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A thirst for knowledge HAVING WORKED AT EATON VEHICLE GROUP FOR THE BEST PART OF 30 YEARS, GRAEME WESTON HAS AMASSED A WEALTH OF UNDERSTANDING OF HEAVY VEHICLE POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE. As for what he has seen develop or change in the industry over the years, Graeme says the meteoric rise of AMT technology across all brands and applications is a standout. “Widespread adoption of this technology has reduced driver fatigue, positively impacted Occupational Health and Safety and increased operational efficiencies for fleets,” he says. “More recently, the comprehensive integration of sophisticated electronic systems across the vehicle such as adaptive cruise, collision avoidance and autonomous emergency braking has further enhanced the benefits.” Asked who he admires in the industry, Graeme says Phil Webb, now retired Engineer who worked at PACCAR for 44 years and Pat Phyland from P&D Diesel near Ballarat spring instantly to mind. “From their incredible depth of knowledge regarding applications, vehicle engineering and systems integration to their amazing willingness to share that knowledge, both men have had a significant influence on me,” he says. Graeme Weston started with Eaton in 1993
experience in how vastly variable vehicles,
In summing up, Graeme says he feels
as an intern after completing a Bachelor
operators, customer expectations and
extremely blessed to work in an industry and
of Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne
operating conditions can be in different parts
with vehicles and equipment for which his
University, but even before then he had a
of the world.
passion is real and palpable.
real passion for trucks and the transport
“In 2006 I returned Down Under to assume
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have many
industry.
the role of Engineering Manager for
memorable experiences as well as meeting
“My interest in heavy vehicles grew through
Australia and New Zealand, which included
and working with some truly remarkable
my teenage years and I always knew I would
responsibilities for Technical Service and
people across the whole spectrum of the
end up working in the industry,” Graeme
Warranty,” Graeme says.
industry,” he says.
says of his career path thus far.
He reveals that since that time the company’s
While mechanical engineering is his
Engineering team has invested, and
primary profession, Graeme has also spent
continues to invest heavily to develop and
a significant amount of time in Sales, Key
fine tune its automated manual transmission
Industry Icon
Account and Territory Management at Eaton.
(AMT) product offerings to meet the specific
Made possible by Smedley’s Engineers.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s he had
needs of this unique market.
Industry Icon is a series dedicated to
the opportunity to work in the transport
In October 2020 Graeme commenced his
honouring the unsung heroes of the
industries of Southeast Asia and North
current role of Business Unit Manager for
commercial road transport industry.
America where he gained firsthand
Australia and New Zealand.
72
Trailer Magazine DECEMBER 21
