NZ firm Southpac takes Kenworth honour as Mt Gambier operation wins DAF’s
Paccar Australia has named its Australasian Kenworth and DAF dealers of the year and for the former the accolade goes to a New Zealand firm – Southpac Trucks.
BMG Kenworth DAF Mt Gambier won its segment with the awards for both presented in the NZ resort location of Queenstown at Paccar’s annual dealers event.
Paccar Australia MD Andrew Hadjikakou presented the award to BMG Kenworth DAF Mt Gambier Dealer Principal, Jim Cornolo, congratulating the dealership for winning the hotly contested DAF prize and crediting them for their benchmark performance.
The dealership also picked up the Financial Dealer of the Year award.
“The Barry Many Group has been in operation for more than 40 years,” Paccar notes.
“Today it has transformed into a company dedicated to customer excellence and employs more than 100 staff across its various franchises.”
Hadjikakou praised the dealership for “constantly exceeding their customers’ expectations, they strive to deliver the highest level of support across all areas of their business.
“They are a first class dealership and one that continuously invests in staff, equipment and facilities.”
For Cornolo, the award was a group effort and the team had worked hard throughout the year to achieve the DAF Dealer of the Year title.
“A lot of work goes into what we do and the staff has been exceptional, whether it’s trucks, parts or service, I can’t speak highly enough of all the people in the business.” Cornolo says.
“Everyone does a terrific job – we’ve really focused on our customers and supporting them in every way possible.
“The DAF range is engineered to the highest standards and is well suited to a variety of applications, from inner-city delivery to regional and national delivery.
“Supported by a team of professionals we are able to offer DAF customers a full lifetime ownership experience with modern equipment and facilities.”
“We are also supported by exceptional customers. There are often challenges, which we meet head-on and the customers continue to support us.”
Read the exclusive story on how DAFs came to be built in Australia, here
Hadjikakou was just as complimentary of Southpac, which was runner-up last year.
“Focusing on the most important factor in the business – the customer – Southpac Trucks has again shown the highest standards of service and professionalism,” he says.
“The Kenworth Dealer of the Year award is not about who sells the most trucks, but which dealer provides the best overall performance for the customer. This award serves to encourage all dealers across the Kenworth dealer network to strive for customer excellence.
“Southpac’s ongoing commitment to the industry and continued investment in its people and facilities is commendable, providing customers with the latest products and services and industry know how.”
Southpac Trucks CEO Maarten Durent dedicated the award to his team.
“We are again honoured to win this award and for being recognised as the top performing dealer among an excellent cast of dealers,” Durent says.
“The relationship we have with our customers is paramount to our success, and we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service and support. The Southpac team is committed to quality in all they do and has made winning this award possible.
“My team is going to be over the moon. We’ve got an outstanding sales and service team, and we continue to invest in facilities and equipment to provide exceptional customer service,”
Southpac has its head office in Manukau City and branches in Hamilton, Rotorua, Palmerston North and Christchurch, further supported by 18 parts and service dealers across New Zealand.