Transport Industry News

Isuzu service manager celebrates 40 years

Wayne Murphy knew that he was destined for working with engines from a very young age.

The first job he set sights on was a motor mechanic apprenticeship across the road from his family home— the Patterson Cheney Trucks workshop.

“I’m old school, I like the smell of fuel, the noise and the power,” Murphy says.

“I wanted to work on trucks because I could see there were a lot of interesting things going on at the time… they were a bit harder to deal with than cars, so the other apprentices weren’t that keen on working on them.”

After attending the GM training facility on the ‘Bedford by Isuzu’ product (as they were known at the time), Wayne quickly moved up the ranks to foreman, assistant service manager and then onto his current role of service manager.

In the 1980s there were only eight service technicians at the dealership compared to today’s team of 30 technicians and diesel mechanics that work under Wayne’s watchful eye.

Wayne when he first started at Patterson Cheney. (Image: Isuzu Trucks Australia)

As a service manager, Wayne’s days under the cab and chassis may be over, but he stands ready to assist the team with expert knowledge and guidance.

“What we’re dealing with today is so technical with electrical components, computers, emissions to consider and diagnostic tools,” he says.

“When you’ve got a good product that speaks for itself, plus equipment and access to information that improves year on year, and you’ve got good support, then you can make smart decisions based around the package.”

There are still plenty of heritage models rolling into the workshop to tickle Wayne ‘s appreciation of Isuzu truck history.

“If one of our mechanics get something a little bit older, they know they are welcome in my office to ask for advice about the ins and out of the truck.”

While celebrating this 40-year work anniversary with Patterson Cheney, Wayne says he is far from saying sayonara to the busy Melbourne dealership, or his career with Isuzu trucks.

“People ask me what’s next, do I want to go any higher, but I still believe there’s work to be done right here in my role as service manager,” he said sagely.

“I am curious to see all the changes coming to the industry with alternate fuel sources and the introduction of Isuzu’s EV trucks.”

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