13 August 2025 · CMI Hino Adelaide
Hino trucks helping Glenelg’s Turf Aces go the distance
David and Sharon Rogers entered the world of turf and lawn installation and repair and maintenance 20 years ago with their Adelaide based company, Glenelg Turf Ace.
Now owning and operating one of the best South Australian businesses of its type, David and Sharon look back on the ongoing success of Glenelg Turf Ace, reflecting on their transition from utes to Hino Trucks, purchased through CMI Hino Adelaide.
“We started with one ute, one trailer, one small tractor and a Verti-Drain,” Sharon says.
The limitations of a single ute became obvious early on, so they started searching for trucks which lead them to purchase aa used Hino 500 Series FD from CMI Hino Adelaide.
David and Sharon enjoyed a successful run with the truck and came to rely heavily on it, but it eventually needed a gearbox rebuild after many years of hard work.
In 2014 they made the decision to trade it in on another Hino 500 Series FD, which was their first brand new truck, proudly purchased again from CMI Hino Adelaide.
After driving another brand’s lighter truck for a period of time, Sharon decided that she needed something bigger to drive. In 2021 a return visit to CMI Hino Adelaide saw Sharon and David purchase their second new truck - a Hino FC.
“As we got more and more equipment, we needed the two larger size trucks, otherwise we had to make multiple trips to the same location to deliver the gear to do the work for the day,” Sharon explains. “And if you’ve got to drive too far, then it’d be impossible to do the work.”
Despite a large age difference between their Hino 500 series trucks, both continue be presented in top quality condition, which demonstrates Glenelg Turf Ace’s high standards.
“We hang on to things and they always look like they’re brand new,” Sharon says. “And people think we’ve been trading up, even with our tractors and everything else, but we haven’t actually been trading up. It’s just that we look after everything. They look new, but they’re not new.”
Having this mindset is what has ensured Glenelg Turf Ace’s reputation as a highly respected business is what it is today, with their client base ranging from schools to sports arenas, including jobs such as turf replacement at the Adelaide Oval and Coopers Stadium.
“We treat every job the same, whether it’s Adelaide Oval or another small thing somewhere, and we do a lot of private schools,” Sharon says. “We still treat everyone as important as everyone else; the job still has to be done the same.”
Opportunities for client jobs outside of the state allow the team to take their Hino on long runs from anywhere between 1000 and 3000kms, demonstrating the durability of Hino Trucks. As much as these long journeys can take their toll, Sharon continues to show her passion for their full-on business.
“We are extremely passionate, so I guess that’s why we do go over and above, and that’s why we have a reputation we have,” explains Sharon.
When the time comes to extend their fleet once again, both Sharon and David are adamant that it will be another Hino. It was an easy decision that came from not only the positive impact their Hino trucks have brought to their business, it’s also thanks to the strong partnership that has been built between Glenelg Turf Ace and CMI Hino Adelaide.
“I’m old fashioned, I’m a brand person,” David says. “And I’m massive on relationships and service. We’ve got a good relationship with the CMV Group, whether it be Toyota at West Terrace or whether it be CMI Hino at Regency Park.”
“Mario Menechella has sold both to us. I love the way they do their business; they don’t cut a corner and deliver on quality, and its similar principles of what we do with our business,” explains David.
“We’ve really enjoyed getting to know David and Sharon and are pleased to have witnessed the positive impact their Hino trucks have brought to their business. We look forward to continuing to work with them and expanding their fleet with more reliable Hino trucks in the future,” says Nathan Chatfield, CMI Hino Adelaide General Manager.
We would like to thank David and Sharon and the Glenelg Turf Ace team for choosing CMI Hino Adelaide and Hino Trucks. We look forward to continuing to partner with this successful and proud South Australian business in the years to come.
Glenelg Turf Ace is a family owned and operated Turf Management Contracting Business located in Adelaide and has been in operation since 2003 offering clients with a wide range of turf management services.
