Southpac Legends

From cleaning fizzy drink delivery trucks as a kid to meticulously repairing crashed Kenworth cabs, restoring the old and modifying the new as an adult, Willie Malcolm’s attention to detail and buzz about the industry has not only brought him a truck load of ardent admiration from his peers but his enthusiasm has been passed on to future generations to come - that’s why he’s a Southpac Legend.

Although Willie was born in Rotorua, his parents hailed from Sterling in Scotland. His father took up a role as a branch manager of a soft drink company that produced brands such as Schweppes and Coke, and that’s where Willie’s love of trucks began. He says, “As kids we went to work with D... ... 

When it comes to smarts, academia is not always the biggest teller. For example, Dennis ‘Sparky’ Sparksman of Mangonui Haulage couldn’t wait to leave his school in Peria.

However, not only has he been at the forefront of haulage in Northland for over 30 years, but his company is one of the biggest employers in the area too – and for that, he’s a Southpac Legend.

Dennis Sparksman was born in Kaitaia in 1949 and spent his younger and school years in the small town of Peria, just inland from Mangonui. The school part wasn’t his favourite.

“I left school as early as I could,” says Dennis. “I wasn’t a scholar. When I left, I went to Australia for a year an... ... 

With over three decades of experience, Paul Chappel from Pyramid Trucking certainly knows a lot about the road transport industry. Not only does his company have a keen eye on social responsibility but Paul himself is committed to paying it forward to future generations of truckers via the industry associations – that’s why he’s this month’s Southpac Legend.

Although he spent a short OE stint in Australia after leaving school, Paul’s parents owned a transport company, Chappel Carriers, and so it seemed inevitable that he would venture into the industry.

“My family was in it first and so I wanted to be a driver from a young age,” says Paul. “And as soon as I w... ... 

The company mainly services primary industry, but Alex primarily considers the operation as first and foremost a solution provider for its customers. 

Alex credits his father and upbringing for his love of the transport industry. His father worked for the Clutha Carrying Company in Balclutha - he was the despatcher and yard supervisor - and as a family they lived in the company house next door.

“So right from when I was able... ... 

With decades of experience in bulk petroleum transportation and their uncompromising attention to safety, Tranzliquid Logistics Ltd. Greg Pert and Jackie Carroll do more than enough to keep the NZ transport industry moving. But it’s their ‘we’re ruthless with our standards and gracious with our people’ mantra that makes them this month’s SouthPac legends.

It’s estimated that when it comes to freight, 93% by tonnes is moved by road in NZ and if Road Transport is the lifeblood of the economy, then with their fleet of Kenworth’s delivering fuel from most terminals in NZ, their family owned and operated business Tranzliquid are arguably a lifeblood behind the transpor... ...