Established in 1974 by Mick Vawdrey, Vawdrey began building truck bodies for smaller companies and owner-drivers.
In 1975, Russell Baker joined Mick and the two formed a strong partnership that lasted until Russell’s retirement in late 2006.
The 1980s saw Vawdrey grow from strength to strength, becoming a supplier to multinational companies. Vawdrey used the fallout of the 1990s ‘credit crunch’ as an opportunity to employ smart management techniques that would prove crucial to the company’s long term success. During that period, Mick’s son, Paul, was enlisted as the company’s Sales Manager and the company began to manufacture semi-trailers.
Vawdrey’s founding pillars were built on quality, innovation and dedication, qualities that continue to drive the company until today. “Australia challenges body builders like no other country on earth and if you take any short cuts in your building process, you’ll be found wanting,” says Paul Vawdrey. By 2001, Vawdrey moved into its current premises in Dandenong South, Victoria. The 6.5 hectare facility features a state-of-the-art manufacturing complex, spare parts, repairs, sales and administration areas.
Over the next decade, Vawdrey continued its expansion, strengthening its presence in heavy-duty refrigeration markets in northern Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. In 2006, Vawdrey would unveil the Iceliner refrigerated trailer. Today, the Vawdrey name is synonymous with high quality and durability. These principles form the foundation of every trailer the company builds using the most technology and equipment available.
The company’s manufacturing portfolio includes B-doubles, B-triples, buckleless curtainsiders, dog trailers, drop decks, dry freights, flat tops, mezzanine deck floors, refrigerated bodies, skels, tags, tri-axle trailers and swingliners.
While Vawdrey manufactures in Victoria, it has also branched out its services to accommodate a range of transport industries interstate, with to the establishment of service facilities in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
As Australia’s largest independent trailer builder, Vawdrey aims to consistently improve the standard of design and quality within the country’s trailer building industry.