Renwick Transport
Renwick is a small town, 12km west of Blenheim, at the top of the South Island. Surrounded by an abundance of vineyards, it is the home to the white and blue trucks of Renwick Transport. Milly McCauley travelled to meet up with Jen Hall and Jax Smith, the owners of Renwick Transport, to hear all about the company.
Who owns Renwick Transport?
Jen: Renwick Transport is owned by myself, Jen, and my sister, Jax.
How long has Renwick Transport been in business?
Renwick has just passed 30 years in business; we have our 30th anniversary function coming up in November, which we are both very excited about.
Where do you have trucks based?
The trucks are predominantly based here at Renwick, however, we also have a depot in Christchurch.
How many trucks does Renwick Transport operate?
Renwick Transport operates 25 trucks, including little fertiliser spreaders and delivery trucks.
What makes of trucks do you have?
Our bulk and fertiliser spreading trucks include Isuzu, Hino, Mack, and MAN while our general freight fleet has a Volvo, Nissan Diesel and several DAFs.
How many people do Renwick Transport employ?
Renwick Transport employs 20 people.
What type of loads do you cart?
A large range of freight including timber, machinery, bricks, steel, concrete, hay and fertiliser are carried. The wine industry provides a large amount of our work; we cart harvested grapes to wineries, and grape marc (the skin and seeds of grapes left over after the juice is pressed out) out of the wineries. Wine bottles are transported to the wineries for filling, full wine bottles and containers of bulk wine are also common loads. Cartage of lime and fertiliser and spreading it on farms is also an important part of what we do.
Where are the main areas you operate in?
We service the upper half of the South Island, Marlborough, Nelson and Canterbury.
What are your titles and what are your responsibilities?
Jax: Jen and I are both managing directors and we are both actively involved in the day-to-day operations. Jen would drive trucks more than I do and I spend more time in the office, but we both do whatever needs to be done. Jen is involved in the New Zealand Groundspread Association, Nelson/Marlborough branch and on my side I’m a diversity champion for Transporting New Zealand, so we both have extra activities we like to be involved in.
A line-up of DAF CFs
Did you always think you would work in transport?
Jax: Neither of us did! We grew up living on a farm and then went on to our own things. I trained as a pharmacy technician, however our dad asked us to become involved with the business, so of course, I said yes, and I have been here for almost 19 years now.
Jen: I worked in hospitality and banking, as well as working overseas for a while. Then I also got the shoulder tap and have been working at Renwick Transport for 15 years now.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
Jax: We would have to say the people in the industry and the culture around transport. Even though Jen and I are the owners of Renwick Transport, we see ourselves as on the same level as all our employees, and they are an extension of our family.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
Jax: We would love to see more women in the transport industry, as well as more young people, which is a big reason why I’m involved with the Transporting New Zealand Diversity programme to showcase how diverse the transport industry really is.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
Jen: While Jax doesn’t have a favourite, I love Macks, so our Mack Granite would have to be my favourite.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
We encourage people to come along and go out in a truck for a day and see what it is all about. To experience what it is like inside the cab, the transport industry embraces diversity and encourages people to join in and it is filled with like-minded supportive people.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Renwick Transport?
Mum and Dad sold our brand-new family car, a Toyota Corolla, to buy the first truck in the Renwick Transport fleet. We remember how if Dad ever wanted to buy a new truck, he would write out a cheque from the back page of the chequebook so Mum couldn’t find out he bought it. However, as a month went by, he was able to justify the purchase…He never lived that down!
Muscat Haulage
After discovering a pair of Kenworth T900 scale models in the livery of Muscat Haulage, Little Trucker Down Under’s Milly McCauley was keen to find out more about the company that owns the real trucks. She reached out to Andrew Muscat in Australia who was more than happy to tell her about the company.
Who owns Muscat Haulage?
Tony and Beth Muscat, my parents, began Muscat Haulage in 1977, before my two brothers Chris, Michael and I, joined them 20 years ago in 2003. The family has been running the business side-by-side ever since.
Where do you have trucks based?
The company is based out of Yass, New South Wales.
How many trucks does Muscat Haulage operate?
Muscat Haulage operates 11 trucks and has a further two Kenworth SAR Legends ordered for 2024.
