Page 9 - ITUK Press Cuttings May 2017

TRANSPORT NEWS JUNE 2017 57

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Garage in Aberdeen. at the heavier end of the market we didn t fouryears in charge of lil.]Kwhenwehave
'We are hoping to appoint a dealer in
compete. I mean the traditional Australian had three referendums in consecutive years,
Dundee inthe near future and a fu1I sales and 68 tonne rigs with two trailers. We didn't the implementation of Euro 6 engines and
service dealership has opened in Broxbum sfuetch into these horse powers, but we were the introduction of \{hole of Vehicle Type
under the banner of Graycoll, all joining the massively strong in the lighter and medium Approval and, in spite of that lot, we had to
higtrly successful and award wirufingwest of soldier oru selling trucks.'
weight markets.
Scotland dealership Imperial Commercials Again onreflectioru the retiring chaiman
'What also helped was the fact that there of ITUK wishes there are things he had done
based at Govan, Glasgow. differently. 'I should have lived in the UK
'Our fully appointed training centre at is no import duty on cab and chassis trucks rather than being based in Brussels. I now
entering Australia. This is not the case in spendbetween 35 and40% of my time in the
ITLIK headquarters in Hatfield is now hot Europe of course, where semi knock dolr.n LrK anyway. However I suppose having to
on sales, parts and aftersales training, plus of look after Europe and the Midi production
course technical training where they cover all kits go to our Midi production plant at plan! my six languages did come in handy.
facets of the mechanics' work and our centre
Verona in Ita1y who produce our current GNTIIEST ilIllIIIEIII$
is now Irtec approved.'
Back discussing his tenure as boss of IT range of 3.5 to 12 tonne trucks. 'Looking back, one of my greatest
'We would of course Iike awider product moments was the winning of Isuzu's
Australi4 the truck manufacturer's fust renowned I-1 Grand Prix World Technical
majority ou,ned tmck sales company, Yuki line-up and we continually plead our wish competition. ln20l4 it was won by the team
recalls, 'Isuzu held 60% of the stock with list with Japan, because at ITUK we want from Imperial Commercials in Glasgow and
the remaining 41/"heldby General Motors. to compete in as many weights as possible Australia were second!
When I left to take up the European post we and ironically, Midihas the spare production
held a market leadng25/o of all Australia's 'Also, one year later Imperial
tru& sales over 3.5 tonnes, admittedly with a capacity to cope. Commercials took third spot and became
fulI range of trucks and tractor units on offer. the first eve4, two consecutive podium
'Now that we have Breft if the UK finishers in the competition.
Yuki Murata confirmed considerable reached a special trading agreement with
pressure since he was'not allowed to slip 'I'm so forfunate to have worked these
|apan it could be a sea change for us, last four years with such a professional
into second place'. although so far things have notbeen made group which has maintained standards,
even with the retirement of Nikki King who
'What compounded the pressure was that any easier with the devaluation of the Pound did so much to elevate Isuzu Truck UK
to the current position it enjoys, however
versus theYen and Euro. I had to appoint Nikki's successor and
'On reflectioo my eight years in Australia I'm delighted to say that Pete Murphy
has taken on the mantle of managing
was relatively problem free compared to director with skill and tenacity. I consider
my appointment of Pete as one of the best
.: i decisions I have made in my business life. I
am leaving ITUK in a safe pair of hands'
: Glotal firard Winning llealetsni[ i
And so Yuki Murata has his flight tickets
ll O\ERING the west of Scotland, Imperial Commercials' Isuzu dealership based in booked from Brussels to Tokyo on 31 May
l, Courn, Clasgow made a name for iiself on the intemational stage in2014, by being to fulfiI two or tluee months of handover
work in Japan before his retirement,
the first British serwice team to win Isuzu's I-1 Grand Prix Technical competitioru held in probably inAugust.

Japan. Yuki was chairman of Isuzu Tiuck UK,
Isuzu Tirrck Europe and a board member
Dealer principal Willie Minty is justifiably proud of this'Golden Spamer' win which in of Midi based in Verona. It is expected
many ways was the culmination of continuing forward progress from 2004 when Govan his successor will be someone primarily
was initiated as an Isuzu sales and serwice agency, coincidentally the same year as the based in Japan who will hold the title of
legendary Nikki King and her colleagues bought the Isuzu UK company from Lex Group. chairman of ITUK, but willbe commuting
periodically as Pete Murphy the UK
Recalls Willie;'Fu1l dealership status was adopted in 2008 when we created stand aione managing directoq, will be regularly
premises for the marque and over the years, sales sectors in our area have become more briefing the |apanese HQ on developments
diversified with product acceptance becoming more widespread particularly in 3.5 tonne in Britain.
retail sa1es.

'Repair and maintenance contracts have continued to increase into a substantial
portfolio and significantly 1oca1 authority penetration continues apace, where the ITUK
Customer Care programme has been particularly well appreciated.

'I am delighted that manufacturer back-up and support is enjoyed by all departments in
our Isuzu dealership thanks to the ever present'can do' attitude at the Hatfield HQ.

'We are continuing to invest in the frandrise wi*q for example, an'above and beyond'
training programme and we have recently commissioned two new panel vans in full
Isuzu corporate livery to join our parts distribution and roadside assistance programmes.'