Advantage Tyres Fleet Focus

That said, Tim and his wife Sue were the primary financial backers when the then 22-year-old James started up on his own in 2004. And it was a pretty modest start – a five-tonne Isuzu tipper, a little roller and associated wheelbarrows and other gear that gave James and handful of his mates their first steps into the asphalt business.

He admits the time since has been an exciting – and at times roller-coaster – ride. JCL is now a respected player... ... 

The way Gen 2 truckie Ethan Smith sees it, his family’s trucking and contracting business is “the last of the old-school contractors.”

What he means is that, in the 25 years since Allen and Sheree Smith (yep, his Mum and Dad) started NorthEnd Contractors, some things haven’t changed: The business is still run in much the same way as it was in the beginning.

Although he and “little bro” Axel largely run the show these days, it’s still a strictly-no-bullshit, down to earth kind of an outfit – run by hard-case, hardworking people….

With zero regard for political correctness (like Ethan says, “a spade’s a spade – you know what I mean”). No corporate glos... ... 

Elle the Golden Lab has seen nearly every change that has occurred at Glenn and Kerri Wylie’s Gore Freight & Storage. The 14-year-old moves around about a bit slower these days, but still keeps her nose in all of the business and happenings at the busy Southland operation.

“She’s getting on, but she’s seen all the changes we’ve ever made here,” says Glenn.

Gore Freight & Storage had just been established in September 2009 when Elle arrived as an energetic pup. A lot has changed in nearly 15 years with new buildings and a larger yard, plus new trucks and more staff as GFS has carved a foothold in the Southern transport scene based on its local general freight ... ...