If you missed it last week, we have announced our finalists for the 2017 Truck Parts & Service Distributor of the Year award. This year’s finalists include four past finalists and a past winner, as well as one newcomer to the program.
As is the case for the fifth consecutive year, our finalists were selected through an open nomination period by the entire trucking community. We will spend this week briefly checking in with our 2017 finalists. Today we cover Potter Webster Company with Marketing Coordinator Vickie Calabrese. This is Potter Webster’s third nomination for Distributor of the Year, previously being a finalist in 2003 and 2008.
When was your business founded, and by whom?
In 1918 the company name was O.T. Potter Company and was founded by Orin Potter. In 1940 J.R. Webster and his brother Walter Webster joined with Orin Potter and the company became Potter Webster Company. J.R. Webster bought out the company in 1945 and then J.R. Webster’s son Dennis Webster inherited the business in 1986 and has been running it ever since.
How many locations do you have?
Potter Webster Company has locations in Portland, Ore., and Longview, Wash., and McKay Truck and RV is located in Albany, Ore.
How many employees do you have?
53
What is your company’s value proposition?
Potter Webster Company “Nationally Known Locally Owned” has been in business for more than 76 years and is a proud founding member of HDA Truck Pride. With several of the most talented people in the business and decades of parts sales and customer service which has fostered many long term multi-generational customer relationships. With three locations and a large 51,000 sq.-ft. parts warehouse centrally located filled with top quality OEM and aftermarket brands to service our customer’s needs.
In addition to parts sales, what other services do you offer?
Delivery service, PTO rebuilding, fan clutch rebuilding (authorized Kitmaster’s rebuilder), driveline express (new, rebuild and custom automotive, heavy-duty and agriculture), axle systems (custom built air brake axles per customer specifications), machine shop (flywheel grinding, brake drum and rotor machining, suspension bushing R&R), brake shop (brake shoe relining, industrial brake band and shoe relining), custom control cable, custom battery cables, truck, trailer and RV repair and service at McKay Truck, Trailer & RV Repair & Service.
How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?
With our team of “tenure” and some of the most talented people in the business we provide world class customer service with a large breath of parts and service offerings moving fast on our feet to meet our ever-changing customer needs.
Why do you believe the heavy-duty aftermarket has nominated you for this award?
We have been in business for more 76 years building strong vendor partnerships that have helped us become the “go to” guys for quality parts and expert advice.
