Eight of the best tyre fitters from Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand travelled to Auckland in October to compete for bragging rights at the Trans-Tasman Tyre Technician Championship.

Since June, Bridgestone employees across both countries have been putting their skills to the test in the hope of reaching the final stage of the hotly contested competition.

It all came to an epic conclusion in front of an excited crowd at East Tamaki, Auckland NZ when the national winners from Australia and New Zealand went head-to-head.

The truck tyre title went to New Zealand’s Brian Mason and Brett Kelly from Bridgestone Tyre Centre Rotorua in New Zealand, who fitted a set of two steer tyres in an adjusted time of 20 minutes 8 seconds. Maia Peita and Jared Meek from Bridgestone Service Centre Pinkenba in Queensland weren’t far behind with a time of 22 minutes 50 seconds.

The passenger tyre side of the competition was also extremely close. Joshua Meisch and Raj Shrestha from Bridgestone Service Centre Silverwater in New South Wales took the win, fitting four passenger tyres in an adjusted time of 20 minutes 43 seconds. Their opponents, Mike Weier and Ryan Antony from Bridgestone Tyre Centre Rotorua, recorded a time of 22 minutes 46 seconds.

Andrew Moffatt, Managing Director of Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand, said the competition encouraged friendly rivalry between the two countries.

“Bridgestone tyre technicians aren’t afraid of a challenge. They’re passionate about what they do and pride themselves on delivering the high service standards Bridgestone’s commercial and retail stores are known for,” Mr Moffatt said.

“The BSANZ Tyre Technician Championship is a great team building exercise for stores and a chance for tyre fitters from across Australia and New Zealand to get to know each other.”

The winning teams received individual trophies, a perpetual trophy and all-important bragging rights.

“It was great to see both countries head home with a win,” Mr Moffatt said.

“Congratulations to our champions and thank you to all who participated. The camaraderie shown throughout the competition was outstanding and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

Next year’s BSANZ Tyre Technician Championship Finals will be held in Adelaide, South Australia.



Truck tyre winners Brett Kelly and Brian Mason with Kensuke Kobayashi, Director Sales & Marketing; Joanne Denley, Director Corporate Services & Risk Management; and John Staples, Group General Manager New Zealand Business.



Passenger tyre winners Joshua Meisch and Raj Shrestha with John Staples, Group General Manager New Zealand Business; Kensuke Kobayashi, Director Sales & Marketing; and Joanne Denley, Director Corporate Services & Risk Management.


LINKS:
Bridgestone Australia - https://www.bridgestonetyres.com.au

Bridgestone Australia Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BridgestoneAU