Small fleet owner Robert Cotter, 33, is a genuine workaholic because in his words, “I love trucks and driving them!”
Robert’s business is called JRE Contracting and is based at Kelso which is an outer suburb of Townsville.
Robert runs four trucks – two 4800 Western Stars, a Kenworth K104 and a Freightliner Coronado.
“I started my business during Covid in 2020 and now have two full-time and three casual drivers working for me. Business is good,” Robert said.
Enthusiastic Robert said he is single and it is not out of the question for him to work up to 100 hours a week.
“It is in my blood and I love it and am 100 per cent dedicated to it. My dad Bob had his own business on the Atherton Tablelands based at Ravenshoe,” Robert said.
The day I spoke to Robert he had been up to Ingham to load molasses at Victoria Mill for Townsville Port.
“I went up to Weipa recently and even though the road was bumpy and corrugated, I think it was better than it has been since last time,” he said.
Since starting his company, Robert has travelled as far away as Adelaide.
Fuel costs are a big problem at the moment, especially for smaller operators. I asked Robert how it affected him. “I factor costs, as they vary, into my rate and have good clients,” he said.
A genuine role model for Robert has been his good mate Shane Jonsson who runs Laudham Park Sand & Loam. Shane also has trucks and their depots are in close vicinity. “Our families go back for generations,” Robert said.
In the past Robert has worked for ABC Towing and Barry’s Bulk Haulage.
A connoisseur of fine food, I asked Robert what his favourite dish was. “It would have to be a big T-bone steak with chips and salad,” he said.