Customers of Mercedes-Benz Dealer Intercounty Truck & Van are assured of the highest standards of care from Technical Specialist Carl Nash, winner of a national competition staged by the manufacturer.
The 40-year-old saw off the challenge of front-line workshop professionals representing other members of its franchised UK Network, to claim the coveted 2016 Mercedes-Benz Truck Technician of the Year title.
Carl is based at Intercounty’s Peterborough branch but as the company’s ‘resident expert’ also assists the Service teams at its other workshops in Milton Keynes, Wellingborough and Toddington, in dealing with particularly difficult-to-diagnose or challenging issues.
His prize is a ‘dream ticket’ to the United States. Details of the trip are still being finalised but his itinerary is likely to take in visits to various operations owned by Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler, including the Detroit Diesel engine factory in the famed home city of the US automotive industry, the Daimler Trucks North America research and development centre in Portland, Oregon, and a state-of-the-art Freightliner dealership in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Carl is a Tae Kwon Do black belt who has studied the martial art since the age of 10 – and he certainly landed a knockout blow on his fellow contenders to win the Technician of the Year title. More than 100 technicians entered the competition, by submitting answers to a written theory test. The field was then gradually whittled down over two further rounds, until just six finalists remained.
These ‘last men standing’ faced off in a tough day of practical challenges at Mercedes-Benz UK’s Wentworth Park complex, near Barnsley. Competitors had to call upon all of their skills and knowledge of the manufacturer’s truck range and its high-tech diagnostic systems, to find a series of faults set up by experts from the Mercedes-Benz Truck Technical Team – they were judged not only on their ability to discover the problem and correctly identify its causes, but also on their use and understanding of the computerised fault-finding software.
Carl joined Intercounty Truck & Van 10 years ago as a vehicle technician, having worked previously for an independent garage that repaired cars and commercial vehicles. He has since taken full advantage of the opportunities provided by the Dealer and Mercedes-Benz that have allowed him to reach his current, highly-qualified position.
“It was a breath of fresh air to join an organisation with a proper, structured programme of training, and I’ve since seized every opportunity to improve my skills and develop my career,” said Carl, who lives in Peterborough with his wife and their two young sons.
He continued: “The final was intense, but also enjoyable and informative. Like my fellow contestants I went in determined to do my best, but also to keep an open mind and used it as another opportunity to learn and hone my skills still further. We all got along well but of course the atmosphere was quite competitive too – everyone wanted to win! The challenges were tough and I was surprised and delighted to emerge as the victor. Now I can’t wait to get on that plane to America.”
Truck Technical Team leader Mike Evans confirmed: “The standard of competition was remarkably high and all the entrants can be rightly proud of their performances. The margins were tight but when we assessed the six finalists across the whole day, Carl emerged as the clear winner.”
Peterborough Depot Manager Jason Booth commented: “As many satisfied customers can attest, Carl’s level of expertise is outstanding and he is a real asset to our workshop team. He thoroughly deserves his success.”
Carl’s trophy was presented by Sam Whittaker, Director Customer Services & Operations Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Trucks, who said: “In winning the accolade of Mercedes-Benz Truck Technician of the Year Carl has shown a great level of knowledge and understanding of our products and our brand.
“Over a series of theoretical and practical tests he and his fellow finalists demonstrated an extremely high level of technical skill. We are incredibly proud to know this exacting standard of work is carried out daily within our dealerships, to help keep our customers’ vehicles working at peak performance.”