Doin' the Business

In Episode 5 of Doin’ the Business, Graham sits down with long-time friend and industry colleague Grant Turner, Managing Director of Protran Solutions.

With more than 30 years of experience in transport refrigeration, Grant has taken a leap of faith, leaving an established career to launch his own business and introduce Sunswap's innovative battery-electric refrigeration technology to Australia.

Graham and Grant discuss how Wickham Freight Lines became the first Australian transport operator to purchase a Sunswap unit, fitted to its brand-new FTE refrigerated trailer. They reflect on the extensive testing behind the technology, including a remarkable 1,671-kilometre trial that saw the unit operate for 38 hours with 67% battery remaining.

The conversation explores how solar power, battery technology and artificial intelligence are changing refrigerated transport. From reducing diesel consumption and maintenance costs to improving loading practices, Grant explains why he believes this technology represents a major step forward for the industry.

They also discuss the challenges of introducing new technology, accessing government funding and why smaller transport operators can often be quicker to embrace change.

Grant shares his experience starting Protran Solutions, the financial risks involved, the importance of building strong relationships and balancing business growth with family life.

Later, Graham asks Grant about his extraordinary career as a world champion water-ski racer, including racing at speeds exceeding 200 km/h and the serious accident in 2013 that changed his outlook on life.

They finish by reflecting on their years of friendship, the people who helped shape their careers and a memorable trip to a potato farm in Ireland.

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome and introducing Grant Turner

Graham introduces Grant, Managing Director of Protran Solutions, and reflects on their long-standing industry relationship.

01:15 – Bringing Sunswap to Australia

Grant explains how Sunswap was developed in the UK and how Wickham Freight Lines became its first Australian transport customer.

02:45 – A record-breaking refrigeration trial

A 1,671 km trial achieves 38 hours of battery-powered refrigeration with 67% battery remaining.

03:30 – Testing the technology in the UK

Grant shares what he learnt visiting Sunswap's factory and speaking with transport operators using the technology.

06:15 – Why Sunswap suits Australian conditions

They discuss Australia's solar potential and plans to operate Wickham's new trailer between Gympie and Brisbane.

09:00 – Proving the technology on Australian roads

From interstate freight to B-doubles and road trains, Grant explains how Wickhams helped validate the system.

12:00 – AI, telematics and smarter refrigeration

How sensors, real-time monitoring and AI help operators improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

15:15 – The cost of going electric

Graham and Grant discuss upfront investment, diesel savings, maintenance costs and long-term financial benefits.

18:00 – Battery life and reliability

Grant answers questions about battery lifespan, solar panel durability, warranties and maintenance.

21:00 – Sustainability and customer expectations

How retailers, consumers and transport operators are influencing the shift towards cleaner refrigeration.

23:15 – Refrigerating fresh produce and frozen freight

Grant explains how Sunswap handles different loads, including meat, frozen goods and fresh produce.

25:45 – Taking the leap into business ownership

Grant reflects on leaving an established career, backing new technology and launching Protran Solutions.

30:00 – What happens when the sun isn't shining?

Real-world testing demonstrates how the refrigeration system operates using battery power without direct sunlight.

34:30 – The challenges of running a business

Grant discusses managing staff, growing nationally and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

36:30 – Government funding and transport innovation

The challenges of accessing financial support and helping smaller operators adopt electric technology.

40:30 – Grant's world championship water-skiing career

From representing Australia to winning a world title in 2011 and racing at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

43:00 – A life-changing accident

Grant reflects on his serious 2013 racing accident, recovery and the mentors who helped shape his career.

46:15 – The Irish potato farm story

Graham and Grant reminisce about an unexpected visit to a family-run potato farm in Ireland.

49:00 – Friendship and looking to the future

Graham thanks Grant for joining the podcast and wishes him success with Protran Solutions and Sunswap.

In Episode 4 of Doin’ the Business, Graham sits down with his daughter, Thomasin Roberts, Head of People, Culture and Safety at Wickham Freight Lines.

Thomasin has been part of the business for the past 10 years, but her connection to Wickhams goes back much further. She grew up watching the business develop from something that simply felt like “work” into the national transport operation it is today.

Graham and Thomasin reflect on what it was like growing up in a family transport business, the enormous contribution of their family behind the scenes and the early jobs Thomasin and her siblings were given during school holidays.

They also discuss the importance of customers, curiosity and humility, and the challenge of maintaining a genuine family culture as Wickham Freight Lines continues to grow. Thomasin explains why the next phase of the business needs to be more strategic, while still protecting the driver experience, workplace culture and values that have helped shape Wickhams.

The conversation also turns to the wider transport industry, including the role truck drivers played during COVID and how fragile Australia’s supply chain can be. Graham and Thomasin reflect on the extraordinary effort drivers made during that period and why the industry deserves greater recognition.

Later in the episode, they have an open discussion about mental health within transport, the isolation drivers can experience and the difficulty many people face when trying to access support.

