Truckies celebrated for decades on the job

Eloise Martyn

Three employees of Stuart Drummond Transport have been recognised for their long service. Brodie Drummond, general manager, with Bill Morton, Darrel Munro, and Peter Rodgers. Photo: Supplied.

A Nelson trucking firm has celebrated three employees who have made a “huge contribution” to the company with a combined four decades of service.

Stuart Drummond Transport recently celebrated the achievement of three long-serving employees.

Bill Moreton has been with the company for 20 years, with Peter Rodgers and Darrel Munro clocking up 10 years of service each.

“These guys have all made a huge contribution to the success of Stuart Drummond Transport and we will forever be grateful for their loyalty and hard work,” Stuart Drummond Transport general manager Brodie Drummond says.

“I think ‘why would you leave a job when you are being looked after?’,” Bill says of his two decades with the company.

“I like driving and Drummonds has given good job flexibility, stability, and support when needed.”

Bill drives a self-loader, meaning he can load his own logs onto the trailers, which he has done for most of his time with Stuart Drummond Transport.

“Since I can go where there is no machinery to load the truck I often go around cleaning up once log crews have left or collect short wood that others can’t take.”

Being recognised for long service is something Bill says he does appreciate, but like many Kiwis, he prefers not to be in the spotlight which makes it tricky when you are presented with an oversized cheque for $10,000.

“From myself, and on behalf of the other drivers recently recognised for long service, Darryl and Peter, I’d like to thank Brodie and the Drummond’s team for being an employer who recognises long service with such generosity, especially in the current economic times when things are more challenging all around,” Bill says.

“It’s nice to be rewarded for your loyalty but it’s a two-way street they have been good to me, too,” Bill adds. Bill plans on spending some of the money to take his family to Australia to visit his son who lives there. Brodie adds that last year was incredibly challenging for the team due to the market slowdown.

“A huge thank you needs to be given to our staff that went north to Napier to help us through the market slowdown, as well as the rest of the team who worked with us through a challenging year.”

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