In this episode of the Ice Expo Podcast, we sit down with Amanda McNally, Sales Manager at Sleator Plant, to hear her incredible journey from a Bank of Ireland call centre to becoming one of the most talked-about names in the plant and machinery industry. Amanda shares how she sold approximately 150 units in her first year and is already past 40 units early into 2025. We discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, the importance of honest sales and after-service, the growing reputation of Sany machinery in Ireland, and an exciting first-in-Europe remote access excavator project. Amanda also gives us a sneak peek at what Sleator Plant will be bringing to Ice Expo this year, including live demos. Sponsored by Euro Auctions – next auction takes place in Dromore on the 20th and 21st of February 2026.

Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro & Sponsor (Euro Auctions)
0:12 – Welcome & Introduction to Amanda McNally
0:48 – Amanda's Career Journey: Bank of Ireland to Car Sales
2:01 – Moving into Trucks, Vans & the Machinery Industry
2:25 – How Amanda Joined Sleator Plant
3:30 – Sleator Brands: Sany, Genie, Rocbak, Bandit & More
3:54 – Belfast & Dublin Depots
4:17 – 150 Units Sold in Year One
4:40 – Product Range: Excavators & Telehandlers
5:05 – 2025 Sales Update: 42 Excavators & Growing
5:37 – The Secret to Success: Honesty & Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
6:25 – Being a Woman in the Plant Industry
8:04 – Dealing with Competitors & Rumours Head-On
8:56 – Changing Attitudes Towards Women in Construction
9:38 – Positive Feedback & Customer Praise
10:07 – Treating Every Customer the Same
10:50 – People Buy from People
11:32 – The Reality of Working Hours & Work-Life Balance
12:30 – Finding It Rewarding & Looking Ahead
13:08 – Future Plans & Contentment
14:04 – Chinese Machinery: Changing Perceptions of Sany
15:20 – Sany's R&D Investment & Global Ambitions
15:44 – First-in-Europe Remote Access Excavator
16:42 – A Day in the Life of Amanda McNally
17:51 – Going the Extra Mile for Customers
18:09 – Backup Service & Response Times
19:20 – Parts Stocking Across Depots
19:40 – Parts Business & Machine Reliability
20:08 – Brand Rundown: Genie, Bandit, Rocbak & More
21:37 – Rocbak, Volvo Technology & Company Structure
22:37 – Ice Expo 2025: What Slayer Plant is Bringing
23:31 – Demo Area Plans: Rocbak Dumpers & Excavators
23:51 – The Growth of Ice Expo & Industry Support
25:20 – Exhibitor Support & Costs
25:53 – New Ice Expo App for Lead Scanning
27:00 – Value for Money Compared to Other Shows
27:57 – Thank You & Closing Remarks