John Martin, RHA Policy Manager for Northern Ireland

John Martin

RHA Policy Manager for Northern Ireland.

WOMEN IN LOGISTICS - SUREFREIGHT TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HGV TECHNICIANS

John Martin, the RHA’s Policy Manager for Northern Ireland, recently called with RHA members Surefreight Ltd based in Newry to discuss with Martin McGoldrick, Surefreight’s Commercial Director how they were ensuring the next generation of HGV technicians were being trained to provide an “in-house” capacity to maintain their increasing fleet of vehicles.

Martin introduced me to their apprentice, Kevina Burns, who at 18 years of age is already proving to be something of a “high performer” in maintaining Surefreight’s fleet. Kevina is attending the Southern Regional College in Newry, studying heavy vehicle repair since 2020 and has completed her NVQ level 2 with flying colours and is now commencing studies in level 3. Commented Martin: “We have had many apprentices throughout the years, but we are now blessed with someone who truly stands out from the crowd”. Martin went on to explain that Kevina can be relied upon to undertake most duties in workshop including safety inspections, annual roadworthiness preparations and pre-test assessments and has a 100% pass rate on the vehicles that she assesses and prepares. This is fantastic given the Northern Ireland average is in the region of 79%. She also undertakes complete brake overhauls, diagnosing and rectifying wiring faults along with wiring and fitting accessories such as spot lamps, invertors, CB radio and Telematics. She is also competent in the use of vehicle diagnostics software. Kevina explained that she has always had an interest in heavy goods vehicles as her father is an owner driver. But given she left school at 16 she couldn’t wait around until she could sit her HGV class C test and wanted to get into the sector immediately. She recognised that if you’re a small family run haulage business with such tight margins there is an expectation maintenance will be undertaken in house where possible to reduce costs therefore assist the family business, therefore, she didn’t hesitate to learn the trade from a maintenance perspective.

MANY CHALLENGES

Kevina also appreciates that as a girl working in a male dominated environment, she will have to work harder than others to prove herself in this field – however that is seen as a great challenge as opposed to obstacle. Despite receiving some negative comments from people from a young age that she couldn’t break into the industry, she couldn’t take over her father’s company one day and she certainly couldn’t be an HGV mechanic, Kevina has set out not only to prove people wrong but also set an example that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Kevina went on the explain that on her first day in the Southern Regional College when she went for induction there were 11 other aspiring HGV mechanics, however, it was maybe slightly disappointing but not surprising to discover that she was the only female in the class. Did this put Kevina off or change her mind? Certainly not, however she did accept that from the outset she would have to work harder than the 10 boys to be accepted so not only did she have to pass the same tests she had to win their approval to become part of the team. She faced the same challenges when working in the workshop and dealing with some drivers as the only female mechanic in the workshop. She has met these challenges head on and is now accepted by all of her peers and indeed in the workplace when a difficult job is to be completed, they all look for Kevina to assist them.

GREAT EXAMPLE

Kevina is a fantastic example that all careers in haulage are open to and can be undertaken by females and she would like more young girls to join all positions within the sector. Martin explained: “When we look out onto the floor we don’t see Kevina the girl in a male dominated environment, we don’t see Kevina the apprentice in an environment where fully qualified people rule, we see Kevina, an excellent prospect for the future, a more than capable HGV mechanic and above all someone who has overcome adversity and chose a path she was told by society not to walk, she didn’t walk it, she is sprinting and setting a high bar for all to follow.” Yes, it was great to meet someone like Kevina, who at 18 years of age is setting a high bar within a male dominated environment and despite all the perceptions and negatively surrounding her choice of career she is proving all the doubters wrong. The RHA has been at the forefront of promoting logistics as a career for all with fantastic opportunities for those who are prepared to work. Kevina is a shining example of someone who is prepared to follow her own career path and challenge the norm – given my background as an HGV technician I appreciate its not an easy job but I take my hat off to Kevina and wish her well in her future career and will be checking up on her progress each time I call with Surefreight.

TOP OF THE RANGE HIAB CRANE IMPRESSES TYRONE LIFTING SPECIALISTS

Truck mounted crane hire and lifting specialists County Tyrone based Leitch Translift Ltd has recently taken delivery of a new top of the range crane supplied by authorised Hiab dealers for Northern Ireland, MAW Engineering.

The heavy segment loader Hiab X-HIPRO 858 features the most advanced remote control system in the industry and is packed with other innovative safety features. Its fine-tuned hydraulics ensure smooth operation with no surprises, keeping even the most challenging loads steady. Its valve technology distributes a high flow of oil that allows rapid movements, plus load sensing and pressure compensation that further increase speed. Fitted by Nugent Engineering in Dungannon to a Volvo 540 8x2 tractor unit supplied by Dennison Commercials, it has been impressing the company’s Niall Leitch on a variety of projects. Established in 2008, Leitch Translift provides customers throughout the UK and Ireland with a wide range of services, including lifting, moving and fitting plant and machinery such as CNC & Lathes, as well as pre-cast products, electricity transformers, wind turbines, portacabins and abnormal loads. “We initially acquired the Hiab for lifting modular buildings, which is also an increasing part of our business,” says Niall. “With a reach of 21m and a lift capacity of 2.4 tonnes, it is ideal for that type of work, as well as for moving and installing plant and machinery. “The remote control system on the crane means we can use less manpower on many of our projects; we will probably order another one as our work load grows.” He adds: “The support we have received from MAW Engineering has been excellent. When the truck and crane were delivered, they organised some invaluable training on how to get the best from the crane in the most efficient and effective manner.”

