Kelnews: How would you describe your role at Keltruck?
AJ: I normally say sweeping up after ‘sales’ – seriously though I’m responsible for pretty much the operational side of the business, bar sales – so that’s the 17 service workshops, 2 bodyshops and the mobile engineering as well as the contracts side of the business and our small transport operation

Kelnews: How long have you worked for Keltruck?
AJ: Been here for two years now – and I have to say it has flown by!

Kelnews: What did you do before Keltruck?
AJ: Quick potted history; Spent 18 months prior at TruckEast and was involved in the formation of TruckEast from the two former dealerships of Derek Jones Commercials and Ro-Truck, prior to its sale. Before that spent 11 years at Scania Great Britain and worked my way through the ranks from a Regional Sales Manager for Contract Hire, through to various Director roles, from Aftersales, through to Marketing. At the point of leaving I was responsible for Marketing, Truck Rental, Finance and Contract Sales as well as the Used Operation.

Kelnews: So how did you get into the industry then?
AJ: Been in the blood, as they say, to some extent – before he died my father worked for the original Dawson Freight Commercials in Leighton Buzzard but, to be honest, probably more directly via my brother who ran a car repair business that operated from premises behind the house where I grew up. My brother is 10 years older than me so I used to help out during holidays etc. Beyond that I left school at 16 and did an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and worked in engine development and fuel additive research. After seven years it was time to move on and I spent the next 5 years with Mercedes-Benz UK, mainly in sales engineering and moved from there to Scania in 1994.

Kelnews: What do you like about the industry?
AJ: I have to say that it has some great characters, and overall it's a friendly industry and that makes it fun – but hard work too.

Kelnews: What do you do outside of work?
AJ: I have two kids and hence that occupies much of the weekend – I used to be chairman of a football club, which my friends all think is crazy as I have no interest in football, but my son played and it was a big club with 25 teams – but I couldn’t really give it the time. Now it’s hockey for my son and netball for my daughter, but in truth my only sporting passion is ice hockey – my youngest nephew plays in the GB Elite League, currently for Coventry but also plays for GB so I like to watch him when I can.

Kelnews: What was your first car?!
AJ: I'm of the age when it was a Mark 1 Ford Escort (PAC 201M – how sad is that!) – bought for £80 and sold for £1,000 with £650 profit so not a bad start! Still love my cars and a few toys, Westfield Lotus Seven, a Lotus Elise and I hanker after a new toy – but it is really an issue of having time to enjoy it!

Kelnews: So what does the future hold?
AJ: I don’t have a crystal ball but no doubt the rest of 2009 is going to be a tough year for many – but I’m confident that we are in a good position to come out the other side perhaps a bit leaner and fitter too.

Click here for full details of our special offer credit crunch price busters or visit keltruck.com/usedtrucks for details of all of our used vehicles along with full contact details for our used vehicle sales centres at West Bromwich & Newark.

Visit keltruck.com/depots for details of Keltruck's 14 Scania dealer points across the Midlands & find out what we can do for you!

Paint shop special offers

We are currently taking pre-booking for slots throughout 2009 at reduced rates within our paint shops at West Bromwich & Newark.

If you would like any vehicle painted & want to take advantage of this offer click here for full details or call Ross Hill on 07717 717 598 to book your slot today.

>> 5% discount for advanced bookings taken before June 2009 <<

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