Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328689
T he Goetgeluck family name may have a familiar pronun- ciation ("good luck"), but luck hasn't had much of a role in the growth and tenure of Romeo, Mich.- based Goodluck Refrigeration Services. Rather, the family members running the firm credit the steady longevity of the 30-plus-year-old company to prudent, careful decision-making over the years. "We're pretty conservative when it comes to making changes," says John Goetgeluck Sr., the company president. "We say if it isn't broken, don't fix it." Goetgeluck says there have been plenty of opportunities to take a chance at doubling or tripling the size of their business, but he's seen others take similar risks and fail, with staggering consequences. They're also reluctant to make equip- ment changes, but almost a quarter century ago, they made one he hasn't regretted since. That's when Goodluck Refrigeration Services introduced the first Peterbilt to its fleet. "We just felt Peterbilt was a better- built truck than the trucks we had in our fleet," says Goetgeluck Sr. "Plus, we knew Peterbilt held its trade-in value too." While Peterbilt trucks have long since validated Goetgeluck's decision to com- mit to them back in 1988, the firm is looking for a similar affirmation from the PACCAR MX engine, which have been running in the Goodluck fleet since last spring. And early returns — particularly in fuel economy — have been excellent. Seeing a need Sons Jim and John Jr. both had jobs with a local carrier in 1979 when they and their father saw a need for a higher level of service that wasn't being offered locally. So they incorporated, with John Jr. as vice-president and Jim as secre- tary/treasurer. The Goetgelucks found a single cus- tomer — one they still have today — with a need for delivery of their highly specialized, temperature-sensitive cargo in multiple stops from coast-to-coast. They quickly discovered some back- haul business with various temperature- sensitive food products, and they were in business. Conservative business approach — and an all-Peterbilt fleet — pays dividends at Goodluck Making Their Luck Continued on page 16 FIRST CLASS 15