Aratuna Freighter’s Update
Aratuna Freighters – they keep on trucking
Aratuna Feighters was started from humble beginnings by the Havill family in1985 with only one truck & trailer.
It has developed along some interesting paths and today runs a diverse mix of general and rural freight, fuel and Fastway Couriers. Today Monique and Andrew Havill manage this multi-million dollar, Greymouth-based business.
In 1989, the company received distribution rights for BP and a tanker truck and trailer unit was put on the road. Double shifting, the truck covered the work previously done by tankers out of Nelson. The petroleum distribution work has now grown to include three truck and trailers units and eight tanker drivers based in Greymouth. The fuel is marketed, delivered and sold by Aratuna Fuels.
In 1992, the Refrigeration side of the operation started with the acquisition of Polar Express (one truck and trailer) and Trans Alpine Refrigeration Ltd (one line haul unit). This side of the business was expanded further in 2001 with the purchase of Williams Transport.
Since July 2003, Aratuna Freighters has opened a second ‘rural’ yard based in Hokitika. Their team of skilled drivers run three stock units, six bulk units and a curtain side bulk truck. The Hokitika office is run by Rural Manager, Bill Millar, alongside rural assistant and sales rep, Ngawai Tahi.
Another major milestone in the growth of the company was the securing of the Mainfreight, Dailyfreight and Owens Franchise for the entire West Coast area. This service started with one truck and now has four units painted in Mainfreight colours, crossing the mountains every day to Christchurch and South Westland. Their yard manager, Jamie McGeady, runs the day-to-day logistics team.
