Andrew Harbison

ISUZU Australia Limited (IAL) has promoted Andrew Harbison to the position of sales and marketing director.

Mr Harbison has spent 11 years with Australia’s market-leading truck brand, the past three as national sales manager.

He previously served as national dealer sales manager for five-and-a-half years and, prior to that, Queensland zone manager for two-and-a-half years, having joined the company in February 2005 after a stint with Holden, where he was district sales manager for the Queensland market.

Earlier in his career, Mr Harbison was the Queensland state manager for Auto One Australia. He also has more than 10 years’ experience with Beaurepaires and Dunlop in both retail and wholesale operations.

Stepping into the national sales role is Les Spaltman, who brings more than 25 years’ experience to the position.

Sales force: Andrew Harbison (right) takes on the top sales and marketing job at IAL, and has handed over his previous national sales manager function to former fleet manager Les Spaltman.

Mr Spaltman has worked for IAL since early 2011, joining as dealer sales manager for New South Wales before relocating from Sydney to the Port Melbourne head office two years later to take up the position of national fleet manager.

IAL director and chief operating officer Phil Taylor said the management reshuffle “represented an exciting time for the organisation, and was symbolic of a shifting business landscape”.

Les Spaltman

“This change in management approach is strategic, and one we’ve been working towards for some time,” he said.

“Whilst Isuzu enjoys market leader status, and has done for many years, competition is increasing, not only in terms of the numbers of manufacturers vying for Australian business, but also in respect to the level of sales and marketing sophistication.

“Andrew’s appointment represents IAL’s response to some of those challenges, and he comes to the role with the right mix of qualifications, experience and business savvy to continue to grow our operations.”

On Mr Spaltman’s appointment, Mr Taylor said: “Les has been a steadfast and reliable part of the team since he joined five years ago and has proved time and again his dedication to the brand and importantly, our customers.”

The senior management moves come two months after Hiroshi Nishizaka was appointed IAL managing director and CEO, replacing Koichi ‘Mike’ Yoda who had returned to Japan after four years at the helm.

By Terry Martin