New CEO, more Merc for KAT
IN THE WAKE OF THE DEATH LATE LAST YEAR OF ITS iconic founder, Keith Andrews Trucks has appointed former Gough Group exec Aaron Smith as group CEO and executive director.
Smith, who has 31 years’ sales, operations, business management and technical experience in the transport and trucking, heavy machinery and petroleum industries, will also head KAT’s associated business, The Parts Hub.
Group director Kurtis Andrews says that KAT has navigated a difficult period with the recent passing of Keith Andrews and he is looking 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.
“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. We are very excited about his potential to move the business forward and help execute our goals.”
Kurtis Andrews will return to the role of CEO of Fuso New Zealand, and oversight of the Keith Andrews Holdings sales and marketing functions.
Smith was most recently general manager of Gough Group’s NZ transport businesses, overseeing the operations of truck and trailer parts specialists Gough TWL and Gough Transpecs – companies with 19 branches, three distribution centres and a team of around 200 staff.
Smith, who starts in his new role next month, says “the opportunity to lead NZ’s largest truck retailer was too good to look past.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Keith Andrews Trucks and the Daimler family,” said Smith.
“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.”
Meantime, KAT – a longtime FUSO dealer – also continues to expand its product lineup…..its Auckland dealership now joining KAT’s Hamilton and Whangarei branches as a fully authorised sales, parts and service outlet for Mercedes-Benz trucks.
KAT says that the addition of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner to its stable of brands “presents a cohesive and specialised Daimler Trucks offering.”
Kurtis Andrews says: “We have been working with Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and FUSO for a number years across our network.
“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.”
T&D