Some of the trucks in your fleet are red and some are white, could you explain the story behind that?
My mother and father’s original company colours were white and maroon, so the design pays respect to where Mum and Dad started the business.
What makes of trucks do you have and how many of each?
Muscat Haulage has an all-Kenworth fleet, with three T909s, one T904, two T900 Legends, a T659, a T610, a SAR Legend, a T359 and one K200.
How many people do Muscat Haulage employ?
Muscat Haulage employs 17 people.
What type of loads do you cart?
Predominantly building materials, steel and timber, however we cart anything that can go on a flat top, from fresh produce to army equipment.
Where are the main areas you operate in around Australia?
Mostly the east coast of Australia – Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
What is your title at Muscat Haulage and what are your responsibilities?
I am a director of the company, but I also drive full time. However, both Chris and I also allocate and help out in the workshop if needed.
Did you always think you would work in transport?
As a kid, I was truck-mad. Where I grew up, our house overlooked the highway, where I could watch trucks drive past all day, so I always knew I would end up working with trucks.
How long have you been involved with the business?
My full-time employment with Muscat Haulage began in August 2004, so 19 years.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
I enjoy the sense of freedom, as you can plan and complete your day as you see fit, as well as the mates you make through working in the industry.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
I would like to see logbook regulations change, with break times being determined by the driver, rather than when the book tells us we have to.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
The T900 Legends, however the T904 was the truck I learnt to drive in, so it’s got a very special place in my heart.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take all information on board. People are always willing to teach you if you are willing to learn.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Muscat Haulage?
There are currently three generations working at Muscat Haulage – my father Tony, my brothers Chris, Michael and myself, as well as two of Chris’s sons, Blake and Ethan, who are currently driving for Muscats, which is super cool, as it truly is a family business.
The T900 Legend Kenworths in your fleet are named “Home Run” and “Loaded Bases”. Could you explain the story behind those names?
The names are a tribute to my wife, who loves baseball, however, they are also a nod to Chris’s and my personality traits. I drive Loaded Bases, which is in recognition to me being detail-oriented and how I often “stress the small things”, whereas my brother Chris drives Home Run, which acknowledges how he is happy to experience the journey of going to pick up a load – once he is loaded, Chris is all about the “Home Run”.
A line-up after the Kenworth Klassic show recently
Specialised carriers moving the world's finest cars
Our local Aussie reporter Mike Williams speaks to the team at Alan’s Unique Car Carriers in NSW and checks out their cool truck fleet.
Meet my mate’s fleet! Alan Norton runs a small fleet of very special trucks and he moves some very special freight. It’s not every day we get to see what’s inside the purpose-built covered car transporters.
Alan’s Unique Car Carriers is based in Erina, which is a small town on the coast about half way between Sydney and Newcastle in New South Wales. From there, Alan and his drivers go all over Australia moving some of the world’s finest and possibly most expensive automobiles.
Just having a look at the pictures, there’s a few cars I wish I could sneak into my garage. What would you like if you could have one or get one for Mum or Dad? Would you choose the Ferrari or maybe that Lamborghini? Would it be the custom pickup or the vintage Ford? What about the black hard top or the very famous and very rare Peter Brock VK Commodore beast? If it’s out of the cars, I’d the white one, the McLaren, what a true beast of a car.
But really I’m a truck guy, so I reckon I’d pick one of those Scania R450s. That’s the go. Wouldn’t it be great to drive one of those and move some cars all over Australia. It’s amazing what you can find being moved about by trucks.
Stay safe out there, and happy truckin’!
Multiquip
We get to know the team at MultiQuip, a company that is dedicated to servicing the poultry and aggregate industries in Australia. Transport manager Lyndon Jay tells us all about it.
When was MultiQuip established and who by?
The first company in the Multiquip Group was established in 1984 by Steve and Lucy Mikosic, who owned a chicken farm at the time.
What does MultiQuip specialise in?
The Multiquip group has:
- A large presence in the poultry industry (from picking up fertilised eggs for hatching in our own hatchery at Maldon near Picton, NSW – over two million birds per week) delivering those “day old” birds to farms throughout Australia. We then run a fleet of trucks around Australia that deliver chicken feed to those farms, and a very large fleet of trucks that go into these farms (mostly at night) to collect the fully grown birds for delivery to processing plants throughout the country.
