In 1975, Gary Byford officially started Byford Equipment with a goal to find smarter ways to transport milk and develop new products. “I have been able to understand the right fit of truck and freight task, and work on efficiencies, longevity and ongoing ease of use for the operators and drivers,” he says.

Gary says the biggest change to the transport industry in his half-century career has undoubtedly been the introduction of the Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme. “Now with PBS gaining acceptance, it adds a new dimension of excitement to the industry where manufacturers can strive to gain the best efficiencies through new innovations,” he says. “It has taken drive, determination and patience to reach this point of acceptance and understanding in the industry which is being reflected in the productivity benefits.”

Passionate about developing new products to suit his customers’ needs, Gary points to the Byford PBS-approved 26m tanker design as a career highlight. “Our current 26m tanker design has by far been the most productive and exciting product we have ever produced,” Gary says. “By re-arranging the axles into tandem groups, has allowed the increase of weight per axle group. The design uses the same number of axles as a 25m B-double, but they are spread differently, which gives a six tonne productivity gain overall.