112 | Family proud of history Delivery of aggregate and kiwifruit are a focus for Yelavich Transport. TRANSPORT Yelavich Transport T T Sue Russell “We’re tremendously proud of our family’s longevity in the transport sector. Each generation, from my grandfather, Ante Jelavic who arrived in Auckland in 1904, who with his sons formed Yelavich Brothers Ltd in October 1947, has imprinted the business with a strong work ethic that carries through to us all today. Bob Yelavich may be 91 years old, but there are no signs he’s slowing down from his generational connection to Yelavich Transport, a company he’s helped nurture and now steadfastly ‘oversees’, based in Henderson, in Auckland’s western-precinct. Today, son and Director Milan along with his wife Angela has assumed full responsibility for the business’s continued success, but also acknowledge that Yelavich Transport is very much working ‘on the coat-tails’ of the Yelavich brothers, of which Bob was one. “We’re tremendously proud of our family’s longevity in the transport sector. Each generation, from my grandfather, Ante Jelavic who arrived in Auckland in 1904, who with his sons formed Yelavich Brothers Ltd in October 1947, has imprinted the business with a strong work ethic that carries through to us all today,” says Milan. In 1953, Yelavich Brothers, already involved in trucking, moved into occupying and running the Waitakere Quarry, providing aggregate for the growing community and councils in the district. Today, Yelavich Transport Ltd manages the Muriwai Sandstone Quarry, west of Waimauku, supplying Run of Pit Sandstone and milled sandstone products. Asked how business has been Milan says the business is ticking along nicely, with well-established clients in the sectors it serves. “We are also lucky to have a core group of staff who have been with us for a while. The longest serving truck driver has been with us for over 15 years. As drivers, they need to have a professional attitude because as you can imagine, driving around Auckland can be very frustrating.” It is not only around the delivery of aggregate that keeps the wheels turning for Yelavich Transport. There’s also the transporting of kiwifruit, which the business ventured into around 20 years ago, moving the fruit from the orchards of West Auckland to a pack-house and then on to Mt Maunganui for export. The business is located at 20 The Concourse, Henderson, where a supply yard of aggregates is also found. Milan says that toward the Covid era and immediately after, the transport sector was busier than it had been for a long time. Today, business is somewhat quieter, however he reflects that one of the advantages of being involved in the industry so long is that there is a cyclical nature to how busy they are, and where demand for their services comes from. “We hope to be able to ride out the current slowdown in construction without losing any employees which is very important to us. The economy’s ups and downs are one of the reasons that we have never got any bigger than we are now.” During the kiwifruit season Milan says he is driving a lot of the time, however at other periods he tries to stay out of the trucks as much as he can. Wife Angela is Office Manager, and of course there’s Dad Bob, on site every day. “We still have many customers who ring up and want to talk to Bob for advice or a quote. Being in business 76 years and counting is setting quite the record of achievement. He just wouldn’t think to not be here. It’s been his whole work life and that’s wonderful.” Today, there are 12 full-time staff, across, admin, driving, dispatch; as big as the company has ever been. And carrying on the theme of generations investing in the business, Milan’s son Logan is also actively involved. The company has in the past always been loyal to the International brand of trucks although nowadays the comfort and safety features provided by the European brands are now being seen in the Yelavich colours. Its fleet includes six wheeler tip trucks, truck and trailer units, an articulated truck and curtain sider truck and trailer units, used for transporting general freight within the North Island. www.westcityconstruction.co.nz | admin@westcityconstruction.co.nz | Ph: 09 8328034 Specialising in all facets of Civil Construction
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