Episode 8: Amanda McNally

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 McNally0:48 – Amanda's Career Journey: Bank of Ireland to Car Sales2:01 – Moving into Trucks, Vans & the Machinery Industry2:25 – How Amanda Joined Sleator Plant3:30 – Sleator Brands: Sany, Genie, Rocbak, Bandit & More3:54 – Belfast & Dublin Depots4:17 – 150 Units Sold in Year One4:40 – Product Range: Excavators & Telehandlers5:05 – 2025 Sales Update: 42 Excavators & Growing5:37 – The Secret to Success: Honesty & Under-Promise, Over-Deliver6:25 – Being a Woman in the Plant Industry8:04 – Dealing with Competitors & Rumours Head-On8:56 – Changing Attitudes Towards Women in Construction9:38 – Positive Feedback & Customer Praise10:07 – Treating Every Customer the Same10:50 – People Buy from People11:32 – The Reality of Working Hours & Work-Life Balance12:30 – Finding It Rewarding & Looking Ahead13:08 – Future Plans & Contentment14:04 – Chinese Machinery: Changing Perceptions of Sany15:20 – Sany's R&D Investment & Global Ambitions15:44 – First-in-Europe Remote Access Excavator16:42 – A Day in the Life of Amanda McNally17:51 – Going the Extra Mile for Customers18:09 – Backup Service & Response Times19:20 – Parts Stocking Across Depots19:40 – Parts Business & Machine Reliability20:08 – Brand Rundown: Genie, Bandit, Rocbak & More21:37 – Rocbak, Volvo Technology & Company Structure22:37 – Ice Expo 2025: What Slayer Plant is Bringing23:31 – Demo Area Plans: Rocbak Dumpers & Excavators23:51 – The Growth of Ice Expo & Industry Support25:20 – Exhibitor Support & Costs25:53 – New Ice Expo App for Lead Scanning27:00 – Value for Money Compared to Other Shows27:57 – Thank You & Closing Remarks