In the first episode of Fleet News Group’s 2025 podcast series, TRUCK TECH took centre stage, highlighting its impressive growth, commitment to heavy vehicle safety, and future expansion plans. I sat down with Barry Saad, Founder and CEO of Truck Tech, and Dr Jana Matthews, the company’s new Chief Growth and Development Officer, to discuss their shared vision for the business and what sets it apart in the fleet maintenance industry.
From a Single Service Truck to an Industry Leader
Barry Saad’s journey is a testament to persistence and passion. He founded TRUCK TECH in 2007, starting with a single service vehicle and a goal to provide high-quality maintenance services. Over nearly two decades, TRUCK TECH has expanded to become a multi-state operation, servicing fleets across Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales, with three state-of-the-art workshops and over 120 technicians.
“TRUCK TECH’s been around since 2007, so we’re going into our 17th, nearly our 18th year,” Barry said. “I started TRUCK TECH in the back of a service ute, I did my apprenticeship and loaded our tools into the back of the ute and chased the Australian dream, I guess.”
That dream has led to a business that now plays a crucial role in heavy vehicle maintenance and road safety. However, Barry acknowledges that building and sustaining a large operation takes more than just technical expertise—it requires strategic growth planning, the right team, and a commitment to strong values.
A Shared Vision for Growth: How Barry and Dr Matthews Connected
Barry’s introduction to Dr Jana Matthews came through an ANZ-sponsored growth clinic, which identified TRUCK TECH as a high-potential business. Dr Matthews, an expert in scaling businesses, recognised the company’s strong foundations and the leadership potential of Barry and his team.
“I met Barry when I was doing a growth clinic, and he was one of the companies that ANZ had selected from their customer base that they thought would benefit from having a day with the doctor to look at their organisation,” Dr Matthews explained.
From there, Barry and his team enrolled in a nine-month growth program, completing three intensive modules focused on business strategy, market positioning, and long-term planning.
“Barry was continually taking it in, talking it over with his team, and then executing,” said Dr Matthews. “They came back with their one-year plan. They came back with a three-year plan. They did the market research, they focused on a few industries, they changed what they were doing and focused on fleets of 50 or more. They made the changes very quickly, and that suggests to me that there’s an opportunity to grow quickly.”
That structured approach to growth led Truck Tech to bring Dr Matthews on board to help guide its next phase of expansion.
Heavy Vehicle Safety: The Core of TRUCK TECH’s Mission
While growth and expansion are major priorities, Barry is clear that safety remains at the heart of everything TRUCK TECH does.
“One of the keys is the number of heavy vehicles that we can improve the safety on,” he explained. “The more heavy vehicles that we look after, the more opportunity our technicians have to raise the standard of that heavy vehicle, ensure that it’s safe.”
For Barry and his team, ensuring safety goes beyond compliance—it’s about protecting lives on the road.
“Our technicians care about safety. They care about safe heavy vehicles. They care about the customer. They understand what pressures the customers go through by not having that truck on the road,” Barry said. “It’s something that’s important to a mechanic, and it’s important to me, and that’s our responsibility as a technician, to be able to do that.”
Dr Matthews reinforced this point, sharing insights from Truck Tech employees who take pride in their role.
“One of the fellows said, ‘It’s really important for me that the job be done right, and that the truck that leaves here is safe, because I don’t want my family in a car following a truck going 100 km/h that we haven’t maintained properly.’ That thread runs all the way through TRUCK TECH’s culture,” she said.
Key Lessons for Business Growth: Culture, People, and Process
Beyond safety, TRUCK TECH’s success provides key lessons for other businesses looking to scale, particularly in industries where operational consistency and workforce development are critical.
Dr Matthews emphasised three key factors that contribute to TRUCK TECH’s ability to grow sustainably:
- Culture Matters – “The TRUCK TECH way is you work on a truck until it’s finished, and you get it done on time, safely out the door,” she said.
- The Right People – “We know what we’re looking for, and we know how to attract them to us, like a magnet.”
- Systems and Processes – “We lined out the whole process, going from something like 157 steps down to a much lower number, making it more efficient, cutting down on time, and reducing potential mistakes.”
Barry echoed the importance of building a values-driven workforce and training mechanics for the future.
“We train our values, we hire to our values, and it’s not cliché at TRUCK TECH—it’s what we do,” Barry explained. “It’s about making sure that safety, quality, and learning are built into our culture.”
TRUCK TECH and the Shift to Electric Vehicles
With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming a larger part of commercial fleets, TRUCK TECH is proactively preparing for the transition. The company already services over 300 electric buses and trucks and has partnered with BYD as an approved repairer for its commercial EVs.
“The growing shift to electric heavy vehicles in the light vehicle space is here,” Barry said. “In the heavy vehicle space, we currently look after over 300 electric buses and trucks and are growing into that truck space, partnering with BYD.”
Dr Matthews sees Truck Tech’s early investment in EV maintenance as a significant competitive advantage.
“Absolutely no question. For the technicians early on to get an opportunity to work on and then track the developments over time—no question that places us in a great position,” she said.
A Future Built on Strong Foundations
As TRUCK TECH looks to expand, Barry remains committed to creating opportunities for mechanics, especially those who didn’t have the resources he wished he had when starting out.
“Giving mechanics the opportunities I didn’t get when I was an apprentice is a huge driver for me,” Barry said. “We want them to have great workshops, the best tools, and the best training. We can change the perception of mechanics and show how fulfilling this industry really is.”
With a strong leadership team, clear values, and a forward-thinking approach, TRUCK TECH is well-positioned for continued success in Australia’s evolving fleet maintenance industry.
