INDUSTRY PEOPLE
The LED signs can be custom-made to suit the needs of the client.
driver. You really need that comfort if you’re doing an
all-day shift.
“The air suspension within the seats cuts out the vibration
from the road. The overall concept is to keep the driver
mid-ride.
“The seat is like the driver’s office. It’s their own space
for that time.”
Over time, Geemac became the preferred seat supplier
to KiwiRail. Isringhausen (Isri) seats are now standard
equipment in the majority of trucks sold throughout New
Zealand and Australia.
Geemac also supply a range of cost-effective seats for
trucks, forklifts, trains and buses, from Seats NZ. These
seats are also good quality, popular and comply with all
health and safety regulations.
One of the things that Gordon has noticed is that quite
often, if a seat component breaks, the operator or
business very rarely has a spare seat to hand. It’s as if
the seating is the last thought, and he acknowledges that
operators do not want to have money tied up in stock
unless they absolutely need to. It’s the downtime theme
that crops up over and over.
“Trucks and buses get serviced regularly. The most
important part of a bus, truck or train is the driver,” he
says. “I’ve worked hard to get that message out to our
clients, that the operator or driver is the most important
thing, and the seat the second most important.”
Getting the parts to clients has always been rapid, with
most orders placed before 2pm shipped the same day.
Out in West Auckland is a well-stocked warehouse, a
far cry from the early days of distributing from the home
garage. The McKendrys now have several big brands
they distribute and latterly moved into supplying buses
with LED signage.
They also supply lighting parts, armrests and in fact,
pretty much any accessory for public transportation
needed to make life more safe and comfortable.
Recently, they appointed a family member to bring in a
fresh perspective to the business.
After 30 years in business, Gordon and Jan are looking
to reduce their time in the “office”, announcing that their
son, Callum, will move in as marketing and sales guru
from April 9.
Callum has a commerce degree from Otago and, as
Gordon says, “is technically savvy”, which translates as
‘having good IT skills’.
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