Jim Ambrose was at a Brooks & Dunn concert where he met his future wife.
She must have blown his mind (pun coming), because he quit 10 years of carting explosives and moved to her home town of Goondiwindi in Queensland.
It was 2008 and Jim had to find work so bought a grain truck. In typical country understatement he said, “And the rest is history.”
It was only under some probing that Jim revealed that since then the family has been through three droughts, has sold their fleet, rebuilt it, only to resell and rebuild again.
Today the company is the biggest it has been with 30 grain trucks and another two fuel tankers carting for IOR Petroleum.
That Jim loves his gear was shown by the invitation to present his latest acquisition at the Brisbane Truck Show – an imposing blacked-out Kenworth T909 named “Fast Hand”.
For more information Jim pointed me in the direction of the truck’s soon-to-be-driver, Shaun Harrison.
Shaun has been with Ambrose Haulage for four years and is itching to get behind the wheel of the T909.
While Shaun knew he’d been nominated as the driver, Brisbane was the first time he’d laid eyes on the truck.
Finished in the fleet colours of Embassy Grey, the 909 has been totally blacked out: wheels, tanks, steps, badging with not a whiff of chrome to be seen.
A light bar has been incorporated into the bottom of the grill and indicator repeaters have been placed on the side mirrors.
The only touch of colour is the red glow from the lights placed under the cab and the melon lights in it.
The number plate reads JINKS, a nod to Cody Jinks who is the artist for all the company’s trucks.
“I was hauling grain for a few years prior, and it was hard to change companies because you do get set in your ways,” Shaun said.
“But I’m glad I did because Jim is a great boss. And look what he’s giving me to drive!”
Shaun’s run usually takes him to the Port of Brisbane, a run of just under five hours.
Sometimes he gets back home, but if not he’s going to be more than comfortable in the 60-inch sleeper with his requested choice of an oversize bed.
The pistol incorporated onto the 18-speed is another point of difference for Shaun to enjoy as he ‘guns’ the truck down the road.
If Shaun feels lucky to be the anointed driver of the T909, then so does Jim.
“I’m putting Shaun behind the wheel because he thoroughly deserves it. He is a loyal member of our family.
“This is a ridiculously tough business, but I’m surrounded by a lot of good people.
“The credit goes to them and our team of drivers like Shaun who sacrifice time away from their families and buy into what we’re trying to build.
“They are what has put us where we are today, along with a lot of good relationships with our customers.”