The Best Smart Logistics Truck Driver Picked To Represent Malaysia At UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Final In Japan

The 4th UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge – Malaysia Round has concluded and the ultimate truck driver who had demonstrated the best skills for smart logistics has been picked from among the 10 finalists. Khairul Nafsha Bin Ishak, a 36-year-old truck driver with Setia Maju Jaya Logistik Sdn Bhd will represent Malaysia at the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge (UDEMC) Global Final in Japan in early 2020.

This is the second consecutive year that a driver from Setia Maju Jaya Logistik Sdn Bhd has won the Malaysia round of UDEMC. And by qualifying for the Global Final, Khairul has more training to do to hone his skills and compete against the best from other countries next year.

Khairul’s win comes after a two-month-long pre-selection competition round which saw him battle it out with other truck drivers from all over Malaysia. Jointly organized by UD Trucks and its sole distributor partner in Malaysia, Tan Chong Industrial Equipment Sdn Bhd (TCIE), the UDEMC is an annual competition which is part of UD Trucks’ vision for smart logistics. It is a friendly drivers competition aimed at increasing drivers’ competency through skills and knowledge enhancement and maximizing the capability of the UD Quester heavy-duty truck.

The Malaysia round of the competition involved participants going through the actual truck operation cycle where the drivers are assessed in the three key areas i.e. pre-driving inspection, fuel efficiency and safe driving, in addition to manoeuvring and parking. Contestants compete using the UD Quester heavy-duty truck (the same will be used in Japan) and are measured on their effectiveness in operational cost, the ability to reduce downtime and safe and skilled driving.

The key purpose of the competition structure is to simulate a general transportation cycle and to visualize profitable operation through avoiding downtime, maintaining low-cost operation, preventing accidents and ensuring shorter trip time through efficient driving. All these will link the driver’s skills to business reality. Hence, this competition isn’t just about testing the driver but to train the driver in managing the truck as a profit centre.

“At UD Trucks, we believe that societies depend on logistics to function and vice versa. In the midst of this, truck drivers are the enablers and the backbone of the industry. Thus, the UDEMC is designed with the driver in mind, demonstrating our commitment to improving driver education and motivation, while giving recognition to the unsung heroes of smart logistics,” said Steve Hedouin, Managing Director Hub Malaysia, UD Trucks.

Jaclyn Loy, Chief Operating Officer, TCIE added, “UDEMC is one-of-its-kind competition that benefits both truck driver and company. Since we started few years ago, UDEMC has received very encouraging response from our customers. This is a sign that our brand promise of going the extra mile to provide optimum support to our clients in terms of driver improvement and aftermarket support are valuable and beneficial to them.”

In addition to winning the championship, Khairul also scored the best marks in the “Best Driving Skill” category. Two other drivers won in the other categories: Mohamed Firdaus Bin Shahrudin, 33, from UPC Chemicals (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd won the “Best Pre-Drive Inspection” category, and Mohd Azli Bin Mohd Nor, 37, from Tenaga Nasional Berhad won the “Best Fuel Efficiency” category.

Khairul Nafsha has been a truck driver for 11 years but started driving the UD Quester only two years ago. “My experience driving UD Quester has been excellent as I find it powerful with great drivability because of its advanced technology and safety features. There is a Real Time Fuel Coach feature which I really like because it guides me to achieve better fuel consumption. With this, I use less fuel per trip and hence bring better profits for the company. The cabin is also spacious and comfortable, which helps reduce my fatigue during long distance assignments”.

“For me as a truck driver who spends so much time on the road and away from my family, it’s important that I drive a reliable truck to help me accomplish my long-distance assignments and ensure the cargo delivery to customer is in good condition and on time. This will allow me to save costs in terms of time, energy and fuel. With consistent truck uptime, I am able to spend more time with my family too,” said Khairul who is a devoted father of three children.

Thrilled with his win, Khairul is even more excited about his upcoming trip to Japan in a few months’ time for the UDEMC Global Final. “This will be the first time ever that I am going overseas, and to represent Malaysia in this competition is truly an honor for me. I have gained so much learnings from UDEMC and acquired more knowledge and awareness of my role as a truck driver. There is a deeper sense of pride in me now. Definitely will share my fantastic experience with my other colleagues too,” he shared.

Besides winning an all-expense-paid trip to Japan, Khairul also won a Quester Parts & Service voucher worth RM2,000, RM500 for winning “Best Driving Skill” category and an exclusive driver training session for all the drivers from Setia Maju Jaya Logistik Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, the other winners were presented with a Quester Parts & Service voucher worth RM500 each.