The Sydney based Eather Group trucking and construction company, has made a key sustainability step forward with a Mercedes-Benz Actros.
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The family-run business focuses on construction and major infrastructure projects, haulage, bulk material management and land rehabilitation and has recently rolled out the first stage of its Green Transport Plan.
The first step of this initiative was to purchase an efficient Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Actros 2658 to join conventional trucks in the fleet that don’t meet the same standards for emissions or fuel economy.
Eather Group marketing manager Divinia Eather says they are always looking at what to improve, especially from a sustainability standpoint.
“We are not ready for electric (trucks) yet, but Euro 6 is the basis for our next step and that is something we can do straight away, and it makes a big difference,” she says.
Eather Group has added a lot of third-party safety features for its trucks and trailers, but the Actros also comes with a full suite of “next level” integrated active safety features that are standard.
The 2658 uses a 16-litre six-cylinder engine teamed with a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).
Data shows the Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz is recording the best fuel economy in the Eather Group fleet, which is otherwise made up of conventional American-style trucks.
Rob Matuszewski is the driver of the new Mercedes-Benz and is more than happy to be driving the 2658.
“After a day in the Actros he said, ‘don’t put me back in the other truck, I’m staying in this one,’” Eather says.
“Rob said the work takes much less of a toll on him in the Actros than the other trucks.”
Eather Group was established in 2010 by Peter and Sally-ann Eather, with more than 40 employees and a fleet of more than 20 trucks, in addition to its earthmoving equipment.
The company continues to create opportunities for people who are underrepresented in the industry.
“Our team has always been diverse because we give people a go,” she says.
“The industry average is 13 per cent female, with just two per cent actually on the tools. Currently, in our business, 36 per cent including four female drivers and three female machine operators.”
Importantly, 28 per cent of employees at Eather Group are involved in on-job learning and upskilling.
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