FRASER EMBRACES THE NEW SALES CHALLENGE
“There’ve already been a few curveballs thrown my way and it’s been a steep learning curve, but I tend to thrive in those sorts of situations,” he says. “It’s been interesting seeing the bigger picture of how all the moving parts of the business come together, and to be involved in some of those strategic decisions.” Based north of Auckland, Fraser joined Terra exactly five years ago, but was no stranger to Caterpillar machinery before coming on board. He’d started out at his parents’ engine reconditioning business, then spent the next eight years working on Caterpillar engines on oil and gas fields 100km north of Roma, central Queensland. Fraser and his wife moved back to NZ in 2015 and he commuted to Roma for work for five years before the COVID pandemic ground all international travel to a halt. Six months into the lockdown, and with no end in sight, Fraser decided it was time to look locally for a job, and Terra was at the top of his hit-list. It turned out to be one of those cases of being in the right place at the right time: Terra was on the hunt for a commercial engine support representative and Fraser ticked all the boxes. The role would evolve over the ensuing five years, but Fraser continued to make his mark on the business, then when the construction product support manager position arose earlier this year, he decided it was time to take on a new challenge. “This feels like the next step that’s again come at the right time; the construction focus is new territory for me, but I’m really enjoying the more commercial focus and a different challenge of managing a team of customer support account managers.” “Over the next 12 months I want to continue the momentum and mould the team so that everyone succeeds and collectively we meet our dealership goals,” he explains. “The market’s been slow for a while, but there are signs of growth and I want to ensure we use this time wisely to get prepared and well-positioned for when things pick up.” Outside of work, Fraser enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons aged nine and six, hanging out at their local beach, bush-walks and walking the dog. He might only be two months into his new role as the construction product support manager, but Fraser Griffiths is relishing the challenge of stepping up to his new position.
NEW
READY FOR NEW ZEALAND’S FORESTRY DEMANDS WEILER S340 WHEEL SKIDDER Terra Cat has partnered with Weiler Forestry to offer Kiwi customers the new Weiler S340 wheel skidder – a next-generation machine that’s designed to hold up to the demands of New Zealand’s rugged terrain, conditions and forestry operations.
The partnership with Weiler means Terra can now offer customers in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific local access to the first true hydrostatic skidder in this class, backed by Terra Cat’s nationwide service network and deep forestry knowledge and support. Tokoroa-based forestry company Brown Logging has picked up the first S340 in the country, and wasted no time putting the mid-sized wheel skidder through its paces. The S340 sets a new benchmark by combining the power of a Cat C7.1 Tier 3 engine with a continuously variable (hydrostatic) ground drive. This ensures a smooth power delivery with instant torque and precise control over a wide speed range. To give operators confidence when working on challenging ground and slopes, the S340’s robust design includes front and rear differential locks, heavy-duty axles, and wide support for large tyre or chain configurations.
The same build quality extends to the spacious, comfortable cab interior. Operators will enjoy the super-wide field of view due to the sloping hood and the expansive glass both front and rear, while the ergonomic joystick controls with customisable mapping and optional rotating seat will play a big role in reducing fatigue and increasing productivity. Downtime is the enemy of profitability, and Weiler has poured significant attention into the S340’s serviceability design. You’ll find 50 per cent fewer hoses across the centre section, while key service points (DEF tank, battery and hydraulic fill) can all be accessed from ground level. A tilting cab and a forward-mounted, variable-speed reversing fan also ensures fast, easy access and efficient maintenance. With the Weiler S340 now available on these shores, New Zealand forestry operators gain a powerful new next-gen tool that’s fully backed with our quality parts and service offering across the country.
Click to learn more about Weiler Skidders.
16
17
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator