MODERN TRANSPORT ENGINEERS LTD was founded in 1973 by Robin R Ratcliffe at the age of 24 years. Colleen, Robin’s wife of over forty years joined the firm in 1974 as a secretary. They have two sons Michael and Zane and several grandchildren

Robin served his Fitting and Turning apprenticeship with Ajax Engineers and later gained transport engineering experience with Transport and General Engineering of Hamilton. Michael served his apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner with Tanner Engineering Ltd of Auckland and Zane served his apprenticeship with Nivens of Hamilton. Robin and Zanes interests are physics and mathematics giving them an extremely good base to design from.

In the early years MTE found it hard to win trailer orders. With the help of George Scott of Waikato Heavy Haulage they produced the first 30 tonne (payload) transporter in 1975 for some $8000.00. Later in 1985 MTE traded the first transporter back from George for $30,000.00.

In 1980 MTE produced the modern version of the 3 Axle Tilt Deck a design that had eluded everyone for years, and also in that same year produced their second Rows of Eight Transporter. These have since grown into the comprehensive series of Widening Transporters.

In 1982 they designed the Wing Suspension House Trailer and a new modern group of house removalist started coming into their own.

In 1979 MTE produced the first Dog Type Flat Top Lowloader a range that has grown into very large demand.

In 1998 MTE produced the first Platform Transporter.These Platform trailers range in cost between $120,000.00 and $2,000,000.00, the most expensive in the series, with tare weights of 12,000kg to 250,000kg.

Both management and staff at MTE have always been prepared to serve the customer, even if it means long hours.

Michael 43, and Zane 41, joined MTE in the late 80’s. Zane is currently design engineer, and MTE Manager, and Michael is Modern Transport Engineers Australia Pty Ltd  Manager and Sales Director.

MTE has become the largest supplier of specialised transport trailers in Australasia, and seldom cannot supply a trailer to suit a customers requirements.

MTE produces transporters that can carry from 6 tonne to the very latest module that carrying up to 800 tonne, as well as Tank Transporters, Boat Transporters, House Removal Trailers, Bitumen Tankers, Side Show Rides, Tipping Trailers and a range of General Freight Trailers (custom built).

MTE employs around 50 staff in their Forman Rd premises which encompasses some six acres.

Trailers under the MTE label are exported into Australia, USA China and the Pacific Islands.

MTE has 3 Factories in Hamilton NZ and Brisbane  Australia building 75-100 tonne Linkwing lowloaders, Jinkers, house trailers, 20-30 tonne semi transporters, 10-20 tonne dog and pig transporters, bitumen tankers, and 300 tonne plus payload platforms and transporters. Production of trailers is currently set at approximately one trailer every 2 days.

The largest  ever New Zealand produced transporter, some 36 metres behind the gooseneck, was produced in 2002 in the Hamilton factory. The transporter was produced for a large Chinese  client, The trailer has a total of 144 -215 x 17.5 tyres in its combination.

All axles in the platform trailer steer to a maximum of 45 degrees. This is done in three ways; Automatically off the king pin or draw bar, and manually using the hydraulic power pack.

The trailer has a tare weight of 72 tonne. This increases by 4 tonne for each axle line (8 tyres) added, and has a load capacity of 30 tonne per axle line. Steel used in the complete trailer is 800MPA High Tensile Quenched and Tempered, axles were specially manufactured by MTE. To reduce tare weight and minimise heat generated in the brakes and tyres aluminium wheels have been used. For rapid suspension speed and rideability the suspension cylinders have nitrogen gas accumulators built into them. The stability can also be changed from one with a gooseneck to one with a drawbar. The stability can also be altered by a variety of suspension combinations coupled to the gooseneck or transversely connected in the drawbar configuration.