Truckworld

Meet the man who sold 3000 trucks... in Toowoomba!

Bavin Cherry, 63, retired on Christmas Eve after spending his entire working career in the Toowoomba truck industry.

Bavin started out as a 15 year-old apprentice truck mechanic at Toowoomba's International Harvester dealership, Wiley Smith and Company, and ended his career as sales manager of Vanderfield Hino.

In 48 years he worked for only the two employers, becoming renowned as arguably the most-successful truck salesman in Queensland.

His clientele included 38 local government organisations, as well as farmers and graziers from as far flung locations as Roma, Longreach and Blackall in rural Queensland.

Once Vanderfield decided to enter the truck industry, Bavin's years of experience were invaluable to the group .

The huge John Deere farm machinery dealership entered the truck industry with Hino in 1993. Bavin then joined them, having had many years with the Hino brand.

Since then, Vanderfield Hino in Toowoomba has sold 1400 Hinos and Bavin has claimed 1059 of them as his own.

"For me its all about value-add," Bavin said.

"I've tried to make sure that every Hino I sell is personalised for its owner.

"Little things like radiator guards and dusters in the cabin make a difference, and my customers really appreciate it."

Bavin has been one of Hino's most-successful salesmen.

His success has delivered him at least five trips to Japan as part of sales rewards.

Vanderfield Hino has expanded and now has dealerships in Darwin and on the Gold Coast, as well as in Toowoomba.

Dealer principal Bruce Vandersee paid tribute to Bavin at a Christmas Eve farewell.

Bavin, also a farmer, is now preparing his 202 acre property, Willowview, for sale and intends to move to a smaller block with his wife Shirley.

"I don't play golf and don't want to learn," Bavin said.

"Somehow I think retirement is going to lead me straight back into the truck industry in one form or another."

Perhaps to take his sales total to 3500.