Outstanding contributors to road transport industry honoured

Media Release
13 November 2017

Outstanding contributors to NZ road transport industry honoured

Outstanding achievement and the promotion of excellence in the road transport industry has been appropriately recognised at the 2017 Road Transport Forum Conference with the presentation of four New Zealand Road Transport Industry Awards.

“Such an intensely competitive and adaptable industry as road transport naturally includes a high number of passionate people and some exceptional innovators that really know how to provide the best possible service to their customers,” says Road Transport Forum Chief Executive Ken Shirley.

“2017’s award winners exemplify a people-first approach to the way they do business as well as being open to new technologies and the significant benefits that come with training and professional development.”

Christchurch-based NZ Express Transport took home the UDC Finance Outstanding Contribution to Training Award.

In recent years NZ Express has deliberately taken on a number of inexperienced drivers and staff and has invested in their training and professional development. This commitment to training has provided the company with a workforce it is proud of and a group of people who are dedicated to the improvement of the business.

The Sime Darby NZ Outstanding Contribution to Health & Safety Award was won by Tranzliquid’s Jackie Carroll of Tauranga.

In her role as Director and Health and Safety Manager Jackie has made a significant contribution to Tranzliquid’s professional and caring health and safety culture. She has implemented a number of initiatives that have resulted in outstanding health and safety performance including upskilling other staff to take more responsibility for Health & Safety issues within the organisation.

The Teletrac Navman Outstanding Contribution to Innovation Award was won by Waste Management NZ.

Transitioning to an electric vehicle fleet is a key initiative in Waste Management’s Sustainability Commitment.

Having one of NZ’s largest heavy vehicle fleets with over 800 trucks Waste Management has made the decision to invest in electric vehicles as well as reusing their landfills and methane capturing energy parks to generate electricity.

Each diesel-powered vehicle replaced by an electric truck saves Waste Management 125 litres of diesel per day. The company’s plan is to open a workshop in Auckland in 2018 so that its future electric conversions can be done in New Zealand, while also supporting other companies who wish to follow their lead.

Reflecting the positive advancement of the industry’s values and a long-term personal commitment to the industry, Allied Publications’ Trevor Woolston was presented with the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to New Zealand Road Transport Award.

NZ Truck and Driver Magazine is one of the industry’s most identifiable brands and is available extensively throughout the country. However, Trevor’s work for the industry is not limited to what is between the pages of Truck and Driver.

“As many people recognise, Trevor’s passion for road transport has led to him being one of the industry’s staunchest advocates,” Ken Shirley says. Trevor supports many of the industry’s events and is particularly passionate about promoting the sector to school students and young people.”

“Trevor is also not shy in letting the industry know where we can improve, particularly in regards to addressing issues such as the driver shortage. It is this kind of honesty and integrity that make him such an outstanding contributor to the road transport community,” says Shirley.

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