Transport Services
TRANSPORT & FREIGHT
Whether it’s chilled groceries or frozen meat, after 75 years Watson’s still deliver.
Our safe, modern fleet travels around 26 million kilometres every year delivering essential goods across Australia.
Our highly valued customers trust us with their valuable freight, with many of the partnerships enduring through the decades.
Metropolitan, intrastate, or interstate, our extensive local knowledge sees us design and deliver the most efficient transport and freight solutions, backed by leading logistics technology.
Watsons continue to push the boundaries in environmentally efficient fleet investments and have a commitment to act sustainably.
Road freight
Don Watson Transport’s 150 strong fleet is one of the safest and most reliable on the road.
Our established and optimised delivery networks across Australia ensure our customers’ products are delivered safely and efficiently.
We design, select and source the best prime movers and trailers to transport a vast range of temperature-controlled goods.
Our customers’ needs are unique, and our large network of company fleet and transport partners are geared for this, particularly during periods of high demand.
We always make our fleet decisions in line with our commitment to lead in safety, compliance, and driver comfort, and to act sustainably.
Don Watson Transport’s leading-edge transport management system ensures road freight operations are efficient and safe. Our in-vehicle telematics ensure freight visibility, and customers can be assured of compliance with relevant local laws.
Road-train freight
Watson’s growing Road-train footprint offers strategic advantages over troublesome rail freight offerings.
This is particularly important as Australia’s variable climate is forecast to significantly challenge infrastructure in coming decades.
Don Watson Transport offers end-to-end road-train logistics through a growing portfolio of distribution depots.
These road-trains include high performance PBS equipment, delivering specialised transport solutions for all types of customer long haul movements.
Fleet and equipment
Known for our iconic blue and white Watson fleet, our team has kept Waston’s and its customers moving for decades. Efficient, safe and modern fleet and equipment are essential for reliable supply chains.
- We work closely with manufacturers and partners to procure, design and implement fit-for-purpose customer fleet solutions, prioritising driver amenity and customer specificity.
- The Don Watson Transport fleet is regularly renewed to take advantage of new technology, including advances in safety, efficiency and emissions.
- Don Watson Transport takes pride in the cleanliness of our vehicles. A State-of-the-art truck washes ensure Don Watson Transport and customer brands are always gleaming.
Don Watson Transport ’s technology-backed Service Centres in Melbourne and Brisbane ensure that safety and road compliance comes first. Don Watson Transport fleet maintenance is undertaken in line with our fleet maintenance policy that requires all Don Watson Transport equipment:
- Is maintained to manufacturer servicing requirements
- Meets all state and federal regulations for accreditation and compliance
- Is maintained according to its servicing schedule to ensure the safety of our people, the community and the efficient operation of our fleet
Australia wide coverage
Don Watson Transport operates across Australia, providing comprehensive supply chain solutions to multiple sectors.
Don Watson Transport is investing in the future to provide long distance logistics across an adaptable mix of Performance Based Standard heavy vehicles which can be used to supply the most effective mode of road transport available.
Our network boasts specialised facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and suitable road fleet to deliver point-to-point freight using multiple methods of road transport.
Cold chain
Every day Don Watson Transport delivers food, drinks and supplies across Australia.
We build industry leading cold chain partnerships to manage temperature-controlled distribution for small independent providers through to major grocery retailers.
Whether it’s meat, dairy, drinks, frozen food or hanging meat, cold chain compliance isn’t negotiable. Backed by live monitoring technology, Don Watson Transport‘s temperature-controlled distribution centre network, cross-dock facilities and a world-class fleet of trailers and vehicles give our customer confidence about product integrity throughout the supply chain.
Don Watson Transport’s integrated TruckMate TMS and Thomax .WMS freight technology solutions integrate with customer systems, tracking delivery routes and controlling the temperature of goods throughout their journey.
Major DC deliveries
Don Watson Transport ’s broad customer network offers convenience logistics consolidation for DC deliveries into Australia’s largest retailers.
Our company vehicles and partners deliver to all states and territories across Australia seven days a week.
Frozen, chilled, fresh and ambient groceries are delivered via Don Watson Transport ’s licensed, qualified and professional network. Customers in metropolitan, suburban, rural and remote areas can receive POD’s shortly after the day of delivery, with the Watson’s Customer Service team dedicated to resolving any issues immediately.
Bulk hanging meat haulage
Some of the largest meat processing companies across the region rely on Don Watson Transport to keep their carcass meat processing facilities supplied.
Our specialised bulk hanging meat trailers are fitted with both hooks and long rails. They include the latest safety features to ensure the customers high value load will arrive intact and on time.
Don Watson Transport offers premium transport solutions for high-value bulk commodities from regional and city abattoirs to processing facilities in city centres and regional hubs.
The systems, expertise and experience behind our people and fleet make Don Watson Transport one of the safest and most efficient bulk hanging meat haulage experts in the region.
Export freight logistics
Export freight logistics require controlled, reliable, and robust supply chains.
Don Watson Transport supports the everyday operation of export establishments, providing logistics services back by our own export accredited establishments, which we use as distribution hubs.
Don Watson Transport can consolidate and transport export and sensitive freight from multiple vendors to our customers’ export establishments.