Fenix-Newhaul is a partnership between bulk haulage and logistics specialist Newhaul and Mid West iron ore producer Fenix Resources.
Newhaul launched the Kickstart Driving Academy in Geraldton in January 2022 in response to a shortage of multi-combination truck drivers for operations in the region.
After a $250,000 Regional Economic Development Grant was secured from the Government of Western Australia to support the initiative, Fenix-Newhaul commissioned a state-of-the-art truck simulator at its base to improve road safety in the Mid West.
Purple supported government engagement around the simulator, and the Kickstart Academy more broadly, throughout its development. When the time came to mark its formal commissioning, we assisted with VIP invitations as well as event organisation and media management during the planning and on-site delivery of the event in the Mid West.
We secured the Hon. Kyle McGinn MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development to travel to Geraldton and officially mark the commissioning of the simulator on behalf of the Government of Western Australia.
Our other services included assisting with pre-event and media plans; drafting of collateral, including joint announcements; and on the ground media and VIP management, including interview and photography opportunities.
The long-term aim of the Academy is to provide a platform to establish logistics and transport sector training academies, ensuring jobs and opportunities for local communities.
The simulator is mounted on a full motion system to recreate driving inertia forces with the highest fidelity and realism, similar to a flight simulator. Learners will be training in a genuine dual seat truck cabin with all genuine fit-out and electronics.
Newhaul founder Craig Mitchell said the world-leading truck simulator would provide a more robust and safer training experience, complementing Kickstart Academy’s high-quality, innovative and holistic training syllabus.
The first-in-world truck simulator was built in Melbourne and utilises the cab of a Mack truck, donated by Mack Australia, ensuring the most realistic experience while embedding positive truck driver behaviours and safety-related attitudes.
The software powering the simulator recreates the routes Fenix-Newhaul trucks currently use, allowing learners to train in Multi Combination Road Trains around Geraldton and the Mid West region safely without leaving the depot until they achieve a high level of competency.
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