In Mark Tobin’s 12 years as CEO Followmont Transport has embarked on an exceptional growth journey. Now, with Tobin set to take a guiding, behind the scenes role as Managing Director, former COO Ross Longmire has been selected to take the historic transport company into the future.
Longmire himself has extensive experience within the transport and logistics space. Prior to arriving at Followmont in 2021 he spent over 20 years in a variety of roles that saw him oversee operations in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and then nationally.
Now, he’s taken the reins at one of the most well-respected logistics operations on Australia’s east coast, a move Tobin told ATN has been in the works for some time.
“I identified Ross some time ago as a suitable candidate to take over the role,” Tobin tells ATN.
“It was probably two years ago that I really made up my mind that the business needed a different leader, and part of the succession plan with my brother being in the business was about me getting around the day-to-day and us working on the business, not in the business.
“We wanted to bring a different type of leadership in, and over the last three years 100 per cent of my focus has been on building the most capable leadership team working at its highest level possible in Australia.
“It’s about having the best possible people that live our values and embody our family values.”
Followmont’s strong growth in its home market of Queensland and through New South Wales has been well founded over recent years, but Victoria and other parts of Australia still remain outside of the company’s catchment area.
As an organisation that takes pride in servicing the regional communities in which it operates, Followmont continuing its campaign south – now under the leadership of Longmire – seems the most logical option.
Tobin, however, says while continued growth is on the cards for Followmont, the company will not expand for expansion’s sake.
“Expanding into Victoria whether its 3PL or something else, our goal is to make sure we’ve got the right capability in the boardroom so we can extend our business wherever we want – as long as it suits our business model,” Tobin says.
“It’s about having the right people in the right places that can actually do it in the way we want, and not be forced into it.
“We won’t be caught in any acquisition or merger unless it suits our model. Our clear strategy is documented, and the most important thing is to live by that strategy.
“We are focused on growing the business in a number of areas, but that growth is about strategic growth, not just growth for the sake of it.
“That’s what complements our business approach and our network. It’s not about growing for the sake of boosting revenue up; we need to ensure we have a sustainable business for the future.”
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