Last year Dale Jackson informed me of his intention to retire as Senior General Manager responsible for both CMV Truck & Bus and CMI Hino Melbourne, requesting August 2019 as a guide. Recently Dale and I fixed on a date which is to be Friday 16th August 2019.
This is the end of a huge innings at the helm of a business which has grown very strongly and successfully under his stewardship over a period spanning nearly 23 years. Dale joined the company in 1996 at CMV T&B Campbellfield and quickly “put his stamp” on the business, helping transform the company into the powerhouse it has become today. Dale went on to assist with the relocation of our Clayton facility in 1998, followed a year later by the formation of our CMV Contracts business with Rohan Cook in 1999. Later that year, he moved the Volvo franchise to purpose-built facilities at Boundary Rd, Laverton. In 2005, Dale helped identify a suitable future dealership site at Derrimut where the dealership stands today. Dale was also instrumental in creating the dedicated CMV T&B Training Centre at Laverton. In 2006, Dale was again at the forefront, this time helping negotiate the acquisition of the Mack franchise and later UD trucks (2009). In 2007, Dale helped us purchase the Volvo dealership in Warragul and was then instrumental in the build of a brand new facility for us in Traralgon. Later in 2010, CMV took over the VGA dealership at Albury. Whilst all this was going on, Dale was a key driver in building another new facility, this time at Wodonga which was proudly opened in May 2012. In November 2016, Dale presided in the official opening of the Derrimut Dealership, which was a very significant day for both CMV T&B and the wider CMV Group. I think you’ll agree, an amazing legacy of events.
Today, with over 500 employees and sales of over $400m, CMV T&B is a vibrant and growing business operating in one of the fastest growing economies in Australia. Much of the credit for our success goes directly to the leadership and direction of Dale. Fortunately, Dale has agreed to attend the CMV Group Melbourne Annual Staff Meeting on Saturday 7th September at which time we will formally recognise his contribution. In addition, on Tuesday 13th of August in the week leading up to Dale’s retirement, CMI Hino Melbourne staff will have the chance to recognise the event at the dealership. More details to come.
Effective from 17th August 2019, Mark Dempsey will report directly to me. For your information, effective the same date, Miles Crawford will be promoted to the role of General Manager, CMV Truck and Bus Pty Ltd from his current role as Derrimut Branch Manager. Ross Greig, currently Sales Manager Mack and UD, will be promoted to the position of Derrimut Branch Manager. I’m sure you will join me in congratulating both Miles and Ross on their new roles. Dale Jackson has agreed to stay in a part-time external advisory capacity for 12 months helping Miles and his team through the transition.
I know that I speak on behalf of the Chairman, the Directors and the Crawford family when I say that we are truly indebted to Dale for his contribution to CMV Group over his time with us.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Crawford
Managing Director
