Andrew D’Urso

What do you do at ANC?

I’m an Owner Driver delivering for Bunnings, Barbeques Galore and Telstra. I love the variety, from a big barbeque to a box of nails or nine doors.

Transport career experience?

Before joining ANC, I was an Audio-visual Technician working in live events for 10+ years. I worked for international acts touring Australia, the corporate sector and most recently, I spent the past six years in the hospitality sector. My industry got hit hard by COVID. Back in March 2020, within a week my entire calendar became empty as every event was cancelled. I needed to do something and wanted to be in an industry that is customer focused because I enjoy meeting different people and making sure everyone is happy.

Favourite part of your job?

I love being out and about, and every day is different. I get to meet and interact with different people including customers, the team at ANC including other contractor Owner Drivers. What I like most of all are the interactions with the customers who are happy to see you because you’re delivering something they need.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and getting out on the motorbike on a nice day.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences mean?

Making sure you meet the expectation of not only the customer but the client you are delivering for. This includes being punctual, well presented and friendly, and always with a smile on your face. You want to leave a positive lasting impression with every customer.

Bernie Wheeler

What do you do at ANC?

I am a Ute Owner Driver in WA, delivering predominately for Bunnings Warehouse. I have been working with ANC since 2016.

Transport career experience?

Prior to becoming a Delivery Professional, my background was quite diverse. After moving to Australia from New Zealand, I was a butcher by trade in the large supermarket chains. I worked my way up to Meat Manager in country WA. We decided to move to Perth when our children were ready to start school, where I took on store management roles. From here I progressed into the corporate offices with a role liaising between the company and suppliers. After reassessing my direction I changed industries and worked for Prime Commercial Laundry supplying to hospitals. After eighteen months, I decided to pursue my interest in becoming an Owner Driver. As they say, things are meant to be. My wife worked next door to ANC and asked about the delivery professional roles available, and here I am today.

Favourite part of your job?

Moving over from the corporate world, I really appreciate being out and about driving in the WA sunshine. My favourite part of the job would have to be delivering to the customer. I am lucky enough to meet a lot of different people each day, everyone has a story to tell, it keeps the days interesting and diverse.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love to spend my time with the family and enjoy a good BBQ with friends. Music is a passion of mine, I enjoy unwinding and listening to old vinyl records on the turntable. Travelling is another way I like to spend my free time now that the children are older, we try and make time to do this as often as possible.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences mean?

Being a delivery driver means you are the last drop in the chain. I believe achieving an excellent experience involves always being professional, helpful, reliable and pleasant. As a delivery professional, we have an opportunity to create the all-important lasting impression, not only for ANC but also for our clients.

Hassan Riaz

What do you do at ANC?

I’m a Principle Contractor (PC) with three vans on the ANC fleet including one 2-tonne van and two 1-tonne vans. I drive one van and engage other drivers in the other vehicles. We’re doing home deliveries for Bunnings and a couple of other ANC clients.

Transport career experience?

I started as a student from Pakistan with one bag and no money. Slowly, slowly, I have built up my skills and business. Starting with ANC changed my life. In 2017 I was engaged by another Principle Contractor (PC) as a driver. I enjoyed it so much that in 2019 I bought my own vehicle and now I have three on the fleet.

Favourite part of your job?

I like the physical work involved in loading, unloading and delivering. The best thing is going to different places and meeting different people. And I am learning a lot about building materials and timber. It gives me ideas about what I can do to my own home renovations and landscaping by talking to the team at Bunnings and hearing about what the customers are working on.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

First and foremost I love to spend time with my baby daughter. I also love to do the gardening. And believe it or not, more driving to discover more new places.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

Delivering extraordinary means serving different people and their different needs with extra care. I try to make sure they appreciate my service, especially when older people ask for some extra help. They don’t expect this and when I offer an “I can do that”, their appreciation is amazing. I love the customer feedback.

Hugo Stabio

What do you do at ANC?

I am an Owner Driver with ANC working on Samuel Smith & Sons, a wine wholesaler and importer. I started off in a Budget hire vehicle, but after a couple of weeks, when I understood the job and realised I liked the team so much, I bought a brand new 2020 Toyota Hiace van.

Transport career experience?

I’m new to the industry. Previously I was a Wine Broker, negotiating and brokering for Australian and Argentinian wineries. My ability to be a Wine Broker closed down when the international borders closed down with COVID-19. In a unique way, I am still brokering wine, but as an Owner Driver with ANC working on Samuel Smith & Sons who are a wine wholesaler and importer.

Favourite part of your job?

The freedom is very important. I love being out on the road, and won’t be going back to a desk job. As an Owner Driver you are an entrepreneur with your own business which is fun. I had my own business in the past and the biggest challenge was finding clients, but now I have the ANC team giving me jobs. I just have to be organised, on time, ready to go. It is easy.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I like sport a lot. I use to play but now I’m older I just follow rugby union and AFL. I am also very social so spend lots of my time with friends.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

You have to deliver, it is a little mission. You must arrive on time and make sure the client and their customers are happy. I use to worry about things in my life, but in this job, an empty van, when the customers have their goods, with everyone safe, then everyone is happy. Life is simple.

Jason Pryce

What do you do at ANC?

I have been a contractor Owner Driver with ANC since 2007. These days I am delivering for clients including Blackwoods and Telstra. I know the customers really well which means we have great rapport together.

Transport career experience?

Prior to joining ANC I was also in transport and commercial furniture moving.

Favourite part of your job?

