Michael Smith was delivering to a retailer when Faye Lougher caught up with him at the back of Levin Mall. Driving a 2015 Isuzu CJY400 with a Tiptronic 16-speed auto, Michael is an owner-driver contracted to TIL Freight. Based in Palmerston North, he delivers general freight to Levin and Foxton, which is where he was headed next. Michael has been driving for about eight years and has been with TIL for about 18 months. Prior to that he drove for Mainfreight, and before that he was a storeman.

“I had my dangerous goods and class 2 licence because I sold batteries for a living, and I moonlighted driving trucks. I got the opportunity eight years ago to become an owner-driver and here I am.” Michael said he really enjoys meeting people through his job and building relationships with his customers. As for the biggest problem in the industry, Michael said that would be the traffic. “And erratic drivers!” Michael got the ‘do aliens walk freely among us?‘ question and said he doubted it.

When asked about the MJSEXP registration plate, Michael said his middle name is John and he trades under the company name MJS Express Limited. “I‘ve had all sorts of comments about having SEX in my number plate,” he laughs.

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