Barker Trailers progresses management shakeup

Equipment maker on the trail of a new CEO after filling top roles

 

Barker Trailers has filled three senior management positions and is on the lookout for a CEO.

It is an injection of experience that acting managing director Scott Barker expects to press forward with expansion.

“The new appointments have enabled Barker to employ the very best in the field – strengthening what we can take to market and how we take it there,” Scott Barker says.

New manufacturing operations manager John Hickey has more than, 30 years’ experience in heavy engineering, manufacturing and business development.

Hickey worked at Gemco Rail and Alstom Transport in senior management positions, responsible for business performance improvement.

“Having John come to Barker, with extensive knowledge in this area, means we can maintain a competitive price point throughout a changing market and customer base,” Scott Barker says.

Kevin Hooper has taken up the role of engineering manager, bringing over 20 years of manufacturing experience from various backgrounds.

Hooper’s background is in large scale manufacture, research and development, customised product design and leading engineering teams.

With an honours degree in mechanical engineering, he will “guide and upskill the already robust engineering department”.

Ned Jeffery has taken the position of national sales and marketing manager having worked across the transport and agricultural sectors, with a view to bringing a new perspective to positioning Barker Trailers to the market.

“There is something special about building a custom product,” Jeffery says.

“You see the excitement in the customer’s eyes when they pick it up, but we also must think strategically and for Barker Trailers, that means getting a larger share of everyday fleet needs.”

Meanwhile, Pacific Search Partners has been retained to locate a new CEO and an appointment is expected in the first quarter.

The appointments come after the recent departure of some staff.

 

Send this to a friend