- A fleet of trucks that operate out of our quarry near Goulburn that deliver sand and aggregate material to concrete plants and other aggregate users around NSW.
- A fleet of refrigerated vans operating out of chicken plants around Australia.
- A large diesel servicing business operating throughout the country.
- A manufacturing business in Austral, Sydney that manufactures highly specialised metal products.
- An engineering firm that carries out specialised engineering/ machining for particular clients.
How many vehicles have you got in your fleet?
300+ prime movers, 500+ trailers, 120 heavy rigids (including truck and dogs), 120+ forklifts, 100+ light vehicles (mostly utes), 150 pieces of earth moving equipment, etc. Where does Multiquip operate? Nationally – we have approximately 16 depots around Australia.
What other types of machinery does Multiquip use?
Automated chicken catching machines (yes – that is a thing).
And how many staff members do you have?
There are approximately 1200 employees throughout the company around Australia.
Can you tell us about the different types of trucks you have and what they are used for?
We use many HPVs (high productivity vehicles) to perform the various functions throughout the company, including 28 different PBS designs. Using PBS allows us to increase the gross mass that we can carry and operate under very specific laws and rules.
What’s the best thing about working with trucks and transport in Australia?
The diversity of our operation and the level of safety that our company demands from all employees. We train our drivers very intensely and continuously.
Austin Transport Services Ltd
The white and red predominantly Kenworth fleet of Nelson-based Austin Transport Services Ltd are regular visitors to many parts of New Zealand. Milly McCauley sat down with administrator Sheryl Holt, at the company’s Nelson headquarters to learn more.
Who owns Austin Transport?
The company is owned by Brian and Lisa Austin. Brian also drives one of the company’s trucks, while Lisa is the health and safety coordinator and looks after the human resources side of the business. Lisa and Brian also take an active role in their community by sponsoring many events such as the Pork Pie Run, which is a car run open to any Mini owners. The event is a fundraiser for KidsCan.
How long has Austin Transport been in business?
Lisa and Brian began Austin Transport Services in 2007 and have continued to build the company into what it is today for the past 16 years.
Where do you have trucks based?
The main depot is in Richmond, near Nelson. We have a Christchurch depot and a depot in Auckland which is shared with another company.
How many trucks does Austin Transport operate?
The company operates 32 trucks.
What makes of trucks do you have and how many of each?
Kenworths are owner Brian’s favourite make of truck, so most of the fleet is made up of Kenworths. There is also a Hino, one Scania and a couple of Freightliners.
How many people do Austin Transport employ?
There are 32 employees at Austin Transport.
What type of loads do you cart?
The company carts all sorts of general freight, timber, containers, and machinery. Our tip trucks mainly haul gravel and roading material.
Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
The company operates New Zealand-wide.
What is your title at Austin Transport and what are your responsibilities?
I am the administrator and work mainly in finance for the company.
Did you always think you would work in transport?
I never thought I would work in transport.
How long have you been involved with the business?
I have worked for Austin Transport for 10 years.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
My favourite part of working in the industry would be working alongside the team of drivers at Austin Transport.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
To see the roads around New Zealand improved.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
It would have to be one of the fleet’s Kenworths.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
l would advise anyone to just get involved, to get to know the industry, and work up from the bottom to the top.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Austin Transport?
A number of the fleet’s trucks are named after trucking songs by famous Australian entertainer Slim Dusty. This comes from when Brian spent time driving long-haul across Australia and would pass the time by listening to Slim Dusty songs.
Carr & Haslam
Carr & Haslam is one of New Zealand’s oldest carrying companies. Milly McCauley met Chris Carr at the company’s Mount Richmond headquarters in Auckland to learn about the operation.
Who owns Carr & Haslam?
Carr & Haslam was started by the Carr family and has been continually owned and operated by our family for the last five generations.
How long has Carr & Haslam been in business?
Carr & Haslam began in 1862 and has been operating ever since – 160 years! Where do you have trucks based? Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch.
How many trucks does Carr & Haslam operate?
The company operates 70 trucks.
What makes of trucks do you operate?
