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Hands-on approach for Whiteline’s Middleton

Whiteline Transport Director Sharon Middleton is one of the few women in the industry who does it all

Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | August 8, 2012

From starting as a receptionist to running a successful transport company and driving trucks, Whiteline Transport Director Sharon Middleton is one of the few women in the industry who does it all.

Together with her husband Bob, she runs freight to Perth from their Adelaide headquarters and was this year named the president of the South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA).

Middleton (pictured with Bob and Nugget) has been on the board for a decade, acting as vice-president for the past five years. The 50-year-old has been running Whiteline’s administration for the past 30 years and oversees the company’s 25 drivers.

Three years ago she went for a truck licence, keen to learn more about what it’s like being a driver. Middleton became hooked and subsequently went for a road train and B-triple licence.

She has helped grow the business from three trucks when she first met Bob, with their success built on good people doing things the right way, she says.

Most of their drivers have been with the company for over 25 years, choosing to stay because of the quality of equipment, good remuneration, family-friendly working hours and a one-truck policy for drivers.

“They each have their own truck and they all do the same run, so from planning their life they know they can tell their wife they’ll be home at a certain time,” Middleton says.

“When they’re on holidays or they can’t go, the truck stays in. It’s like a sense of ownership.

“They [employees] are treated like a member of the family, not like someone who’s in just for the job,” Middleton says.

See the September edition of ATN for the full story on Whiteline Transport. Phone 1300 461 528, contact us or click here to guarantee your copy.

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