A half ton is never to be sneezed at, whether it is scoring a 50 on the pitch or bringing up a half century in the new job.
That is a milestone Gary Melrose has just achieved after 50 years working for key Sydney Isuzu dealer, Gilbert and Roach.
In the half century since he started with Gilbert and Roach, Melrose can lay claim to witnessing the transformation of Australian truck market, as few others can, despite the fact that theindustry defined by rapid change and growth.
When Melrose started with the company back in 1975 at its then Homebush dealership on Parramatta Rd. as a 16 year old apprentice mechanic, Skyhooks and Sherbet ruled the music charts and Gough Whitlam had been prime minister for three years.
When he started Melrose says he quickly turned his passion for all things mechanical into a rewarding career.
Melrose quickly found his footing with the emergingIsuzu brand.Just three years after it entered the Australian market under the Bedford name,
Isuzu became Australia’s top-selling heavy vehicle brand by 1989, a title it has maintained for the past 36 years. Last year it delivered 13,402 units nationwide, with Gilbert and Roach leading the pack in overall sales with 1476 trucks sold.
“When I was a kid, I loved working with anything mechanical, and to have turned that passion into a career lasting 50 years is incredibly special,” said Melrose.
“I suppose I am the most experienced person in the country when it comes to working with the Isuzu brand.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with many incredible people, and I continue to meet others who inspire me to deliver the best outcomes for our customers.”
Reflecting on the brand’s growth, Melrose credits the success to a combination of quality products, great people, strong systems, dedicated dealers and loyal clients.
“Seeing the Isuzu name evolve into what it is today is a tremendous achievement,” he added.
melrose said he fondly remembers the early days when Isuzu had just two models: the smaller KS21 and the medium rigid SBR 50.
“The engineering of those vehicles was so outstanding that the sales team could sell them to a wide range of customers,” he recalled.
“I loved working on the trucks and climbed the ranks from foreman to service department manager, then onto sales, general manager and eventually dealer principal of a business I never imagined would be so successful,” he said.
Gilbert and Roach relocated from Parramatta Road to a new site in Huntingwood in 2000, led by an increasing demand for services led, and the dealership now also has locations in Gosford, Newcastle, and Narellan.
From offering just those two models at the start, Isuzu now provides 27 variants catering to diverse industries and applications,” the veteran said.
“Isuzu is a premium brand in Australia, and it attracts people,” Melrose remarked.
“The brand ensures excellent customer support, with knowledgeable salespeople, expert technicians, and access to an industry-leading spare parts network.”
Always a strong advocate for aftersales service, Melrose confidently said that Isuzu has some of the best support in the industry.
“Customers tell me they wouldn’t get the same level of support from other brands.
“Isuzu has always put the customer first, ensuring they stay on the road, and we’ll talk about everything else later.”
Melrose said he is also a great believer in promoting skilled trades and providing career opportunities in the industry.
It’s well-documented that demand for skilled labour in Australia’s automotive industry is still high despite efforts to attract new talent.
“I always encourage people to consider a trade as a career,” he said.
“You don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to succeed in this field—all you need is drive, ambition and practical skills.”
Isuzu’s director and chief of sales and aftersales, Ben Lasry commended Melrose for his dedication and long service to a brand that relies on the passion of its people to sell trucks.
“As someone who turned 50 this year, I am in awe of Gary’s half-century in the industry,” he said.
“He is incredibly passionate and puts the customers first. His wealth of experience, from Isuzu’s early days to its current success, is truly an inspiration to Gilbert and Roach and the entire network.
“Congratulations. In cricket terms, that’s 50 not out, and there are still many more runs to be made.”
Looking ahead, Melrose remains energised with the upcoming launch of Isuzu’s new model line-up later this year.
“I think our customers are constantly evolving, and the products that we get are generally ahead of that evolution, which is always a good thing,” Gary mused.
“But they’ll be the first to let us know if we’re hitting the right spot.
“People used to fear technology, but now they embrace it and want to know more about their truck than ever before.
“It’s a challenge each day, but Isuzu isn’t just another truck brand; it’s a leader in every sense of the word. Gilbert & Roach Isuzu is poised for an exciting future.”
