INDUSTRY ICON
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A whiz in the workshop ROAD TRANSPORT IS A GREAT INDUSTRY TO BE INVOLVED IN ACCORDING TO DENNIS ROOHAN. WITH SO MANY PASSIONATE AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE IN IT HE SAYS HE WOULDN’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE ELSE. able to get the unit going as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. I like that not one day is ever the same.” Over the years, Dennis has witnessed significant changes to emissions, lubrication, Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) and trailer designs. “Emission changes have caused us some headaches along the way, however the end result has been great, longer service intervals and some outstanding durability in our current Euro 5 / 6 engines.” Dennis says – adding it was a fantastic result to be one of the pioneers of Performance-Based Standards (PBS). “We put into service a 30m B-double up to the East Coast of Australia from Melbourne to Brisbane. The unit had 23 per cent more capacity than other combinations, was safer and outperformed the rest; it was a great project to be involved in although the roadblocks and red tape from councils added significant costs to the exercise as well as an additional six
Dennis Roohan.
months and a few grey hairs.” Dennis Roohan’s initial interest in trucks
to repair trucks so in late 1994 I was able
Throughout Dennis’ career Bob Woodward,
and trailers came from his father, Joe, who
to obtain an apprenticeship with the John
who currently serves as the Australian
was the Branch Manager of a local Recar
Farragher Transport Group. From that I was
Trucking Association’s (ATA) Chief Engineer,
Smash Repair Centre and then years later
able to get an early release and was promoted
has been a constant help and sounding
an assessor at National Transport Insurance
to Workshop foreman, then several months
board as well as a great forward thinker and
(NTI).
later Fleet Maintenance manager, a position I
engineering genius in road transport.
“I spend many weekends crawling over
held for the next 10 years.”
“I was able to join the ATA’s Industry
smashed and repaired trucks learning how
Following that stint, Dennis would go on to
Technical Council at a relatively early time
they worked and later looking at the best way
work with a waste management fleet and
in my career and through that I have been
to repair heavy vehicles in the most efficient
then a civil construction fleet in the capacity
able to surround myself with some of the
way possible,” he says. “I was in Year 11,
as Maintenance Manager.
best minds in fleet maintenance in the
and had no desire to be at school, I wanted
“Both roles were challenging,” he says.
world,” Dennis says. “These guys were
“However, I missed the linehaul / express
and still are always happy to share their
overnight side of the transport industry, so I
knowledge and insights.
Fast Fact
joined AJM Transport as Fleet Maintenance
In 2020, Dennis Roohan was
Manager and now oversee the business as
awarded the Craig Roseneder Award
Group General Manager.”
Industry Icon
which recognises technical and
The express road transport side, according
Made possible by Smedley’s Engineers.
fleet maintenance excellence at the
to Dennis, has a unique set of challenges.
Industry Icon is a series dedicated to
Australian Trucking Association’s
“Whether it be fires, floods, accidents or
honouring the unsung heroes of the
Technical & Maintenance conference.
breakdowns the show must go on,” he
commercial road transport industry.
says. “You must solve the problem and be
56
Trailer Magazine APRIL 22
