"With Hino Genuine Parts, you get the warranty, and you always know the part is specifically designed to fit and perform exactly as intended.”
Glenn Milton has spent decades working with trucks and now brings that hands-on know-how to customers as a Parts Interpreter at WA Hino in Perth.
Trucks and machinery have never been just a job for him; they’ve been a lifelong passion.
Glenn brings that passion and experience to the table every time he helps a customer. From turning spanners as a young apprentice to working in the mining industry, running his own concrete business and now helping customers keep their vehicles on the road, Glenn knows more than a thing or two about the trucking industry.
“I always knew I was going to do mechanical stuff,” says Glenn. “Every pushbike I’ve had, I’ve pulled apart and rebuilt.”
That passion started early. Glenn spent plenty of time on his father’s farm, learning how things worked. It’s where his love of machinery began.
After leaving school, Glenn spent a year knocking on doors for an apprenticeship. His persistence paid off, landing an apprenticeship with a local car dealership.
“I’m the sort of person that if you’re going to do something, you do it right,” he says. “I wasn’t one of those kids running amok at 19. My Friday nights were spent doing study and assignments.”
That dedication paid off, with Glenn eventually becoming a master-level technician. Not being one to stand still, he was eager to broaden his experience and challenge himself.
“I worked with different brands like Ford and Toyota on purpose,” he explains. “I wanted to get my experience up to a high level.”
Chasing new opportunities
From there, Glenn headed north to Western Australia’s mining sector, working as a light vehicle mechanic and eventually teaching himself heavy-duty mechanics.
After 15 years in mining and FIFO work, Glenn came home to spend more time with family and began a new chapter of his career by purchasing his own concrete truck business. It gave him an entirely new perspective on the industry and a deeper understanding of the pressures truck owners face every day.
“I've been in their shoes. I know what it’s like when your truck is sitting there not earning. When the wheels aren’t spinning, you’re not making money,” Glenn says. This is what drives the way he works with customers at Hino. He experienced firsthand the challenges of downtime, unexpected repairs and waiting on parts. Understanding this has become one of his biggest strengths in his role at Hino.
The right fit with Hino
Ready for something that kept him connected to the industry but a little less physically demanding, Glenn found parts were the perfect fit.
When an old colleague from the concrete industry, by then working at WA Hino, mentioned an opening, Glenn decided to give it a go.
"I thought I'd give it a go because I'd always worked around parts, ordering parts for trucks I needed to fix."
His extensive mechanical background quickly became a major advantage.
“When customers call up, I know what they’re talking about straight away,” Glenn says.
“It helps to quickly identify the issue and find the right solution. That experience not only saves customers time but also helps reduce costly mistakes and unnecessary downtime.”
A day in the life of a parts expert
Glenn’s always on the go in the WA Hino Parts department.
His days are taken up with customer calls, emails, follow-ups and helping walk-in customers find the parts they need. He’s also taken on the role of Parts Representative recently, spending Fridays on the road dropping by panel shops and major customers.
“It’s about getting face-to-face with people and seeing if we can do things better,” he says. “It keeps that rapport.”
It’s these customer relationships that Glenn really finds rewarding. “I enjoy helping people get their machines back on the road.”
Why Hino Genuine Parts matter
Some of Glenn’s time is spent educating customers on the value of Hino Genuine Parts.
In his experience, trying to save money with aftermarket components can often end up costing more in the long run.
"We had a customer buy two alternators from an aftersales supplier in a month," Glenn recalls. "The original alternator had lasted over 16 years."
It's a lesson he now shares with customers. For Glenn, it comes down to reliability, a longer-lasting part and the support you get with Hino. “They’re worth it with what you get back in the business you make without the truck being off the road.”
He’s seen countless customers spending valuable time searching for aftermarket options, only to discover Hino had the genuine part available.
“With Hino Genuine Parts, you get the warranty, and you always know the part is specifically designed to fit and perform exactly as intended.”
Still giving back to the industry
After decades in workshops, mine sites and running his own business, Glenn still loves what he does. While he might not be climbing over heavy machinery, he sees his role at WA Hino as a valuable contribution to the business.
“I’m still giving back to the industry, doing what I’m doing.”
His know-how means he doesn’t just sell parts; he understands the people behind the wheel, the pressures they face and the importance of keeping trucks moving.
Never one to stand still, his next challenge is to grow the Parts Rep side of his role. For WA Hino, you couldn't find a better person to do it.