John Guyo, just turned 44, has been a career Komatsu man since his apprenticeship in his home city of Harare, Zimbabwe, more than 25 years ago.
He’s gained substantial experience in Zimbabwe and South Africa rising through Komatsu’s hierarchy to an executive role, and he’s now in New Zealand as a field service technician.
“It’s not like I haven’t been tempted to work elsewhere, but Komatsu has looked after my development as a person,” John said.
“Company commitment to my personal growth is something I’ve not seen with any other employer.”John is modest, but quietly proud of his achievements.
“Komatsu customers ask for me by name because they know my work, and young technicians in the workshop come to me for advice,” he said.
All the while, he ambitiously continues to study to improve his employment position. He has just attained Level 4 in MITO’s first line management course, the first New Zealand-specific qualification he has gained since arriving three years ago.
John and his wife Rudo migrated to give their son Francis sound educational and career prospects, and to seek the security of an Auckland lifestyle. Francis is thriving at Ormiston Junior College in the city’s south-east and the family is awaiting confirmation of its permanent residency, a process disrupted by pandemic delays.
The move to New Zealand was a deliberate and positive decision for the family’s wellbeing, even though John took, realistically, a step backwards in his career path, a situation he is now seeking to redress.
He’s used to a challenge. John’s parents were unable to finance his further education and he secured his position with Komatsu, Zimbabwe, through a state funded apprenticeship.
In South Africa, where he moved for further advancement, John became the first Zimbabwean to be employed by Komatsu.
His career path from workshop mechanic, through field service, workshop supervision, product support and ultimately technical advisor in head office, is a text-book example of dedication.
He has been trained in Japan and more recently in Komatsu’s technical centre in Brisbane, Australia.In Auckland his substantial experience has given him the reputation of a trouble-shooter.
He’s currently part of a team maintaining a Komatsu exclusive fleet at a major aggregate site in the Brookby region.
“I’m gaining a lot of knowledge from Komatsu,” he said.
And that knowledge is transferable. It’s travelled with him now through three countries.
