39 YEARS OF PAINTWORK: LOUIS COLEIRO RETIRES AFTER A GREAT CAREER AT KRUEGER.

CHRISTINE SAMUEL HR CO-ORDINATOR

In 1984, a fresh-faced painter named Louis Coleiro stood in front of John Krueger asking for a job. “I remember it,” Louis recalls. “It was John Krueger who actually interviewed me, and he said, ‘G’day mate, so you can paint, can you?’

To which I replied, ‘Yeah, I think I can. If you like, John, I can give it a shot!’ He then replied, ‘OK, you got two days then, and we’ll see how you do.’” As we chuckle at the memory, it hits us that 39 years later, Louis is finally hanging up his overalls.

Many of Krueger’s long-term employees have similar stories, often staying in the roles they started. “I think it’s because we all wanted to do our best back then,” says Louis. “Krueger as a company was just beginning to find its feet in the marketplace, and we were all in to make the best of what we could for John and his family. And if I was to look at then to now, I just really loved my job.”

Louis worked closely with Gary Krueger, John’s brother and factory manager for many years. “Gary was great to work with, such a character, and we had such a laugh. He would call me all sorts of names in playful banter and even once asked me if I was stealing black paint as I used to dye my hair jet black.”

Louis has painted more than 15,000 trailers, mastering his craft as the facilities evolved. “I remember back to when we had the pits at St Albans, oh my god, the early days,” Louis reminisces. “We used to have to crawl underneath the trailers, and now we have the best facilities you could ask for with our stands, different techniques, different pumps, and hi-tech spray booth setups. Yeah, a lot has changed and made it so much easier.”

David Grant, General Manager of Manufacturing, remarked, “Louis’s input over the past four years I have been in the manufacturing side of the business has been critical to the success of what you see on the road. His work in implementing and educating younger painters and apprentices will live on as a legacy to Louis’s career. He’s been a great part of the business, and we wish him all the best.”

“Louis was a very talented painter and one day I thought he might leave to focus on automotive painting which was a passion. 39 years later I bid him farewell on what has been a huge career at Krueger. One of the best we have ever had and I wish Louis all the very best in retirement.”

At Krueger, we take great pride in our tradition of long-term staff members celebrating significant employment milestones across various departments. This year, we are thrilled to acknowledge four remarkable milestones: three celebrating 10 years and one celebrating an impressive 30 years with the company.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ben Raudino and Ryan Kaio from our National Spare Parts division for their 10 years of dedicated service. Additionally, we celebrate Andrew Barmby from our Paint Shop for his 10 years of commitment. Finally, we are honoured to recognize Bill Dzumkovski from our Manufacturing Maintenance division for his incredible 30 years as part of the Krueger family.

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