Hino Australia has announced its newest trio of National Skills Champions, Chris Biancucci from Adtrans Hino, Luke Hanna from Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane and Brandon Healey from WA Hino, who competed against the best from across to the country to win the sought-after titles.
Following a series of qualifying rounds, 18 finalists from the Hino Australia dealer network competed against each other in the 2023 Hino National Skills Final on 16 November in Sydney.
Sales contestants were challenged in real-world customer role play scenarios and theory tests.
Service Technicians participated in a series of hypothetical exercises that tested their diagnostic, analytical and technical skills.
Parts finalists were further examined on their interpretation and research skills on a range of vehicles and engine assemblies through customer role play scenarios.
For the second year, all contestants competed in a friendly Sale of the Century-type exhibition quiz hosted by Hino Ambassador Neil Crompton.
Sam Torpy from Sci-Fleet Hino Nerang was crowned the overall winner after a series of rapid-fire questions.
“The Hino National Skills Contest demonstrates the importance we place on the high levels of training and development of our staff, which in turn results in a highly skilled Hino dealer network that provides excellent service and knowledge to our customers,” said Sam Suda, President and CEO of Hino Australia.
“This was the twelfth Hino National Skills Contest – we are extremely proud that this is one of the most comprehensive and longest-running events of its type in the Australian trucking industry.
“In today’s environment, we must continue to strive to be a reliable business partner to our customers.
“Our brand and our products have a role to play in this, but we are only as good as the people we invest in, and today is all about celebrating that,” concluded Mr Suda.
Hino Australia’s commitment to training and development of its staff has reaped rewards with the distributor winning its 15th successive Parts Department of the Year Award and a 12th consecutive Service Department of the Year Award earlier in 2023.
Each Skills Final winner receives a cash reward and an ultimate VIP experience at the 2024 F1 Australian Grand Prix.
The event was held at Hino Australia’s Sydney headquarters and attended by Hino Motors, Ltd. General Manager, Mitsuharu Tabata and Hino New Zealand guests including Alastair Grieve (General Manager), Darren Trask (Technical Services Manager), Adam Crawford (Truck Stops Hino Product Manager) and the recently awarded 2023 Skills Competition winner Oliver Stanley.
Hino National Skills Contest Winners 2023
Service
1st – Brandon Healey – WA Hino
2nd – John Riley – Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane
3rd – Andrew Piffero – Wagga Trucks Hino
Parts
1st – Luke Hanna – Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane
2nd – Rares Luca – Prestige Hino
3rd – Kara Green – Adtrans Hino
Sales
1st – Chris Biancucci – Adtrans Hino
2nd – Stephen Prior – City Hino
3rd – Shane Curtain – Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane
