ATA workshop awards announced

Bob Woodward and Glenn Griffiths have been honoured at the Australian Trucking Association's Castrol Vecton Awards dinner

The Australian truck industry has officially recognised two of its outstanding individuals, with Glenn Griffiths and Bob Woodward both honoured at the recent Castrol Vecton Awards dinner, held in Melbourne during the ATA/ARTSA 2014 PACCAR & Dealer Technical & Maintenance Conference.

Mr Griffiths, Fleet Maintenance Manager for Ron Finemore Transport, received the 2014 Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence in the Workshop, while Mr Woodward, a long-time industry stalwart and technical expert, received the Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement Award.

With the award's emphasis on innovation, mentoring and industry involvement, the Craig Roseneder Award was bestowed upon Mr Griffths for his tireless pursuit of safety in managing and maintaining a fleet of 250 prime movers and 450 trailers.

The Deputy Chairman of ARTSA (Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association), Martin Toomey, said Mr Griffiths had devised numerous innovations to enhance staff safety at Finemore's.

"Glenn continually challenges the safety status quo, developing new equipment such as fifth-wheel coupling aids and non-slip access ladder covers to reduce driver injury rates," he said.

"He is dedicated to training the younger generation, with four apprentices currently learning the trade under his guidance."

Mr Griffiths said he was receiving the award on behalf of many.

"Although I accept this award myself, it’s a real team effort," he said.

"From the skilled breakdown guys at night to the apprentices learning the trade, they all help keep the fleet safe.

"We have a strong safety culture and a great record. We know that more than 500 people need to come to work and go home safely at night."

As winner of the Craig Roseneder Award, Mr Griffiths will receive a trip to the American Trucking Association's 2015 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee, plus $A1500 spending money. He will also receive complimentary registration to the 2015 PACCAR & Dealer TMC.

The dinner, held at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, October 28, also honoured the title's two runners-up: Damien Allison, Maintenance Manager of Tasmanian operator De Bruyn's Transport, and Laeton Hardy, General Manager and Workshop Manager of NSW operator Hardy's Haulage.

The Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement Award, meanwhile, recognises individual or group innovators who have enhanced the truck industry's safety, efficiency or productivity.

The award's recipient, Bob Woodward, has helped shape the way in which the road freight task is carried out. Currently a project manager at Ron Finemore Transport, he is also an industry consultant and has been heavily involved in the ATA in a technical capacity since the 1980s.

According to Trevor Martyn, Chair of the Awards Judging Committee, Mr Woodward has been a driving force in the development of the road freight industry.

"Bob has been involved in the road freight industry since the early 1970s," he said.

"He was involved in the design of the first Queensland B-double in 1985, developed the concept of the tandem/tri-axle B-double in 1988, and had significant input into the design of the 19-metre B-double.

"Bob is one of those people who brings a balance of technical and practical experience to every forum and project he is involved with."

Mr Woodward was honoured to receive the accolade.

"What can I say? I’ve had a bit of a dabble in all forms of transport but the trucking industry has fed me and my family for many years," he said.

ATA workshop awards announced

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