Whiteford Kenworth marks 50 years as an authorized Kenworth dealer this year. It's planning events at its locations in Ohio and Indiana to celebrate.
"Honesty, integrity and a dedication to delivering customer service are the values my grandfather and father instilled in the Whiteford Companies," says Ron Whiteford II, president. "These principles continue to guide us today, and we're proud to carry that legacy forward with the opening of our eleventh location in Rossford, Ohio, this August."
Whiteford Kenworth began in 1929 when founder David Whiteford started hauling freight in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. In 1961, David Whiteford's oldest son, Ron, joined the company and expanded the fleet, established new facilities and introduced full-service maintenance leasing. By 1987, the company was the seventh-largest full-maintenance leasing operation in the nation and ranked among the top 100 trucking operations in the U.S.
Whiteford partnered with Kenworth in 1975 with a dealer sales and service agreement. The company expanded to locations in South Bend, Ind., and Perrysburg, Ohio.
Ron Whiteford II joined the business in 1985, acquiring it from his father in 2001. Under his leadership, the company added eight new locations across Indiana and Ohio, expanding services in new and used truck sales, leasing and rental, parts and service, body shop operations, and trailer sales and service.
"We are incredibly proud of our history, but even more excited about the future," Ron Whiteford II says. "As we continue to grow, we remain focused on delivering the same exceptional service and trust our customers have relied for generations."
The company's newest location is in Rossford, Ohio. It's a 78,000-square-foot, full-service dealership with 17 service bays, a 27,000-square-foot parts warehouse with elevated loading docks, a modern showroom and a driver lounge with laundry and showers.
