Award Delivers Long-Term Benefits For The Drake Group

Winning the Product Innovation Award at the 2023 Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) National Awards has delivered significant long-term benefits for The Drake Group, particularly in terms of increased awareness and interest in its world-first ‘The London’ trailer.

The culmination of a four-year project between Qube Logistics and O’Phee Trailers, a part of The Drake Group, the amazing Australian invention measures an eye-popping 47 metres long by seven-metres high and is capable of double stacking empty containers just like a freight train – but hooked up to a prime mover.

‘The London’ can be configured in single, double and triple configurations, transporting up to 12 20-foot containers or six 40-foot containers at a time – a 100 per cent increase on what has been possible up until now.

The Drake Group’s Marketing and Events Manager Peta Albion says the win led to feature stories in several prominent magazines both in Australia and internationally (including HVIA’s ROADBOSS Magazine) as well as numerous online articles.

This recognition also sparked a huge buzz on social media, with the public showing great interest and asking many questions about how the trailer works, she says.

“Additionally, we’ve received inquiries from ports around Australia and the world, further highlighting the global impact and potential of our innovation. The award has truly elevated our profile and opened up new opportunities for The Drake Group,” Albion adds.

Nominating ‘The London’ for the awards was a deliberate decision, she notes, inspired by the group’s strong belief in the value and transformative impact of the innovation on the transport industry.

“Our team has dedicated years to developing a ground-breaking, world-first product that promises to revolutionise transport logistics,” says Albion.

“Firstly, we wanted to bring attention to the unique contributions our product makes specifically in terms of cost effectiveness, greater efficiency, safety and sustainability.

The Drake Group’s John Drake and Mick O’Phee during testing at the Port of Brisbane last year

“Secondly, we have received incredible feedback from our customers, who have shared how our product has positively impacted their businesses.

“This encouraged us to seek broader recognition, not just for ourselves, but to demonstrate to potential customers and partners the trust and satisfaction our existing users have in our product.

“Lastly, we see this award as an opportunity to motivate and validate the hard work of our entire team. Recognising their dedication and the innovative spirit they bring to our company was an important factor in our decision to nominate ourselves.

“Ultimately, our goal was to share our story and inspire others in our field. We are truly honoured to have received this award and are excited about the future possibilities it opens up for us.”

And while The Drake Group was confident it had developed a highly-innovative, world-first product that would be hard to beat, winning the award was an “overwhelming and joyous moment for us”, she concedes.

“We felt incredibly honoured to be recognised among such strong competitors and celebrated in a room filled with industry leaders, key decision-makers and important government representatives,” says Albion.

“The acknowledgment of our hard work and innovation by such a distinguished audience made the evening truly unforgettable for The Drake Group.”

Despite the complexity of the product, Albion says the nomination process was relatively straightforward, “as it was built on a strong foundation of four years of diligent work from concept to completion”.

The Drake Group’s Mick O’Phee accepting the Product Innovation Award at the 2023 HVIA National Awards

“Our ground-breaking idea emerged from collaborative discussions with our customers, focusing on enhancing the productivity and efficiency of transporting large numbers of containers. This initial concept led us to engage deeply with the industry, including working closely with government entities such as the NHVR and the Port of Brisbane,” she explains.

“Throughout the development process, our vehicle underwent rigorous regulatory and independent safety and operational assessments. These ongoing evaluations ensured that we met the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

“As we meticulously documented every stage of construction, testing and completion, compiling the information for the nomination became an organised and efficient task. Our thorough preparation and continuous documentation made the submission process seamless, reflecting the extensive effort and commitment we had invested over the years.”

Would she encourage other HVIA members to nominate for the 2024 awards?

“Absolutely, I would highly encourage other HVIA members to nominate for the awards. The process of preparing and submitting our nomination was a valuable experience that allowed us to reflect on and showcase our hard work and innovation,” she says.

“Winning the award has provided significant benefits, including increased visibility, recognition in the industry and a surge in interest from both domestic and international audiences.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight your achievements, gain credibility and connect with key industry figures. The sense of pride and motivation that comes with such recognition is truly rewarding.”

The 2023 HVIA National Awards gala dinner was a night of celebration for The Drake Group team

So, what are you waiting for? Nominations are now open for the 2024 HVIA National Awards.

This year’s awards comprise six categories, all of which include substantial prizes for the first time, in addition to the honour and prestigious trophies.

Three new awards – Apprentice Technician of the Year, Apprentice Trailer & Body Builder of the Year and Heavy Vehicle Apprentice of the Year – replace and expand on the historic National Apprentice of the Year award.

Each apprentice category award winner will receive a hosted VIP Supercars experience thanks to NTI and TruckAssist, HVIA’s Principal Partner and the HVIA National Awards Major Sponsor.

What’s more, winners of the Product Innovation Award, sponsored by Wurth, and the Safety Innovation Award, sponsored by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, will each receive an advertising and editorial package valued at more than $7,000 in the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show Official Program.

HVIA will also present a cheque for $2,000 to the initiative that wins the Community Leadership Award, sponsored by Caltex.

Nominations close on Friday, August 2. For more information on each of the award categories – and to nominate – click here.

Winners will be announced at the prestigious 2024 Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia National Awards Gala Dinner to be held on Thursday, December 5 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.