We chatted with Melinda Uhlmann, Asset Manager at CNW, to find out how the business is leading the charge in the Electrical Wholesale business and how Hino is helping to flick the switch with the Hybrid Electric.
From corner store to every corner of the country
Since it began as a family-owned store in East Brisbane in 1952, CNW has evolved to become one of Australia’s most trusted electrical wholesale businesses, now operating over 60 outlets nationwide.
For a business to be going strong for that long, you must be doing something right. Melinda puts it down to one key thing. “It’s our service. We’re always focused on keeping the customer happy. Service is at the forefront of what we do, and it’s seen us through decades in the business, even the tough times of COVID.”
At the heart of this service lies CNW's longstanding collaboration with the Sci-Fleet Hino Group in Brisbane, a key player in their 200-strong vehicle lineup. It’s the Hino 300 Series that does the heavy lifting for CNW, with 68 in the fleet helping to supply all manner of electrical goods across the country.
“With our growing business, we needed a truck that’s reliable and long lasting, a truck you can rely on for efficient and timely delivery,” Melinda tells us. “That means delivering on site and on time to projects that range from the day-to-day mum and dad residential jobs to the larger commercial projects like mining sites, which we’re heavily involved in."
Hino, equipped to deliver every time
Whether it’s the long drives out to the mining operations in Emerald QLD and Port Hedland WA, or the quicker deliveries around the suburbs of Sydney or Brisbane, the Hino 300 Series pulls its weight and then some for CNW.
“With jobs like renovations in the suburbs or new estates being built, the streets are tight, so maneuverability and a tight turning circle are important. The roads can also be flat one day and hilly the next. The Hino has the performance we need when we need it. We want our drivers to be comfortable in all those situations, so the Hino works well for us.”
With deliveries to the bigger construction and mining sites, safety is always top of mind for CNW. Along with cabin comfort, the Hino SmartSafe package gives the drivers confidence in all conditions. “Things like the lane assist, reverse cameras and pre-collision sensors all help keep our drivers safe in locations that aren’t always the easiest.”
When asked about the driver feedback, Melinda laughs, “I never, ever get any complaints, that’s got to be a good thing, and it’s what I love.”
Made for the job
For jobs big or small, the Hino 300 Series answers the call. CNW have designed a templated fit-out that equips them for both.
Melinda explains, “A 4.5m set-up allows us to carry the 4m conduit and we’ve also put in ladder racks. We have compartments with a divider in the middle that lets us cater for the bigger items at the back end and the smaller things for the mum and dad jobs up the front.”
Flicking the switch to Hybrid Electric
CNW recently took delivery of three brand new Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric trucks. It’s part of a bigger plan to eventually replace their entire fleet of Hino light duty trucks with the Hybrid Electric.
When asked about the reasoning behind this shift, Melinda explained, “We have such a strong relationship with Sci-Fleet Hino up here in Brisbane. Our rep Nick O’Brien came to us and told us about the new Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric. He presented a case study on another company using the Hybrid Electric and it was going well. So, when Nick gave us the fuel savings calculator and the cost of the Hybrid Electric, I ran the figures against our Hino Diesel equivalent. I realised it wasn’t going to cost us anymore, and there were the fuel and environmental savings.”
Melinda put the case to CNW management and, with their sustainability principles front and centre, the decision was made to go forward, replacing their fleet of Diesels as they retire each one over the coming years.
Encouraging other businesses to consider Hybrid Electric, Melinda added, “Give it a go. If you’re thinking about it, even if it’s just one truck, try it for a year and see how it performs and how your staff enjoy driving it.”
From sale to service, Hino goes the extra mile
The relationship with Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane and CNW has been going for quite some time.
Over the years, CNW has experienced seamless transitions between representatives, ensuring uninterrupted support for their business needs.
From initial consultations to nationwide servicing, Hino has consistently gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional support, ensuring CNW's operations run smoothly across the country.
Melinda adds, “We’ve got the relationship with Sci-Fleet Hino and the dealerships here. They know our specs when we need to source a new truck, which makes things easy. All our servicing needs are looked after too, right across the country. Wherever our CNW stores are, the local Hino dealership does the servicing of our Hino trucks.”
Now a new chapter in the relationship with Hino and CNW begins. With an entire fleet of Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric trucks on the horizon, CNW demonstrates their commitment to both their business success and the positive impact they will have on our environment. For any businesses considering a similar shift to Hybrid Electric vehicles, CNW encourages exploration, echoing their own positive experiences.
To discover more about CNW and their range of services, visit their website at https://shop.cnw.com.au/