Moody Logistics Provides Alternative Career Paths For HGV Drivers

Moody Logistics is retaining valuable staff by promoting alternative career paths within its two sister companies.

Two of its Class 1 drivers Dean Dodd and Dave Dickinson wanted to leave the road

for a variety of reasons, but rather than quit the family-run firm, each have begun

new roles with Moody’s sister companies Heathline Commercials and MCR Services.

Dean, from Blyth is the current holder of Moody’s Driver of the Year award – having

joined the Cramlington-headquartered company in 2015 as a driver apprentice, later

gaining both his Class 2 and Class 1 HGV licences.

Dean Dodd and Dave Dickinson remain in the Group in new roles

Keen to seek a fresh challenge and further develop his mechanical skills, he has

joined Heathline Commercials as a trainee technician with a Class 1 licence.

Meanwhile Dave, from Cramlington who has been a lorry driver for 35 years, wanted

reduced but structured work hours that would allow him to spend more time with

his family.

Moody Logistics is delighted with the moves as it allows the business to retain both

men in roles that will benefit from their experience as HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, it has already recruited two experienced HGV Class 2 drivers which has allowed the company to move two of its current qualified drivers into Class 1 roles.

Gavin Cape, engineering director of Heathline Commercials, which specialises in commercial vehicle repair and maintenance, said it was difficult to recruit skilled technicians and that they had been specifically seeking a Class 1 licence holder for the trainee position.

He said: “Dean’s experience as an HGV driver is really valuable, as he already has a good understanding of how the vehicles work. There is a real shortage of fitters in the industry, so to recruit someone whose work ethic we know is a bonus!”

Matthew Fretwell is warehouse manager and production manager of MCR Services, which provides contract packing, quality inspection, reworking, labelling and preparing items for distribution.

He said: “Dave has many transferable skills that we need as we continue to grow the business, particularly his expertise around packing and distribution of goods.”

Caroline Moody, managing director of Moody Logistics, said: “We value our staff and accept that there may be times they wish to take a different direction, so we try to find alternative roles to ensure the business continues to benefit from their knowledge and experience.”