Watch and learn

Manufacturing solutions may drive a business, but a commitment to aftersales support is what keeps its customer network satisfied.

For this reason, BPW Transpec’s live workshop training – a tailored program providing fleets across the industry with free technical servicing programs at their doorsteps – is operational in every state and territory.

“The workshop sessions have been fundamental to our services for very long,” says BPW Transpec National Workshop Trainer, Evan McDonald. “We’ve been providing this training for more than 20 years.”

BPW Transpec delivers its technical workshop sessions to customers via an organised system which ensures they all receive one instalment every year. Two sessions are allocated to each state per half of the year and are split among different customers each time.

The program is led by Evan who has been an integral part of the BPW Transpec team for the last 26 years and was responsible for bringing the workshop training back to life in 2022. He travels to various locations around Australia and New Zealand to deliver the training in person, and is accompanied by BPW Transpec sales representatives, team leaders and a mobile trailer with display equipment to physically demonstrate each part being discussed.

“Sales teams from each state will often accompany training session leaders at our customers’ workshops,” he says. “Prior to the session, companies can request specific training topics to be covered by us. The sales teams will then give workshop leaders like myself a rundown of the training that needs to be covered before we arrive.

“We personalise the sessions to give each customer the best experience possible. BPW Transpec offers a lot of different components, so the content of each workshop needs to reflect the particular product that a given customer is using.”

BPW Transpec’s workshop training can cover anything from servicing hubs, axles and suspension products to fitment procedures for valves and drum and disc brake options. The presentations are also uniquely delivered, depending on how each leader chooses to convey the information.

“Each trainer has their own spin on how to lead a workshop,” Evan explains. “Some run their sessions in a very classroom-based way while others use power-point presentations for visual aid.

“I tend to focus on walking through how each product works with a hands-on approach, so that the mechanics can physically follow along as I tell them about a piece of equipment. Handling these products up close is essential to their understanding. It’s what I know, so it’s what I can teach.”

The ultimate goal of BPW Transpec’s training workshops is to ensure operators are fitting products correctly. This is imperative for the technical safety and compliance of a given customer’s fleet.

“I’ve had people not realise just how serious the content is in many sessions,” Evan says. “I’ve also had to walk people through the consequences of incorrect fitments – accidents, injuries and serious incidents.

“Fitting our products properly ensures safety for our customers’ operations and for other people on the road. When I explain this in my sessions, I often see the mindsets of the mechanics change in front of me as they realise what I’m talking about.”

Creating a culture in customer workshops which prioritises safety is critical to BPW Transpec. The OEM believes it will also have greater effects on the industry at large.

Followmont Transport is one of the many fleets participating in BPW Transpec’s workshop training. Followmont Transport National Workshop Manager, Dean Alcock, has been with the company for eight years and has seen the true value of the sessions during his time.

“Our team members are always interested and excited for BPW’s workshop training,” he says. “We get great feedback on the sessions all the time. They provide our mechanics with valuable information while also giving them some variety during their work days.”

Followmont Transport’s workshop training is conducted in groups of up to six participants, running multiple times over one day in order to include all mechanics. Dean says organising the sessions into smaller crowds ensures everyone will receive an in-depth training experience.

“We purposely try to set up BPW’s workshop training to be as intimate as possible,” he says. “We believe some key information can get lost when it’s being explained to a bigger group of people, and that’s the last thing we want for our team.”

Followmont Transport’s training sessions feature a strong emphasis on BPW Transpec axles, suspensions and braking products. Dean says the focus is essential due to the industry’s frequent technological advancements.

“Keeping up to date with the latest requirements is crucial as our sector progresses with Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) and Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS),” he says. “We want to make sure our employees get hands-on experience with the equipment so that they’re acutely aware of what it takes to keep the fitment of these products and our overall operations compliant and safe.

“Evan’s sessions are great for what we need. He takes his time and teaches them in a way which allows everyone to understand the ins and outs of the products in question.”

Because of this, Dean says it’s imperative that Followmont Transport continues to receive BPW Transpec’s workshop training well into the future.

“We have every intention of continuing to use this training program on a yearly basis,” he says. “There’s never a shortage of things to learn.”