New heads at Navistar Auspac

Two long-serving International/Navistar executives have signed on at Navistar Auspac, with Dicky Commandeur and John Staley effectively taking the reins from former Managing Director Tim Quinlan (pictured), whose contract came to a close on Tuesday, June 30.

Mr Commandeur, a South African, will fill the role of Regional Manager. While still based in South Africa, Mr Commandeur will travel frequently to Melbourne to carry out his new role.

Assisting Mr Commandeur 'on the ground' will be Mr Staley – an Australian who will be based at Navistar Auspac's Melbourne headquarters and who will assume the title of General Manager, Operations.

With Mr Quinlan vacating his post to return to the US and begin his retirement, Mr Commandeur and Mr Staley will continue Navistar Auspac's efforts to establish a dealer network for International and generally prepare for that brand's reintroduction to the Australian market.

They will both be assisted by Glen Sharman, Navistar Auspac's Director, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, who will continue to play a key role in steering Cat Trucks and International in this market.

Mr Quinlan completed a six-month contract with Navistar Auspac in the wake of the sudden departure late last year of former MD Kevin Dennis, who returned to MTU Detroit Diesel Australia (now Penske Power Systems Inc).

Speaking candidly with trucksales.com.au just before his departure, Mr Quinlan – an International/Navistar stalwart of almost 38 years – said that rather than installing a local chief, it was important that Navistar Auspac's leadership team retain a strong sense of the company's culture, and especially so through a crucial period that will see the re-establishment here of the International brand.

"I think it's still important to reinforce that Navistar culture," he said.

"For any local we might have found it would have taken a lot to get them to understand the strengths and weaknesses Navistar has as a global organisation. But we [Mr Quinlan, Mr Commandeur and Mr Staley] know them."

Mr Staley is returning from retirement to take on his role at Navistar Auspac, after a career with International that spans 45 years. Mr Commandeur, meanwhile, joined the Navistar family in South Africa after being hired by Mr Quinlan some 20 years ago.

Most recently, Mr Commandeur has been responsible for all African markets outside of South Africa itself.

"He [Mr Commandeur] is very good at setting up dealers and then getting them up to speed, so he'll be a very good help and mentor for people like Glen Sharman," said Mr Quinlan.

"I'm leaving Navistar Auspac in very good hands. Now that it's in place, or on the way to being in place, I can leave feeling good about what I've started, and I can look back and I know that they'll carry it on."

For the full frank and exclusive interview with Tim Quinlan, click here.

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