Old School Trucks: Allied Concrete—Part 1

By: Dean Middleton, Photography by: Dean Middleton

Farrier Waimak Limited in Christchurch were red and black back in the early ’80s before coming under the guise of Allied Concrete, however, the Farriers name remained for some time
A Ford L8000 mixer with an RB in the background awaiting their next loads
A Mercedes-Benz 3025 access pump truck
Plenty of CH Macks wore the Allied colours over the years
A Picton-based NL12 Volvo on cement powder tanker duties
These International Accos were very popular mixer trucks in the fleet
Mack Visions were also a popular purchase; this one was on cement tanker duties between Dunedin and Invercargill
A Christchurch-based Mack Vision truck and trailer on tipper duties

In Part 1, Deals on Wheels' Dean Middleton takes a quick look at the Allied Concrete fleet

Back in 1976, Allied Concrete had two branches, one in Invercargill and one in Gore. At the time, it was a publicly listed company when Bill Richardson made a successful bid to take over​ 100% ownership of the company.

My earliest memories of concrete trucks was in Christchurch back in the early ’80s when Farrier Waimak had a line-up of black and red (mostly Mack) trucks based in McAlpine Avenue in Sockburn where the current Allied yard remains to this day. I was too young back then to actually own a camera and by the time the camera purchase had been taken care of, the trucks were in Allied Blue (Farriers had been acquired by Allied Concrete in 1984). The Farrier name did, however, remain for some time.

Mack Trucks dominated the Allied Concrete fleet throughout the ’80s and a particular favourite of mine (which was based in Christchurch at the time) was an MK2 V8 Superliner, which was relocated from Wellington and certainly stood out among the other Bulldogs (RBs and R-Models) in the fleet.

Another iconic truck and personal favourite went on the road in 1992 in the form of a Ford Louisville LTL9000, which was put on bulk cement powder tanker duties.

Mack trucks remained dominant in the fleet throughout the ’90s with CH, Vision, and MetroLiner models proving popular, however, Sterlings made some serious inroads along with International Accos and, of course, there were other makes and models wearing the livery throughout the decade.

By the end of the ’90s, Allied Concrete had become a big player in the New Zealand concrete supply market. Next month, we look at the trucks that carry concrete and related products through the 2000s to today.

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