Information

April 2000

American Waste Digest
226 King St., Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 326-9480

Business of the Month – Trucks & Parts

Trucks & Parts celebrates its golden anniversary this year, marking 50 years of success in business. Since 1950, the company has maintained a leadership role in the industry. Trucks and Parts is an exceptionally diverse full-service truck and part sales operation. The company sells new, used, and reconditioned garbage trucks as well as new, used, and rebuilt heavy-duty truck parts, packer bodies, and packer parts.

Trucks and Parts was originally an automobile wrecking yard owned by Marvin Goldenberg. He bought wrecked cars (and later trucks) and sold the parts. Being an extremely organized and innovative man by nature, Marvin broke the stereotype of the man in greasy overalls and a German Shepard growling behind him. He pioneered what is known as a recycling yard. Vehicles were stripped down to the shell and parts were shelved and cataloged. The yard was clean and organized. In fact, Trucks and Parts was even recognized by Ladybird Johnson for an American Beauty Award in the late 60's.

Throughout the years, Marvin always kept the business one step ahead. He was one of the first people in the industry to have a long line typewriter used like e-mail to check part availability in other locations. Marvin was also one of the first in the industry to have a fax machine, a computer, and a website.

Trucks and Parts is now a second-generation company owned by Marvin's sons Lex and Bruce. Lex serves as President and Bruce is Vice President. Of his father, Bruce says, "He tries to think ahead. That is what Lex and I have tried to gain from him...in order to maintain the leadership role we have established." Marvin is still active in decision-making in the company and serves as Chairman of the Board. His wife Betty worked for the company from 1950 to 1991 before pursuing other things. Bruce says, "Mom was a big part of our success."

Although being on the front edge of change sets Trucks and Parts apart, the real key to success from the company's perspective has been a combination of excellent employees, business partners, and customers. Bruce says, "We are lucky to have such a good group of people who have worked with us and made us successful."

Of those employees who have contributed to the success of Trucks and Parts, some have spent a considerable part of their lifespan at the company. This year marks 25 years of service for Mark Seigler, Dave Catron, Jim Bell, J.B. Gross, and Chris York. Harry Carver has dedicated 11 years to the company moving from hydraulic technician to running the truck shop. Inside the walls of the company, there are many individual success stories that contribute to its overall success. Bruce says, "We try to create family here. Our philosophy is to always give respect to others and to earn it for yourself. We also try to keep things lively, fun, and interesting." That environment has positioned Trucks and Parts and its employees to flourish.

Trucks and Parts has two locations. There is Trucks and Parts of Tampa in Florida on about 25 acres of land. The large amount of space allows the company to keep an extensive truck, truck body, and part inventory. Complete trucks and bodies as well as new, used and rebuilt parts are available. Experienced shop technicians can rebuild a good portion of the chassis including transmissions, rear-ends, and power-steering components. To make shopping more convenient, Lex Goldenberg is developing what he calls "Packerland." One area of the property will be devoted to products used specifically by the waste industry.

Defying tradition, Bruce says that about 70 percent of the company's sales are made over the telephone. Because of the Trucks and Parts reputation, customers tend to be very trusting when dealing with the company. People like Allen Sides who works as a salesperson in Tampa helped build that trust. Bruce says, "People love him because he is so honest and forthright." Commenting on telephone sight-unseen sales, he adds, "You really have to rely on your ethics and make sure what you say is what the customer is going to get. We want to meet their expectations." In order to facilitate making sales via telephone, the company uses digital photo files to send pictures to customers via e-mail.

Success is almost always comprised of a good product and customer satisfaction. Bruce says, "We sell a good product...We treat our customers with respect...We try to do the right things." Most trucks bought by the company are hand-selected. After the initial purchase, the truck is fully inspected to determine whether it would be best to recondition it, sell it "as is" at a wholesale price, or sell it for parts. Bruce says, "We want the customer to be satisfied so he or she will call us the next time." Mike Miller, General Manager, is one of the many credible people at Trucks and Parts who work hard to maintain relationships before and after the sale.

Trucks and Parts is working hard to develop both the truck rental and export end of the business. In 1994, the company was the first in the industry to promote rental trucks. Bruce says, "We are going to continue to push and maintain it as the best service of its kind." In order to avoid downtime, customers can rent front-loaders, rear-loaders, and roll-offs. The potential for expanding the export business is another thing that Trucks and Parts intends to maximize. The company's Export Department is currently comprised of 8 people who all speak English and Spanish. Trucks and Parts also has the only bi-lingual website in the industry.

To assist customers with the actual purchase, Trucks and Parts has built relationships with many solid financing sources that cater to start-ups. Even if no outside financial resource is willing to set up financing for a customer, Trucks and Parts offers in-house financing in special situations. Bruce says, "We can finance anyone, including start-ups." In appreciation of its customers and in honor of its 50th anniversary, the company has even announced a 5% discount on parts to all customers who purchase trucks in 2000!

For 50 years, the company strategy has been marked by innovation. Bruce says, "We are always thinking of ways to do business better and make things more convenient for the customer." In line with that, even the company's telephone on-hold message is designed to please the customer. A character named "Farley" provides simultaneous information and entertainment. Farley is a fictional character, but you can meet the real Trucks and Parts team at Waste Expo 2000 in Atlanta. For more information, you can visit their award-winning website at www.trucks.com.

Contact: Bruce Goldenberg
Trucks & Parts of Tampa
1015 S 50th St
Tampa, FL 33619

U.S. Toll Free: 1-877-999-8782
Phone: 813-247-6636
Fax: 813-247-4465