54 | Going the extra mile Hamburger Transport now runs a fleet of 10 vehicles, including both trucks and vans, is well-equipped for tail-lift deliveries, chilled and frozen product, and is MPI licensed to carry export foodstuffs. Hamburger Transport T T Kelly Deeks “It has been a tough couple of years and some of the bigger companies have started doing metro transport as well. But for us, it’s what we concentrate on.” TRANSPORT Celebrating another significant milestone in the journey of its success, Christchurch’s Hamburger Transport has turned 20 years old, and with one of the largest metro transport fleets in the city, has put a strong focus on its customers since day one. “There are a few more that have joined in doing what we do,” says owner Rhys Hamburger. “It has been a tough couple of years and some of the bigger companies have started doing metro transport as well. But for us, it’s what we concentrate on.” Covering greater Christchurch from Rangiora to Rolleston, Hamburger Transport moves a variety of goods in big or small loads, from parcels to pallets, from foodstuffs to airfreight delivery, across the region on a daily basis. With tidy vehicles and uniformed drivers, the company aims to bolster the professional image of its customers and deliver all goods in a timely manner. Rhys started up Hamburger Transport after more than 10 years in the transport industry, mainly contract driving for other companies. He was a first-time dad at the time and regretted hardly seeing his new daughter while working 15-hour days. With a truck purchased and a licence obtained, Rhys started Hamburger Transport from scratch, with no customers.“A strong customer focus was so important at the beginning, just to get started,” he says. “We had to demonstrate we were good to deal with, and we’ve remained that way for 20 years. Our experienced team prides itself on efficiency and is always happy to go the extra mile to please our clients, and their clients, at the point of delivery.” Hamburger Transport now runs a fleet of 10 vehicles, including both trucks and vans, is well-equipped for tail-lift deliveries, chilled and frozen product, and is MPI licensed to carry export foodstuffs. The company has a large and varied customer base, and carries consignments ranging from one single carton to 100 pallets. Its ‘no-hassle’ philosophy means Hamburger Transport gets the job done on time and on budget. Rhys says this year has been the hardest so far since Hamburger Transport started, and he even had to make one staff member redundant earlier in the year. “It makes the GFC look like a kid’s party,” he says. But he knows he has to survive the hard times to be there for the good times, and that means making the tough decisions, and now that he’s lost a team member, jumping back in the truck as the workload starts to pick back up for summer. “It’s all part of surviving the rough times. The good times always come again.” After 20 years in business, Rhys still loves the industry and loves what he does every day. He says he could write a book about some of the drivers who have passed through his doors, while some he would rather forget! As a New Zealand small business, he feels like an endangered species, but is still battling on. Hamburger Transport has recently enjoyed two good months and is looking forward to the market turning around soon. Talk to us today, the feature profile experts Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz PROFILE YOUR PROJECT...
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