I love being my own boss. Being my own gig, if I stuff up it is my mistake, my problem, which is very self-motivating. The feedback is all on my shoulders so I am very thorough and very reliable, which transfers to the great customer feedback I get and longevity with ANC. I love the customer service side of every delivery, it’s very social. Being out and about, seeing different people, especially when you build up a rapport and can share a joke, this is my ideal. I also really appreciate the fact that when I complete my deliveries, I don’t take my work home at night, which makes it less stressful.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

It’s all about relaxing. Our home backs onto a park so I like to go there and hit some golf balls with my young son. I love to take my Harley out and cruise into the hills, or do some home renovations.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

Making sure the customer receives what they expect, on time with a great attitude, in good condition. Time is valuable to everyone.

Johnny Mak

What do you do at ANC?

I am a Driver Team Leader and Principle Contractor Owner Driver driving a 2-tonne van for our client Pet Circle in WA.

Transport career experience?

Before joining ANC, I worked as a Courier for eight years delivering pharmaceuticals. Prior to that I was a Store Manager for a fast-food outlet. Both these roles set me up with important skills such as people management, customer service, and important health and safety standards. These attributes help me be an effective Principle Contractor Owner Driver and now, Driver Team Leader at ANC.

Favourite part of your job?

The driving. I love being out and about. I also enjoy meeting new people, both customers and clients.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I like to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends to balance work and life successfully. I also like to catch up with my work colleagues in a social setting. As for sport, I love to play badminton which is great for fitness and can be quite competitive.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

By making the customer the focus. The delivery is sometimes the first interaction they have and I am always aware that I am representing ANC and the client. I always say hello and greet them by their name, offering a personal service where possible is one which they will remember positively.

Ken Morgan

What do you do at ANC?

I’m an Owner Driver, delivering for clients including Bunnings and Pet Circle.

Transport career experience?

I have been a commercial pilot since 2004, and most recently a First Officer flying 737’s both internationally and domestically. However, I was a delivery driver and factory hand while becoming a pilot, so know the transport industry quite broadly. Being an Owner Driver is now my primary profession, and it enables me to fly every 45 days so I can retain my flying qualifications for when the industry reopens in 12-24 months.

Favourite part of your job?

I feel like Santa Clause, being able to deliver something the customer has been wanting, needing, waiting for. The customers are always so keen to receive what they ordered. I particularly like delivering to the older customers where you can always help them a little bit more. Recently some people have not had much interaction with other so it’s nice to provide that while making a delivery.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love to spend as much time with my two young boys as possible because I use to go away so much as a pilot. I especially enjoy getting involved with their rugby league and taking them fishing.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

I find it’s important to introduce yourself, be happy and helpful. The difference between “here’s your parcel”, or “can I carry it to the back yard for you” is phenomenal, especially to the elderly. Time is money but a repeat customer is higher value.

Mark Oliver

What do you do at ANC?

I’m an Owner Driver with a 2-tonne transit van delivering for Pet Circle.

Transport career experience?

I am new to the transport industry. After 20+ years in real estate I put a lot of thought into my career change. I did not want to be stuck in an office anymore. I wanted something more physical and active, and a job where I could apply my customer service experience from real estate.

Favourite part of your job?

As an Owner Driver and a pet lover, delivering for Pet Circle is ideal. There is more and more repeat business so I’m starting to get to know the customers, I get to meet their puppy or kitten, we can chat about the weekend, I love it. I like getting up early, being out on the road and going to new places every day.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love sport, playing tennis, watching the AFL and soccer, and going for a run or walk along the beach. When I’m not playing or watching sport I enjoy spending time with family.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

I think manners is the number one priority, and following special instructions from the customer because it’s obviously important to them.

Peter Hennessy

What do you do at ANC?

I’m an Owner Driver with a 2-tonne van, delivering for clients such as Bunnings.

Transport career experience?

I am new to the transport industry, making the career change after 16 years as an Insurance Underwriter. I was sick of being stuck in an office. I had a large 2-tonne van and was able to commence work immediately with ANC, after the onboarding and safety training.

Favourite part of your job?

I love the freedom. It is enjoyable and relatively stress free. I enjoy being in control of how I manage my day, my route, when I take breaks and just working things out for myself. I really enjoy the relationships you build up with the clients. There’s lots of banter with the Bunnings crews across Adelaide, we can all have a good laugh. Most people are glad to see you because they’ve ordered something online and they can’t wait to the goods.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love to go to the beach and swim, mainly swim up and down the Brighton coast. I try not to go too deep to make sure I avoid the sharks. When on dry land I enjoy restoring furniture.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

Our role is to ensure the goods are delivered in great condition, in a timely way. Calling ahead and making sure the customer knows you’re coming gives them peace of mind. When a customer might be anxious, our role is to put them at ease. We have to be advocates for our clients and ensure the customer is satisfied.

Sami Nahlous

What do you do at ANC?

I am an Owner Driver, with a Mercedes Sprinter van, delivering for IKEA, Pet Circle, Bunnings and The Good Guys.

Transport career experience?

I was a Stone Mason, designing and constructing kitchen bench tops for 15 years. It’s dirty, the dust is unhealthy, and there was no margin to grow as a business owner. Working for yourself you know you will reap the rewards for your efforts. I said to a friend I would love to have my own business, he suggested I become an Owner Driver. I didn’t realise he worked with ANC until I joined. The world is too small and it’s nice to know I am working with like minded people.

Favourite part of your job?

I love a challenge, it is very enjoyable. The most important thing is the customer service, good feedback, the smile on their face. It is value like money for me. When the customer says “thank you” and gives feedback to ANC it makes me happy.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

It’s all about my family and friends, with Sunday spent with my two daughters and wife. Weekends are also a chance to do some work at home.

What do you think delivering extraordinary experiences means?

To be a professional Owner Driver you need to communicate, accept and respect others. You have to be patient and challenge yourself to be even better tomorrow.