| 77 T T Hugh de Lacy Firm equipped to carry anything Evans Freight has depots in Te Anau and Invercargill, with a fleet of trucks, trailers and vans. Evans Freight TRANSPORT ‘You name it, we can move it whether it’s contained, caged or bagged’ is the adage that drives Evans Freight, the Te Anau-based transport company that shifts everything from general freight, farm supplies and machinery through to furniture and food products. “It’s quite a range,” says Evans Freight co-owner Carole Thompson. “We also have quite a range of clients, from individuals ordering on-line and needing clickand-collect, to local tradies, businesses and long-term commercial clients. “We work with larger suppliers under confidentiality agreements, so while we can’t name names, we take pride in delivering a high standard of service to a trusted network of regulars. Discretion and professionalism are the way we operate.” Evans Freight has depots in Te Anau and Invercargill, with a fleet of trucks, trailers and vans. It has a staff of 10, including Carole, co-owner Tony O’Loughlin, and their son Jaron Thompson, who’s in the process of taking over. “We service a mix of rural and commercial clients – about 50/50 – and freight can be anything from small parcels to furniture and large bulk items,” Carole says. “In recent years, we’ve streamlined our operation to better align with what plays to our strengths, and allows us to deliver the best-quality service. “We’ve got gear to handle a wide variety of freight, including unloading facilities at both our Te Anau depot and the delivery point, giving us an edge over the competition.” The trucks are Isuzus, mostly curtain-siders, plus a 12m flatdeck trailer and a 13m semi-trailer. “We also run a range of vans tailored for the job, such as a Transit van with rear side-opening doors that are ideal for pallets.” The company employs a full-time mechanic to keep the fleet serviced and repaired. It operates three times daily between Te Anau and Invercargill, and offers additional services for one-off jobs, or extras, as needed. Farming dominates the Southland economy, and Evans Freight works closely with suppliers, subcontractors and farmers. “The relationships are strong and ongoing,” Carole says. Evans Freight was founded in the early 1990s by Noeline and Jim Evans, who later sold the business to Pam and Peter Flynn, who stuck with the name, and then to Carole and Tony in 2000. “Since then we’ve grown the business, and it’s still proudly family-owned-and-operated, and we’re going through the succession process of setting our son Jaron up to take the reins,” Carole says. While Carole concedes that it’s hard to find staff like skilled truck drivers, Evans Freight is well-served by its team. “Driving isn’t just about sitting behind the wheel; it involves care, logistics, timing, proper loading, backing into tight spots, and being personable with customers. “It’s a shame that a truck driver can be responsible for a million dollars worth of machinery and freight, but doesn’t get the recognition because the freight cost the customer expects to pay doesn’t reflect the hourly rate that a truck driver should be paid,” Carole says.` Did you knowwe offer the following... General Mechanical Repairs Vehicle & Warranty Servicing Vehicle Diagnostics / Scan Tool Wheel Alignments Transmission Flush Great Value Tyres Century Batteries Castrol Oils Warrant of Fitness (WOF) Vehicle Trailer Motorbike PROUD TO OFFER YOU FRIENDLY, HELPFUL SERVICES 03 249 7557 teanau_autoservices@xtra.co.nz teanauautoservices.co.nz For all Commercial, Agricultural, Car & 4WD Tyres. Proudly supporting Evans Freight. (03) 208 8110 - 24 hour on call service 25 Ashton Street, Gore 100% locally owned and operated www.gore.carterstyres.co.nz -Gore Talk to us today, the feature profile experts Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz PROFILE YOUR PROJECT...
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