Trafford Reds shine at World Final of Scania Top Team

It began with more than 6,000 contestants from 46 countries, but by the time the World Final came around just ten teams of five service personnel and two support staff were left to battle it out to see who would become Scania's Top Team for 2011. This year marked the second occasion that the UK has entered Top Team, a global competition designed to promote and showcase the skills of Scania's aftersales services professionals.

Following two rounds of theory questions and a hard fought National Final, which included both theoretical and practical exercises, the Trafford Reds from West Pennine Trucks' Trafford Park branch emerged victorious. As the UK's Top Team, Trafford Reds secured the opportunity to represent their country at Western Europe's Regional Final, an event which saw ten Euro teams compete for the two places on offer at the 2011 World Final. We're delighted to report that Trafford Reds put in a brilliant performance to take first place at their Regional Final.

Four other Regional Finals were held around the world to determine the other eight teams who would go on to compete at the World Final, which was held at Scania's headquarters in Sweden over the weekend of 15/16 October 2011.

At the World Final, the ten competing teams were set a series of demanding challenges to be completed against the clock. In addition to testing their work skills, these challenges were also designed to examine each team's ability to problem solve and work efficiently as a group.

"In the event, Trafford Reds were not only winners at our National Final but also won their Regional Final, which was the first time for a UK team," says Team Coordinator Laurence Medina. "And while we did not succeed in lifting the trophy at the World Final, the team gave an excellent account of themselves as one of the five best service teams within the world of Scania."

Andrew Ward, Managing Director of West Pennine Trucks, travelled with the team to lend his support. "Top Team is an extremely valuable event which broadens each team member's skill base and encourages them to identify and solve issues in a methodical and logical manner. I'd like to congratulate the Trafford Reds for an excellent performance, they have been splendid ambassadors both for West Pennine Trucks and Scania in the UK.

"In addition to thanking Laurence and Team Coach John Wainwright for their support, I would also like to thank Steve Dawson, who like John is also from the Scania Training Centre in Loughborough. Steve worked with our team designing personalised programmes and providing regular e-learning tasks to help them make the very most of opportunities Top Team presents."

The full line-up of the Trafford Reds team was as follows:

Team leader: Aaron McGrath
Technicians: Michael Farmer
Stewart Shaw
Ian Hughes
Parts specialist: David Swain
Team coach: John Wainwright
Team coordinator: Laurence Medina

The win goes Down Under

The ultimate winners of this year's Top Team competition were The Kangaroos, a team from Scania dealer Prestons, located near Sydney, Australia, and our congratulations go to them.