In addition to his truck, Mark Whitehouse is similarly passionate about the support he receives to back up his business: “My local dealer is Keltruck in Droitwich and I have to say they look after me extremely well. But they have to because, in all honestly, although I love my truck if the service support wasn’t there as well I wouldn’t keep coming back for more. I just wouldn’t be able to.
“I’ve only got the one vehicle, so to me having it up and running is everything. And when it does have to go in for maintenance or a service, it’s essential I know exactly when I’ll be getting it back as I depend on it and my customers depend on it too. I can’t afford to let them down. No load equals no pay.
“That’s why service is so important to me. It’s easy to lose business – any fool can do that – but to retain it, you have to be able to deliver the goods every time. Without fail.
“Of course, my reliance on excellent service goes beyond my local dealer. My job sees me hauling steel all over the country so I need to know there will be dealer coverage wherever I happen to go, which is another reason I have faith in Scania. Happily, I haven’t had to call on them very often, but it’s comforting to know they are out there if I need them.”
Outside of work, Mark has a second passion: “My daughter, Zoe,” he explains. “We have a great time together, swimming, cycling and everything. Best of all she appreciates that trucks are my life, so she understands when I have to go away again!”
No one ever said that being an owner-operator was an easy option, but for Mark Whitehouse the rewards are there all right. “You become an owner-driver to better yourself,” he says. “And if you couldn’t achieve that, what would be the point?
“For me, it means being my own boss, living the lifestyle I’ve chosen and driving the vehicle I love.”
