With growing demand in the online shopping space, Allied Express has morphed into a different beast to what it was pre-pandemic.
A consumer driven shift towards more online shopping has left little time to react, and large room for growth.
Servicing its retail partners since 1978, Allied Express has grown into the largest independently owned logistics specialist in Australia.
With a new head office and distribution centre near the Bankstown Airport in Sydney, the company prides itself on running a tightly coordinated operation.
Managing director at Allied Express, Michelle McDowell, says that the Covid pandemic meant the market changed almost overnight with customers clamouring for timely delivery direct to home.
The company invested heavily in new infrastructure and equipment to manage this demand, implementing a state-of-the-art automated sorting and distribution system at the Bankstown facility, which has been designed to handle bulk volume, large and oddly shaped items.
This focus on improving the sorting and delivery process to provide efficient service for customers flows to the Allied Express road transport fleet, which is comprised of subcontractors operating their own vehicles.
McDowell says there is no ‘blueprint’ for the perfect delivery vehicle as Allied Express recruit for the work going – whether that’s door-to-door metro delivery or interstate hauls.
“Our fleet consists of a wide variety of trucks, because we do such a gauntlet of different delivery types,” she said.
“Reliability and presentation are very important for Allied Express as our customers put their trust in us to deliver the product on their behalf… it is important for all drivers to keep their vehicles well-presented and for them to be proud of their work.”
Drivers are also supported with software and GPS-tracking systems developed in-house, seeing them armed with the latest in PDAs, PODs and sign-on-glass technology.
Truck driver Jack Singh works as a subcontractor for the company. He primarily deals with large pallets on a route that takes him through Sydney and occasionally out into the countryside.
He owns a 2022 model Isuzu FSR 140-260, which he purchased from Dwyers Truck Centre, which has been a great fit for the job.
“It’s a fantastic truck, I wanted this specific body length and size which makes it perfect for my everyday routine,” added Singh.
The FSR has an extended wheelbase of nine metres and a 2.6-metre clearance allowing for greater payload.
It’s equipped with a six-speed Allison automatic transmission and a customised airbag suspension system controlled from the cab.