New general manager for CRT Group

A new General Manager has been appointed to head CRT Group, the wholly-owned subsidiary of national transport and logistics company, QR Limited.

Richard Spall, who was appointed after an extensive search, brings to the position experience in senior operational and supply chain roles within QR Freight, BHP, Onesteel and Brambles.

Spall said he was positioning the company for growth in the year ahead.

“While 2009 was challenging for most transport and logistics operators, CRT Group implemented a number of strategic initiatives, including a significant investment in a new IT platform,” he said.

“As industry begins to recover from the effects of the global financial crisis, CRT Group is well positioned to assist our customers who are looking to inject value into their supply chain.

“Some years ago, CRT identified opportunities to diversify its business to ensure sustainable growth. We are pleased to say that in 2009 we achieved significant growth in some of our non-traditional market segments, such as our increased presence in the food sector.

“We announced our partnership with refined sugar products supplier Sugar Australia to provide bulk transport and logistics services throughout South Australia and Victoria from 1 June 2009, including the transport and distribution of over 5000 tonnes of sugar from its refinery and depots to customers in those states per week.

“We also recently partnered with our sister company, ARG in Western Australia, to expand our operations in the Kwinana region.”

CRT Group employs 300 staff throughout 13 sites nationally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of QR Limited, one of the largest national transport and logistics operators in Australia.

Spall said the Queensland Government’s public float of QR National by the end of 2010, including the freight operations of which CRT was a part, would create a significant Australian transport company.