Keith Andrews Trucks (KAT) is making moves to cement its top position as a Daimler dealer with a number of key appointments.
This includes the arrival of Aaron Smith as group chief executive and executive director of the company and its associated business The Parts Hub.
Smith has 31 years of sales, operations, business management and technical experience in the transport and trucking, heavy machinery and petroleum industries and will join the team in early April 2020.
“The board and I see Aaron as a highly skilled business leader, with directly applicable industry knowledge and experience to help a family-owned company such as ours succeed,” group director Kurtis Andrews says.
“We are very excited about his potential to move the business forward and help execute our goals.”
Keith Andrews Trucks has been through a difficult period with the recent passing of its founder and Andrews says he looks forward to the clear and focused direction Smith will bring.
“The past 12 months have been challenging for the entire organisation and Aaron’s appointment is a large step towards normality and an even larger step towards realising Keith’s vision,” Andrews says.
“My role will revert back to CEO of Fuso New Zealand and oversight of the Keith Andrews Holdings sales and marketing functions.”
In his most recent role as general manager of Gough Group’s New Zealand transport businesses, Smith oversaw operations of truck and trailer parts specialists Gough TWL and Gough Transpecs.
Combined, the companies comprise 19 branches, three distribution centres and a team of around 200.
He says the opportunity to lead New Zealand’s largest truck retailer was too good to look past.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Keith Andrews Trucks and Daimler family,” Smith says.
“Throughout the recruitment process, I was impressed with the openness and engagement of Kurtis and the board members, which gave me great insight into the business’ culture and vision.
“I have the utmost respect for the legacy that Keith Andrews and his team have created.
“As part of the collective Keith Andrews and Fuso NZ operation, I look forward to building on these solid foundations to create the next phase of evolution to support our team’s, our customers’ and our supplier partners’ goals and aspirations,” Smith says.
New dealer principal
Keith Andrews Trucks has also appointed Jason Chambers as dealer principal for its Whangarei dealership.
The role will span the existing Mercedes-Benz, Fuso and Freightliner truck brands as well as new purpose-built Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicle dealership.
Chambers started with KAT Whangarei over 20 years ago, joining as an apprentice automotive technician in 1997.
He was promoted to foreman in 2004 and assumed the role of service manager three years later, operating in that role for more than 10 years before being promoted to group service manager in 2018.
There he covered Whangarei, Auckland and Hamilton service departments.
Chambers credits the late Keith Andrews for establishing a culture that encourages staff and provides opportunities for those with the desire and capability to develop their career.
“As the business grew, Keith didn’t always look for outside help, he looked to his current staff first.
“He opened up many opportunities for me, for which I will always be extremely grateful.
“In every new role, I was able to benefit from a solid support network that allowed me to develop my skills.
“I’m honoured and excited to be taking this next big step within the business.
The future looks very bright,” Chambers says.
Andrews says Chambers’ extensive service and operational experience, allied with his loyalty and dedication to the business and its people, have prepared him well.
Chambers also recently completed Mercedes-Benz Global Management training in Sydney, in preparation for his new role.
“This is a really exciting time for Jason to be heading operations in Whangarei, as we embark on a new chapter with a brand-new LCV dealership and an expanded offering that covers Mercedes-Benz car parts and service.
“Jason understands and is already an integral part of the KAT culture.
His passion and expertise for ensuring the highest standards in customer service and operations will, I’m sure, see him succeed in his new role,” Andrews says.
Daimler dominance
Meanwhile, Keith Andrews’ Auckland dealership has recently joined its Hamilton and Whangarei branches as a fully authorised sales, parts and service outlet for Mercedes-Benz trucks.
“We have been working with Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso for a number of years across our network,” Andrews says.
“We have experts in each range and a proven track record in delivering the best solution for our customers – now they know they will receive the same level of service at each of our three main dealerships.
“The shared heritage of each brand as part of the Daimler family gives us a depth and breadth of expertise that is of direct benefit to our customers’ various businesses,” Andrews says.
