Two weeks ago Truck Parts & Service released its finalists for the 17th annual Distributor of the Year award. All of the finalists this year were again selected through open industry nominations, and over the next several months, we will be regularly featuring each business on this website and on the pages of Truck Parts & Service.
Those features begin this week as we check in with 2018 Distributor of the Year finalist CRW Parts.
This is the second time CRW Parts has earned a nomination for the Distributor of the Year award. The company was previously nominated in 2009. The answers below were provided by CRW Parts President Dave Willis.
When was your business founded, and by whom?
Founded as RW Norris and Sons in 1850 by my great great great grandfather.
How many locations do you have?
Eight locations: Baltimore, Md.; Landover, Md.; Salisbury, Md.; Jessup, Md.; Richmond, Va.; Norfolk, Va.; Roanoke, Va.; Wilmington, Dela.
How many employees do you have?
104
What is your company’s value proposition?
Our motto is “Dependable Parts and Service.” Our mission statement is “CRW will continually expand our business while maintaining our profitability.” We achieve these goals by supplying our customers with quality parts at a competitive price. CRW will employ the very best personnel so we may provide our customers with the most reliable and comprehensive value added services in our industry.
Do you offer any additional services to complement your parts offering?
We are strictly a wholesale distributor and offer no other mechanical-based services. We do have a reline shop for heavy-duty brake shoes.
How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?
Because we only sell parts we don’t get pulled in different directions. We also are strong on the automotive parts side giving us the edge in dealing with a mid-duty sized fleets. Finally, our longevity truly sets us apart from the competition. Few companies last three generations let alone six. Because of that longevity we have a strong name in the Mid-Atlantic marketplace.
Why do you believe the heavy-duty aftermarket has nominated you for this award?
I would like to think it’s because we have great people, who are very good at their jobs helping suppliers move their product while supplying customers with “Dependable Parts and Service.”
