MAN and Western Star distributor MAN Automotive Imports (MAINZ,) has appointed a new head for its service operations.
Don Bentley had been picked as national service manager, responsible for overseeing the aftersales service support of the increasing number of vehicles going on the road from the two manufacturers.
Bentley recently emigrated from the US where he had a long career as both employee and owner, of transport-related businesses. Originally from Colorado – where he owned and operated tankers, furniture vans and a repair facility – he moved to Idaho and spent four years as service manager looking after a private fleet of 150 Freightliner trucks and up to 250 pieces of various equipment and trucks.
He has spent the last eight years with Daimler Trucks North America. First, as a service training instructor teaching students to diagnose and repair Daimler truck chassis’ (Western Star, Freightliner, Sterling), as well as MBE and Detroit Diesel engines, then most recently, as a course developer writing the courses, developing training aids, and teaching other trainers how to effectively teach the classes.
“I’ve been around the trucking and equipment industries since I was born and with my previous experience this role is a perfect fit,” says Bentley. “I’m looking forward to working with our dealers to improve the level of service we offer our customers.”
MAINZ general manager, Jason Cann, welcomes his new, and very experienced, charge.
“We’re absolutely rapt to have Don on-board,” says Cann. “His knowledge of Western Star and Detroit Diesel product is huge and having run his own transport company and workshops he also has the practical hands-on experience to relate well with our service dealers and customers.”
MAN truck sales have grown significantly recently and so far this year Western Star ranks as the number one selling North American truck.
“Don will be an integral part of our senior management team as we continue to grow in NZ,” says Cann.
