Dananni Marks 25 Years with IVECO Daily

A quarter-century on call: Dananni and IVECO Daily mark 25 years together

When a multimillion-dollar mining operation grinds to a halt because one vital component has failed, all that expensive machinery suddenly becomes little more than very impressive scenery. That is when Dananni HOTSHOTS gets the call—and the clock starts ticking.

Caterpillar D11 mining dozer with a track dislodged from its undercarriage

A thrown track can bring even a mighty Caterpillar D11 to an abrupt halt, demonstrating why fast access to replacement parts and specialist support is essential on remote mine sites.

In the mining, oil and exploration industries, breakdowns are not merely inconvenient. Every hour of lost production can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, making the rapid delivery of replacement parts, equipment and critical supplies an essential link in the operational chain.

For Perth-based Dananni HOTSHOTS, responding to those calls means being ready to move 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Whether the destination is northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland or even Tasmania, the company’s drivers and trucks must be prepared to leave at short notice and cover enormous distances.

It is demanding work that leaves little room for unreliable equipment—which helps explain why Dananni has continued choosing IVECO Daily trucks for the past 25 years.

The company took delivery of its first Daily in 2001 and has since operated more than 40 of the vehicles. Its latest intake of six new models brings the current Daily fleet to 22.

Dananni HOTSHOTS Director, Danni Kempton, said the Daily had repeatedly proven itself as the ideal platform for the company’s time-critical work.

“There are plenty of good reasons why we’ve been using IVECO Daily for 25 years,” Danni said.

“They’re a very easy model to operate, live with and maintain, and they’ve been incredibly reliable. We’ve now owned over 40 units since 2001, and some have covered close to a million kilometres.

“Looking at the different brands of trucks that I have in my yard, if I were to choose the most reliable one, it would be the IVECO Daily.”

Dananni HOTSHOTS Director Danni Kempton beside a branded IVECO Daily truck.

Dananni HOTSHOTS Director Danni Kempton says the IVECO Daily has delivered outstanding reliability across 25 years of time-critical freight operations.

Built to answer the call

Dananni’s Daily fleet predominantly comprises 70C models, each carefully specified for long-distance hotshot work.

The vehicles are fitted with ADR 42-compliant sleeper cabins, allowing two-up driving teams to share the workload and take their required rest breaks while covering vast distances. Steel trays, bull bars, auxiliary lighting, satellite tracking and long-range fuel tanks are also part of the specification.

With a potential range of up to 3,000 kilometres between refuelling stops, the Dailys are well suited to travelling through remote areas where service stations can be few, far between and occasionally little more than a hopeful dot on the map.

From Dananni’s Perth base, the trucks regularly travel throughout northern Western Australia and into the Northern Territory and northern Queensland. Some assignments take them as far southeast as Tasmania.

The distances are substantial, and the road conditions can vary from smooth highways to remote roads that appear to have been designed primarily to test suspension components and dental fillings.

To improve comfort and cargo protection, most of the company’s Dailys are equipped with IVECO’s optional Electronically Controlled Air Suspension. The system provides a more supple ride for driving crews while helping protect sensitive freight—including detonators destined for mining operations.

Dananni HOTSHOTS IVECO Daily trucks lined up at the Perth transport depot.

Dananni HOTSHOTS has operated more than 40 IVECO Daily trucks since 2001, with some vehicles travelling close to one million kilometres.

Our Daily drivers want to drive

At a time when many transport businesses are struggling to attract and retain experienced drivers, Dananni has maintained a loyal workforce, with many employees remaining with the company for years.

Danni said the Daily’s comfort, appearance and car-like driving characteristics had helped make it a favourite among the company’s crews.

“We’re fortunate to have drivers who have been with us for many years,” she said.

“The Dailys are a favourite among the drivers—they look the part and are also very comfortable and car-like to drive. There are no complaints.

“We have several husband-and-wife teams who drive together, and their relationships have endured in the Dailys!”

Given the distances these teams cover together, that may well be one of the more impressive durability claims ever made about a commercial vehicle.

Dananni HOTSHOTS IVECO Daily tray truck inside the company’s Perth workshop.

The IVECO Daily’s full-length chassis provides Dananni HOTSHOTS with a strong and adaptable platform for sleeper cabins, steel trays and specialist long-distance equipment.

Proven power and efficiency

Dananni’s latest Dailys are powered by IVECO’s proven 3.0-litre Euro 6 Step E engine, producing 180 hp and 430 Nm of torque.

The engine is paired with IVECO’s smooth-shifting eight-speed HI-MATIC fully automatic transmission, while the 7-tonne GVM provides the payload capacity needed for the company’s specialist transport work.

Danni said the drivetrain delivered the performance required to handle demanding assignments while maintaining respectable fuel efficiency.

“The Daily engines give us the performance we need to comfortably handle the work and are also quite fuel efficient, which is obviously important given the cost of fuel,” she said.

“They’re built tough as well, with a strong, full-length chassis that handles Australian conditions, and they’re well equipped with safety features.”

Danni Kempton and an IVECO representative holding a 25-year partnership award beside an IVECO Daily.

Danni Kempton presents Perth IVECO Sales Manager – Light Truck & Van, Craig Maddox, a plaque to celebrate the company’s long-standing partnership with IVECO.

The little things that matter

Reliability may have been the foundation of Dananni’s 25-year relationship with the Daily, but Danni said straightforward servicing, accessible components and lower whole-of-life operating costs were equally important.

During the warranty period, the trucks return to Perth IVECO for scheduled servicing. Once outside warranty, maintenance is carried out by Dananni’s experienced in-house workshop team.

“General servicing and maintenance on the trucks is also cost-effective,” Danni said.

“We go back to Perth IVECO for servicing during the warranty period, and after that, the work is done at our in-house workshop.

“We have experienced mechanics, and they enjoy maintaining the trucks. Compared with many other brands, everything is easily accessible on the Dailys. Adding equipment such as spotlights, emergency lighting and other accessories is also simple.

“And the interiors are easy to clean and the paint doesn’t fade. For an owner, it’s all the little things that go a long way.”

After 25 years, more than 40 vehicles and close to a million kilometres travelled by some individual trucks, Dananni’s relationship with the IVECO Daily is supported by considerably more than sales brochures and optimistic promises.

When an urgent call comes through and an essential component must be delivered thousands of kilometres away, Dananni needs trucks that will start, carry the load and keep moving.

For a quarter of a century, that truck has been the IVECO Daily.