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QTA gongs earned by state’s top performers

QTA awards night recognises the contribution of Queensland trucking’s best and brightest

 

Some of the biggest names in Queensland trucking were honoured at this year’s Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) awards.

The awards night, held in conjunction with the group’s annual dinner on October 31, saw gongs handed out across seven categories.

Rocky’s Own Transport CEO Bryan Smith received the Industry Excellence Award for the work he has done since taking on the top job at the company in 2005.

The QTA says Smith has turned Rocky’s Own Transport into one of Australia’s leading national specialised transport firms.

“Bryan is passionate about looking after his staff and this is evident by a number of initiatives brought into Rocky’s Own, including the employee profit sharing scheme and company health scheme (fully funded private healthcare),” the QTA says.

“Bryan is unwavering in his commitment to the safety of his workers and works to form partnerships with clients that are built on a solid foundation of safety principles.”

Meanwhile, Lindsay Transport and Swire Cold Storage shared the Industry Safety Award for safety initiatives both companies have implemented.

Lindsay Transport was cited for its patented solution to eliminating injuries stemming from uncoupling B-trailers and removing load restraint bars.

“The driver multi-tool works by eliminating the awkward bent-over postures required to access the turntable release handle on B-trailers, allowing the driver to uncouple the trailer in a neutral, upright position in an open space,” the QTA says.

Bell Heavy Haulage national transport manager Chloe Jenkings won the Young Achiever Award for her role in helping the firm secure key contracts and expand the scope of its operations while also improving fleet utilisation and decreasing vehicle downtime.

Another well-known Queensland trucking company, Followmont Transport, shared in the spoils on the night by receiving the People Leadership Excellence Award.

The QTA says the company has undertaken a number of initiatives to attract, retain and develop staff, including implementing formal leadership programs, promoting careers in transport and running annual business awards.

“Followmont believe that their people are their number one asset. Their youngest employee is 16 and the oldest is 90,” the QTA says.

“They have a gender diverse workforce with 30 per cent female participation rate.”

This year’s Trucking Woman of the Year Award went to Melissa Taylor from Taylor’s Removal and Storage.

The QTA says Taylor was the first female in her family to work in the business when she left the world of fashion for trucking in 2004.

The QTA says Taylor has been instrumental in expanding the business’s focus from just household and office relocations to records management, crate hire and international relocations.

“Passionate about creating a diverse workforce, she is credited with increasing female participation in the business from 10 per cent in 2011 to 24 per cent in 2015,” the QTA says.

Owner-driver Nigel Felton was named Professional Driver of the Year for his work with All Purpose Transport (APT).

The QTA says Felton has been with APT for 12 years, has “an exemplary safety record” and was one of the first owner-drivers to complete at Certificate III at APT.

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