Peach State Truck Centers is celebrating 50 years in operation this year. Family owned and operated since 1974, the company started as a single location in the heart of Georgia and has since experienced substantial growth across Georgia and Alabama.
“When I think of 50 years, one word comes to mind: Gratitude,” says Rick Reynolds, current owner and dealer principal.
To commemorate the milestone, the company has produced a one-hour documentary film (above) detailing the history of Peach State Truck Centers and its growth into one of the leading commercial vehicle dealership groups in the country. Tom Reynolds, Rick’s father, started Peach State Ford, a standalone dealership with a handful of employees and a small inventory of Ford Commercial trucks in Norcross, Ga., in 1974. As the city of Atlanta experienced major growth over the years, so did Peach State Truck Centers.
“We went from four locations and about 175 people to I think 12 or 13 locations and 375 people overnight. Although a great opportunity for us, it was a challenging time in our organization,” says Rick.
Today, the company has over 700 employees, 13 locations in Georgia and Alabama with one under construction, and still carries new and used Ford products along with major on-highway, vocational, pupil and emergency transportation brands like Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, SelecTrucks and Spartan ER. Peach State is also dedicated to its charitable foundation that supports the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. The company remains an active supporter contributing to several initiatives including the annual Winship 5K.
[RELATED: 2022 Successful Dealer Award finalist Peach State Truck Centers]
Peach State continues to thrive through the execution and investment in customer experience strategies, technology changes and updates, and an intense focus on individual employee satisfaction through talent development, rewards and recognition programs and engagement initiatives. The company says these strategies and investments, along with Peach State’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others, has positioned them to continue to thrive for the next 50 years.
