Rokbak strengthen product management team
Graeme Blake appointed as new product manager to help shape the future of Rokbak trucks
AT Rokbak, every articulated dumptruck (ADT) that leaves the Motherwell factory, in Scotland, is the result of decades of dedicated engineering, hands-on testing, and continuous feedback from operators.
This is something Rokbak’s newest product manager, Graeme Blake, has experienced first-hand, having started his career on the factory floor before moving into fabrication and testing roles, and recently joining the product management team.
‘I’ve gone from building the basics of a truck to testing it in extreme conditions,’ said Mr Blake. ‘Now, I’m excited to help shape the product itself.’
He brings a wealth of experience to the role of Rokbak product manager, having joined the Volvo Group in 2014. He began his career as a CNC (computer numerical control) machinist where he received a nomination for apprentice of the year. He then worked in fabrication and testing positions before stepping into the product management team.
This hands-on background taught him valuable skills and gives him a practical edge. He understands how parts behave under pressure, and how to translate that knowledge into improvements or features that serve customer needs.
‘Customer input is essential to us at Rokbak,’ said Mr Blake. ‘Whether it’s ergonomic feedback from operators or lessons learned from field experience, it’s all valuable information. Operators spend a lot of time in their trucks, so they need to be comfortable. If something can be improved – whether it’s greater visibility, the ergonomics of the controls, better HVAC, or more seat comfort – we listen.’
From their base in Motherwell, Rokbak leverage a purpose-built test track and a team of seasoned engineers to put both the RA30 and RA40 ADTs through their paces. For Mr Blake, who lives just seven miles from the factory, it’s a facility that’s close to home and central to the company’s quality control.
‘We’ve got everything we need here to design and build robust and reliable haulers – the people, the knowledge, the skills, and the infrastructure,’ he said. ‘I learnt a lot in my previous job as a test technician and I’m looking forward to utilizing that insight in my new role, where I’ll be focusing on product updates and developments.’
Rokbak are committed to building haulers that are easy to operate and maintain while providing customers with rock-solid support, and Mr Blake understands the responsibilities of becoming such a vital part of the operation as product manager.
‘I want people, engineers, operators, whoever, to say, ‘He’s knowledgeable. I can go to him and he will help me with this. It’s about trust. If a customer comes to us with a problem, they should feel confident leaving it in our hands knowing it’ll be sorted,’ he concluded.
