For Gold Coast-based Base Air, snaring the prestigious Safety Innovation Award in the 2023 HVIA National Awards provided invaluable independent “validation” of its highly innovative air pressure control system that it has been able to leverage with potential customers and other stakeholders.
The brainchild of founder Matthew Vaughan, Base Air is an innovative air pressure control system designed to improve efficiency and safety through the typical air suspension on a prime mover or a semi-trailer. The product is now used by multiple trailer OEMs and major fleets and distributed through major key partners including PACCAR Parts.
“The Australian trucking landscape is ruthless – and with good reason. We have a small population spread out over a vast area, and to have this validation that our product provides the most innovative increase in safety for heavy vehicles over the past year meant that we have been able to take present this to multiple stakeholders with relative ease,” says Base Air’s Head of Brand and Creative Luke Martin.
“It’s a validation – an independent validation – that says ‘you know that product Base Air that some in the industry originally said is a bit out there? Well, it was just determined to be the most innovative safety product for 2023 in the nation’.
“In addition to national fleets, HVIA has recognition with Australian regulatory bodies, as well as new international markets. We proudly wear this win wherever we go.”
Base Air Managing Director Mark Thiele accepting the 2023 Safety Innovation Award
Generating increased exposure for the product was a key driver of the company’s decision to nominate for the awards, Martin adds.
“We knew the HVIA Awards had only been around for only a few years, however, we understood the advocacy group to be as independent as they come.
“We know HVIA genuinely wants to promote safety for drivers and workshop staff and deliver efficiency for the industry. We thought our product was a fit for both – what did we have to lose?” he says.
Additionally, Martin notes the nomination process itself was beneficial in helping the company refine its wider marketing and communications.
“It directly led us to tallying ‘runs on the board’ so to speak – and it forced this to be done efficiently,” he says.
Related story: Member Spotlight – Base Air’s Mark Thiele
“It also provided us with ready-made answers for future aspects of our business – both with new customers and new markets. These applications produced concise reasons as to why road users should adopt Base Air.”
While the nomination took time and effort, Martin says it was well worth it – and highly recommends other members take advantage of the opportunity.
“We entered two out of four available awards, being Safety Innovation and Product Innovation. The criteria for both of these awards ensured we had to know back to front why our product delivered for the industry, and not just our business,” he explains.
“We pulled together testimony from six separate fleet customers, and double checked our own product development timeline to ensure that it was ready made for Australian recognition.
“There’s no getting round the fact that if you want a thorough application every department in your business has to be involved at some stage, providing input to the person responsible for the nomination.”
Mark Thiele with the Base Air team at the 2023 HVIA National Awards
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.
The 2025 HVIA National Awards will be held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 5
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.
Related story: Award Delivers Long-Term Benefits For The Drake Group
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