Our July Vocational visit to J Swap’s new facility in Matamata was well attended with approximately 70 Rotarians and partners including our Matamata friends. What an impressive building - I felt dwarfed by the immense size and height as well as by the huge earthmoving and transportation vehicles.

 

The evening started at 5.30pm with a tour conducted by three knowledgeable staff members.  We learnt that the family company was established in 1934 – starting from small beginnings to what is now a huge operation providing a range of services to both the North and South Island.

 

Three separate units make up the Matamata site - workshop, spare parts, truck servicing.  Operating 24 hours a day, the workshop looks after all the heavy machinery to keep them up and running – with each vehicle being maintained to high standards to last decades.  Spare parts are located (floor to ceiling) in their own section and a computerised security system, not only traces people/vehicle movement, but has the ability to locate the movement of each spare part from the time it reaches the building. However the workshop manager knows exactly where a single part is stored!!  The truck servicing area took everyone’s attention and we were allowed to go down into the pit to view the underside of the parked trucks awaiting service.

 

J Swap considers its 450 (approx.) staff its most important asset and they are well looked after in terms of health and safety and wellbeing – often a truck driver has their “own” truck or share the driving with one other. This also results in the truck being well cared for.  Earthmoving vehicle drivers are more often than not, trained from a young age by the company and most staff remain in Swap’s employment for many years.

 

This was a truly memorable and informative vocational visit – capped off with delicious hospitality in the café – Pepper St – which, by the way, is open to the public during the day.

 

Thank you to J Swap managers for giving their time to show us around and to Ken Leatham for arranging the visit in conjunction with our Vocational Director Andrew.