EXODAS EXODAS TRANSPORT DRIVING GROWTH WITH PURPOSE: INSIDE THE SUCCESS STORY OF TYNAN TRANSPORT WWW.EXODAS.COM.AU
DRIVING GROWTH WITH PURPOSE: INSIDE THE SUCC OF EXODAS TRAN EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS) AT A GLANCE EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS) WHAT: L eading trucking and logistics company putting its valued clients first WHERE: Queensland, Australia WEBSITE: www.exodas.com.au 1 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
CESS STORY NSPORT In the dynamic world of Australian logistics, few companies have demonstrated the steady grit, adaptability, and heart that define Exodas Transport. What began in 2001 as a single truck operation driven by Managing Director Brett Tynan’s ambition has evolved into one of Queensland’s most respected refrigerated freight carriers—now operating a fleet of nearly 130 trucks and rigid vehicles, employing close to 300 people, and delivering vital goods to communities across the eastern seaboard. 2 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
From humble beginnings on the road to managing an integrated national operation, Exodas’s story is one of entrepreneurial spirit meeting strategic foresight. “I started as a truck driver,” Brett recalls. “Then I purchased one truck, then another, and it just grew from there.” That growth has been guided not only by opportunity, but by deliberate choices—acquisitions, technology upgrades, and infrastructure investments that have transformed the company from a regional hauler into a modern logistics powerhouse. A TURNING POINT IN 2017 One of the company’s defining milestones came in 2017, when Exodas Transport acquired a complementary freight business that brought new efficiencies to its existing routes. “The business we purchased was running one way full and coming back empty, while we were doing the opposite,” Brett explains.“When we combined the two operations, it created a great synergy. We were able to consolidate loads and make our revenue far more efficient.” The acquisition added roughly a third to the fleet overnight and set the stage for exponential growth in the years that followed.“We had about 40 trucks before that,” Brett says. “Now we’re close to 90. It really was the catalyst that allowed us to double in size.” REFRIGERATED FREIGHT AT THE CORE While the company provides a range of freight services, refrigerated transport—or cold freight—has emerged as the fastest-growing segment. Handling produce and food products for both large retail clients and independent suppliers, Exodas Transport has positioned itself as a trusted link in Australia’s food supply chain. “About 75% of what goes on our trucks is a food product,” Brett notes. “It’s an essential service. No matter what happens—weather events, floods, or market shifts—people still need food. The demand keeps growing.” This focus on reliability has been central to the company’s success. With routes stretching from Brisbane to North Queensland and beyond, maintaining consistent, safe delivery across thousands of kilometres of Australian highway is no small task. But for Exodas Transport, that consistency is a non-negotiable part of the brand. PEOPLE FIRST: BUILDING A FAMILY-ORIENTED CULTURE For Brett and his leadership team, including CEO 3 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS)
“That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident—it’s about making people feel part of something.” That family culture extends to how Exodas Transport approaches recruitment and development, particularly as the driver shortage continues to challenge the transport industry nationwide.To stay ahead, the company operates its own employment division dedicated to recruiting and training drivers. “We’re always recruiting,” says Cheryl. “We’re also Cheryl Connor, the company’s greatest strength has always been its people.“Brett started the business as a family operation, and even as it’s grown, he’s kept that family culture alive,” Cheryl says. It’s a point of pride that Exodas Transport has longterm staff who’ve been with the company for a decade or more—some surpassing 20 years of service. “We have about twelve employees with over 10 years here, and one who’s done more than 20,” Cheryl adds. 4 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
bringing in less experienced drivers and building them up through training. It’s about succession— helping people progress through licensing and roles so they can grow with the business.” INVESTING IN SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY As the fleet has expanded, so too has the company’s investment in technology and safety. Every Exodas vehicle is equipped with satellite tracking, fatigue alerts, and on-board cameras to support both driver safety and operational efficiency. “The technology in trucks now is incredible,” says Cheryl. “We use telematics, active cruise control, lane-departure warning—everything that helps our drivers stay safe and keeps the operation running smoothly.” At the workshop level, the team is also embracing diagnostic technology to better maintain its modern fleet. “Our technicians are doing manufacturer training and using plug-in systems to identify issues before they become problems,” Cheryl adds. “It’s another way we keep things running at peak performance.” This emphasis on proactive maintenance and data-driven logistics helps the company minimize downtime and improve reliability—critical factors in the refrigerated freight sector, where timing is everything. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Physical infrastructure has also been a key part of Exodas Transport’s growth. The company recently completed a purpose-built depot in Mareeba, designed from the ground up to support operational efficiency. “That depot became our flagship,” says Brett. “It showed us what we could improve on and what works best for our teams. Now, we’re applying those lessons to new sites.” Exodas Transport has acquired land in both Townsville and Mackay, with plans underway to construct new 5 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS)
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depots that will enhance regional logistics capability and streamline the company’s expanding network. These developments represent not just investment in the company, but in the future of Australian freight infrastructure itself. BIGGER, SMARTER, SAFER: THE PBS ADVANTAGE Another area where Exodas Transport is taking the lead is in the adoption of PBS (Performance-Based Standards) vehicles—a new generation of longer, higher-capacity transport combinations that can carry more freight per trip. “PBS vehicles are the future,” Brett explains. “They allow us to move more product with fewer prime movers, which helps offset driver shortages and improves fuel efficiency.” Most of Exodas’s vehicles now operate as B-doubles and road trains, carrying between 40 and 46 pallets—a significant jump from the industry’s traditional 34-pallet configurations. “It’s a big step forward for productivity,” says Brett.“But it’s also about safety— PBS combinations must have advanced telematics and weight gauges, which make them safer and more compliant on the road.” The move toward PBS reflects the company’s forwardthinking mindset, aligning operational growth with industry evolution and national safety standards. NAVIGATING A CHANGING INDUSTRY While the broader transport sector continues to face uncertainty, Exodas Transport is positioning itself for resilience. “During COVID, there was a boom—work everywhere,” Brett recalls. “But when it dropped off, some companies couldn’t sustain the fleets they’d built. We’ve stayed disciplined, focusing on our strengths and long-term planning.” That discipline extends to risk management. Weather events frequently disrupt major freight routes in Queensland and northern Australia, but Exodas Transport has systems in place to respond. The company continuously monitors conditions, 7 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS)
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communicates with drivers on the ground, and leverages information from industry associations and government bulletins to reroute deliveries safely and efficiently. As Cheryl notes, “The goal is always the same—get the freight there, but do it safely.” REGULATORY EVOLUTION AND A NATIONAL VISION Looking ahead, both Brett and Cheryl see significant potential in the continued rollout of a truly national regulatory framework for heavy vehicles. “The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is 9 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 EXODAS TRANSPORT (EXODAS)
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