Hino has announced the results of its annual National Skills Championships which recognises the skills of the company’s dealer network parts service and sales forces.
Eighteen finalists from around the country competed in the final, which was held at Hino Australia’s Sydney headquarters last week in front of guests from around Australia, Hino Motors in Japan. and from Hino Distributors in New Zealand, and followed four months of qualifying rounds. .
In the end Wagga Trucks’ Graham Reynolds was crowned the winner in the parts skills championship, while Admir Music from Prestige Hino in Melbourne won the service section of the competition, with John Delahay of Sci-Fleet Hino in Brisbane was crowned in the sales title. Each Skills Champion won a cash reward as well as an expenses-paid trip to Japan.
Shaun O’Callaghan from WA Hino in Perth placed second to Admir Music in the service section with Till Hino’s Matthew Rentenaar placing third. Behind Graham Reynolds in parts was Alysha Taylor of Prestige Hino who came in second with CMI Hino Melbourne’s Angelo Peponas taking third, while in the sales section, Stephanie Demarco from CMI Hino in Adelaide took second place behind John Delahay, with Chris Biancucci from Adtrans Hino in Sydney taking third
“One of the longest-running events of its kind in the industry, the National Skills contest demonstrates Hino Australia’s dedication to continually enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of our dealership teams,” said president and CEO of Hino Australia, Richard Emery,.
Sales Consultants showcased their knowledge and skills in a role play scenario around Hino’s 700 Series range, followed by a tailored TrailerWIN task assessment with a sales mastermind quiz as the final test.
Service technicians faced a series of practical assessments, which tested their diagnostic and technical skills on the entire model range, while parts interpreters demonstrated their capabilities through a customer-focused role play scenario, followed by a live parts assessment, and for the first time, they also took part in a mastermind quiz.
“The Skills Contest provides us with a platform to test and recognise the expertise and dedication of our people while delivering a clear benefit to our customers through increased technical knowledge and skills,” said Emery.
“It is also key in our ability to attract and retain a workforce of skilled and dedicated parts, sales and service professionals throughout the country,” he continued.
“The hard work and dedication of our team resulted in global recognition earlier in the year when we received our 17th consecutive Parts Department of the Year Award and the 14th successive Service Department of the Year Award,” concluded Emery.
