Hino Australia has welcomed the well-regarded Milne Bros company to the Hino family.
A change in ownership and premises is delivering results for Hino in Mackay, following the appointment of Milne Bros as the dealer for the central Queensland region.
“We are delighted to welcome the well-regarded Milne Bros company to the Hino family following the retirement of Richard Deguara, Dealer Principal of Carlisle Hino, the former dealership in the region,” said Mr Bill Gillespie, General Manager of Brand and Franchise Development for Hino Australia.
“Milne Bros will combine its experience and reputation as the longest-established agricultural machinery dealership and tractor sales business in the region with the truck industry expertise of former Carlisle Hino employees.
“The change is already delivering results – the first three months of business, they have experienced significant sales success, and we are pleased to see them off to an excellent start,” continued Mr Gillespie.
Sterling Milne, Dealer Principal of Milne Bros Hino, and grandson of company co-founder Stan, said:
“Our company has a long and proud history in Central Queensland, dating back to my grandfather and his twin brother establishing Milne Bros over 50 years ago.
“Hino holds a strong position in the market place and has a reputation for manufacturing trucks of excellent quality – in addition, Hino offers excellent support to its dealers.
“The future looks really positive for the Hino brand and it is a great fit for Milne Bros going forward,” he continued.
“Our dealership is situated on the Bruce Highway as you enter Mackay from the south which gives us great exposure.
“The purpose-built truck dealership features a large double door drive-through workshop with two new hoists, a new reception area plus a large area for customer parking and truck storage.
“This is a very exciting expansion for our business and we are very confident of further growing the Hino brand in Central Queensland.”
Mr Milne is joined by his father Ron in the business along with Dale Walters as business partners in Milne Bros Hino.
Mr Gillespie cited the Mackay change as one of many exciting developments within the Hino dealership network over the past 18 months.
“Hino’s extensive sales and servicing network has continued to grow with upgraded or new facilities around the country including Taree, Wodonga and Wagga (New South Wales); Lonsdale (South Australia); Kalgoorlie, Newman, Onslow and Port Headland (Western Australia); and Alice Springs (Northern Territory),” concluded Mr Gillespie.
Hino Australia has over 60 dealerships and services centres throughout the country.