Stephen Love had just finished a delivery when Faye Lougher pulled into the service lane behind Levin‘s main street. The owner-driver for Mainfreight does a regular run between Palmerston North, Foxton and Levin, and was heading back to Palmerston North when he finished his deliveries. He was worried his 2018 Isuzu N Series wasn‘t clean enough, but Faye reassured him it showed it was a working truck! Stephen‘s main type of work is general freight, with a bit of dangerous goods as well.

Originally a manufacturing manager in the food industry, Stephen said his sister-inlaw had her own company and was an owner-driver, which gave him an insight into the industry. When a job became available two years ago, he decided it was time for a change. “I thought I‘d give it a go and I love it. It‘s a great job and, if you work hard, you get the rewards.”

The best part of the job for him is dealing with customers and building relationships. As for the biggest problem in the industry, as he sees it, Stephen said it would have to be the roads. “They‘re a bit of a hazard, as is the traffic. I just had someone back straight out in front of me earlier. You can‘t stop stupidity!” When faced with a choice between Ford and Holden, Stephen was quick to answer “Holden!”

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