Our fleet is made up of models from Fuso and Mercedes-Benz.
Has the electric truck in your fleet been successful? Why did you choose that one?
The electric truck has been successful. We chose the Fuso eCanter as this was the only mainstream model available to us. Fuso is a well-trusted manufacturer that already knows how to make trucks. They also know how to make all the different technical parts of the machine work without fail. This made the choice easy.
How many people does Carr & Haslam employ?
Carr & Haslam has 100 employees across the operation. They include management, drivers, dispatchers, store people and administration staff.
What type of loads do you cart?
Our main cargoes are cars, LPG gas cylinders, and steel.
Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
Carr & Haslam operates all over New Zealand.
What is your title at Carr & Haslam?
I am the managing director of the company.
Did you always think you would work in transport?
I had always grown up around the company, but I didn’t become involved in the business until I was 26.
What is your favourite thing about working in the industry?
My favourite part about working in the industry would be the constant change. The transport industry is constantly adapting and finding solutions as the world changes and requires different ways of doing things, whether that’s an increased demand for products or the call for climate action.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
I would like to see the transport industry be recognised for its importance. So many people don’t realise how crucial the transport industry is to your everyday life. It takes 14 transport deliveries alone to make the bread that you might turn into toast and eat for breakfast. Examples like this display just how significantly the transport industry affects our lives.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
No, they are all tools.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
I would encourage anyone wanting to start a career in transport to have passion and really want to do it. Working in transport is a very different job, there is so much opportunity to work in different branches. It is also a job that is forever changing and one that always requires something different out of you.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Carr & Haslam?
Established 160 years ago, Carr & Haslam throughout its history has made three major transitions across four propulsion methods, these being: Horse and cart to petrol, petrol to diesel and now diesel to electricity. This is massive when you think about it. Carr & Haslam has lived through some of the most revolutionary technology invented, and continues to run an extremely successful company as it learns to adapt.
Catching up with Eden Haulage Ltd
The gold Eden Haulage trucks from Invercargill in the deep south with their bright graphics will be familiar to many Little Trucker Down Under readers. Milly McCauley catches up with owner Phil Collinson to find out more.
Who owns Eden Haulage?
Phil: Eden Haulage is owned by me, Phil Collinson and my family.
How long has Eden Haulage been in business?
Phil: Eden Haulage commenced in 2005 with one truck, it then expanded in 2008 into four trucks. The company progressively got bigger from 2012, by adding a truck each year.
Where do you have trucks based?
Phil: 12 of the 13 trucks run by Eden Haulage are based at the Invercargill depot, and one truck is based in Canterbury.
How many trucks does Eden Haulage operate?
Phil: Eden Haulage operates 13 trucks. Of those, 12 work every day and one older truck helps do any local jobs. Two trucks in the fleet are double shifted (when two drivers share one truck at different times of the day, allowing it to run for up to 24 hours a day).
What makes of trucks do you have and how many of each?
Phil: Eden Haulage has two Internationals, two DAFs, two Freightliner Argosys, six Kenworths and one small Nissan Diesel delivery truck.
How many people does Eden Haulage employ?
Phil: The company has 16 staff all together.
What type of loads do you cart?
Phil: A large part of the company’s work is fresh produce (vegetables and fruit). The remainder is cardboard packaging, seafood, groceries, timber and some general freight.
Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
Phil: Eden Haulage trucks operate mainly between Invercargill, Central Otago and Christchurch, however some of our trucks travel each week to Nelson, Blenheim, Tauranga and Auckland.
What is your title at Eden Haulage and what are your responsibilities?
Phil: I am the director of Eden Haulage; I do everything from relief driving to dispatching. I try to do everything I can to support the business, from something as little as changing a light bulb, to meeting with customers to find out how we can assist them better.
Did you always think you would work in transport?
Phil: I always knew I would work in transport, all I dreamed of when I was young was to work for the rural transport company I happened to live next door to. The idea of a career in transport just made sense for me.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
Phil: The great people I meet.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
Phil: I would like to see the industry be able to produce better money and better conditions to pass onto the people who drive the trucks.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
Phil: My favourite truck would be the C16 Caterpillar-powered Freightliner Argosy we bought secondhand in 2013. I thought it was a cool truck when its previous owners put it on the road.
