Managers from Ron Finemore Transport, Hardy’s Haulage and De Bruyn’s Transport will vie for the 2014 Craig Roseneder Award.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has narrowed the list of finalists for this year’s Craig Roseneder Award to three, with the winner due to be named later this month.
Glenn Griffiths from Ron Finemore Transport, Laeton Hardy from Hardy’s Haulage and Damien Allison from De Bruyn’s Transport are all in the running for the award, which recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop.
Griffiths is the fleet maintenance manager at Finemore, where he has rolled out maintenance programs and also developed fifth wheel coupling aids and non-slip ladder covers to prevent injuries to drivers.
The Victorian-based Griffiths is also the instigator of the Finemore Fitness program, which subsidises the health club memberships of employees.
Hardy has risen from a mechanic to the general manager and workshop manager at Hardy’s Haulage, where he is known for his dedication to technical and maintenance standards. Before new equipment enters service, Hardy subjects it to three weeks of improvements to install extra safety measures.
Allison has spent 20 years at De Bruyn’s Transport, where started as an apprentice. He has spent the last nine years as maintenance manager, a position that involves looking after maintenance for De Bruyn’s fleet of 113 powered vehicles, 130 trailers, forklifts, light vehicles and a 500 tonne capacity fish feed supply vessel.
Allison is credited for introducing standardisation and improved procedures within the fleet and for being a strong support of the company’s apprenticeship program.
Under his guidance, 12 warehousing trainees and 14 workshop apprentices have completed their qualifications, with many also excelling in the National World Skills competition.
The ATA will announce the winner on October 28 during this year’s Technical and Maintenance Conference.
ATA chair Noelene Watson says the Craig Roseneder Award recognises those in the workshop who work to keep Australia’s heavy vehicles in top condition.
“Safety and preventative maintenance are top priorities for the industry. So it’s essential for operators to have people in their workshop who go the extra mile and think of a better way to do things in the future,” Watson says.
“This year’s finalists for the Craig Roseneder Award do just that, having demonstrated an above-and-beyond approach to vehicle and workshop safety. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated people in our industry, and I congratulate our finalists on their achievement.”
The award winner will receive a trip the American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and the Transportation Technology Exhibition next year.
The prize comes with registration, return airfares, accommodation and $1,500 in spending money. The winner will also receive free attendance to the 2015 Technical and Maintenance Conference.