A Road To Success
With Ben Muscat from Central Coast Logistics (CCL) Specialised
In the world of heavy transport, trust is everything. Projects run to tight deadlines, deliveries are expected on time, and customers need confidence that when they make a call, the job will get done.
That’s why Mackay-based CCL Specialised put reliability at their core, and grew a reputation capable of expanding a small local fleet into one of Queensland’s most versatile specialised transport providers.
Managing Director Ben Muscat took on the company three years ago, and has spent that time building a transport operation designed to solve problems, simplify logistics, and provide customers with a true one-stop transport solution servicing the Mackay region, Rockhampton, and other destinations across Queensland.
For Ben, the journey began with a vision to bring together several complementary transport businesses under one banner.
“We've acquired a number of businesses along the way and built them into what is now CCL Specialised,” he explains.
“We wanted to be a one-stop shop. Customers can ring us and we can help them with any transport need.”
The vision fuelled impressive growth. What started with just a handful of vehicles has evolved into a fleet of between 20 and 30 trucks on the road at any given time, supported by a team of around 30 to 35 staff members.
The company’s strength lies not only in its size but in the diversity of services it can provide.
“One day a customer might need a tilt tray, the next day a B-double, then a super,” Ben says.
“We can come out with the whole range.”
This versatility has helped establish CCL Specialised as a partner for industries throughout Queensland – and their reliability has made that reputation a trusted one.
3 years on, operating from its Bakers Creek headquarters, CCL now works closely with businesses across a range of sectors, supporting projects large and small with customised transport solutions.
While growth has been important, Ben is quick to point out that the company’s success has never been about expanding for expansion’s sake- and that his plans for the future remain smart and sustainable.
“Sustainable expansion’s on the agenda,” he says.
“We're not looking to open depots everywhere overnight. We want to find markets where we can genuinely help and add value. It’s about finding those strong relationships with customers, where it works for them, and it works for us. That’s how you grow.”
Another key part of the recipe for the company’s success has been a strong, committed team capable of handling the unexpected.
Transport, he says, presents new challenges every day.
“There are delays, road incidents, loading issues, last-minute changes, weather events – there's always something happening.”
So, the quality he values most in his team is perseverance.
“We're looking for people who can keep finding solutions. There's a solution to every problem, and having that mindset is really important.”
Like many businesses within the transport sector, CCL has faced challenges in recent years, particularly around rising fuel costs and workforce shortages.
“Fuel prices have had a huge impact across the industry,” Ben says.
“When fuel costs double, it affects everyone, from transport operators through to customers and end users.”
Finding the right people has been another challenge.
“There are plenty of operators out there, but we look for people who fit our culture and share our values.”
Those values have deep roots in Ben’s own family history.
Coming from a family of small business owners and farmers, he grew up understanding the realities of hard work, resilience, and adapting to circumstances beyond your control.
“My grandfather was a cane farmer down at Sarina and my father has run several small businesses,” he says.
“We’re generations of small business owners, and small business is about perseverance - you keep on trying.
“There are always things outside your control, but you show up on the day and do your best.”
That same philosophy continues to guide his leadership today.
Outside of work, Ben’s focus is his young family. Together with his wife Georgia, who he describes as the rock of the family, he is raising three children – Teddy, Bella and Grace – all under the age of five.
Running a growing company while raising a young family can be demanding, but Ben sees the two as closely connected.
“They’re a big part of why we do this,” he says.
“Running a family business is all about the next generation.”
Whether his children eventually join the business is entirely up to them.
“I want them to find something they're passionate about,” he says.
“If that's this business, great. If it's something completely different, that's great too.”
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Loyal, Hardworking, Productive.
What do you listen to on the long hauls?
Music- often country, or a good podcast – like Jimmy Talks Construction.
What value matters most in business?
We built our business around productivity and it's something that I'm pretty passionate about in industry. I really love when businesses and individuals can come up with innovative ways of doing things. Even just maintainingthe existing ways of doing it, but doing to the best of their abilities - that’s awesome.
