'Not just another transport company...'

Dynes Transport celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, a proud family company that powers onwards as an industry leader, being much more than a standard logistics company.

Founded in the small town of Tapanui in West Otago in the South Island (New Zealand) but now based in Dunedin, Dynes became a 50/50 joint partner with the HV Richardson Group in 2016. 

While HWR is New Zealand's largest privately owned transport business with around 1300 trucks, Dynes itself operates a large fleet, with the Paccar brands - Kenworth and DAF - dominating.

Dyne's core haulage activities include dairy products, bulk woodchips, logging, bulk wine and grapes, and an array of other bulk products related to New Zealand's primary sectors.

The history of Dynes Transport is worth sharing because it features two men - both named Jim - who went to become iconic figures in the trucking industry.

The first steps

In 1969, aged just 20, twin brothers Jim and John Dynes took their first major step into the business world when they bought Cooper Transport, owned by Jim Cooper, in Tapanui.

The Dynes boys were too young to qualify for a bank loan, however Cooper offered to sell them his business while guaranteeing their loan until they turned 21.

Jim Cooper moved to Darwin in Australia to eventually become the country's largest roadtrain operator with his Gulf Transport, Bulkhaul, Roadtrains of Australia and Powertrans businesses. 

Both Dynes and Cooper forged formidable reputations in the industry, leaving wonderful legacies of innovation, great business accomplishments and invaluable industry advocacies. 

Peter Dynes - Jim's son - owns the business today (in partnership with HWR), with Matt Horan as the CEO and the first person outside the Dynes family to hold the operational reins. 

Prior to joining Dynes seven years ago, Horan was general manager of New Zealand's Pacific Fuel Haul, a member of the TIL Group. 

'Solution architects'

The values espoused by Dynes reflect the straight-talking approach of the company.

"Our value statement is not what we want to be but what we actually are," says Matt Horan. "We want our people to think for themselves, make decisions, and we provide the environment for them to do that."

The company talks about having "solution architects", people who act like entrepreneurs and think outside the square because "we're not just another transport company".

Another value is being "nimble", not over-complicating the business as we "understand the value of agility". The importance of its people, who must be accountable, is also emphasized: "We look after our people and their families, and our people look after our company."

"We focus on logistics environments that are challenging," states Horan with emphasis. "We go after the tough stuff... it's about being productive and utilizing our logistics expertise to provide custom packages that deliver high value for our customers.

"The reliability and performance of the gear we have at our fingertips means we can scale and do things others can't, that's why we've been able to grow our business and that's why customers rely on us. It's a combination of our people and our gear."

Long-standing partnership

The start of Dyne's partnership with Kenworth and Cummins dates back to the mid-70s when a W924 Kenworth powered by a small cam Cummins NTC350 was put into service. 

"The Kenworth brand is important to us because of what it offers in terms of total life costs. The back half of an asset's life matters most and that's where Kenworth is strongest," Horan states. 

"The brand also plays a big part in attracting quality drivers, drivers who are looking for a premium product to drive because it's their workplace.

"Our long-standing partnership with Kenworth and Cummins is a package deal that gives our drivers confidence. I've talked to numerous drivers who say they are at Dynes because we have the best of the best gear here and we don't compromise it."

Horan hastens to add: "DAF is a very useful platform in certain parts of our business that need good visibility, and it also caters for our older drivers with its European comfort."

Trust is everything

"The mantra at Dynes is that if our partners go the extra mile for us we go the extra mile for them. Loyalty to our partners is important especially when the going gets tough," declares Horan.

"Kenworth and Cummins have guided us through 50 years of business, through all the recessions and helped grow our business."

"Trust in partnership is everything, and we've got an awesome partnership with Jade Whiteman and the Cummins team in New Zealand."

He points out that Dynes' focus is on maximizing its assets, so the fleet has to be diversified because New Zealand is limited in scale.

"Most of our trucks are useful in more than one sector. The twist lock design we have developed enables our trucks to switch between milk tanker, log and curtainside haulage so we're keeping our assets as busy as possible."

The company also has a keen eye on utilizing hydrogen to power some of its fleet. In conjunction with HW Richardson Group, a DAF has been fitted with a dual fuel diesel-hydrogen system which, says Horan, is performing well. 

Cutting carbon

"Decarbonization is becoming a reality for success in the long term," says Horan.

"It is very important to us because a lot of our clients are in the dairy industry, selling product to the world, which becomes more challenging without a zero carbon stamp."

HWR is planning to install two electrolyzers so that hydrogen can be accessed locally.

"The great news is that Cummins is well advanced with development of a hydrogen internal combustion version of the X15," says Horan. We need to stay ahead of the curve and the fact Cummins is innovating in this area gives us confidence that this is the right technology to pursue."

Meanwhile, low-emission Euro 6 DAFs are running in the Dynes fleet and the first Kenworths with Euro 6 X15 engines are entering service. 

Academy success

With a serious shortage of truck drivers in New Zealand, the Dynes Academy is aiming to overcome the problem by providing industry-based learning to young people.

"We're tackling the fact we're losing drivers to retirement and we need to replace them," says Horan. "The academy is about developing and bringing new talent through our system, young guys and girls who are practically minded and want a hands-on role.

"It's teaching young people as much about life skills as it is about getting in a truck. It's about getting the basics right and setting up for success.

"The recruits are exposed to different jobs where they have to make decisions, and they get experiences in class 2 trucks doing various local deliveries including picking up waste tires. 

We have a waiting list there's that much interest in the academy."