PLAYING A ROUND WITH MERCEDES-BENZ NI

Mercedes-Benz NI recently held a day out on the spectacular and famous greens at Belvoir Golf Club in Belfast.

Voted as ‘The Best Parkland Course in Ulster’ in the Golfers Guide to Ireland 2021, this 71 par championship parkland course was designed by the famed course architect Harry S. Colt, who in 1929 laid out the plans for the famous Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of the 148th Open Championship in 2019. The course meanders through 163 acres of mature woodland, and proved not only a challenge to the players, but also a great backdrop to an enjoyable occasion.

Team Winners: Kris Babb, Mick Kiely, Pauline Keating, Barry Stratfull and Neil McKibbin.

New E sprinter. Balcony view. Individual Winner: Gary O’Neill and Pauline Keating.

New E-Vito.

Team 1: Andy Eccles - MB VANS UK; Paul McGuire- GUS Commercials; Jimmy McNeill – ETRUX; and Robert McMullan - Mellors. Team 2: Stuart Jeggo - MB TRUCKS UK; Fraser Orr – Amazon; Callum Orr – Amazon; and Bill Henry - Sam Solutions.

Team 3: Colin Nicholl – MBNI; Pat Dowds - Dowds Transport; Colin Stannage – EA; and Eamon Lynch - Strathroy Dairies. Team 4: Scott MacDonald – Intertoll, Ronan Hamill - ETRUX, Adrian Logan – UTV and Neil McMurrin – Balloo.

REFLECTING ON A LIFELONG CAREER

STUART MARTIN, SALES DIRECTOR, GRAY & ADAMS IRELAND

From an early age I was interested in cars and trucks; I was a tea boy on a building site and loved being in the JCB or away in the tipper trucks. I remember discovering a hoard of old Commercial Motor magazines dumped at a friend’s stables and from that moment I was hooked.

Throughout my secondary

school education I avidly read Truck, Truck International and the afore mentioned Commercial Motor, the transport scene in Britain was changing from the old traditional manufacturers such as ERF, Foden, Guy, Leyland and Scammell with the introduction of more modern vehicles from Scania, Volvo, DAF, Magirius and Renault and these new innovative products caught my imagination, I was fascinated by stories of international journeys to Europe and the Middle East. I completed my education and although I could have gone to university, I was determined to emulate my father and embark on a sales career. I wrote to every dealer in Northern Ireland asking for a job and joined the local Mercedes Benz franchise and after a period of training I soon began selling vans and trucks, some of which I couldn`t legally drive on the roads. Around this time I sat and passed my National and International CPC exams and I believe I was one of the youngest entrants at the time. My 21st birthday couldn`t come soon enough and miraculously I got my “Class 1” licence.

STICK & STAY

It was during this part of my career that I came into contact with Harry McEwan, the Managing Director of Gray & Adams Ireland. He persuaded me to come and work for the company in a sales role. For the first couple of months, I figured I had made an awful decision; secretly I wondered if I could sneak back to my old employer and sit at the same desk and maybe nobody would notice I had been away! However, to borrow a phrase that some Americans use I decided to “stick and stay and make it pay”. I worked principally with the small rigid bodies and sourcing repair work. It was not until a couple of years later that I was pushed towards trailer sales and then I began to enjoy my career. You learnt your trade and combined with an inquisitive mind, enthusiasm and a desire to succeed I began to pick up customers in Northern and Southern Ireland. Quite often the rigid customers needed guidance and help arriving at a suitable specification, but the road hauliers knew what they wanted and often drove a hard deal. You learnt quickly or you would fail just as quickly!

Stuart Martin.

FAMILY FIRM

Geographically, Gray & Adams Ireland is more remote from Fraserburgh than the other depots in the group and we were given huge latitude to develop and nurture our market. I enjoyed the hands-off approach and the relative freedom to work independently. Being part of a family firm always appealed to me; I don`t think I could ever have got used to a corporate culture and just like when you were growing up you knew what the boundaries where and how to conduct yourself Gray & Adams instilled a sensible, realistic and pragmatic approach in how we dealt with our customers, and we often went the extra mile. My ultimate boss was Jim Gray. I was wily enough to keep out of his way and we never had a cross word; he was full of good old common sense and wisdom and quietly appreciated the efforts we went to whilst working in a difficult environment during the “troubles” in Northern Ireland. I am fortunate to have worked for a titan within the industry and played my part in making our company a well-respected leading brand. Jim Gray was the Henry Ford of refrigerated trailers, and I am delighted to be part of that experience.

KEEN & ENTHUSIASTIC

My mother said I couldn`t sit still as a child and that annoying feature has stayed with me. Away from work I always took on another project, more often than not involving refurbishing a house. I bit off more than I could chew as our current home has more than an acre of landscaped gardens and I fall into the category of a reluctant gardener. Rose and I have elderly mothers, each with their own needs and together with grandchildren who live in Germany down time is definitely in short supply. I don`t understand how people get time to watch or participate in sports! As we meet the unprecedented challenges having emerged from Covid, the material and component shortages and the crisis in Ukraine we have all quietly risen to those demands and continue to chart a steady path in delivering industry leading products and services. When I was 19, I met a Leyland truck salesman who was battle hardened, sceptical and weary, but having reached my 60th birthday and after 37 years in this job I am still keen and enthusiastic. Not bad for a fella that thought he had made a terrible mistake in leaving his former job!