Many months of hard work and preparation by the best Hino service, parts and sales staff from around the country has concluded with the finals of the 2014 Hino National Skills Contest, held at Hino Australia's head office in Sydney.
The Hino National Skills Contest began in 2008 with only service participants. Parts joined in 2012 before the contest was expanded to include sales representatives in 2013.
The top 22 service technicians, parts interpreters and sales representatives were brought to Sydney on October 23 to take part in the finals and battle it out for first place honours. Hino dealer network staff competed throughout the year across various disciplines to earn their place in the finals.
In addition to the contestants, attendees included Hino Australia Chairman and CEO Steve Lotter and President and COO Sean Takahashi, along with dealer principals and senior and divisional managers from Hino Australia.
Representatives from Hino Japan and Hino's Middle East distributor in Dubai were also in attendance to observe and learn ways to improve their own training programs.
Greg Bleasel, Hino Australia Senior Divisional Manager, Product Support said the National Skills Contest embodies the commitment Hino has to ensuring its service, parts and sales staff are trained to the highest global standards and have access to the best resources.
"Providing Total Support to our customers' businesses is our core strategy, and providing our customers with the benefit of timely and efficient service carried out by well trained staff is the end goal of holding this annual skills contest.
"We want our people to be the best of the best, and we believe providing first-rate training, assessment and development for our staff is vital to the continued success of Hino in Australia," he said.
Parts and service contestants completed practical exercises carried out in the national training centre that tested their diagnostic service and parts interpreting skills on a range of Hino trucks. Parts contestants also took part in a role play exercise.
Sales contestants were tested in the form of a 'Mastermind' style TV game show, hosted by Network Ten motorsport commentator Greg Rust. He asked a series of multiple choice questions testing their knowledge of Hino products and those of its competitors. This was followed by a roleplay exercise where contestants were tested on their ability to provide the right Hino solution for a fictional customer.
Competition was intense during the morning and afternoon sessions and contestants were supported and watched with great interest by Hino Australia and dealer staff along with the Hino overseas visitors. Very little separated competitors in all three categories at the end of the competition.
The National Service Award for 2014 was taken out by Martyn Alexander of Newcastle Hino, the Parts Award went to Ryan Macauley of CMI Hino Adelaide and the Sales Award went to Andrew Harris from CMI Hino Adelaide.
Mr Bleasel commended all contestants on the excellence of skills and knowledge shown during the course of the 2014 National Skills Contest.
"Everyone at Hino congratulates all the participants for their efforts this year, and we look forward to seeing a few new faces along with some familiar ones at next year's finals."
Hino National Skills Contest winners 2014
Service
1st - Martyn Alexander, Newcastle Hino
2nd - Nick Lions, Jacob Hino
3rd - Darren Hillson, Prestige Hino
Parts
1st - Ryan Macauley, CMI Hino Adelaide
2nd - Tom Stewart, West Orange Motors
3rd - Luke Akehurst, Jacob Hino
Sales
1st - Andrew Harris, CMI Hino Adelaide
2nd - Jason Cugley, Prestige Hino
3rd - Ben Glasson, Adtrans Hino
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