Gene Masteller says if Great Dane is late delivering a trailer, the factory knows they’re going to hear from him.
“We’re partners with our customers,” he says, adding that many are now more than customers; they’ve become friends.
Atlantic Great Dane started in Portland, Maine, in 1987 and Gene Masteller joined it in 1990 before buying it four years ago. Even though the dealership is in Maine, it serves customers around the country.
“If we have a major problem, we’re an airport away,” Gene Masteller says. “We’ll get on an airplane and fly there if [a customer is] having a major issue. We’re going to take care of their problems if something bad arises.”
Gene Masteller and his crew focus on refrigerated trailers, heavy grocery and food service, but they do it all. The company represents Great Dane and Brandt, and this year it is a first-time finalist for the Trailblazer Award, powered by Successful Dealer.
“I’m not saying it’s recession-proof,” Gene Masteller says. “But no matter what happens, people are going to continue to eat.”
Tylor Masteller heads up the rental and leasing side of Atlantic Great Dane. He’s been there for six years and Justin, who works as a sales representative, for four. Tylor Masteller says the company has a good culture that extends to its employees as well as its customers. Both groups are family.
Gene Masteller says he tries to do things for his employees that are fair, such as good benefits, profit sharing, bonuses and Christmas parties. It’s very family oriented, Grace says.
“I think Atlantic Great Dane leaves a lasting impression on the people that they meet,” Gene Masteller says. “You never know who’s path you’re going to cross in life and you need to treat everyone the same, every day.”
Gene Masteller says they have good tenure across the business with their employees, including one technician that left but came back — and brought his son.
“We try to look internally before we look elsewhere,” Tylor Masteller says.
Keeping up on training is also important for the Atlantic Great Dane team. Vachon says safety is critical and the company requires regular training on a variety of topics throughout the year. The team also gets plenty of vendor-sponsored training.
“It’s very important that the quality of work that goes out of our shop meets or exceeds what our OEMs expect,” Gene Masteller says. Tylor Masteller adds in addition to job shadowing and mentorship programs, the dealership also takes advantage of Great Dane’s online sales support. The team, Vachon says, is in constant communication.
Atlantic Great Dane sells in every state in the U.S. Gene Masteller attributes that reach to providing great service to customers that keep them loyal to the dealership no matter where their careers take them.
“The way we have taken care of customers translates to strong relationships,” Gene Masteller says. “A lot of it has to do with word of mouth.”
The team also participates in industry and community events, widening their net for potential new customers. Atlantic Great Dane sends representatives to ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council events, the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) and the Food Service Show, to name a few.
With a third son in the military, Gene Masteller says Atlantic Great Dane is always eager to support veterans’ causes such as the Travis Mills Foundation and, as a trout fisherman, he also loves to support Trout Unlimited. The dealership also supports causes related to food insecurity and, after losing a stepson to a murder, the Hope Foundation and Center for Grieving Children.
Being a finalist for the Trailblazer Award is a reflection of everyone at Atlantic Great Dane, the team says.
“I would be so proud to accept this award on behalf of Atlantic Great Dane,” Gene Masteller says. “I think it’s a good reflection upon all the hard work that the employees have put forward to get us where we are today. … It’s not one individual. It’s the whole team.”
The Trailblazer Award was created in 2023 recognize and honor North America’s trailer dealer community for their essential support of the transportation industry. The Trailblazer Award is graciously sponsored by Hendrickson and Procede Software. To learn more about the program, go the award page.
