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TMC Online: Respected technical expert takes top honours

DENNIS-ROOHAN

Winners of the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Awards have just been revealed during a live broadcast, held in conjunction with the TMC Online conference.

Dennis Roohan of AJM Transport in Beresfield, NSW has taken out top honours, being named the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award winner; while the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement award went to the ITC Converter Dolly Project supply partners.

In his role as General Manager of AJM Transport, Roohan oversees 150 pieces of equipment and 100 staff members. He has been part of the transport industry for over 25 years, starting as an apprentice in 1994. He has also been a member of the ATA’s Industry Technical Council for more than 15 years.

Within months of completing his apprenticeship at John Farragher Transport Group, Roohan’s knowledge, ability and leadership qualities saw him promoted as the company’s fleet maintenance manager.

During his time at AJM Transport, Roohan’s fleet management has seen the company’s uptime rise to 99 per cent per month and vehicle defect numbers have reduced by more than 73 per cent. Roohan has also led the charge for AJM Transport to venture into PBS units, to roll out a new GPS system and a specialised workshop software package, and the business is currently in the process of enabling the Seeing Machines system in the fleet.

Through his career, Roohan has employed approximately 20 apprentices and believes the secret to developing hard workers and building team learning is proper mentoring and development opportunities. He is well-known for his expert technical knowledge and hands-on approach to workshop management.

“Dennis is a proactive industry member and demonstrates outstanding knowledge, ability and leadership qualities,” said ATA Chair David Smith.

“He currently serves as the ITC Vice Chair, and Chairs the council’s Productivity working group, and is well-known for his expert technical knowledge and hands-on approach to workshop management.”

Sponsored by Castrol Vecton, Roohan’s win will take him to the US, for a fully paid trip to attend a US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition including full registration, partners’ program, return airfares and accommodation, AUD $1500 spending money and complimentary registration to the next in-person ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference.

The ITC Converter Dolly Project supply partners that received the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement Award are MaxiTRANS, Jost, WABCO, Alcoa, Bridgestone and Hendrickson.

“The project was a collaboration of the resources and knowledge of manufacturers, suppliers and operators all working towards a common goal,” Smith said.

“With immense support from the supply partners, this project explored the further development of a rigid drawbar converter dolly and came after ITC member discussions regarding the dynamic issues with hinged drawbar converter dollies, especially brake reactivity and tyre wear.

“The needs of our industry are constantly changing, and this project and its partners are essential to ensuring operators and businesses stay up to date with best practice.

“I congratulate our award winners and commend all award nominees for the important work they do,” he added.

Further insight into the dolly project and its supporters is featured on the TMC Online conference platform which is open all week, with over 50 on-demand sessions for delegates to watch at any time.

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