68 | AUTOMOTIVE Transport Mechanical Services 33 Coles Crescent, PO Box 72-016, Papakura 2244 T 09 299 6596 E reception@robbix.co.nz Business Advisors • Rural Specialists • Chartered Accountants Proud to be associated with Transport Mechanical Services. Proudly Supporting Transport Mechanical Services TRUCK PARTS Keeping heavy vehicles moving The business specialises in the heavy vehicle sector, carrying out everything from routine servicing and preventative maintenance through to engine rebuilds, trailer servicing and roadside repairs. T T Russell Fredric Transport Mechanical Services has grown from a one-man mobile operation into a busy Takanini workshop by focusing on keeping heavy vehicles moving through responsive service and preventative maintenance. Owner Logan Julian started the business just over six years ago after deciding there was a better way to support transport operators than he had experienced working elsewhere. Today, the business employs five mechanics alongside Logan and partner Teri Grantham, who manages service administration and accounts, servicing about 150 trucks for customers throughout South Auckland and beyond. “We started the business in the middle of Covid. I needed a change, so I decided working for myself was the way to go,” Logan says. Beginning as a mobile operation, Transport Mechanical Services moved into its Takanini workshop three years ago and has continued to expand its capability. The business specialises in the heavy vehicle sector, carrying out everything from routine servicing and preventative maintenance through to engine rebuilds, trailer servicing and roadside repairs, with customers ranging from freight operators and container fleets to tip trucks and agricultural businesses. Central to that growth has been a strong emphasis on preventative maintenance. The workshop uses MechanicDesk software with customised service schedules, allowing the team to monitor servicing intervals and record observations that carry forward from one job to the next. Rather than simply repairing faults as they occur, mechanics can flag oil leaks, worn components or developing issues before they become breakdowns, helping customers avoid costly downtime while keeping trucks on the road. “Making sure we’re not holding customers up is a big part of it. We want to keep their vehicles going all the time, and there’s a lot of preventative maintenance involved. Most of the customers we work with have the same mindset; get it done before it fails.” The workshop’s technical capability has grown alongside the business. Its diagnostic equipment includes Jaltest software supported by manufacturer-level American diagnostic programs, allowing technicians to diagnose European, American and Japanese heavy vehicles from a single platform. Engineering repairs such as non-structural welding are completed in-house, with specialist structural work referred to trusted subcontractors. Supporting that workshop capability is a fleet of three fully equipped mobile service vehicles carrying specialist tooling for roadside repairs, while diagnostics can be transferred from the workshop as required. A dedicated yard truck is available for customer hire if a vehicle cannot be returned to service immediately, helping minimise disruption for transport operators. Finding skilled technicians remains one of the business’s biggest challenges. Logan says recruiting experienced mechanics is difficult, making culture and apprenticeship training increasingly important as the company grows. “Getting the right people is a big part of it because one person can disrupt the culture. It’s probably better than it’s ever been now, and we’re retaining some good staff.” Transport Mechanical Services continues to invest in both its people and its workshop, recently adding mobile truck hoists and an expanded bulk oil system while planning additional parts and service support roles to match its continued growth. Logan has no intention of standing still, with further investment in workshop capacity, specialist parts support and service coordination aimed at continuing to enhance the business and to help customers keep their fleets operating efficiently.
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