From a Lake Macquarie backyard in Wangi Wangi, to Barnsley and then the world, this is a long-distance love story worth celebrating. Longranger specifically engineers easy-to-install fuel and water tanks for four-wheel-drives (4WDs) and designs them with maximum ground clearance.
Every time a driver starts and operates their vehicle, they are relying on their fuel tank. Longranger fuel and water tanks are a safe and simple way to increase a 4WD’s travelling range. As such, it is a worthy nomination for the Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) in two categories; the Rising Star Award, and Excellence in Product Design.
The Hunter Manufacturing Awards represents all businesses actively engaged in the manufacturing sector, including their allies, in the Upper Hunter, Lower Hunter, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, and Mid-North Coast regions. HMA has a loyal following thanks to its efforts of inspiring and encouraging vibrant and enduring manufacturing in these regions.
A mission to promote best practices in manufacturing motivates the HMA. In highlighting the achievements of the best, it encourages and sustains the aspirations of those who want to join them. Longranger is one such operation. They are big tanks for a big country. Additional fuel capacity is essential for any 4WD heading into remote areas.
In the late-1970s, Fred Black, owner of Out of Town 4WD, recognised a need for adventure travellers to have a greater fuel capacity for the vast distances encountered in Australia. Varying track conditions have a big impact on fuel consumption and the long distances between refuelling can catch some standard 4WDs short. Longranger’s grassroots are firmly embedded in the outback. Fred began tinkering in his Wangi Wangi backyard, and soon the business grew. Fred’s son Ric Black is now the owner of the business, and William Allen is the manufacturing manager.
“In 1976, the Newcastle Land Rover club embarked on a Simpson Desert crossing,” says Ric. “As a result of that trip, dad spent many late nights fashioning modifications that became after-market products. That trip enabled him to see all the problems that long-distance drivers face, particularly in remote locations. The Longranger came about from tinkering around in the backyard.”
In 1979, the business moved from that very backyard and set up at a service station in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Argenton. This provided much better access to the large customer base of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, especially given the ever-increasing popularity of 4WDs. In 1986, Out of Town 4WD purchased new premises in Barnsley, where it continues to be a major employer in the local community.
With a growing reputation for quality and reliability, Out of Town 4WD recognised in the early 1990s it required a national presence for sales, support, and after-sales service and formed a partnership with ARB Corporate. In the late ’90s, the business purchased two adjoining buildings and fitted out a dedicated manufacturing facility for Longranger. This specialty manufacturing site includes an overhead crane, modern MIG welding bays, a vehicle hoist for product development, a computerised profile cutting machine, a computerised press brake folding machine, and a modern paint and detailing area.
Longranger has updated the computer-controlled plasma cutter with a state-of-the art laser technology that works well with the 3D CAD software used to design the tanks. Longranger individually designs and tailors all fuel tanks and products to suit each vehicle and incorporates features such as internal baffling, anti-surge dam, in-built expansion chamber, and fully sealed brackets.
“All the latest technology blends well together,” says Ric. “We put a vehicle on the hoist and then digitise the chassis to work out where we can put more fuel safely under the vehicle. Our design then shapes the tank. Many of the designs are quite complex. They must sit around floor pans and floor ribs, over tail shafts, and differentials and allow for suspension movement and be compatible with other aftermarket products.”
Longranger ensures it builds strength into its products. Two-millimetre aluminised steel (14 gauge) is the material of choice, and it complies with all regulations. Each state and territory in Australia have different rules, as do the countries to which it exports. Longranger makes most of its products in-house, for example, carbon canisters, and twin fillers for its auxiliary tanks.
“They are complicated labour-intensive fabricated designs,” says Ric. “But rather than buy from overseas, we like to employ locals to build Australian products for export to the world.”
The Covid pandemic created a huge increase in the number of people embarking on the “Great Aussie Road Trip” and Longranger is once again expanding its manufacturing facility.
“We are really excited about the direction in which we are heading,” says William Allen. “With the new factory on the way, we are looking at expanding our capabilities and product range. We have also recently created TLR products, which is a new and exciting venture using our knowledge and history to develop new parts.”
HMA will host the gala awards evening at NEX in Newcastle on Friday 28 October. Expect the unexpected is the theme for the event as it recognises the way in which businesses have honed their survival instincts out of the extraordinary levels of uncertainty experienced in the past couple of years. In sharpening their skills, manufacturers have acquired greater resilience to sustain momentum and competitiveness.
Fourteen categories are available for application, including the re-introduction of the Apprentice of the Year – Manufacturing Award category. Helloworld Business Travel Newcastle will once again sponsor the Incentive Prize – a trip for two to a city of choice in Australia or New Zealand. HMA draws this prize randomly, giving all finalists the opportunity to win. The Manufacturer of the Year Award winners will receive a trip for one person from the company to attend an event, or other similar occasion, enabling them to expand their business contacts and opportunities.
The registration and nomination period closes on 19 August. Entry is free and you can find all the information you need at www.hma.org.au/faqs
For all other enquiries for the 2022 Awards, please email info@hma.org.au or phone 0438 242 899.
