The Best of Refrigerated Trucks for Ashgrove Cheese

Through winding roads and tranquil hills, milk trucks travel across Tasmania in the early morning hours.

While the days of chilly glass milk bottles being delivered to doorsteps have passed, Ashgrove Cheese Pty Ltd upholds that tradition by delivering fresh, locally made dairy products to customers throughout the region.

Located in the rural farming area of Elizabeth Town, Ashgrove has been supplying Coles, Woolworths, IGAs, local restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops in Tasmania with nutritious dairy products and fresh milk for more than three decades.

The company, managed by the local Bennett families, also provides milk to local businesses, aged care facilities, community centres, health services, school canteens, and hospitals, including Launceston General, Mersey Community, North West Regional, and Royal Hobart.

Milk for Ashgrove’s products is sourced from the family farms, which raise a variety of breeds, including Holstein-Friesians, Brown Swiss, and Jersey cows.

The Bennetts believe this mix contributes to the rich flavour of their milk. With over 100 years of experience as dairy farmers in the region, they’re likely onto something.

Supporting Sustainability
“We are committed to a farm-to-table philosophy for our dairy products, ensuring exceptional quality for our customers,” says Anne Bennett, Ashgrove Cheese Marketing and Communications Manager.

“Ashgrove also actively participates in environmental sustainability in the region, reducing plastic waste with Ashgrove Milk in reusable kegs. We’ve developed an ecologically mindful, climate-friendly milk that maintains all the nutrients and flavour of full cream milk while prioritising environmental stewardship.”

Refrigerated Fleet on the Move
Ashgrove's refrigerated delivery truck fleet handles daily milk runs. The newest addition to their fleet is an Isuzu NQR 87-190 with a medium wheelbase and a two-pedal automated manual transmission (AMT).

Other trucks in their fleet include another NQR 87-190 AMT, an NMR 45-150, an NPR 45-155, an FRR 110-240 AMT, and a Ready-to-Work NPR 45-155 Tradepack used on the farm.

The NQR 87-190 AMT is powered by an ultra-efficient Isuzu 4HK1-TCC engine, offering plenty of pulling power with a GVM of 8,700 kg. This allows it to carry heavy milk crates with ease.

Ashgrove chose the medium wheelbase option for their new NQR, measuring 3.365 metres, which is the perfect length for the refrigerated body that keeps dairy products at the ideal temperature to maintain quality and customer satisfaction.

With a turning circle of 12.4 metres (kerb-to-kerb), the NQR’s compact design makes it easy to navigate Tasmania's narrow metro streets and laneways.

Truck Choice for Quality and Comfort
“There were several reasons we selected Isuzu Trucks as our transport partner,” says Corey Harris, Ashgrove Cheese’s Logistics Manager.

“We needed vehicles that were cost-effective, reliable, fuel-efficient, comfortable, and able to present our brand well on the road.”

With drivers frequently getting in and out of the cab, and deliveries taking place six days a week from as early as 3 a.m., driver comfort was a top priority for Ashgrove.

Isuzu’s in-cab features, such as the 10.1-inch touchscreen MyIsuzu Co-Pilot multimedia unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, are a favourite among Ashgrove’s drivers. The hands-free functions, including opening apps and maps, help reduce distractions while on the road.

The easy-to-use, 6-speed AMT transmission also promotes driver comfort by reducing fatigue.

“We’re transitioning the whole fleet to AMT from manual for driver comfort. That way, we avoid the hassle of gear changes in and around the CBD,” Corey explains. “The AMT transmission has been a great benefit for our drivers, and I’m really pleased with the feedback.”

Reliable Dealership Support
Refrigerated Truck Bodies (RTB) in New South Wales has fitted the trucks with refrigerated bodies, and Bevan Coleman, a Sales Professional at Webster Trucks, along with Sales Manager Cameron Smith, supported Corey through the design, purchase, and build process.

“Our relationship with Webster Trucks goes back decades. They’ve always been a reliable service provider,” Corey comments. “Their customer-focused service is better than competitors in the area.”

He adds, “Bevan has always been approachable, providing the right level of service. I wouldn’t go anywhere else after how they’ve looked after Ashgrove Cheese and our fleet.”

This strong working relationship extends to maintaining the fleet. Corey, who prioritises preventative maintenance to keep the fleet in top condition, appreciates Webster Trucks’ consistency and care.

“The last time we needed a part replacement, Webster organised everything within the quoted time frame. The job was completed, delivered, and returned on time and within budget.”

A Sustainable Future for Ashgrove
Just as Ashgrove’s dairy products embody environmentally conscious practices, Corey has a forward-thinking approach to fleet management, with total cost of ownership being a key metric.

A fleet standardisation plan is in place to gradually replace all non-Isuzu vehicles in the Ashgrove Cheese fleet during 2025 and 2026.

“We’re considering the residual value, commercial value, and future value of each truck as we work through the rotation of our aging fleet,” Corey explains.

“The reliability and consistency of Webster Trucks and Isuzu are essential to this plan and our long-term business goals. We know we can count on them now and in the future.”

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