As part of the company’s first “Courier Day” where Fastway’s head office staff leave their desks and get behind the wheel, the business is also celebrating the services of one driver and his canine companion.
Whangarei courier franchisee Craig Hausman and his best mate ‘Brutus’ have clocked up a lifetime on the road together making parcel deliveries to their local community.
The pair is being recognized along with 260 other Fastway franchisees across the country from Northland to Southland as part of Courier Day.
It’s a chance for the company back office support team to get a taste of what it takes to be a courier driver and Fastway’s Chief Executive Scott Jenyns is looking forward to hitting the road.
“Our courier franchisees are out and about every day, rain, hail or shine. They do a remarkable job day in, day out, and we as a company want to recognize that officially,” says Jenyns.
Ten-year-old foxy Brutus assumes pole position next to Hausman on the front seat. They’ve both spent the past ten years collecting parcels and making deliveries for Whangarei’s commercial and retail sectors.
Hausmann started with Fastway twenty years ago but says since teaming up with Brutus, the pair has become a favourite fixture about town.
“I have my regulars who know Brutus well, my customers love him, and he knows how to work his canine charms. There’s one particular lady who carries doggy lollies around with her waiting for Brutus to arrive. He’s a bit overweight and can no longer see his ribs,” says Hausman.
Brutus is now in semi-retirement, only working three days a week.
Hausman says Brutus has had a great run but the days can be long, out the door at 5 am and home at 5 pm. It’s not uncommon for Hausman to pick up around 220 parcels a day and hand deliver up to 200.
“I love my business because every day is different, I’m out meeting different people all the time … I even picked up my wife on the job!”
More than 17 years ago Hausman met his wife Cheryl at the local flower shop while making deliveries there.
Since then Fastway’s become a family affair for the pair with Cheryl now working in Fastway Whangarei’s regional office.