What are the various positions in Eden Haulage?
Phil: We have an operations dispatcher, administration staff, metro deliverers/ loaders, relief drivers and a team of linehaul drivers.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
Phil: I would advise anyone to listen to others, be a diligent worker and try to absorb all the information you can from people within the industry.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Eden Haulage?
Phil: Many of the trucks in the Eden Haulage fleet carry a Mr Potato Head picture and name on them, this theme is because of the large number of potatoes Eden Haulage carries.
Graeme Wright General Carriers
Milly McCauley has spent plenty of time in the passenger’s seat of trucks involved in rural cartage. In this issue of Little Trucker Down Under, she heads north to Puriri, a wee village in the Thames Valley, and chats with local trucking identity, Graeme Wright.
Who owns Graeme Wright General Carriers?
Graeme: The transport company is owned by me, Graeme Wright, although everyone knows me as ‘Gunner’.
How long has Graeme Wright General Carriers been in business?
Graeme: I’ve been in business since 1969, over 50 years now.
Where do you have trucks based?
Graeme: The main depot is here in Puriri, however some drivers do park their trucks at home in nearby towns.
How many trucks does Graeme Wright General Carriers operate?
Graeme: I have 20 trucks. A large amount of the company’s work is seasonal, so although not all of them work at the same time necessarily, we still need trucks ready for any service we may need to provide.
How many people does Graeme Wright General Carriers employ?
Graeme: The transport company has around 20 employees including drivers, workshop, and office staff.
What type of loads do you cart?
Graeme: Being rural carriers, it’s largely the farmers’ needs. This includes livestock, fertiliser, stockfeed, metal, farming equipment, and the occasional timber loads.
Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
Graeme: Aside from the Thames Valley and Coromandel Peninsula, we also cover much of the North Island when we need to, like the large cattle moves to Kaitaia yearly – helping cart over 2000 cattle.
What is your title at Graeme Wright General Carriers, and what are your responsibilities?
Graeme: Well, I’m the boss. I oversee everything, and help to keep the peace!
Did you always think you would work in transport?
Graeme: I have loved trucks since the day I was born. I still do. I was brought up around trucks and the rural environment. It was always going to be a career in transport.
What is the best truck in your fleet?
Graeme: Hmmm. The best truck I have ever owned, which is not the same as my favourite, is a Volvo FH520, which has done over 2 million kilometres, and still works around the Thames Valley and Coromandel every day.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Graeme Wright General Carriers?
Graeme: Graeme Wright General Carriers has managed to succeed in a small rural area and operate for many years. I’m really proud that I’ve been able to fulfill my dream.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
Graeme: Look for opportunities and find your break and make connections with others. Those connections will last forever and help you get to wherever you want to go.
What makes of trucks do you have and how many of each?
Graeme: I guess you could say the fleet is a bit of a ‘fruit salad’. Kenworth, Mack, Volvo, Scania, Hino, Mercedes-Benz, and Iveco are all represented.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
Graeme: Nothing beats the trucks themselves.
APL Direct
They are an impressive head-turing sight wherever they are spotted. Milly McCauley was lucky enough to spend some time with APL Direct’s general manager Jake Lambert and meet the man in charge of one of the country’s sharpest line-haul fleets.
LTDU: Who owns APL Direct?
Jake: APL direct is owned by the Plaw family.
LTDU: How long has APL Direct been in business?
Jake: APL Direct was established in 2003 and started out as a small aluminium joinery fabrication company. As APL grew, they faced problems and damages with third-party distributors, deciding therefore to take the distribution of their product into their own hands. APL Direct has now been operating for over 19 years.
LTDU: Where do you have trucks based?
Jake: APL Direct has four main depots; Hamilton, Hautapu, where the glass operations are based, Palmerston North where a smaller satellite depot is, and Christchurch where we service the South Island from.
LTDU: How many trucks does APL Direct operate?
Jake: APL has 38 trucks and 15 trailers in the fleet. This number is continually growing!
LTDU: What makes of trucks do you have and how many of each?
Jake: The APL Direct fleet is mainly Scania, however Hinos and DAFs are there also, used for smaller metro delivery services.
