Name of Company: CRW Parts Inc.
Headquarters Address: 1211 68th Street
Baltimore Md. 21237
Web site: www.crwparts.com
Founded: 1850
Owner(s): David N. Willis
Number of Locations: 10
Number of Employees: 109
Business model: Providing our customers with the best overall value of parts, service, education and price with a constant eye on staying technologically ahead of the curve.
Growth plan: To expand our business through new products, new customers and new locations. In today’s uneasy environment we need to be opportunistic and take advantage of the weaknesses of our competitors.
CRW Parts Inc.
answers by David Willis
WHY DID YOU START THE BUSINESS?
The business was founded back in 1850 by my great, great, great grandfather. The company serviced the horse-and-buggy business along with other general store type goods.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST BUSINESS DECISION?
Shutting down a branch or letting someone go is always a very difficult decision. Most of our employees have worked here more than 10 years and are considered family.
WHAT WAS YOUR BEST BUSINESS DECISION?
To be a founding member of VIPAR Heavy Duty. This has helped us stay competitive with the dealers and other distributors.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST BUSINESS DECISION?
Paying too much for a company, then not handling the transition well. On the bright side, it forced us to make some hard business decisions which made us a better company in the long run.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP A COMPETITIVE EDGE?
Never be satisfied with where you are. You must always get better because if you don’t the competition will pass you by.
WHAT IS YOUR FIVE-YEAR VISION?
To increase our footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region through the addition of stores in that area that better help us service our customers.
WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! This applies to your employees, customers and vendors.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING THE AFTERMARKET?
There are so many, where to start?
1.The instability of the manufacturers for both parts and trucks.
2.”Card Check” making it easier for unions to form is not a good thing for private industry and will lead to a major decrease in our (the USA) global competitiveness.
3. The current government’s inclination to control all forms of business. They can’t run the government efficiently, so what makes them think they can run the banks, investment firms, insurance companies, GM and Chrysler?
4. The national debt has grown to unsustainable levels that will cause rampant inflation the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades.
Just to name a few!
HOW DO YOU SEE THAT CHALLENGE BEING RESOLVED?
I don’t! We have to learn to navigate through these turbulent waters just as we always have. Our strength and the strength of the aftermarket is adaptability. The strong aftermarket distributors, many of whom have been around for generations, react quickly to the constantly changing environment that is the heavy-duty aftermarket. That will not change!
DURING YOUR TIME IN THE INDUSTRY, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE?
Connectivity! Strangely enough, the more this industry changes the more it stays the same. In the end it’s all about providing quality parts in the most efficient and cost effective manner. What has changed is the ability of manufacturers, distributors and customers to have up-to-the-minute information. The computer, cell phones and the Internet all have allowed us to stay on top of everything that is going on in our industry and the world. Pricing, technical information and market news all are available at the touch of a button. Quite a change!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A YOUNG PERSON CONSIDERING A CAREER IN THE AFTERMARKET?
You’ll never make the list of Forbes’ “500 Richest People,” but you will meet a lot of good people, have a lot of fun and learn something new every day.
HOW DOES YOUR BUSINESS CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY?
We support various charitable causes along with providing a preferential discount to policemen and firefighters.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST GOT INTO THIS BUSINESS?
My dad knew a lot more than I ever imagined and I wish I had been smart enough to listen more attentively when he spoke.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EVERY DAY?
Knowing that all those who work at CRW and who buy from CRW rely on us to be successful. That we have been in business for more than 150 years is quite a motivator.
