The evolving landscape of Fleet and Field Equipment

By Shane Grimstone, Category Manager - Fleet and Field Equipment

2024 has been a fantastic year for our Fleet Categories. With several new and replacement Arrangements, we have a broad range of pre-qualified suppliers ready for our customers to utilise. The recent Local Buy Fleet Forum in Townsville was highly successful with 33 delegates from local government, state government and state departments across Queensland coming together for a day of learning and networking. 

Special thanks to the following pre-qualified suppliers who sponsored the event:

We launched a new Trucks, Specialised Trucks, Truck Bodies, Tankers and Trailers NPN 1.23 Arrangement in February 2024 with over 50 suppliers already appointed. This includes 19 OEM truck manufacturers from Europe, Japan, Korea, China and the USA. Queensland is home to several truck manufacturers and body suppliers who deserve our support. In November we went to market for additional suppliers, and will have additional truck manufacturers from Europe, China and Korea in the future. We expect new OEM truck manufacturers supplying ICE, BEV and FCEV trucks and light commercial vehicles to be appointed to our arrangements in 2024. 

Listed below are current suppliers of trucks:

Thirteen suppliers of Garbage Compactor and Street Sweeper manufacturers have also been appointed. There are several local suppliers of manufacturing equipment here in Queensland and Australia. This category, particularly sweeper manufacturers has had a solid uptake by councils and state government agencies in recent times. The range of equipment available under the arrangement includes Truck based Street Sweepers down to smaller mall or footpath and parking lot sweepers and walk behind sweepers. 

Listed below are the current suppliers of Trucks:

We are delighted that a range of new suppliers covering Truck and Service Bodies, Tankers, EWP's, Cranes and Trailers were successfully appointed to this arrangement. It should be noted that second hand trucks are now available through this arrangement. Recently, a council in the Northern Territory has made use of this category to purchase a truck for fleet use add a reduced cost to council. Buyers can utilise this through the vendor panel as per normal. 

Two additional arrangements for the supply of Tyres, Wheels and Associated Services LB317 and Spare Parts and Associated Services LB318 were launched in September. We now have 14 tyre suppliers and 14 spare parts suppliers on the arrangement. Local Buy will continue to go to market on a quarterly basis seeking new suppliers to service our local government needs.

With the local government requirements to reduce vehicle emissions, we have expanded the Motor Vehicle and e-Mobility Vehicle arrangement LB320 to include suppliers of electric vehicles and charging stations. Notably, one new supplier that has come on board, with the new right hand drive Ford F-150 lightning. These will be available direct from the manufacturer AUSEV/Bosscap based in Brisbane. With the growth of hybrid commercial vehicles, the new BYD Shark 6 is now available through Eagers Automotive or BYD Fleet/ EVFlex. In the coming 12 months Ford Australia is expecting to release a hybrid version of the Ford Ranger. Other manufacturers my follow suit in the new year. We currently have 50 dealerships and suppliers on the motor vehicle contract across QLD and Northern Territory. We have one of Australia’s foremost suppliers of EV charging stations and equipment on this motor vehicle arrangement. EVSE Australia is by locally owned and operated in Australia. They have arrangements with OEM manufacturers put the roll out of AC and DC charging equipment. This can help council needs of their growing electrified fleet.

2025 will bring us a new set of challenges, with a change in state government in QLD there may be changes in emission rules and the roll out of Zero or low emission vehicles. Local Buy will keep you informed of any changes that may impact council fleet management plans. 

Our biggest project for 2025 will be the replacement of the Heavy Plant Machinery Equipment NPN 2.15-2 arrangement and the Tractors, Mowers and General Powered Equipment LB282arrangement. Over the coming months we will reach out to our customers to discuss your needs and how that they are best met. 

2025 is a big year for fleet conferences. The IPWEA Fleet conference is in March. followed by the AfMA conference in Sydney and the biennial Brisbane Truck Show in May 2025. Local Buy will be hosting a Fleet Forum in southern QLD (venue to be determined) in August 2025. We will be seeking sponsors and exhibitors along with local government and state government attendees.

If you have any questions concerns or special requirements relating to Fleet and Field Equipment, contact me Shane Grimstone on email sgrimstone@localbuy.net.au or mobile 0429 479 423