Penske Australia & New Zealand has named Luke Andrew and Luke Reid as its 2026 Penske Guild Master Technicians, recognising technical excellence across the company’s on-highway and off-highway operations.
Andrew, a leading hand at Penske’s Perth branch, claimed the on-highway title, while Darwin-based Reid took out the off-highway category. The biennial Penske Guild competition brings together technicians from across Australia and New Zealand, with finalists progressing through qualification rounds before competing for the Master Technician title.
This year’s final was held in Sydney, where 12 technicians tackled a series of advanced diagnostic, troubleshooting and procedural challenges against the clock.
For the heavy vehicle industry, Andrew’s win highlights the increasingly broad technical skills required to support modern truck fleets.
He has worked across Penske’s on-highway portfolio for more than five years, gaining experience with Western Star, MAN, Detroit and Allison Transmission. Andrew started with Penske as a dual-trade light vehicle mechanic and auto electrician before adding heavy diesel qualifications, and has most recently led the Allison XTrans rebuild program.
Leigh Henderson, chief operating officer and Penske Guild chair at Penske Australia & New Zealand, said Andrew distinguished himself in a highly competitive field.
“Luke stood out through his focus, technical expertise, and ability to perform under pressure,” Henderson said.
“His performance throughout the competition reflected the dedication, capability, and high standards he delivers to customers at our Perth branch each day.”
Reid joined Penske in 2021 and specialises in Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ mtu products across defence, energy and mining applications.
Based in Darwin, his role regularly takes him thousands of kilometres across remote areas to keep critical equipment operating, highlighting the field-service capabilities required to support customers outside major metropolitan centres.
Henderson said both winners demonstrated the technical expertise and customer focus the Penske Guild program was designed to encourage.
Jason Benedetti, Penske Australia & New Zealand technical training manager, said the standard of technicians entering the competition had continued to improve since the inaugural event 10 years ago.
More than one-fifth of Penske technicians are now Penske Guild members and eligible to compete in the Master Technician competition, reflecting the company’s investment in training and professional development.
Andrew and Reid will also receive overseas trips as part of their wins.
Andrew will travel to the United States to visit Western Star Trucks, Detroit and Team Penske facilities, while Reid will travel to Germany to visit Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ mtu and MAN Truck & Bus plants.
Henderson said the benefits of the program ultimately flowed through to fleet operators and other Penske customers.
“As our technicians continue to develop their skills and expertise, customers across Australia and New Zealand benefit from an even higher standard of service, technical support, and uptime.”
With Penske supporting Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Detroit, Allison Transmission and other brands through a network of branches, field locations and more than 100 dealers, developing highly skilled technicians remains an important part of maintaining vehicle uptime for truck operators across Australia and New Zealand.
