Archive, Industry News

BUS AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS EXPERT JOINS BLK AUTO

SPECIALIST vehicle importer and distributor BLK Auto has appointed key bus industry-leader and alternative-fuels vehicle expert Ben Kiddle as general manager - Zero Emissions Vehicles, the company has announced.

A boon for any bus company, Kiddle started his career in the late 1990s as a heavy vehicle mechanic and progressed through the commercial transport industry, taking increasingly senior roles within the State Transit Authority (Sydney Buses), before moving into senior management positions within the private sector.

Kiddle’s 23-year career in the operational transport and vehicle manufacturing industry has landed him roles at Telfords Bus & Coach, Alexander Dennis, State Transit Authority of NSW, Custom Denning, and more recently GM roles at Gemilang and Nexport, his CV outlines.

As a passionate advocate for alternative-fuel vehicles, in his most recent role Kiddle managed the design and development of new light-weight EV buses and trucks, and introduced the largest Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) fleet to Transport for New South Wales, BLK Auto explains.

Kiddle’s depth of experience impressively includes: setting up local manufacturing and supply chains; coordinating successful tender submissions for local and federal government agencies; implementing depot electrification and fleet EV deployment; and training customers and staff on the correct operating procedures of electric and hydrogen vehicles, BLK Auto confirms.

He has successfully implemented many safety, quality and efficiency-improving systems that have affected real growth at an organisational level, the company states.

HYZON-superbus-x-(1).jpg

PH_39758.jpg

benny x.jpg

SOLID START

BLK Auto managing director Jason Pecotic says Kiddle brings a ground-up working knowledge of the transport industry, and a clear vision for the future of BLK.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Ben to BLK Auto,” Pecotic said.

“His proven track record in the battery electric vehicle space will be an invaluable asset to our business.

“We are excited to draw on his deep industry knowledge and management expertise,” he explained.

Reciprocally, Kiddle says the transition to BLK was a natural next step and an excellent opportunity to work with a zero-emissions-focused company.

“I am a strong believer in, and passionate advocate for, the wide-scale uptake of hydrogen and battery electric vehicles,” he said.

“BLK is an industry first-mover that is paving the way for the hydrogen and battery electric vehicle market here in Australia, and I look forward to joining a team that is committed to supplying zero-emissions transportation to Australian industry.”

ZlHhhwRw.jpeg

Photography: courtesy BLK Auto

Send this to a friend