In the months ahead, TPS will consistently spotlight our finalists and their wonderful operations, recognizing and congratulating them for their success leading up to the presentation of the 25th Distributor of the Year Award at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in January in Grapevine, Texas.
We continue today with Parts For Trucks, a finalist for Distributor of the Year for the fourth time (2003, 2009, 2012). Kelly’s Truck Parts was previously featured last week.
When was your business founded, and by whom?
Parts for Trucks was founded in 1919 in Atlantic Canada by Harold Spencer and Harry Richard. It was originally called Scotia Equipment. In 1919 there were only 10,300 registered vehicles in the province of Nova Scotia, and no more than 1,000 of them were commercial. As the industry expanded, the company expanded to accommodate a diverse selection of parts and equipment as well as provide wider support to trucking fleets.
Over more than a century, the company has grown from a regional truck parts supplier into one of Canada's leading heavy-duty aftermarket organizations, serving customers from coast to coast. Throughout its history, Parts for Trucks has remained focused on helping customers maximize vehicle uptime through quality parts, technical expertise, and exceptional service.
How many locations do you have?
Parts for Trucks operates approximately 30 locations across Canada, including branches, service facilities and distribution operations. Locations are:
Dartmouth, NS
Halifax, NS
Truro, NS
Sydney, NS
Kentville, NS
Moncton, NB
Saint John, NB
Fredericton, NB
Miramichi, NB
Grand Falls, NB
Charlottetown, PE
Mount Pearl (St. John's), NL
Corner Brook, NL
Grand Falls/Winsdor, NL
Montreal, QC
Ottawa, ON
Cornwall, ON
Brampton, ON
Winnipeg, MB
Edmonton, AB
Acheson, AB
Grande Prairie,AB
Calgary, AB
Red Deer, AB
Lethbridge, AB
Surrey, BC
Penticton, BC
How many employees do you have?
Parts for Trucks employs approximately 600 team members across Canada. Our associates include parts specialists, technicians, sales professionals, drivers, warehouse personnel and corporate support teams — all working toward a common goal of delivering outstanding customer service.
We recruit through multiple channels, including employee referrals, technical schools and colleges, apprenticeship programs, industry associations, online recruiting platforms, and community partnerships.
More importantly, we focus on becoming an employer of choice. We invest heavily in leadership development, career progression, technical training and creating an environment where people can build long-term careers. We believe recruiting begins with culture, and retention is ultimately the strongest recruiting strategy.
What is your company’s value proposition?
Our purpose is simple: Keeping Canada’s commercial transportation industry moving. We deliver value by combining:
Industry-leading product availability
National coverage with local decision-making
Highly knowledgeable associates
Technical expertise
Service capabilities
Fast response times
Long-term customer partnerships
Our customers are not simply buying truck parts, they are buying uptime, productivity and confidence that their equipment will remain on the road.
Do you offer any additional services to complement your parts offering?
Yes. Parts for Trucks provides a comprehensive range of services beyond parts distribution, including:
Heavy-duty truck and trailer repair
Preventive maintenance
Equipment installation
Hydraulic and lifting solutions
Safety inspections
Fleet maintenance programs
Emergency service support
Technical product expertise
Inventory management solutions for fleet customers
Our objective is to become a complete solutions partner throughout the lifecycle of our customers' equipment.
How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?
Our differentiation comes from the combination of our people, our culture and our commitment to continuous improvement. We are uniquely position to offer parts and repair services coast to coast. Nobody has the same network in the heavy-duty aftermarket.
We are building an organization focused on operational excellence through disciplined processes, leadership development and data-driven decision making. While products can often be matched, the customer experience cannot.
We strive to be easier to do business with by providing knowledgeable associates, responsive service, strong supplier partnerships, broad product availability and the technical expertise required to solve complex customer challenges quickly.
Ultimately, our competitive advantage is not what we sell, it is how we serve our customers.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business in 2026?
Like many organizations in the heavy-duty aftermarket, we continue to navigate a dynamic operating environment. Our biggest challenge is balancing short-term execution with long-term transformation. Customers continue to expect faster service, greater product availability and enhanced digital capabilities, while businesses face ongoing cost pressures, labour shortages and increasing operational complexity.
At Parts for Trucks, we see these challenges as opportunities. We are investing in process improvement, technology, leadership capability, and operational excellence to build a stronger and more resilient organization for the future.
Why do you believe the heavy-duty aftermarket has nominated you for this award?
I believe this recognition belongs to our people. Over the past year, our team has embraced change with remarkable professionalism and commitment (ERP conversion for example). Across every branch, service shop, warehouse and corporate function, our associates continue to put customers first while working to improve every aspect of our business.
We are building a culture centered on continuous improvement, accountability, innovation, and collaboration. Our focus is not simply on growing sales, it is on creating sustainable value for our customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders.
Being recognized by our peers in the heavy-duty aftermarket is an honour because it reflects the respect of an industry we are passionate about serving. Regardless of the outcome, being named a finalist is a testament to the dedication of every member of the Parts for Trucks team.
Stay tuned, as next week we will share more about 2026 award finalist The Service Company.
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