Industry Focus

People In The News

Following are personnel changes and announcements in the trucking industry:

* Melissa A. Belkin has been named vice president of financial services for AmeriQuest Transportation Services.

* Donaldson Co. announced the promotion of Dan Memmen to national sales director of the Engine Aftermarket Group,.

Silvey

* Eaton Corp. announced that Steve Boccadoro has been named senior vice president of sales and marketing.

* The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced that its Senior Vice President Trish Serratore was selected by Automotive News as one of the “100 leading women in the North American auto industry.”

Goodson

* Noregon Systems announced that Roger Day has joined the company as a consultant for fleet sales.

* Northwood University appointed Larry Silvey chair of its Aftermarket Management Program at the school’s Midland, Mich. Campus. Additionally, Jim John, previously chair of the aftermarket management program, will head up the school’s program development and recruiting.

* Palfinger North America, a manufacturer of truck-mounted material handling equipment, named Scott E. Sasser its new sales and product manager for the company’s large aerial platforms.

* Penray announced it named Joe Long its Heavy Duty Salesman of the Year for the second time in four years. Long has been a regional sales manager with the company since September of 2005.

* Peterson Manufacturing Co. has announced the promotion of Kristen Goodson from product manager to director of product management.

HDA, Truck Pride Merge

The expected merger between Heavy Duty America and Truck Pride, announced as a possibility in January during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, has officially been approved by the board of directors, management teams and memberships of both marketing groups.

The new organization, which begins operations this month, is called HDA Truck Pride. By combining memberships, it will be the largest marketing group serving the independent aftermarket.

According to the announcement, a jointly developed merger plan was recently presented to the memberships of both organizations and “received overwhelming approval.”

“Both organizations view the joining of the two premier heavy-duty marketing organizations as the initial step of a comprehensive plan to unify and expand their distribution network, consolidate product and program offerings and maintain the independent aftermarket channel as a viable alternative to the OE dealership networks,” the announcement states. “The combined organization will offer a vastly expanded footprint, providing marketing, training, fleet, service partner and vendor programs to our customer base.”

CVSN Adds Two Member Companies

The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network announced it added Bett’s Truck Parts and TransAxle to its membership.

Bett’s Truck Parts is headquartered in Fresno, Calif., and has eight distribution and service locations in the West Coast region. The company is run by President Mike Betts, a former Truck Parts and Service Distributor of the Year winner.

TransAxle is headquartered in Cinnaminson, N.J., and has 15 locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. It is run by President and CEO Dave Olsen.

“We are extremely delighted to have both Bett’s and TransAxle as part of our growing list of quality independent aftermarket distributor member companies,” said CVSN Executive Vice President Angelo Volpe.

For the latest aftermarket news, announcements and trends, visit www.truckpartsandservice.com

VIPAR Heavy Duty Network Adds Distributors in D.C., Idaho

Providing new strategic distribution locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area and Idaho, VIPAR Heavy Duty has announced the addition of Northern Virginia Supply Inc. and Western Trailer Sales Co. Inc. to its network of distributors.

Headquartered in Springfield, Va., Northern Virginia Supply is a full-line heavy-duty distributor that covers the Washington, D.C. metro area from four locations in Virginia and Maryland. The company also operates a fifth store located 40 miles south in Fredericksburg, Va. Western Trailer Sales supplies truck and trailer parts from its main location in Boise, Idaho, and through its branch locations in Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Millersburg, Ore.; and Pacific, Wash.

“We are pleased to welcome these two new companies to the network of VIPAR distributors throughout North America,” said Steve Crowley, president and chief executive officer of VIPAR Heavy Duty. “Northern Virginia Supply provides us with a strong distribution base in the metro D.C. area, while Western Trailer Sales gives us a presence in Idaho and the northeast tip of Washington State that did not previously exist. Both companies are well known and respected in their marketplaces as quality distributors of parts and services to the heavy-duty aftermarket industry.”

Northern Virginia Supply has 42 employees, including five outside sales professionals. Service is provided to customers with 14 delivery vehicles and through the company’s brake relining facility. In addition to its Springfield headquarters, Northern Virginia Supply’s D.C. metro area stores include facilities in Manassas, Va.; Rockville, Md.; and Forestville, Md.

Western Trailers operates a 75,000-square-foot parts and service facility from its headquarters in Boise and is an authorized dealer for Great Dane Trailers. With nearly 300 employees, Western Trailer services its customers with 20-plus inside and outside sales personnel. The company has a delivery fleet of 30 vehicles.

FleetPride Acquires Heavy Vehicle Parts

FleetPride announced it now operates 19 Texas locations with the acquisition of Heavy Vehicle Parts, which includes a 16,000-square-foot facility in Odessa and an 11,250-square-foot facility in Midland.

The Woodlands, Texas-based company – which operates 185 locations in 39 states – acquired Heavy Vehicle Parts, which was owned by Pat Dawson and has served both the Odessa and Midland markets since 1982.

“Pat Dawson is known for his experienced employees and depth of inventory. He has developed Heavy Vehicle Parts into the prominent distributor in the Permian Basin,” said Lee Stockseth, FleetPride’s chief operating officer. “HVP employees are focused on providing customers with great service and product offering.”

According to the announcement, Dawson will stay on as operations manager and employment offers have been extended to 19 full-time and temporary employees.

“The Heavy Vehicle Parts team will be a valuable addition to the FleetPride family because they bring with them their strong reputation for quality service,” said Stockseth.

“The Midland-Odessa acquisition strengthens FleetPride’s foothold in the West Texas market,” said Mike Paxton, FleetPride’s vice president of Business Development and Strategic Planning. “This region has traditionally been known for its strong ties to the oil and gas industry. In fact, 61 percent of Texas’ oil production and 17 percent of Texas’ natural gas production comes from the Permian Basin – and more than 2,300 oil and gas related companies call the Permian Basin home – making this a prime market for heavy-duty transportation.”

Adds FleetPride President and CEO W.M. McGee, “Two years ago, we set out to broaden our reach in West Texas, the Panhandle and southern New Mexico. Acquiring these new locations in Midland and Odessa brings us one step closer to obtaining that goal. Having a presence in Midland and Odessa will allow us to more quickly and efficiently service the region’s significant oilfield industries.” n