Taking it all in

"If you like independence and responsibility, and being out on the road, then this is a dream job," says Jesse. Seven years ago, Jesse discovered trucking by chance. After leaving retail, he took a job helping out on stock trucks as a passenger.

"I'd always loved driving, and seeing the job from the passenger seat showed me what was possible." When his friend recommended APL Direct, praising their "brand new gear" and reputation as "a great company to work for," Jesse made the jump despite never having driven professionally.

Starting with the aluminium fleet, he steadily worked through his various licenses and built his road skills. When COVID reshuffled the industry, opportunity knocked: APL Direct was launching a specialised glass fleet, and Jesse was selected as one of the inaugural drivers. Today he transports up to 450 pieces of fragile glass daily from Cambridge to customers across the Bay of Plenty, Waihi, and beyond.

Jesse's typical day starts at 4:30am for a 5am departure—a routine that took some adjusting. "Waking up early was a challenge in the beginning," he laughs. "But once you get behind the wheel, you’ve got to make sure you're alert, even at that hour in the morning, so you get used to it quickly."

Dispatch coordinates his runs, Jesse loads his truck and trailer according to his daily delivery sequence and from there, Jesse transports the glass to independent joiners who install it into aluminium frames. It’s a delicate business. Each delivery requires careful consideration—from how the glass is secured to planning the smoothest route possible. Jesse's natural carefulness and attention to detail prove perfect for the role. "Everything has to be right," he says, often checking and double-checking loads to ensure they meet his standards.

"You've gotta be thinking well ahead,” Jesse says. “Safety is paramount in a job like this.”

"Every corner, every stop, every piece of road surface matters when you're carrying something that fragile. I get alot of sense of pride and purpose rolling out of the yard in the morning in a nice clean truck and I'm fully loaded. You can't beat the feeling of achievement when I'm on my way home at the end of the day and everything has gone smoothly, especially on a Friday!" To help, his 2021 Scania 410 truck comes equipped with cutting-edge tech: airbag suspension for raising and lowering loads, dash cams with e-road integration and automatic alert systems to support on-road safety.

Though Jesse spends most of his time solo on the road, teamwork remains an essential part of the role. Daily coordination involves tracking empty trolley pickups—a crucial task that requires communication between drivers. "We're constantly updating each other on which customers have empties waiting," Jesse says. "Good communication means everyone can plan their runs properly."

Monthly team meetings provide opportunities to discuss customer challenges or process improvements. APL Direct ensures drivers have everything they need to succeed far beyond the operational basics. The company recognises safe driving through quarterly bonuses based on performance metrics, provides its employees with health insurance, and provides an all-round outstanding company culture for employees. "They're really good if you need time off for personal stuff," Jesse says. "Family emergencies, medical appointments, whatever it is—they're understanding about it and work with you to make it happen."

Jesse recently moved from Te Awamutu to Cambridge and, with his partner, has just bought his first house. Jesses says his current run provides him with the work-life balance he’s been looking for. “I start at the same time every morning and I’m home every night,” he says.

For anyone considering trucking, Jesse's advice is straightforward: "Who likes being stuck in the office every day? This job gets you up and out on the road, seeing the country while you work.”

After seven years with the company, Jesse says that it's not just about driving—it's about working for a company that backs you to succeed. "If you like working for a company that gives you responsibility for yourself out on the road but you know they've got your back—then this is definitely worth giving a go."

"The independence, the support, the fact that they genuinely care about you as a person—I can't imagine doing anything else now."