New delivery, personal touch

One of the two latest additions to the Transvaal Heavy Transport (THT) fleet recently came from Hino East Rand by executive delivery – with the president of Hino South Africa, Ernie Trautmann, behind the wheel.

Trautmann, who recently obtained his Code 14 truck driving licence, personally delivered the Hino 700 2848 6×4, to THT’s head office in Alrode, Alberton. Trautmann is now actively encouraging his colleagues to follow his example and obtain a heavy-duty licence.

THT bought its first Hino, a Super Dolphin, in 1986. Today, it has a total fleet of 65 bakkies, freight carriers and truck-tractors. The fleet includes the full range of Hino trucks, ten Toyota Hilux bakkies and eight Toyota Avanza panel vans.

The company specialises in abnormal loads with a wide variety of trailers that can move loads of up to 100 t. Most of THT’s customers operate in mining and construction, but, over the years, the company has undertaken transport contracts for companies and organisations in most sectors of the economy.

“The relationship between Hino and Sampie Swanepoel (son of the founder and present CEO) is very special and includes ongoing, two-way feedback on the products he operates,” explains Ernie Trautmann.

“We take particular note of any criticism coming from THT and, if necessary, feed it all the way back to Hino Motors in Japan to ensure we have even better products in the future,” he concludes.