Moving flooring products at scale is complex. Long, heavy rolls of carpet and vinyl demand careful handling, consistent equipment performance and reliable service support. For GMK Logistics, a specialist provider to Australia’s flooring industry, having the right material handling partner in place is critical to keeping freight moving nationwide.
As part of the CTI Logistics group, GMK Logistics manages high-volume roll and palletised flooring products across multiple states, supported by a national fleet supplied and serviced by Linde Material Handling.
GMK Logistics CEO Sarah Halpin provides insight:
“With more than a hundred forklifts in our fleet, we need equipment we can count on. Linde plays a key part in how we meet customer expectations every day.”
A Fleet Designed for Flooring Freight
GMK Logistics operates six sites across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, moving millions of kilograms of flooring each year, including long, heavy roll product requiring careful handling.
“Interstate alone, we’re moving about two million kilograms of freight each week,” Sarah explains. “Add local and regional deliveries, and it’s about 5.3 million kilograms. Roll product like carpet and vinyl takes longer to handle and requires much more precision, so the equipment we use is integral.”
To meet these demands, Linde supplies reach trucks, internal combustion forklifts and order pickers, with selected units fitted with specialised prongs for handling carpet and other roll products.
Craig Cullen, National Manager – Operations, has overseen the rollout at major sites including Yatala:
“The reliability of the Linde equipment has been exceptional," Craig explains. “Our R20 reach trucks deliver excellent run times on a single charge, reducing downtime. The H25 IC trucks are also fuel efficient, helping us stay productive while keeping operating costs under control through Linde’s hydrostatic drive system.”
That performance contributes directly to faster throughput, improved accuracy and reduced product damage.
Proactive Service and Ongoing Reliability
For GMK, selecting equipment is only part of the equation. Ongoing service support and preventative maintenance are just as important.
“Because of the way we handle roll product, the fleet needs to be suited to that application,” Sarah says. “Linde understands this and backs it up with strong service support, pre-start checks and daily monitoring that help us stay ahead of issues.”
Linde provides scheduled servicing and on-site technicians across GMK’s locations, supporting uptime and minimising disruptions.
At GMK’s Epping site, State Manager VIC. Brett De Laney. sees the benefits firsthand:
“Our technician arrives prepared, knows which trucks need attention and brings the right parts,” Brett says. “We keep a small stock holding on site, which helps get trucks back into service quickly.”
Using Data to Drive Better Fleet Decisions
As GMK Logistics continues to expand, digital fleet visibility has become increasingly valuable. Linde’s telematics solution, FleetFOCUS, provides insights into utilisation, impacts and service requirements across their national fleet.
“FleetFOCUS supports both safety and productivity,” Brett explains. “It helps us track usage and impacts, which plays a key role in how we manage our sites.”
FleetFOCUS supports regular performance reviews between GMK and Linde, and provides visibility of inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
“We can see what’s being used, what isn’t, and where performance slows,” Brett says. “It helps us focus training and make practical adjustments.”
Digital Innovation That Adds Real Value
GMK Logistics was among the first customers to trial the Linde Customer Portal, a digital platform designed to centralise fleet management.
Linde Key Account Manager Jube Shuttleworth saw immediate value in the rollout:
“GMK operates multiple sites with many stakeholders, so the portal provides a single platform to view fleet status, track servicing and access billing information. It also gives real-time visibility to manage daily operations and expectations.”
Anthony Minuto, State Manager NSW, describes the impact on site operations:
“Previously, everything was manual. Now we complete digital safety checks through the portal, flag issues instantly and receive fast responses from Linde.”
Comfort That Operators Notice
When GMK first transitioned to Linde, some operators were initially cautious. That hesitation didn’t last long.
“Nobody likes change, but within days they noticed the comfort,” Sarah says. “Improved ergonomics, reduced vibration and better pedal layouts made a noticeable difference.”
Brett adds that the impact goes beyond comfort:
“When people have good equipment that’s well maintained, it lifts morale and creates a better working environment overall.”
A Partnership Built for Long-Term Growth
As GMK Logistics continues to grow, its partnership with Linde remains focused on adaptability and long-term performance.
“We see this as a long-term partnership,” Jube says. “It’s about understanding GMK’s operation today and supporting where the business is heading next.”
Learn how other businesses are partnering with Linde, as well as keep up to date with the latest in material handling safety and innovation by visiting our Content Hub.