The Australian Trucking Association has today paid tribute to the outgoing managing director of PACCAR Australia, Joe Rizzo.
After 35 years with PACCAR Australia, Mr Rizzo announced his retirement this week. He will leave the company in March. PACCAR Australia manufactures Kenworth trucks in Melbourne and imports DAF medium and heavy duty trucks.
The Chairman of the ATA, David Simon, said that Mr Rizzo’s leadership and vision was shown by his support for the trucking industry and the ATA.
“Joe has always recognised that the health of truck manufacturing depends on having a healthy trucking industry that gets fair and reasonable treatment from governments,” Mr Simon said.
“Under Joe’s leadership, PACCAR Australia and its dealer network have been an important sponsor of the ATA.
“PACCAR Australia and its dealers sponsor our annual technical and maintenance event, TMC, which is the best yearly opportunity for trucking businesses, truck maintenance businesses and industry suppliers to share their knowledge and invest in training for their maintenance teams.
“Kenworth trucks hold a special place in the hearts of many Australian truck drivers and company owners. Joe’s support for our yearly Kenworth Legends Luncheon – where industry legends talk about their trucks and experiences – just shows his understanding of the industry.”
The Kenworth Legends Luncheon at the 2012 Australian Trucking Convention featured industry legends Jim Hurley and Ross Fraser OAM. The 2013 luncheon will feature more industry legends, and will be held at Trucking Australia 2013 at Hamilton Island on Saturday 22 June.
The Chief Executive of the ATA, Stuart St Clair, said the staff of PACCAR Australia and PACCAR dealers had made an invaluable contribution to the ATA under Mr Rizzo’s leadership.
“The involvement of PACCAR Australia and its dealers in our General Council and policy committees has led to better results for the industry on a host of issues,” Mr St Clair said.
“We are deeply indebted to Joe for his understanding of the importance of PACCAR’s continued support for the ATA,” he said.
