McNeill Distribution is just one arm of a diverse business that includes timber, property and transport.

A family-owned company, McNeill Distribution operates in excess of 70 trucks and specialises in providing transport services throughout the South Island. The extensive fleet includes bulk cartage, crane truck, container transport, bulks transporter and log cartage trucks. Based at Kennington, near Invercargill, Tony Thompson is distribution fleet manager for McNeill Distribution. He explains there are three key arms to the business – McNeill Distribution, Tulloch Transport (rural transport specialists) and logging trucks. “It‘s a very diverse business. The company as a whole has invested in timber, property and transport. We have over 350 employees and there are always job opportunities in the company, not just as truck drivers.”

His responsibility covers 20 trucks in the distribution fleet, with core business being wood chips and general cartage. “The company owns a big sawmill so a lot of the business is timber out of the sawmill, and wood chips.” Tony‘s role involves keeping an eye on what the dispatchers are doing, ensuring jobs are invoiced correctly and face-to-face visits with clients.

Looking for an easier, smarter way to streamline business and move away from mountains of paper, Tony started using MyTrucking 18 months ago. Speeding up the end of month accounting process was a big driver for the move. “We were looking for ways to get rid of paperwork and wanted an easier, smarter system. With MyTrucking it‘s easy to bring up and find a job straight away. It‘s also good for customers who like to be emailed once a job is complete.” said Tony.

It has made invoicing quicker, Tony is able to take care of invoices during the day, meaning the end of month accounting process is far more efficient. Because MyTrucking is being used in other areas of the business too it gives inter-company transparency as to what‘s going on company-wide. Tony appreciates the service provided by the MyTrucking team, and the new features regularly being rolled out. “They also make a point of coming to see us. They‘re very easy to get hold of and great to deal with.”

Favourite truck?
Macks. They‘re just a good truck, the old ones particularly.

Favourite place to get a pie?
The Woodlands Butchery is pretty good!

Favourite MyTrucking feature?
Mobility. Just being able to be out and about and the ability to enter jobs on your phone to your drivers straight away.

Favourite trucking route?
To be honest, up through the Mackenzie Country, it‘s nice and easy.

Favourite gearbox?
It‘s got to be the Maxitorque Mack 10 speed gearbox.

Favourite way to acknowledge a truckie?
Just the good old wave.