They finish by looking outside the business, discussing Graham’s passion for farming, cattle, soil, trees and creating environments where things can grow.

Chapter breakdown

00:00 – Welcome and introducing Thomasin
Graham introduces his daughter Thomasin Roberts and they discuss why she has been trying to convince him to start the podcast for the past five years.

01:30 – Why the transport industry matters
Graham and Thomasin discuss the scale of transport across Australia and how almost every community depends on trucks in some form.

03:00 – Truck drivers during COVID
They reflect on the enormous effort drivers made during the pandemic, including constant testing, border restrictions and extended periods away from home.

05:00 – Thomasin’s role at Wickham Freight Lines
Thomasin explains her role across people, culture, recruitment, payroll, compliance, training and HR, supporting a workforce of around 600 people.

07:00 – Growing up inside Wickhams
Thomasin remembers growing up with a truck-driver father and an accountant mother, and how the business simply felt like work rather than a large company.

10:00 – School holidays working in the business
From putting stickers on potato bags to working in the potato factory, Thomasin shares some of the jobs the Wickham children were expected to do growing up.

12:15 – The next generation of the family business
Graham and Thomasin discuss what her own children now see when they visit Wickhams and the lessons they are already learning about work, customers and responsibility.

14:15 – Why the customer comes first
Thomasin reflects on lessons from her early career, while Graham remembers what his own father taught him about looking after customers.

16:30 – Curiosity, humility and being one team
They discuss the importance of never assuming you know everything and why good businesses continually learn from the people around them.

18:45 – Growing without losing the family culture
Thomasin explains why future growth needs to be more strategic while still protecting Wickhams’ family values, driver experience and workplace culture.

21:00 – Learning the business from the ground up
Thomasin talks about joining Wickhams in recruitment, immersing herself in warehouse operations and learning why the best way to understand a problem is often to experience it firsthand.

24:00 – Thomasin’s career and education
From recruitment and digital roles to completing an MBA while raising two young children, Thomasin discusses the experiences that shaped her professionally.

26:15 – Mental health in the transport industry
The conversation turns to mental health, loneliness on the road, the pressures drivers experience and the challenges people face when trying to access professional support.

30:15 – Graham reflects on Thomasin and the next generation
Graham shares how proud he is of Thomasin and the next generation coming through the Wickham Freight Lines business.

31:15 – Life outside trucks
Thomasin asks Graham about his interests away from transport, including his farm, cattle, soil, trees, dams and creating habitats for wildlife.

35:15 – Watching people and businesses grow
Graham and Thomasin discuss their shared enjoyment of developing people, helping customers grow and thinking strategically about the future.

37:15 – What’s next for Doin’ the Business?
They wrap up Episode 4 with some father-daughter banter and a look ahead at future guests on the podcast.

Episode overview

In Episode 3 of Doin’ the Business, Graham Keogh sits down with longtime Wickham Freight Lines workshop specialist Chris Hall.

Chris shares how an apprenticeship at a local Ford dealership led to a mechanical career spanning approximately 45 years. He discusses his work across the Wickham Freight Lines workshop, from major engine conversions and accident repairs to restoring some of the company’s most historically significant trucks.

The main focus of the episode is the restoration of the Grey Ghost, a 1970 Seattle-built Kenworth originally made for Comet and used in Australia’s overnight express freight industry.

Graham and Chris explain the enormous amount of work involved in returning the truck to its original body-truck configuration. The restoration included extending the chassis, manufacturing unavailable parts, rebuilding the cab, restoring an original Lucar freight body and rebuilding its 8V71 Detroit engine.

They also reflect on the differences between old and modern trucks, the importance of apprenticeships and why preserving these vehicles matters for future generations.

Chapter breakdown

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
Graham introduces Chris Hall and discusses his role within the Wickham Freight Lines workshop.

01:15 – Chris’s mechanical beginnings
Chris explains how he entered the industry through an apprenticeship at a Ford dealership.

03:15 – Comparing old and modern trucks
Chris discusses the electronics, comfort and power of modern trucks while explaining how the basic mechanics remain similar.

04:45 – Major Wickham workshop projects
Graham and Chris remember replacing problematic EGR engines with Mack E5 engines and completing the wiring and conversions themselves.

07:00 – Developing a passion for restoration
Chris explains why restoring old trucks is some of the most rewarding work of his career.

08:20 – Finding the Grey Ghost
The story of locating and purchasing the 1970 Kenworth originally built for Comet.

09:50 – Restoring the original truck configuration
The team extends the chassis and returns the Grey Ghost from a prime mover to its original body-truck dimensions.

11:25 – Fabricating unavailable parts
Chris discusses manufacturing crossmembers, panels and other components that could no longer be sourced.

12:35 – Paintwork and the Casino Truck Show
The German Racing Silver paintwork and plans to unveil the restored truck at the Casino Truck Show.

13:50 – Unexpected cab damage
Rust, cracked flooring and the hidden problems discovered after dismantling the cab.

