When Kevin Englefield received news of his nomination for the National Road Transport Museum’s Shell Rimula Wall of Fame, his initial reaction was reluctance.
“When I got the letter to say I’d been accepted into the Wall of Fame, I actually took three days to decide I was going to accept that,” Kevin says.
He did not see himself as a figure worthy of such recognition. To Kevin, he was simply a man who had done his job.
Having grown up in the transport industry, Kevin had himself admired so many of the names on the Wall of Fame, respecting their accomplishments and aspiring to reach even a fraction of their success.
To find himself placed among them was a challenge for Kevin to fully come to terms with. It was only after some persuasion from those around Kevin – family, friends and colleagues who knew the extent of his contributions – that he accepted the honour.
Kevin felt that he owed it to all the people who had helped him throughout his career, recognising that his success was not his alone but a product of the sacrifices of those who worked for and with him.
“When I stepped up to receive that award, I wasn’t receiving it for me,” says Kevin. “I received it for us.”
Long before leaving school, Kevin had a clear vision for his future. He knew he wanted to be a truck driver and own a successful transport business.
This decision, shaped by his parents, John and Joy Englefield, who started their transport business in 1972, marked the beginning of a long and dedicated career in the transport industry.
In the mid-1970s, Kevin and his brother Michael joined the family business, responsible for loading the trucks for their parents.
By 1979, an 18-year-old Kevin took over the long-distance driving for the business, carting wine grapes, citrus and various other farming goods and equipment.
In 1999, Kevin transitioned from interstate driving to a management position within the business, working closely with his father to oversee its day-to-day operations. At the time, the business was running up to 25 subcontractor owner drivers.
Although a steep learning curve, the challenges Kevin faced only deepened his passion for the industry, sharpening his skills and preparing him to take on even greater responsibilities in the years to come.
Sadly, in 2003, John passed away, and Kevin took on the role of managing the family business. Under his leadership, the company took on a new name, K. Englefield Wine Grape Services Pty Ltd and grew to employ up to 50 subcontractor owner-drivers, in additional to the existing 12 company trucks.
In Kevin’s early years of management, he remembers his greatest challenge was keeping costs down and making a profit.
While that is still relevant today, Kevin considers the hardest part of running a business is managing people and their behaviour. Even with better communication, equipment and training, “brand protection has gone out the door.”
That is why Kevin says maintaining strict safety compliance is more important than ever. “It is critical because you’ve got to be able to validate that you’ve taken every step when someone does something stupid.”
For Kevin, family and business have always been closely connected. His dedication to both has shaped his approach, instilling strong values and work ethic in his three sons. As a single father, Kevin raised his sons on the road.
Having them learn the trade firsthand by watching their father, Kevin instilled in them the values that guided his own career: “We say what we mean, we mean what we say, and we do what we say we’re going to do.”
“I guess the hardest thing through that was to set an example when you were so profoundly tired and frustrated and angry at where you were in life,” shares Kevin as he reflects on the challenge of balancing single fatherhood with running a business.
“But I can sit here and say, you know what, they’re all fine men and great dads and that’s about the best you can hope for as a parent.”
Today, Kevin’s sons have stepped up as the next generation of leaders in K. Englefield Wine Grape Services Pty Ltd, carrying forward their father’s legacy with the same dedication that has defined the business during its 53 years of service.
One piece of advice Kevin shares with his sons is that the transport industry evolves constantly and that staying informed and, in turn, adaptable is key.
“You can’t just say, ‘Oh, the old man did this for 20 years,’” he explains. “Every year, things change.” These constant changes require ongoing attention and due diligence to support compliance and business relationships. “Don’t be complacent,” warns Kevin.
Kevin says that what he’s most proud of in his career is having given people the opportunity to step up and build their own futures.
“I’ve seen subcontractors come in with just one truck and go on to own 5 or 6 of their own, with their own work and their own business” remembers Kevin.
“I never really got bitter. If you’ve got the ability, discipline, and integrity to go out on your own and give it a shot, there’s nothing better.”
As Kevin approaches retirement, his contribution to the industry remains in the success of those he’s helped along the way.
However, he’s quick to point out “I’m not retired yet, I’m just tired!”.
One of Kevin’s sons recently asked him to step in and deliver a load when they were short on drivers. “Forty-nine loads later, I finally escaped!” Kevin laughs.
“I can still have a crack, but I’m at a point in my life where I have a choice. I don’t have to, but I can if I want to.”
Recently, a friend posed the question to Kevin: If he had his life to live over, would he choose to be a transport operator and business owner again?
It wasn’t his answer that surprised Kevin, but how quickly he responded – “Yes. Damn straight. To reach the end, or the twilight, of your career and be able to answer that question, you’re a very fortunate man.”
One of the hardest aspects of the transport industry for Kevin was the number of fatalities he encountered as a first or second responder.
“Back in the day, we had no debriefing,” he recalls. “You were left to drive off down the road, watching the white line, going ‘what the hell did I just see?’”
“It’s why we get so angry when we see erratic, stupid driving take place.”
These experiences may, in part, be why Kevin is a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, dedicating his time to raising funds for the crucial service.
In 2008, Kevin was invited by his cousin to join him on the Outback Car Trek, the main fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Inspired by the group of dedicated trekkers on the trip from Grafton to Darwin, Kevin built a car specifically for these treks.
The car’s number plates read “OURMOG,” which stands for “Our Matter Other Than Grapes.” Over the years, Kevin has participated in 15 treks.
Kevin hopes that people still have the desire to enter the industry and the belief that they can create a fulfilling lifestyle within it.
“Without the industry, Australia stops,” he says. “We need people who believe in it and where it’s going.”
Though he never sought recognition, Kevin’s impact on the transport industry and the lives of those around him is undeniable.
He upheld not just a business but a reputation of professionalism, resilience and generosity.