LTDU: How many people do APL Direct employ?
Jake: APL has more than 60 employees throughout their dispatching, management and transport divisions.
This number has grown substantially throughout the last years as APL Direct expanded with the growth of the glass business in particular.
LTDU: What type of loads do you cart?
Jake: APL predominately carts aluminium extrusion, hardware, rubber coils, sheet metal and glass.
LTDU: Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
Jake: APL delivers from Keri Keri in the north all the way down to Invercargill in the south, servicing a large expanse of fabricators throughout the country.
LTDU: What is your title at APL Direct and what are your responsibilities?
Jake: I am the general manager overseeing the whole operation at APL Direct.
LTDU: Did you always think you would work in transport? Jake: No, I never thought I would work in transport but when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance. It was something completely different.
LTDU: How long have you been involved with the business?
Jake: I have been working at APL Direct for five years, and in this role for just over three years.
LTDU: What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
Jake: Being able to provide people with opportunities, watch them grow in their work, and see their personal development.
LTDU: What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
Jake: I would like to see more done towards alternative energy, actually trying to narrow down which way the industry will head is a big issue. I would like to see some proper direction as we work towards a more sustainable future of transport.
LTDU: Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
Jake: No, no favourites in particular, I just like that APL Direct trucks are quite unique, noticeable and well presented.
LTDU: What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
Jake: Having a good work ethic and a good attitude will get you a long way especially in this industry. Spend some time around people in transport and put yourself out there, as there is always opportunity to grow and progress.
LTDU: Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about APL Direct?
Jake: The fleet runs 95% Euro-5 or better, with 40% now Euro-6. We are working hard on increasing Euro-6 numbers. APL Direct focuses heavily on sustainability, and is working on a number of recycling initiatives throughout all products and packaging.
Stuart Drummond Transport
In our regular Meet My Fleet feature, Milly McCauley catches up with a transport operator to learn about their company and fleet of trucks. This month, she met up with Brodie Drummond of Stuart Drummond Transport from Richmond, near Nelson.
Who owns Stuart Drummond Transport?
Stuart Drummond Transport is a family-owned company, founded by Brodie’s dad Stuart, and today owned by the Drummond family.
What type of loads do you cart?
Stuart Drummond Transport is a solely log cartage company. They cart to sawmills, an MDF factory, and to the ports at both Nelson & Picton, where the logs are exported overseas.
How long has the transport company been in business?
The company has been in business for 36 years.
How many trucks are in the Stuart Drummond fleet and what brands do you have?
Stuart Drummond Transport operates 55 trucks, and their fleet consists of 18 Kenworths, 11 Freightliners, 2 Western Stars, 5 Scanias, 8 Hinos and 11 DAFs.
How many people does the company employ?
Stuart Drummond employs 70 people over their management, administration, workshop and driving fields.
Did you always think you would work in transport?
Brodie says growing up around his dad and trucks meant he always knew where he wanted to be. With his childhood involved in transport, it was an easy choice to make.
Where are the main areas you operate in around New Zealand?
Stuart Drummond Transport operates all over the top half of the South Island.
What is your title at Stuart Drummond Transport?
Brodie is the general manager of Stuart Drummond Transport.
How long have you been involved with the business?
Brodie has been involved with the company for 14 years. He started in 2007 and has worked his way up to general manager.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the industry?
The best thing would be meeting all different kinds of people.
What things would you like to see change for the transport industry over time?
Brodie says he would like to see more young people getting into the industry. He says succession within the industry is important, with many older, experienced drivers reaching retirement age in the next few years.
Do you have a favourite truck in your fleet?
The company’s Kenworth T900.
Can you tell me a fun or interesting fact about Stuart Drummond Transport?
The company is on track to travel 4.4 million km this year and cart more than a million tonnes of logs.
What would be some advice you would give to any young people who want to start a career in transport?
Start early with getting your licences, get the ball rolling. The transport industry is a great opportunity for young people to get ahead, as long as you are prepared to do the work.
Are all your trucks based in Richmond or are there other locations?
Stuart Drummond Transport has trucks based throughout the top of the South Island as well as on the West Coast and in Marlborough. Their main yard, workshop and headquarters are in Richmond.
