Cameron Gordon – Workshop Foreman
Time at SG Equipment: 4 Years (full-time from May 2022)
Growing up around forklifts and the family business, it was inevitable Cam would find his way into the workshop. A third-generation mechanic, Cam’s interest in all things mechanical started young, building LEGO creations as a kid then tinkering with quads, dirt bikes, and cars as a teenager. Spending time in the SG Equipment Yale Forklifts NZ workshop after school only fuelled that passion further.
Cam’s first “official” SG Equipment job in 2012 was ‘watering’ forklift batteries on Sunday mornings at Foodstuffs Roma Rd and helping out in the paint shop during school holidays. After seven years as a truck mechanic at TDM, he joined SG Equipment full-time in May 2022, drawn by his love of solving big mechanical problems and the fast-paced rhythm of workshop life.
These days, as Workshop Foreman, Cam’s days are full and varied — organising the team, managing the yard, quoting jobs, and getting hands-on with major repairs, from engine and transmission rebuilds to masts and hydraulics.
His role has evolved significantly since joining the company. He started in the workshop to get familiar with forklifts, spent time transporting machines across the country, took on welding and fabrication work, and later moved into field service before stepping into his current leadership position.
One of Cam’s proudest moments was leading the team through their biggest challenge to date — preparing over 100 new and used forklifts for Seeka during their first kiwifruit season partnership. “It was a massive effort,” he says. “Watching the last machines roll out on the truck was a great feeling.”
As for leading the workshop crew, Cam says the best part is seeing big projects come together thanks to the team’s hard work. “It’s really satisfying when the boys put in the hours and we complete those big jobs on time — Seeka, Halls, Visy — that’s what makes it worth it.”
The workshop team, he says, is tight-knit. “We start the day together and finish it together. If someone’s trying to get a job across the line at the end of the day, everyone jumps in to help out. No one’s left behind.”
Outside of work, Cam keeps just as busy — spending time with his partner and child, fishing, working on his Falcon and Safari, BBQs, music, and watching the NRL. A passionate truck mechanic at heart, he loves driving and fixing them whenever he gets the chance.
Quickfire Round 🔥
- Go-to drink: Steinlager
- Early start or late finish: Early start
- Favourite tool: The Lathe
- Workshop soundtrack: Bob Marley & The Wailers
- Dream project: Mazda FC RX7 S5
- Best part about working at SGE: “The people — some of whom I’ve grown up with. Their guidance is second to none, both at work and in life.”
