The S in SCT Logistics stands for 'Specialised,' but it may as well be 'Smith,' the family name synonymous with the multimodal freight company. 

Specialised Container Transport was established in 1974 by Peter Smith, whose son’s Geoff and Glenn now run the business as it approaches its half-century, with no signs of slowing down. It most recently launched its newest development, a new dry and temperature-controlled facility in Altona, with Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra among the special guests. Works started in January 2021 and were completed in March this year; an achievement made all the more impressive given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Doing it through COVID has been not without its challenges [but] it's been a very satisfying process," SCT Logistics Managing Director Geoff Smith said. 

Mr. Smith explains that the project's objective was to offer improved service delivery for customers through new cross-dock facilities, expanded container hard stand area, more extensive refrigeration warehousing, and rail-siding extensions.  

Its direct rail connection adds to the greater Victoria Port Rail Shuttle Network, playing a role in taking thousands of trucks off roads and reducing greenhouse emissions.  

With safety being chief amongst SCT's values and business operations, the building design also delivered an elevated working space for office staff to improve visibility into the warehouse and ensure safety in day-to-day operations. 

"Altona is probably one of Australia's most active rail intermodal hubs. We have trains coming in virtually every day from Brisbane and Perth, and we're sending those trains back out. It's a hive of activity. Mr. Smith says that SCT operations grew through COVID due to the increased consumption across the states, which resulted in the rail industry moving a lot more volume. He points out that the new facility is a critical piece of SCT infrastructure, and a part of the productivity and efficiency gains sought as the way that SCT trains operate makes it a network business 

SCT started as a freight forwarder in 1974 and became the first non-government rail operator in 1995. Approaching its 50th anniversary, Mr. Smith is keen to emphasise: "We're very much still growing." 

He stated that one of the advantages of being a family business is that SCT is not accountable to shareholders but themselves, allowing for the ability to make long-term investment decisions that are typically on a 10-year horizon. 

"We've been on a journey of developing our terminals. All our rail locomotives and rolling stock are very modern. We didn't buy or inherit an old state-based rail company.

"We've built everything from scratch. So, we tend to be quite cutting edge in terms of new technology within the industry is something that we're quite proud of." 

SCT and the Victorian Chamber first formed their relationship through Mark Stone, former VCCI Chief Executive, now the current SCT Chairman. The organisation believes that government connectivity is beneficial and a good fit with its business as the initiatives driven sit across their entire business, whether it be around diversification or our people and culture. 

In celebration of the occasion and the mutual relationship, Mr. Guerra applauded SCT and the new Altona facility while lifting the curtain on the commemorative plaque bearing his name.

"It's been a challenging couple of years for Victorian business, and the challenges continue to present themselves globally," Mr. Guerra said. 

"But this sort of investment will hold us in good stead whatever challenges we face over the coming months and years. 

"This sort of resilience and vision makes it such an exceptional business and sets it up for continued success.  

"I congratulate everyone at SCT on your achievements with this state-of-the-art facility. Your customers are in good hands, and this project shows that business in Victoria and Australia is also in good hands."