Mike Betts, owner of Betts Truck Parts and Service in San Leandro, Calif., was named Truck Parts & Service magazine’s 2008 Distributor of the Year Thursday during the awards luncheon held during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week in Orlando, Fla.
Betts was selected through votes cast by aftermarket representatives from peer distributors, suppliers and industry organizations.
Present to accept the award were Mike, his son Bill Betts, senior vice president Don Devany and sales manager Mike Baker.
Betts Truck Parts and Service was founded in 1976 and has nine locations in Arizona, California and Oregon. Its parent company, Betts Spring Co., has a nearly 150-year history manufacturing a wide lineup of springs. Betts Truck Parts and Service was created when customers urged the parent company to install springs, in addition to making them. The company opened its first distribution branch focusing exclusively on suspension parts in 1988 in San Leandro at its manufacturing location.
“Building Well, Serving Better,” was the motto of Betts Spring Co. founder, William Michael Betts I. And to this day, it is the motto Betts and his staff live by. In a November 2008 Truck Parts & Service profile, Mike explained that his great, great grandfather recognized that anyone could make or ship a truck part and that customers patronize businesses that care about them and respect their business.
To continue to be successful in the future, Betts said the company pursues continuous improvement and that starts by listening to customers. “We will continue to focus on what the customer wants. If we do that and stay true to our core values we will be successful. If you have the people who are executing well everyday and they come to work with passion and a positive attitude, it is hard to lose.”
Distributor of the Year finalists were also recognized during the ceremony. Profiles of the winner and finalists are available at www.truckpartsandservice.com.
