After 22 years, MMV Transport’s trucks will be hitting the road for the last time as company owners Leckie Milne, and Paul and Di Murphy embark on their next chapter – with the entire fleet set to go under the hammer.
Started in 1999, the Shepparton based company started out in milk transport and expanded into general freight, servicing the eastern seaboard.
Together, its owners have grown their fleet to 18 trucks and 27 trailers.
MMV Transport was actually formed by Leckie Milne, Paul Murphy and Mick Vandermeer (who left the business a few years later). The trio had all been carting milk for Midland Milk in Shepparton when it was purchased by Dairy Farmers.
“They wanted one contract so we got together and formed MMV Transport,” said 65-year-old Murphy.
An industry veteran, he began his career in transport at the age of 22. “I started with a rigid fridge van, carting fresh chooks; then I went into carting fresh milk, then general freight interstate,” he said.
Milne, 75, ventured into transport at just 16 years of age. He too has spent a lifetime in the industry. He began his career in 1962 working as a jockey with his dad, who carted timber and fencing, before becoming a truck driver. In 1976, he bought his first truck, a Dodge 7 series.
After selling the Dodge, he held various roles carting woodchips, logs and stone. He then purchased another truck in 1986 and moved to Shepparton, where he carted milk for 16 years.
“Leckie and myself have enjoyed it all,” said Murphy. “He’s been in the industry from a very young age and it’s been good to both of us. It will be interesting to see what happens once we get out. The business has been good and we’ve enjoyed the time we’ve had.”
When asked what he has enjoyed most about the industry, Murphy said, “It’s the people you meet. We’ve had good drivers and it’s been really enjoyable. You associate with and talk to people all over Australia, every day.
“I have a small farm just out of Shepparton, so once I retire I would like to do a bit of work there, and then travel once covid is gone,” he added.
MMV Transport will officially close in mid-November.
Ritchie Bros. has been appointed to sell the company’s fleet of prime movers and trailers, which will go under the hammer at the auction house’s Australian National Unreserved Auction next week, on October 20-21.