ATE Tankers was founded on a belief that Australian operators deserved equipment engineered specifically for Australian conditions . Nearly three decades later, that philosophy continues to define the business.
From its production plant in Melbourne, Victoria, ATE Tankers has grown from a two-person operation into one of Australia’s leading road tanker manufacturers, employing more than 100 people across manufacturing, engineering, service and repair. Managing Director Dan Mejak says the company has never lost sight of what matters most: the long-term relationships built alongside customers.
“We’ve had customers start with a single second-hand tanker and over time build entire fleets with us,” Mejak says. “You watch their business evolve, and in many ways you grow together. That journey is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.”
ATE first established itself in aircraft refuelling, identifying a gap in a market largely dominated by imported products. The company quickly earned a reputation for engineering tankers tailored to local operating conditions and customer requirements, — a point of difference that remains central to the business today.
Since then, ATE has expanded across a broad range of road tanker solutions ranging from mini tankers, rigid tankers, tri-axle semis, multi-combination units, bitumen tankers and to vacuum tankers servicing critical infrastructure and waste management industries. ATE’s clients range from independent owner-drivers through to major commercial operators and government agencies including the Department of Defence.
What separates ATE from other manufacturers is its collaborative approach to design. Rather than working from rigid standard templates, each tanker is engineered around how it will practically operate in the field.
“It’s a genuinely collaborative process,” says General Manager David Gurrie. “We spend time understanding the customer, the operational environment and what the tanker needs to do. The result is a product designed for the specific application – with no compromises.”
That approach has become increasingly important as transport operators face tougher operating environments, higher compliance expectations, and greater pressure on uptime.
Customers regularly visit ATE’s plant facility during production to see their tanker take shape, — from raw materials through to a finished product engineered for Australian roads, distances, and industries. The company controls the process end-to-end, from engineering and fabrication through to final fit-out and after-sales support.
For Mejak, the company’s commitment to local manufacturing goes beyond carrying the Australian Made logo. It is about preserving sovereign capability, supporting skilled local employment, and building products designed for the realities of Australian industry.
“Australia is a very different operating environment to Europe or North America,” he says. “Distance, heat, road conditions, compliance requirements, — everything is different. Our tankers are engineered for those realities because this is where we build them and this is where we work.”
That philosophy is increasingly resonating with operators seeking reliability, responsiveness, and long-term support rather than off-the-shelf imports. ATE’s continued growth into new markets reflects a broader shift occurring across Australian industry, — a renewed appreciation for specialist local manufacturing and engineering expertise.
For ATE, the focus has remained unchanged throughout its growth.
“We’ve always believed that how you do business matters just as much as what you build,” says Mejak. “If you operate with integrity and deliver consistently, people remember that.
“You can invest in equipment and facilities, but it’s the people behind the business who make the difference,” says Mejak. “That’s something we’ve never lost sight of.”
