Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/256915
15 A dozen years later, that simple and straightforward approach has landed Nee- ley and his business the 12 th annual Truck Parts & Service Distributor of the Year award. Founded in 1960, Truck Supply Co. of South Carolina was a one-location opera- tion when Neeley bought it in 2002. The business had a stable customer base in the city of Columbia area but minimal recognition outside of it. Seeing an opportunity to grow the operation on-site and throughout the area, Nee- ley went to work assembling a team to help him navigate the new industry and implement his business plan. Things started slow — the two com- pany veterans retained during the change of ownership left for other opportunities — but in time a staff was built. It's predominantly the same staff Truck Supply has to this day. "We don't have turnover," says Neeley, and the numbers bear that out. Truck Supply's employees average eight years of experience, an impressive number considering the staff was rebuilt from scratch in 2002. Truck Supply's Sumter, S.C. location has never lost an employee. That stability has allowed Truck Supply to fl ourish. The company now has three loca- tions in the Palmetto State — Columbia, Sumter and Newberry (a partner store) — a parts warehouse and a burgeoning service business at its Columbia headquarters. Customer service is the cornerstone of each location. "If I had a truck break down in South Carolina and called Edward Neeley, I know he would move heaven and earth to get my truck fi xed and get it back on the road again," says Tim Kraus, HDMA president and COO. "That's the kind of business he has." Neeley says he can't imag- ine his business working any other way. The aftermarket is too competitive to succeed on price alone. Customer service is the true differentiating factor. Truck Supply's customer W W W . T R U C K P A R T S A N D S E R V I C E . C O M F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4 | T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E By Lucas Deal, Editor lucasdeal@randallreilly.com Edward Neeley and the Truck Supply Co. of South Carolina team were presented the 2013 Truck Parts & Service Distrib- utor of the Year award Jan. 28 during the opening general session at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2014 in Las Vegas. Long Island Truck Parts, Medford, N.Y.; Macpek, Quebec City, Quebec; Point Spring & Driveshaft, Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Sadler Power Train, Cedar Rapids, Iowa were other fi nalists for the award. Neeley purchased Truck Supply Co. in 2002 and under his leadership the business has grown from a single location to three facilities with a parts warehouse and a service center in central South Carolina. "Wow," a visibly surprised Neeley said while congratulating his fellow nominees. "I never would have thought we would have been able to take this company where it is today." Neeley also thanked his family for "putting up" with him. "That's a job within itself right there." "We owe a big thanks to all of our employees and, most of all, all our customers," he adds. Edward Neeley, president at Truck Supply Co. of South Carolina, is awarded the 2013 Distributor of the Year award. From HDAW: Truck Supply takes home the hardware Truck Supply Co. of South Carolina currently has three distribution locations, a service facility and parts warehouse in South Carolina.