Mark Bennett has been making collections and deliveries in and around the Bournemouth area for the last 10 years.
In his role as a Collection and Delivery Driver with Pall-Ex Owned Operation, Shears Bros. (Transport) Ltd, he meets a wide variety of people and spends his busy days ensuring customers get their palletised freight when they need it.
However, Mark also finds time outside of work to draw, create models, and enjoy some of the best roads in the South of England on his motorbike.
To find out more about Mark, his role and what makes him tick, we asked him a few questions.
What was the driving force that made you chose a career in logistics?
“In all honesty, I didn’t see the appeal of being stuck in a warehouse all day, every day, so driving was something that caught my attention.
“I liked the idea of being able to head out on the road, being out and about and seeing lots of different places each day.
“When I started in the industry, I wanted a job that offered new challenges and opportunities each day and driving with Shears has definitely delivered that.”
Apart from being out and about, what do you enjoy most about your role?
“While I’m making deliveries and collections, I get to meet so many people, some for the first time and some who I have been lucky enough to form great relationships with during my time delivering to them. I see some customers each day so it feels like I work with them sometimes!
“Some people think that driving could be a lonely job, but for me that is certainly not the case thanks to the variety of people I meet and talk to each day.
“Another aspect that I really enjoy is the relationships I have built up with the team at Shears over the years. We always work hard and get the job done but we enjoy our work too and have a good laugh together when we can.”
What does an average day look like for you when you get to work?
“Most days, I arrive at the yard early in the morning and then I work with the operations team to prepare my vehicle and pallets for a day of delivering.
“It can be really hectic some days, but most of the time it is ok, especially once I’m out on the road.
“When we are really busy I can make up to three delivery runs each day and cover large parts of our area in and around Bournemouth and the Salisbury area. That’s a stretch sometimes, when you consider I have to make collections too, but we get the job done as a team!”
If you had to name one thing you’d change about your job, what would it be?
“Very rarely, some customers at delivery points can be somewhat difficult and whatever I do to, they would like something else doing.
“All I can do in those situations is be polite, as helpful as I can be and make the delivery. It’s a downside to the job sometimes but unfortunately, you can’t make everyone happy all of the time!”
What might surprise you people about you, and the role?
“I think, linked to what I was saying about some delivery points being a touch difficult, you need to have good customer service and people skills in this job and the industry as a whole.
“Knowing how to talk to people and make sure you provide a service they want and expect is really important. I am really proud that I have been able to build strong relationships with many of my regular customers because I’m kind and helpful.
“Something that might surprise people about me personally is that I really like to draw and make models in my spare time. I’ve always enjoyed doing it and it’s a nice change of pace from driving, especially after a busy week.
“Whether it has been a busy week or not though, the thing I love doing most is taking my motorbike out and enjoying the roads around the local area. Even though some of the roads I ride on are on my usual delivery routes, you just can’t compare the sense of freedom and enjoyment I get when I’m on my bike compared to my truck!”