The opening address at EROAD Fleet Day 2025 in Hamilton set a powerful tone, with joint CEOs David Kenneson and Mark Heine delivering a message that was both practical and visionary. Speaking to a packed room at the largest fleet management event in Australasia, they challenged the industry to stop reacting to change—and start leading it.
A New Era for Fleet Management
David Kenneson opened with a memorable story about a rusted wrench hanging on a pegboard in an old workshop. Once a go-to problem solver, the wrench now sat unused—a symbol, he said, of what happens when we fail to adapt.
“Pride without adaptability leads to rust,” Kenneson told the audience. “The challenges we have today need focus and transformation. That’s why we’re all here.”
Fleet Day, he said, was about more than just talking shop—it was about looking ahead and choosing the tools we want to build the future with.
Innovation for Operators, Safety Leaders, and Logistics Experts
Mark Heine reinforced the message by reminding everyone that Fleet Day is “for the operator, the innovator, the safety leaders, the logistics experts—basically all of us who wake up every day asking, ‘how do we do better today than we did yesterday?’”
Whether managing five vehicles or five thousand, he acknowledged the weight that sits on the shoulders of fleet professionals: compliance, safety, performance, and the very real consequences when things go wrong.
“Your drivers aren’t just a workforce—they are literally your reputation in motion,” said Heine.
Real Progress Through Smart Tools
The CEOs highlighted Fonterra as a standout example of fleet excellence. The dairy giant now holds the highest number of five-star rated drivers on the EROAD platform—a result Kenneson credited to leadership and a commitment to using the right tools.
“That’s not by chance. That’s leadership,” he said. “Smart tools don’t just record data—they shape behaviour and spark culture.”
Rapid Development and the ‘Digital Cab of the Future’
The keynote also showcased EROAD’s innovation pipeline, particularly the development of the Clarity Dashcam—an AI-powered safety tool that detects fatigue indicators such as blinking and yawning and provides real-time alerts. It was researched, built, and deployed in just nine months.
“That’s not just fast development,” said Heine. “That’s focus.”
He then introduced the concept of the digital cab of the future, built around four pillars:
- Empowering Drivers with Clarity – Offering a clear view of their work, safety, and routes.
- Enhancing Safety and Accountability – Using camera tech to support safe behaviour and provide reliable evidence.
- Streamlining Operations – Minimising friction with connected workflows and reduced app clutter.
- True Integration – Unifying the driver experience to lift productivity and operational value.
A Call to Action: Retire the Rusted Wrench
The closing remarks called for fleet professionals to embrace this next chapter with curiosity and courage.
“Let’s retire the rusted wrench,” Kenneson urged, “and replace it with smart tools. Let’s partner to solve today’s problems—and identify tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Heine echoed the sentiment, encouraging everyone to explore the expo, ask tough questions, and leave with just one ideathat could “shift the gears” in their operations.
EROAD’s opening address wasn’t just a welcome—it was a rallying cry. Fleet Day 2025 is about innovation, integration, and investing in the people and tools that will shape the future of transport across New Zealand and Australia.
And if the energy in the room is any indication, the future is already underway.
