During this episode, Shaun McCambridge, Stellar’s Managing Director, sits down with Mark Tobin, Followmont’s Managing Director and CEO. Mark provides insights into Followmont’s humble beginnings and what makes this family-owned business such a success. He highlights their continued focus on people and service as well as the importance of providing people with growth opportunities which in turn drives the success of the business. Learn more about their need for Linehaul Drivers and Mechanics that will underpin their continued growth.

 

 

1:04 Followmont’s history and overview of the business today

5:10 Values that are alive

8:10 Followmont’s strategic plan

12:50 The right people, the right place

12:25 Mark’s own journey within Followmont

20:10 Mark outside of work

20:20 Why Brisbane is an amazing place to live

24:10 Why people enjoy working for Followmont and why it is different

28:00 Jobs Opportunities 

The business was founded in 1984 off the back of a rail strike; it was five men that each decided to put in a couple of thousand of dollars to buy one truck. 

Two of those men drove from Rocklea, Brisbane to Cairns dropping off magazines at news agencies along the way. Starting predominantly in magazines, they then expanded from magazines to media, pharmaceuticals then to all general freight.

Over the years it has remained a family business with Mark’s father being one of those five men to today where the business is continued by his broth and himself. Followmont has had massive growth Starting from one truck, Followmont has had massive growth and now is over a thousand across New South Wales and Queensland. 

The legacy has always been providing service to the customer; doing it today not tomorrow. Today the business continues to be driven by service and it is the number one value. 

The Followmont business isn’t about the customer size; it is about how to move freight quickly around a network. It has diversified over the years with the type of freight and leverages its locations rather than specific customers; it also spreads revenue streams across a number of different industries to allow for sustainability and make business decisions for the long-term. 

Values that are alive

This is something that became instilled in the business during the second generation; the values have been in the business for about 12 years and with a football background, Mark knew that the business needed something to bring it all together.

 

5 Core Values: Service, Unity, Passion, Integrity and Innovation

Mark highlights a few of these: 

·       Unity is about being in this together without ego. 

·       Innovation is about being solutions focused and not about the problems

·       Integrity is linked to the customer and the business does it today not tomorrow

They are aligned and Mark states that about 20% of his focussed on the values within the business and how they are displayed through his and the team’s behaviours. 

 

 

Having a plan on one page is a definite for a fast-growing business and is used as a roadmap.

 

The business know the plan from the board right throughout the business; it focusses on performers, customers, and its people.

 

Followmont have a 5 and 10 year plan and everyone has an understanding of it and everyone is linked to the big picture.

 

At the moment the focus is on area as it continues to grow; looking at acquisition opportunities that match their own values. With 70% of freight in Australia moving from Victoria to Queensland, they are concentrating on venturing into Victoria. They plan to mirror on what has made them successful in Queensland and New South Wales. 

 

Followmont has a big focus on regional areas and supporting the communities. 

 

 

When building their team the focus is on the right people, the right place and where people are given the opportunity to grow with the business. 

 

Mark says that it is amazing to see people, especially youth, being given opportunities in ways they have never been before. 

 

They also have a big focus on diversity which is vital in a fast-growing business and wider economy. The transport industry has a real talent gap that will only increase in the next 3-5 years. 

 

Followmont’s people are the ones who deliver our values and service, so its’ people drive that drive their business. 

 

 

He has loved of the business from day dot; as a kid he was around the yard loading trucks. 

 

Trained as a mechanic in Rockhampton and he wanted to work as every position within the business. 15 years ago, he started to transition and become the CEO and surrounded himself with an amazing group of senior leaders who have the care factor. To this day he still loads a truck, understands rate cards and every part of the business.

 

 

Business still runs at least 20% of his mind; the business is his family and he is proud to have built a business based on family values.  

 

If he is networking, it is largely with family and friend he has met through the business. 

 

Mark lives on a property with a few cows; he loves the water and football. Further to that he loves living his purpose which is mentoring and helping others. 

 

 

He loves being in Brisbane, especially because of its friendly people.

 

You can move around easily, you also have the river, great weather, amazing beaches with access to the hinterland and rural life. 

 

Overall living is affordable and there are great opportunities. 

 

 

Followmont keep it real; it is definitely a family business with family values and it flows top down. 

They are a transport company that is driven by people. 

 

They have really worked on communication and everyone knows what the plan is. 

 

They also put back every cent back into the business for long term succession.

 

The equipment is European or American that is new or very well maintained and fitted out. 

 

There are a variety of different jobs. 

 

Shorter haul is a couple of pick-ups a night and you are back home every night and get paid a really good rate over and above the kilometre rate to ensure they are on time and do a good job

 

Living away/ line haul is driving a truck for 4 days 

 

Shuttle haul which 3-4,000 kilometres a week

 

They try and be versatile and enable people to have a go, where everyone has an opportunity.

 

Mechanics are similar to the drivers where they can have different opportunities to advance including nights shifts, supervising and managing opportunities. 

 

They need people who want to get their foot in that will help the company’s growth but also enables people to grow along with it.