Rokbak – the rebranded articulated hauler – has been launched at its historic manufacturing base in Motherwell, Scotland, amid much Scottish pomp and ceremony – and broadcast to a virtual global audience.
Rokbak is being produced by the former Terex Trucks division of Volvo Construction Equipment. Since the Volvo CE acquisition in 2014, the articulated haulers have continued to be produced out of the old Terex Trucks company’s manufacturing facilities in Motherwell, Scotland.
The Motherwell factory has been operating since 1950, first under the auspices of Euclid Great Britain, then as Terex from 1968. In 1982, engineers at the Motherwell factory designed Terex’s first articulated dump truck – the 3204. The TA articulated truck range, also manufactured in Motherwell, has been in circulation since 1998 and there have been a dozen generations of the TA trucks, fitted with Scania engines, sold across the world in the past two decades.
“Our company has an incredible history and a proud heritage,” Rokbak’s managing director Paul Douglas said.
“Seven years ago, we became a member of the Volvo Group, which allowed us to make major improvements in every part of our business. Millions of pounds have been invested in improving our products, modernising our facilities, expanding our network, and developing our people. It has been a process of continual evolution.
“That’s why we feel it’s right to recognise this evolution with a new brand name to launch an exciting new chapter in our history. And we’ll keep investing to further improve our machines for our customers.”
In line with the new branding, the 28-tonne payload TA300 and 38-tonne payload TA400 articulated haulers have now been recast as the RA30 and the RA40 respectively. In addition to the Rokbak colours and livery – which are a sand colour, compared to the white of the old TA trucks – the new articulated haulers feature new transmissions, a move to environmentally friendlier, lower emission Stage V (European standards) engines and the introduction of Haul Tracks telematics.
The new transmissions and engines are expected to make this latest generation of trucks seven per cent more fuel-efficient. Douglas said the Rokbak trucks will have an important part in the Volvo Group of Companies’ overall ambition to reduce the total emissions of Volvo products by 35 to 45 per cent by 2030 and achieve zero emissions by 2040.
Further, Rokbak’s Motherwell factory now gets all its electricity from 100% renewable energy sources and is following a science-based path to further reduce carbon emissions in its manufacturing processes.
Introduction to the Australian market
The first generation Rokbaks introduced to Australia will feature Tier 2 engines as standard, in compliance with Australian diesel fuel regulations for non-road vehicles. However, customers also have a choice of US EPA Tier 4F or EU Stage V engines, should they so wish. Initial estimates suggest the first Rokbaks in Australia could arrive towards the end of October. Deliveries into New Zealand and the rest of Asia are also anticipated within a similar timeframe.
Porter Group CE has been the Australian and New Zealand distributor of Terex Trucks since 2017, and will continue to be the distributor for the new Rokbak brand. As part of the virtual launch program, Porter Equipment Australia’s national sales manager Michael Carter said in a message to Rokbak’s customers, dealers and personnel that Porter had enjoyed growth with the old Terex Trucks brand and was looking forward to building on that experience with Rokbak.
“Since our appointment, we’ve introduced a lot of our customers to the product,” Carter said. “We’ve sold machines throughout Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, into a range of segments, including quarrying and mining, as well as recycling. Our general feedback on the trucks is that they are a very well built, reliable product, with tonnes of power.
“Porter Group has invested significant amounts of money and time in training of our staff, including sales, service and parts departments. We’ve also put a lot of parts on our shelves to keep our trucks going for our customers. The result to this is improved sales and in fact year on year our market share has doubled. At present, we have trades from many of our competitors including Komatsu, Volvo, Bell and Moxy, as well as Terex. This shows that we are making significant inroads.
“The Porter Group has also invested in the product through its hire department,” Carter continued. “Between Australia and New Zealand there are over 50 trucks being hired at the moment and they comprise both TA300s and TA400s.
“The Terex brand has had a reasonably chequered history in Australia prior to our appointment and because of that we are excited for the change of brand and we are looking forward to the future with Rokbak,” Carter concluded.
The launch of the rebranded truck was unique for its Scottish character and humour. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, armed with bagpipes and guitars, had the factory staff rocking in celebration of the rebranding.
For more on the new Rokbak brand, visit the Rokbak website.
To view the launch video, visit the Rokbak YouTube channel.