Bob Shand, a co-founder of the heavy-duty truck brand Western Star in Australia, has died.
Penske Commercial Vehicles says all staff was sad to hear the news of Shand’s death.
Shand and Kit Bleakly played an instrumental role in establishing Western Star Trucks in Australia in 1983.
Together they introduced the North American brand to Australia from their facility in Wacol, Queensland, where the brand still operates some 30 years later.
The features of today’s modern day Stars come as a result of Shand’s commitment to establish Western Star as the truck of choice in the Australian market.
Shand’s legacy will forever remain his unwavering commitment to the customer as he always strove to deliver a tailored customer experience.
This dedication and spirit continue to be the driving force behind the Western Star Trucks brand, despite market and ownership changes (first with Transpacific and recently with Penske Automotive Group).
Penske Commerical Vehicles says the entire Western Star trucks business and team remains indebted to Shand and his work in establishing the brand in Australia.
“We will miss him greatly, and our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Shand family,” says Penske Commercial Vehicles.
