural components, is modernising both its production lines and delivery fleet as part of a push to boost efficiency, safety and sustainability.
From its state-of-the-art 26-acre Corio facility near Geelong and a second site in Brisbane, Timbertruss uses automation to speed up production while reducing manual handling risks for staff. Transport Manager Rick Munro says automation has been a key part of the company’s success.
“We wanted to take a lot of manual handling of the heavy materials out of the business for added safety and efficiency,” Rick says.
Producing in a controlled indoor environment means Timbertruss avoids weather delays and can deliver prefabricated components ready to assemble on site — a huge benefit for builders trying to shorten project timelines. Recent innovations such as “cassette floor panels” and “next-gen walls” further streamline construction by combining framing, flooring, windows and even cladding into complete modular sections.
Upgrading to IVECO S-Way
To match its advanced manufacturing, Timbertruss is refreshing its delivery fleet, replacing older Stralis trucks — some with nearly a million kilometres on the clock — with new IVECO S-Way models. The company tested trucks from several manufacturers before choosing the S-Way 6×4 460 AD prime movers and 8×4 rigids.
“The S-Way was the best fit for our work. They’re well specified for safety and have strong Euro 6 Step E emissions performance,” Rick says.
Despite their larger and more powerful engines, the new trucks are returning lower fuel consumption than the outgoing Stralis fleet — a welcome gain for both costs and emissions. Drivers have also noticed the difference behind the wheel.
“The comfort is on another level — quiet, smooth, and still familiar for our team, which made the transition easy,” Rick adds.
Designed for Tight Sites
Timbertruss delivers across Victoria and into New South Wales, often into increasingly compact housing estates. The cab-over S-Way design gives drivers better manoeuvrability on tight job sites. The 8×4 rigids, in particular, are suited to suburban streets where access and turning space are limited.
Each truck has been customised with an extended chassis to support a rear-mounted crane with outriggers and counterweights for safe on-site unloading. Additional fit-outs include beacons and oversize signage, while the prime movers use a modular Roadpod system that allows pre-loaded pods to be swapped quickly for the next delivery.
Visually, the new IVECOs are hard to miss — finished in Timbertruss’ signature blue and yellow livery, the S-Ways add a polished, professional look to the company’s expanding fleet.
Partnering with Adtrans Truck Centre
The vehicles were purchased through Adtrans Truck Centre in Melbourne, which will also handle servicing and support for the growing fleet. The relationship continues a long history between Timbertruss and IVECO, backed by local dealer expertise and national parts support.
Supporting Smarter, Safer Construction
For Timbertruss, the investment in automation and an upgraded delivery fleet is all about delivering quality prefabricated building systems faster and more safely. For IVECO, it’s another example of how its locally-engineered trucks are supporting Australian industry — from the factory floor to the construction site.
