Smedley's Engineers

Name: Smedley's Engineers
Address: 110 Highett Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3121, AU
Telephone: +61394216697

Home
Australia
Melbourne, VIC
Smedley's Engineers

Established in 1931
Specialising in Automotive, Infrastructure & Mechanical Engineering

We are an enthusiastic, passionate and experienced professional engineering company, we bring to every project the desire, knowledge and capability to ensure that effective solutions are achieved with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency. We pride ourselves on our work, and look forward to new challenges and producing excellent results. We understand the importance of developing and maintaining cus

tomer relationships, whilst achieving the objectives of the organisation we work for, and enjoy looking at new ways to approach problems and produce tangible results that were initially deemed impossible.

30/10/2025

That is why each Load Restraint Plan we design is specific to the freight being moved, the trailer configuration, and the operator’s requirements.

From concrete culverts to emergency container tie-downs, our engineers provide solutions that keep goods moving safely while maintaining compliance.

Each plan is designed for clarity, simplicity, and confidence on the road.

27/10/2025

Our work goes beyond delivering Load Restraint Plans - we also contribute to research and testing that strengthens safety across the industry.

In the forestry sector, our team helped characterise log stack behaviour under acceleration and measured tie-down performance in real-world conditions.

These findings directly informed the NHVR’s Load Restraint Guide for the Safe Transport of Logs, a resource we are proud to have supported.

You can access the guide here: www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201709-0589-load-restraint-guide-logs.pdf

By applying these insights, we ensure our clients’ fleets remain compliant and prepared for the evolving challenges of freight transport.

24/10/2025

Load restraint varies with every job. Freight can differ in shape, size, weight, and trailer configuration, which is why custom restraint strategies are essential.

Our engineers design plans that meet the National Load Restraint Guide while simplifying requirements for operators.

A well-designed plan prevents load shifts and accidents, reduces downtime in emergencies, and builds confidence with both clients and regulators.

20/10/2025

Performance Based Standards (PBS) is changing the way Australia thinks about heavy vehicles.

Instead of judging trucks by size or shape, PBS assesses how they actually perform on the road, opening the door for safer, more productive, and more innovative vehicle designs.

At Smedley’s Engineers, we’ve been part of the PBS scheme since its earliest days. Our team works with transport operators, manufacturers, and bodybuilders to design and certify PBS-approved vehicles that balance compliance with real-world operational needs.

🚛 More payload
🛣️ Better access
⚙️ Improved safety

Read more: https://smedleys.co/what-is-performance-based-standards-pbs/

17/10/2025

Unexpected issues can happen on any job, from equipment failures to missing components.

In one case, a client experienced a twist lock failure during container transport, placing the load and schedule at risk.

Our engineers responded the same day with an emergency load restraint plan that detailed alternate tie-down methods and ensured the freight could continue its journey safely.

By providing a compliant, practical solution at short notice, we helped avoid downtime, kept the delivery on track, and reduced the potential costs of delay.

14/10/2025

Civil Cast needed a pre-planned load restraint solution for transporting large concrete culverts.

Our team worked with them to design a tailored loading plan that reduced strapping requirements, met all compliance obligations, and gave operators a clear Safe Work Procedure.

The result was faster loading, safer transport, and a more efficient process for the business and its people.

11/10/2025

At Smedley’s Engineers, our Load Restraint Plans are designed to simplify compliance and give operators confidence on the road.

Each plan is tailored to the specifics of the freight, size, shape, weight, and trailer configuration, with clear guidance on tie-downs, loading configurations, and safe work procedures.

Whether it is a pre-planned strategy or an emergency solution, our approach keeps freight secure, compliant, and efficient.

10/10/2025

Smedley's Engineers MD Smedley will join a strong lineup of industry experts at the Road to Compliance Masterclass, hosted by ProDrive Compliance Group and Geotab.

The event brings together leaders in compliance, technology, and safety to share practical insights operators can use right away.

Rob will share an engineering perspective on safer, smarter heavy vehicle operations alongside experts including Jodie Broadbent from Department of Future, Jacinta Lane from Airtec, Meg Becker and Bruce Gunter from Prodrive Compliance Group, and Andrew H. from Geotab.

📅 Saturday, 8 November 2025
📍 West HQ, Rooty Hill, NSW

Get your ticket here: https://prodrivecompliance.com.au/etn/road-to-compliance/

We are looking forward to contributing to a constructive, practice focused conversation for the industry.

08/10/2025

New route assessment fees in Bundaberg are set to impact operators, with charges of $400 for applications, $250 for renewals and $900 for urgent assessments.

Smedley’s Engineers Managing Director Robert Smedley highlights that these additional costs will affect not only operators but also agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing and construction sectors that depend on reliable freight access.

He urges councils to take a collaborative approach and support PBS vehicles, which deliver clear safety, infrastructure and environmental benefits.

Read more via the : https://hvia.asn.au/council-route-assessment-fees-burden-industry/

07/10/2025

Why choose PBS?

PBS is the smarter way to move freight. 🚛

With the right design and approvals, PBS vehicles deliver:

✔ Higher payloads
✔ Safer handling
✔ Better road access
✔ Fewer permits

At Smedley’s Engineers, we’ve been supporting PBS from the start. Our team provides tailored engineering and end-to-end support to help fleets unlock productivity while staying safe and compliant.

Read more: https://smedleys.co/understanding-performance-based-standards-pbs-in-australia/

05/10/2025

Performance Based Standards (PBS) is changing the way Australia thinks about heavy vehicles.

Instead of judging trucks by size or shape, PBS assesses how they actually perform on the road, opening the door for safer, more productive, and more innovative vehicle designs.
At Smedley’s Engineers, we’ve been part of the PBS scheme since its earliest days. Our team works with transport operators, manufacturers, and bodybuilders to design and certify PBS-approved vehicles that balance compliance with real-world operational needs.

🚛 More payload
🛣️ Better access
⚙️ Improved safety

Read more: https://smedleys.co/what-is-performance-based-standards-pbs/

29/09/2025

Recently, our Managing Director Smedley joined the Transport Association’s Tech+People Group to share practical insights on the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme.

Rob covered:
✅ How to gain and maintain PBS approval
✅ Navigating permits and road access
✅ Avoiding common compliance pitfalls

It was a fantastic session with strong engagement and discussion at MIRRAT House in Port Melbourne.

At Smedley’s Engineers, we’ve been involved with PBS since its earliest days, helping operators, manufacturers, and bodybuilders design and certify safer, more productive vehicles.

Thanks to the VTA and everyone who joined us for contributing to such a valuable industry conversation. Together, we’re moving freight smarter, safer, and more efficiently.

Address

110 Highett Street
Melbourne, VIC
3121

Telephone

+61394216697

Website

http://www.smedleys.co/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Smedley's Engineers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Smedley's Engineers:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Equipment Service in Melbourne?