Diesel in the blood of Whitlock Freight owners

Bryce Whibley (left) and Kevin Hope (right) have sold Whitlock Freight to Dion Hawkins.

"Once the old diesel gets into the bloodstream it's hard to get rid of," say Whitlock Freight owners Bryce Whibley and Kevin Hope.

Mr Whibley and Mr Hope have sold Whitlock Freight to Dion and Wendy Hawkins who take over on September 1. However, it's not the end of the road for their involvement with the company, with both men staying on to help week-on, week-off, with the Whanganui-Auckland run.

Mr Whibley is three months short of clocking up 30 years with the company. He started working for original owner Murray Whitlock as an owner/driver and Mr Hope joined the company about five years later. They had previously worked together at General Foods where Mr Whibley drove the Gaytime icecream truck and Mr Hope drove the Tip Top truck.

"About 1996 the previous owner wanted to sell and we liked the business so much we bought the company," Mr Whibley said.

"It's been a challenge at times but it's been good. We've seen a lot of changes, like the road between here and Wellington and all the new buildings in Wellington."

They used to be able to drive to Wellington in about two hours and 20 minutes but now have to allow three hours.

"The roads are better but there's so much traffic now," Mr Hope said.

"I remember when we were buying fuel for about 48 cents a litre, then it went up to over $2. That's not easy for the trucking industry. There was a huge increase in road user charges and we suddenly had to find another $80,000 per year."

At one time they had seven trucks but that decreased to five after the global financial crisis. They kept their old Isuzu truck which has done 1.4 million kilometres and has never had any work done on its motor.

"We're getting a bit long in the tooth to try to build up the business again so decided it was time to sell," Mr Hope said.

The new owners, Mr and Mrs Hawkins, recently had a motel in Feilding but trucking was in Mr Hawkins' blood.

"I've been in transport most of my life and was looking at buying a big unit but I liked the idea of working for myself," Mr Hawkins said.

"I think Whanganui's taking off and have realised what gets built in this city that goes all over the country. I appreciate that Bryce and Kevin are passionate about the business and they have so much knowledge and experience so I hope they will stay on for a while."

Mr Hawkins will focus on trucking and Mrs Hawkins will look after administration. Mr Hawkins hopes that his sons may move into the business eventually.

Meanwhile, Mr Whibley and Mr Hope are looking forward to continuing to work together.

"We've had a good partnership - 30 years have gone bloody quick," Mr Whibley said.