This month marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Colin Drake, the visionary founder of The Drake Group. Though Col passed away in 1991, we’re proud of the fact that his pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation still live on as the legacy of The Drake Group, and continue to inspire the wider heavy haulage industry across Australia.
Setting new standards for Aussie engineering
Colin Drake was more than just a distinguished mechanical and electrical engineer. He was a man with a vision – a born entrepreneur who had a dream to transform the way heavy transport operated in this country.
In 1958, Colin established Drake Trailers at its original location in Rocklea, Queensland, with one clear goal: to build Australia’s best low loader trailers. Through his hard work and unfailing focus on total quality, Col and his team quickly earned a reputation for building trailers that could be trusted by every industry.
Colin’s designs weren’t just different: they were revolutionary. One of Col’s greatest achievements was the launch of the 100-tonne capacity Swingwing widening low loader in 1969, a design that would go on to set a new benchmark in the industry. He continued to innovate throughout the 1970s and 1980s, introducing mine site trailers and later developing steerable platform trailers with hydraulic widening and mechanical steering.
Continuing Col’s family legacy
Over the three decades that Colin led Drake Trailers, he left an indelible mark on the entire heavy haulage sector in Australia.
After Col’s passing, leadership of the business remained within the family, with his son John Drake stepping in as Managing Director, and then his grandchildren, Sam Drake and Maggie Nilson, later continuing on the tradition as directors.
Today, nearly 70 years after it was founded, The Drake Group continues to reflect Col’s values and the dedication to engineering innovation that started back in his workshop in Rocklea all those years ago.
Every new trailer that leaves our workshop carries a little piece of his legacy. And this year, on what would have been his centenary, we remember Colin Drake as a true pioneer whose vision built more than just trailers, but which shaped an entire industry. We are proud to uphold his legacy in setting new standards and building trust with every new trailer.