BAYSWATER, VICTORIA – Industry legend Peter Wickham was handed the keys of the 60,000th Australian built and designed Kenworth in a ceremony in Bayswater, Melbourne, today.

ATA CEO Ben Maguire joined the Managing Director of PACCAR Australia, Andrew Hadjikakou, Peter Wickham and other guests at the Kenworth plant for the ceremony.

Mr Maguire congratulated PACCAR Australia, the company behind Kenworth trucks, on its achievement.

“Kenworth started designing and manufacturing uniquely Australian trucks in 1971. Kenworth trucks are the mainstay of many transport businesses. Some drivers won’t climb into anything else,” Mr Maguire said.

“Kenworth employs more than a thousand staff in Melbourne. The company supports a host of Australian suppliers who provide most of the parts and materials that go into the trucks.

“Many Australians think we no longer make things in this country, but Kenworths continue to roll off the line at the world class Bayswater facility, as they have for almost 47 years.”

Mr Maguire said it was particularly appropriate that the milestone truck was built for Wickham Freight Lines.

“Peter and Angus Wickham got their start in 1978 when they bought a single Kenworth to transport potatoes from their Killarney property in Queensland.

“Their business now has about 160 late model Kenworth prime movers, refrigerated pantechs, dry vans and tautliners. They are accredited under the industry’s own safety management system, TruckSafe, which puts them amongst the best and safest companies in the industry.

“Peter Wickham featured at Trucking Australia 2016 as one of our Kenworth legends, when our delegates heard his inspiring story.

“Today is a great day for PACCAR Australia, Wickham Freight Lines and the Australian trucking industry,” Mr Maguire said.