HFG’S STEFAN HARLAND WINS ISUZU UK TECHNICAL SKILLS COMPETITION

On the 18^th February 2025, Isuzu UK hosted the finals of the Isuzu World Technical Skills – UK Competition, with five of the most capable service technicians across the Isuzu dealer network competing for the opportunity to reach the 2025 I-1 Grand Prix (Global Isuzu Technical Skills Competition) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Emerging as the victor of the UK competition, displaying class-leading technical expertise, was Stefan Harland, Isuzu Service Technician at Hunt Forest Group Chilbolton. As a result, Harland will be joining technicians from around the world in Bangkok at the Isuzu World Technical Competition 2025.

The UK leg of the competition involved the competing service technicians completing four challenges within the 3-hour time limit:

• 60 min: Refitting drive gears and timing chain to the Isuzu D-Max’s engine, ensuring to time up the engine correctly,
• 30 min: Measuring piston protrusion to calculate the correct cylinder head gasket,
• 30 min: Conduct a vehicle health report on The New Isuzu D-Max, noting and rectifying four set faults on the vehicle,
• 60 min: A 25-question written exam paper.

Harland said: “It is a privilege to be named as the winner of the Isuzu World Technical Skills – UK Competition. I am very excited to be put forward to compete in the global competition in Thailand later this year, and I hope to do Hunt Forest Group and Isuzu UK proud!”

Isuzu Sales Manager at Hunt Forest Group, Gareth Thomas, added: “On behalf of the entire Hunt Forest Group team, we would like to congratulate Stefan on an outstanding achievement in the Isuzu UK Technical Skills Competition. His superb effort is a testament to the service he delivers to our customers. We will all be supporting him on his trip to Bangkok at the Isuzu World Technical Skills Competition.”

The exceptional technical skill on show reinforces Isuzu’s reputation as The Pick-Up Professionals, with the Isuzu dealer network’s quality of service and 5-year/125,000-mile warranty resulting in Isuzu being awarded ‘Best Back-Up 2025’ by Overlander 4×4 Magazine.

Graham Joll, Regional Sales Manager at Isuzu UK, commented: “Stefan has certainly demonstrated why we are The Pick-Up Professionals with his performance in the Isuzu UK Technical Skills Competition. The event showed the fantastic quality of service across the dealer network, which has been recognised for its award-winning level service.”

Stefan Harland started his career in 2012, as an apprentice following a 3-year course in Andover College. Following the completion of his apprenticeship in 2014-2015, Harland worked across multiple brands in Basingstoke, expanding his knowledge with working with a variety of different vehicles. In September 2023, Harland began working for Hunt Forest Group, noting the rewarding nature of carrying out work on pick-ups used by farming communities.

Hunt Forest Group, established in 1967 by Roger Hunt, began its journey as agricultural engineers, specialising in machinery repair. This foundation of meticulous service and maintenance has remained central to their operations. When they joined the Isuzu dealer network in 2010, this established ethos directly contributed to the brand’s success, evidenced by Stefan Harland’s impressive win.