Pete truck fixer named top diesel technician at CFMS

TORONTO — Good heavy-duty mechanics are hard to find these days. No one knows that better than Peterbilt of Waterloo, which is lucky enough to have one of the country’s best wield wrenches in its shop.

The dealer’s service manager, Calum Robson, was named the 2007 Diesel Technician of the Year at the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminar (CFMS) in Toronto last night.

“I’m really surprised,” says Robson, who was one of 12 monthly winners in 2006, but had no idea he’d be named Canada’s top diesel technician.

Robson has been a diesel mechanic for 13 years, the last seven with Peterbilt of Waterloo. He tells TodaysTrucking.com he’s wanted to fix big trucks ever since he first laid eyes on a classic long-nose as a kid. In fact, the first truck he ever took a tool to was a 1972 Pete.

Robson’s boss says his top technician is the best in the biz. “In 14 years in this industry I have never seen the kind of professionalism and customer service skills he exhibits. He can always turn the worst problem for a customer into the best (experience). We at this organization sometimes wonder if he’s for real. He is.”

The award — sponsored by Chevron Global Lubricants (and presented by the company’s Canadian marketing manager, Chris Leitch) — is endorsed by the Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents Association (ATSSA).

It recognizes an individual with “strong technical skills” who “goes beyond the call of duty to serve customers” and “pro-actively works to increase knowledge and performance” in his field.

The award, which includes a $2,000 education stipend, first made its debut at CFMS in 2003 when it was presented by “Driver of the Century” Mario Andretti.