GROWING WITH THE REGION… Leocata’s Transport workshop manager, Steve Grinter servicing one of the prime movers at Leocata’s Transport’s dedicated on-site mechanic’s workshop. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

GROWING WITH THE REGION… Leocata’s Transport workshop manager, Steve Grinter servicing one of the prime movers at Leocata’s Transport’s dedicated on-site mechanic’s workshop. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

EXPERIENCING an increase in transporting of products across Australia by 29,000 tonnes over the past year is quite impressive, and the positive impact that kind of operation has on the Goulburn Valley transport industry’s economic output is quite substantial.

Beginning with just four staff and two small trucks 18 years ago, Leocata’s Transport has grown to 70 staff and 32 trucks which transport for three blue chip companies, with a total of 300 customers across the Goulburn Valley. But their expansion doesn’t stop there, in the last 12 months, a new awning that adds additional storage and an area for the cross docking and consolidating of loads for clients was installed at the business’ Tatura depot and their dedicated mechanic’s workshop has been developed to allow for on-site mechanical works.

The family run, thriving transport business also recently purchased Nagambie Wine Storage & Transport, which has given them access to controlled atmosphere warehouses in Nagambie.

Leocata’s Transport’s Melbourne depot was also recently relocated to Altona, to further build on the company’s efficiencies.

Owner, Joe Leocata, who has been in the industry for 30 years, works alongside his wife, Sharon and sons, Marcus and Adrian.

Joe said, “The Goulburn Valley is a fantastic place to do business. We are very much big supporters of the local community. We utilised the services of J&S Iaria Concrete Contractors to help construct the new awning and Entegra completed the structure itself.

“What is special about businesses like ours is that the transport industry grows as other companies across the Goulburn Valley grow.

“We plan on continuing to grow with the industry and we’re always looking at ways to improve our efficiencies and to be more environmentally friendly. We are currently looking into installing solar panels and have changed our tyres to a ‘re-tread’ using the service of Solar City Tyres, which allows us to re-use the tyre casings over and over again, which once again lessens the waste and our environmental impact.”