When Sandra Skudder and Gint Hoskins founded Hoskins Transport in May 2017, they couldn’t have imagined doubling the size of their fleet in just three years. Now, Hoskins’s fleet consists of 14 trucks of varying sizes, shapes and weight-bearing capabilities to suit the varied needs of their customers.
Hoskins Transport initially aimed to provide reliable transportation of fruit in the summer months, leveraging the great relationships Sandra and Gint have with fruit growers in central Otago. Today, Hoskins transports everything from food products to steel. “We transport timber, concrete, milk powder, fruit and vegetables—there’s not a lot we can’t deliver,” Sandra said.
With a main office and depot in Oamaru, a depot in Christchurch and a base in Dunedin, Hoskins Transport is perfectly positioned to deliver goods throughout the South Island in a reliable and timely manner. They deliver to big business, such as Steel & Tube and Foodstuffs, but also to farms and other rural business.
Sandra loves the varied nature of working in the transportation industry. “No two days are the same. You come to work and someone will need a full truck load delivered suddenly. You’ve got to think on your feet and be adaptable. We’re grateful to have amazing staff who go wherever we need whenever we need them to.”
Back in late 2017, Sandra and Gint had the opportunity to purchase Waitiki Transport in Oamaru. They were introduced to Leech & Partners Director Chris Smith, who helped them purchase the company and expand their fleet. “Not only did Chris prepare budgets and financial reports for us to use when approaching the bank about the purchase, but he gave us invaluable business advice too. He was always there to point us in the right direction if we needed it,” Sandra said.
Since then, the partnership between Hoskins Transport and Leech & Partners has grown stronger. Leech & Partners now handles everything from accounting and financial reporting to payroll for Hoskins Transport. “Leech & Partners makes it easy. They’re a one-stop shop for all our accounting needs and they always get the job done,” Sandra said. Chris continues to offer business advice and guidance. “Chris is more than just an accountant for us. In fact, he’s more of a business mentor. If we have an idea but we’re not sure how it would work, Chris is always happy to come and have a beer and give us solid business advice.”
Looking to the future, Hoskins Transport is focusing on growth and business development. “Our business is going from strength to strength. We’ve just purchased another truck and we’ve got two more in the pipeline. It’s always a win when we can add another unit to the road.”
