Originally trained as a diesel mechanic in Austria, ABTC Director Ernst Gugler worked for Daimler for 11 years before founding ABTC in 2000. He immigrated to Australia in 1986 and worked with Bib Stillwell and then Arnolds Transport as a mechanic before joining DaimlerChrysler Australia Pacific Pty Ltd (Daimler) in 1989.

Ernst served Daimler for eleven years, firstly as a Line Foreman and then Senior Foreman in charge of all Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) requirements for Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses. When Daimler decided to close the Dandenong VPC in 2000, Ernst took the opportunity to set up and operate his own business.