Featured Stories
McCarthy Transport
A Legacy of Family, Hard Work, and Commitment
Family and business hold a special significance for Mark McCarthy of McCarthy Transport. He believes that in life, having a goal and striving toward it is essential. For Mark, the drive to succeed comes from a deep-rooted passion and the desire to honour his upbringing. “If it’s good enough for you to do it, I’d like to have a go at this,” he reflects. Starting his journey in 1975, Mark is now transitioning into retirement, confident that his two sons, Matthew and Michael, will carry on the family legacy. With eight grandsons in total, he hopes they will find a similar path and thrive as their fathers did.
McCarthy Transport specializes in log transportation, moving logs from forests to mills and wharves throughout the Central and Lower North Island. Each year, the company transports approximately two and a half million tonnes of logs using a fleet of 150 trucks. For Mark, transport is not just a job; it’s a way of life filled with camaraderie. He fondly recalls the early mornings spent driving through unfamiliar towns, feeling like the only person on the road. “You’re the last of the boundary riders,” he says, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment he finds in his work.
However, logging is not without its challenges. Mark notes that it is the quickest way to wear out a truck due to the rough terrain and substandard roads, especially after experiencing multiple cyclone events. Despite these obstacles, Mark trusts Kenworth trucks for their ruggedness and durability. “They’re custom-built to our specifications, which is really important to us,” he explains. After 48 years of experience, Mark has consistently returned to Kenworth, appreciating the quality and the relationships he has built over the years.
Mark’s journey in transport began in 1949 when he helped his father, opening gates as they carted timber to the rail head. He recalls a time when he was asked to leave school for not attending regularly, as he often signed the roll and then disappeared to the mill to hop on the first truck he could find. This hands-on experience provided him with a real education in transport from a young age. Following a mechanical apprenticeship, which is a family tradition, Mark became a full-time driver just before turning 18, a role he has embraced ever since.
In 1987, tragedy struck when Mark’s father passed away unexpectedly, leaving him in charge at just 24 years old. Drawing on everything he had learned; he focused on surviving and satisfying the loyal customers he still serves today. Now, with his sons owning the company, Mark takes pride in seeing them continue the family journey.
“Without a customer, you don’t have anything. Treating them as you like to be treated yourself” is a principle that guides his interactions with customers, drivers, and suppliers alike.
Mark emphasizes the importance of relationships in the transport industry. “Without a customer, you don’t have anything,” he states, highlighting the mutual respect that forms the foundation of their business. “Treating them as you like to be treated yourself” is a principle that guides his interactions with customers, drivers, and suppliers alike.
As a family-owned company, McCarthy Transport is committed to nurturing its employees, providing them with training and a sense of pride in their work. Mark reflects on his sons’ outlook for the future: “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen for the future, but we’re going to give it a go and do our best.” In his eyes, that determination is all one can ask for.