15:20 – Connections to the original drivers
Graham and Chris discover that the father of two current Wickham employees once drove the Grey Ghost.

16:50 – Restoring the Lucar freight body
How the team found an original body and rebuilt its floor, panels and door frame.

18:50 – Why the original bodies rarely survived
The lightweight construction of the freight bodies and why so few remain today.

19:45 – Driving old trucks versus modern trucks
Chris remembers learning in an R-series Mack and compares 285-horsepower trucks with today’s 600-horsepower vehicles.

21:25 – Future restoration projects
Potential future projects, including a Volvo F86 bubble cab and a Detroit-powered T650.

22:10 – Rebuilding the Detroit engine
Chris discusses working with Tim Wall to rebuild the Grey Ghost’s 8V71 Detroit engine.

Doing the Business with Graham | Special Guest: Nick Percat

In this episode of Doing the Business with Graham, Graham sits down with Supercars driver and JND Racing owner Nick Percat for a conversation about motorsport, business, pressure, resilience and building the right team culture.

Nick shares the story behind JND Racing, which started as a bit of fun between mates getting back into karting and has quickly grown into a full race team supporting young drivers from karting through to cars. With 25 drivers now coming through the program, Nick talks about what he looks for in young talent, why passion matters, and why the right family environment is just as important as raw ability.

Graham and Nick also dive into what it feels like to win Bathurst, the pressure that comes with elite motorsport, and the lessons Nick has learned from racing against some of the best drivers in the world.

They also talk about what happens behind the scenes on race weekends, the work people don’t see on TV, and how culture, preparation and mindset can make or break both a racing team and a business.

From the racetrack to the transport industry, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, resilience, respect, opportunity and what it really means to do the business.

In this episode:

Nick shares how JND Racing started and how it has grown into a professional racing pathway.

Graham talks about Wickham Freight Lines’ involvement in supporting the J&D team on the road.

Nick explains what he looks for in young drivers coming through karting.

The boys talk about Toyota 86 racing and just how competitive the category really is.

Nick reflects on winning Bathurst at 23 and how that moment changed his life.

Graham and Nick discuss pressure, preparation and performing when it counts.

Nick shares the toughest competitors he raced against, including names like Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander.

They discuss Nick stepping away from full-time racing to focus on J&D Racing and young driver development.

Nick talks about joining Triple Eight for Bathurst and learning from one of the best teams in the country.

Graham and Nick explore how culture, respect and positivity shape both motorsport and business.

Nick opens up about career setbacks, resilience and the tough realities of professional racing.

The episode finishes with Graham sharing advice for young drivers: take opportunities, be polite, say please and thank you, and treat people with respect.

Key Themes:

Motorsport and business culture
Pressure and performance
Young driver development
Respect and leadership
Resilience after setbacks
The importance of preparation
Taking opportunities when they come
Building a team people want to be part of

Featured Guest: Nick Percat
Host: Graham Keogh
Podcast: Doing the Business with Graham
Episode Length: 42 minutes

Welcome to the very first episode of Doin The Business with Graham Keogh.

Filmed inside Graham’s 1989 Kenworth T600, this episode kicks off the podcast with long-time Wickham Freight Lines team member Sean Haynes, now Head of Solutions.

Sean shares how he started at Wickham’s as a 16-year-old washing trucks, worked his way through local driving, interstate runs, yard operations, and eventually into a leadership role helping solve problems across the business.

This episode is full of classic trucking stories, old-school lessons, laughs, loyalty, hard work, and the culture that has helped shape Wickham Freight Lines over the years.

In this episode:

• Sean’s early days starting at Wickham Freight Lines
• Growing up around trucks as a third-generation truck driver
• Washing trucks, local runs, and learning the ropes
• The value of hard work, commitment, and turning up every day
• Graham and Sean reflect on funny moments, mistakes, and lessons learned
• Why transport creates real opportunities for young people
• The importance of culture, safety, and knowing your people
• Graham shares the drivers and mentors who shaped his career
• What “Head of Solutions” really means at Wickham’s

Key Takeaway

Success in transport doesn’t come from half-doing the job. It comes from commitment, resilience, problem-solving, and showing up every day ready to do the business.

Guest

Sean Haynes
Head of Solutions at Wickham Freight Lines

Host

Graham Keogh
Wickham Freight Lines

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Doin The Business
 00:40 Graham introduces the first episode
 01:20 Meet Sean Haynes
 02:00 Starting at Wickham’s at 16
 03:00 Growing up around trucks
 04:30 First job washing trucks
 05:40 Moving into local driving
 07:00 Learning the ropes in the yard
 08:20 Sean’s first trucks and early memories
 10:00 Getting sacked, leaving, and coming back
 11:30 Opportunities for young people in transport
 13:00 Running tug drivers and learning leadership
 14:40 Wickham’s culture and long-term staff
 16:00 Growth, challenges, and knowing your people
 17:10 Graham’s early trucking idols
 19:00 What Head of Solutions means
 20:00 The non-negotiable for success
 21:00 Final stories and wrap-up