Commercial Fleet Services Wairarapa Ltd

COMMERCIAL FLEET SERVICES TEAM FROM LEFT: NICK, BRENDON, ISAAC, DAMIAN, JAMIE, BEN.

Heavy vehicle service and repairs by a skilled team

Repairing heavy trucks and trailers can be physically and mentally challenging, it is a 24/7 operation. Keeping our customers moving. Whether its in the workshop, on a foresty track, or broken down on the Remutaka Hill, as a heavy diesel mechanic your day is never the same, says Nick Smurthwaite. Thinking on the spot and ahead is a must. Overall, the satisfaction of helping people out on a day-to-day basis is what he enjoys most about the industry. His business, Commercial Fleet Services Wairarapa, which he owns with wife, Samantha, runs out of two workshops – the main workshop is located in Solway behind the BP truck stop, their other workshop is located in Burling Transport’s yard where all their big jobs are carried out.

They repair and maintain all makes of heavy trucks and trailers from onhighway freight trucks to fuel tankers, stock trucks, concrete trucks, logging trucks and the massive T909 Kenworth Transporters. For all these businesses time is precious, so when there is a breakdown, Commercial Fleet Services mechanics must be there asap, most times working under pressure, as a truck could be either blocking the road with police on hand, or blocking a forestry track holding up the only road in or out. His team have to be switched on at all times, diagnosing faults over the phone, making sure they have everything on hand, identifying hazards and thinking through the safest way to carry out the repair sometimes in terrible weather conditions. And it’s not just immediate repairs which keeps the team of six up and running. They offer all types of truck and trailer repairs, servicing, COFS, and warranty repairs to Kenworth and DAF. They specialise and are the agent for Kenworth and DAF trucks. They have a large supply of Kenworth and DAF parts and merchandise on hand as well as a large selection of other truck and trailer parts. If they don’t have the part you require on hand, they can usually get it the same day if ordered before 10am. The busy workshops in Wairarapa are a long way from the London flat where Nick and Samantha met. Nick was from Auckland and Sam from Wellington. They returned together and now have four children, including 10-year-old twins.

Nick is a qualified petrol and diesel mechanic, he completed his diesel apprenticeship in Wellington while working for Goughs as the Kenworth and DAF dealer at the time. The move to Wairarapa was based on wanting the children to grow up in a more rural environment. They co-owned Commercial Fleet Services for a time and then totally purchased in early 2020. They are very appreciative of the dedicated and talented team of mechanics who have joined them. Damian is their foreman, previously the foreman at Trucks and Trailers Wellington with over 20 years experience. Brendon is their senior technician also from Wellington, previously he worked for Central Group, maintaining TR Groups fleet of trucks and trailers. Jamie is a newly qualified technician joining them from McCarthy Transport where he completed his qualification. Ben is their 3rd year apprentice and started with CFS after leaving school. Contractor Isaac also lends his skills and experience to the team two days a week. Isaac was previously the foreman at Emmett’s Truck Services in Palmerston North. Samantha keeps the team together in charge of administration and yummy food in the tearoom.

HEAVY VEHICLE WORKSHOP

TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICING, REPAIRS & PARTS WAIRARAPA WIDE.

We are a locally owned and operated heavy vehicle workshop providing all your service repairs and parts requirements to keep your heavy transport eet up and running. Unit 1/307 High Street (behind BP truckstop), Solway, Masterton. accounts@cfs.net.nz 06 370 1649 Service dealer and parts supplier for