Technician Gary stars in Japan

Thurrock-based Gary Wilson was part of a two-man team which came a creditable eighth out of 32 teams at the Isuzu World Technical CompetitionBetter known as the I-1 Grand Prix, the tough contest pits the best service staff and mechanics from all over the world against each other in a series of technical skills scenarios, and was eventually won by the Japanese team.

MC Truck and Bus is the Isuzu Truck UK dealer for the south of England and technician and Isuzu master tech Gary qualified for Japan through a rigorous national competition.

Gary, who has been with MC Truck and Bus for 18 years, even spent a week before the competition preparing at the Isuzu training centre before teams competed for the coveted Golden Spanner award.

He said: “I have not only had a marvellous time representing the UK at Fujisawa in Japan, but I have also gained a great deal of knowledge and technical ability which I am putting to good use in my everyday role with MC Truck and Bus.”

The competition tests technicians from the international Isuzu network on all things service-related – vehicle inspections, systems management, practical assembly, diagnosis, repair tests, mechanical measuring and problem-solving.

The idea is to continue to improve global service levels and raise standards by bringing together the world’s best technicians in a competitive environment replicating how dealerships strive to provide quicker quality servicing, diagnostics and repair.

MC aftermarket director Nigel Brooks said: “Congratulations to Gary for not only gaining one of only two places on the UK team, but doing MC proud as he and the UK team performed to their utmost ability in what is a very highly respected, but hugely pressured event in Japan.

“For Gary and his fellow teammate Aaron Gilfether to finish an outstanding eighth out of 32 teams from around the globe is testament to his skill, hard work and dedication.

“This incredibly demanding and stressful two-day competition included an individual practical stage, a team event and a theory test – all against the clock – and Gary was a real star.”

More than 850 spectators from the different countries and from various dealers in Japan attended the event, including Mansanori Katayama, president of Isuzu Motors Limited and other main board members.