When it comes to truck paint spraying or vehicle finishing in NZ’s extended golden triangle, it’s hard to ignore Glenn Tervit of Fleet Image fame. Born and bred in Te Awamutu, Glenn’s journey from sweeping floors as a teenager to co-owning New Zealand’s largest independently owned collision repair company, is a testament to his hard work and dedication. And that’s why he’s a Southpac legend.

From a young age, Glenn harboured a fascination with trucks and machinery. His father, a Holden dealership owner in Te Awamutu, introduced him to Roy Browne Car Painters, a small but ambitious business in the town. At the age of 13, Glenn began working part-time for the shop, starting out with tasks like sweeping floors and clearing rubbish. Though he hadn’t initially set his sights on the collision repair industry, his love for trucks and the opportunity to work near them drew him in.

“My father had the Holden dealership in town, so he was sending a bit of work to Roy. They had a conversation, and it went from there,” recalls Glenn. “I wanted to get out of school, and to be fair, that did it.”

With school ‘not being Glenn’s thing’ by 16, Glenn was ready to fully commit to the trade. He approached Roy, who then offered him an apprenticeship as a car painter – the year was 1991.

Glenn began his four-year apprenticeship, learning the ropes of the trade in an era when wet sanding and hands-on preparation made up the core of the craft. The long hours, demanding tasks, and tough mentoring from Roy, the quintessential ‘hard-yet-fair boss’, set the foundation for Glenn’s work ethic and technical expertise.

“Roy was a good man, but he was a hard man. So, you learnt really quick, really quick, and you knew you had to listen and not muck up, otherwise you knew about it,” says Glenn.

He adds, “all the trucks back then used to have steel rims and things like that, whereas now most of them are alloys. So, there were lots more things you could actually learn to paint on, before you were put onto a full cab.”

Through his apprenticeship, Glenn’s skills developed as he worked on both cars and trucks. He vividly recalls the challenge of painting intricate lines on trucks, such as an International truck he completed for a Hawkes Bay customer Ross Whitfield, during his early years.

Glenn says, “Ross Whitfield has got a lot of Kenworths now, but that International was really quite a hard design. And I remember that one in particular as it was early on in my striping days.”

These formative experiences gave Glenn the confidence to tackle more complex projects and laid the groundwork for the lifelong relationships he would build with clients.

By 2002, Glenn had begun to stake his claim in the business. Alongside Roy’s son, Kris Browne, who he had been doing his apprenticeship with, Glenn became a shareholder of the company, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Fleet Image (formerly Roy Browne Car Painters). At the time, the company’s workforce consisted of fewer than 10 people.

“I bought my first set of shares in 2002, and then Roy was really good to us. He let us [Kris and Glenn] buy small amounts as we went along,” Glenn says.

“That got us up to 25% of the business each. And then, Roy passed away in 2019, so Kris and I bought Roy and Pam’s shares out to become 50/50.”

Under Glenn and Kris’s leadership, Fleet Image has expanded significantly. From its origins as a small car and truck painting workshop, the business has transformed into the leading commercial collision repair and refinishing company in New Zealand. Fleet Image now operates out of three branches in Te Awamutu, Hamilton, and Auckland, employing more than 80 staff across all locations.

“We started up in Lloyd Davis’s in Hamilton, we had a little paint shop on the last two bays of his building. We were there for a couple of years and then moved to another premises in Hamilton [28 Foreman Road].” Glenn continues, “then we bought Fleet Line Spray Painters in Auckland [63 Ash Road, Manukau].”

The Auckland team specialises in repairs and refinishing for trucks and trailers, and all branches are equipped with their own blasting facilities to maintain exceptional efficiency. However, the Te Awamutu branch remains the heart of the company, serving as the head office with a 1500m² workshop. However, Hamilton has evolved into a hub for commercial vehicle painting, featuring advanced facilities such as two large truck paint booths and bake ovens capable of accommodating vehicles like 400t cranes, buses and even helicopters (yes helicopters).

Fleet Image’s impeccable track record has been recognised with multiple awards from the Collision Repair Association (CRA), including the Overall Best Shop and Best Presented Shop in New Zealand. These accolades reflect the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, a philosophy championed by Glenn.

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Glenn says that when they built the new Te Awamutu shop in 2007 the recession hit. “So, we were sort of geared up, ready to go, sort of end of 2007 early 2008 and sort of everything dried up and stopped on us. So, I remember that being really tough.”

Glenn attributes much of the company’s success to its team. With a workforce that includes long-term employees, dedicated apprentices, and skilled workers from diverse backgrounds (including many Filipino staff), Fleet Image thrives on a collaborative and supportive culture.

Glenn takes pride in mentoring the next generation of tradespeople, although he acknowledges the growing challenge of attracting young apprentices to the industry.

Despite stepping back from painting trucks in recent years, Glenn remains a hands-on leader. Splitting his time between the shop floor and managing the business side, he focuses on maintaining and improving operations across the three branches. For Glenn, fostering meaningful relationships with clients and employees is key to sustaining Fleet Image’s reputation and growth.

“I like going out and getting the work and getting it through the shops, that’s sort of where I see most of my strengths in the business,” says Glenn.

“So, I spend a bit of time on the floor and a bit in the office, but I’ll get around to Hamilton and Auckland now as well. We’re trying to help them with systems and processes, trying to streamline a few things, which is tough with that many staff, and, you know, that many locations.”

Away from work, Glenn values family and enjoys spending time with his wife, Jodie, who manages Fleet Image’s finances, and their two children. His son Max has recently joined the business, working at the Hamilton branch. Kris Browne’s sister is the HR and Health and Safety person and his son, Ryley, has also lent a hand at Fleet Image part-time. All contributing to continuing the family-business tradition.

An athlete at heart, Glenn was deeply involved in rugby during his younger years. These days, he keeps fit by running, having completed several half marathons, and enjoys regular escapes to Papamoa with his family in their caravan. While trucks remain his professional passion, Glenn finds fulfilment in connecting with nature, prioritising physical health, and supporting his children as they chart their own paths.

For Glenn, the journey from apprentice car painter to co-owner of New Zealand’s largest independently owned collision repair company has been one of challenges, learning, and personal growth. From weathering economic recessions to navigating the complexities of managing a multi-branch business with nearly 90 employees, Glenn has shown resilience and adaptability in helping to steer Fleet Image into the future.

“When I see one of our trucks out on the road, I feel an immense sense of pride,” Glenn says, reflecting on his decades-long career. “Knowing people trust us to deliver top-quality work from all over New Zealand is truly humbling.

“The connection between the Southpac sales reps and ourselves has been outstanding, they can often be the first introduction to new customers and that often leads to long lasting relationships.”

Although expansion into new regions or the South Island might not currently be on the horizon, Glenn remains committed to maintaining Fleet Image’s high standards and supporting the trucking industry he loves. His enduring relationships with clients and colleagues, combined with a passion for his craft, ensure Glenn’s legacy will continue to shine brightly for years to come.