Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/417162
FIRST CLASS l 11 Image Building New Peterbilts fit longstanding performance ethic at WCSG When John Struiksma got his start with West Coast Sand & Gravel (WCSG) in the late 1960s, the Buena Park, Calif. area that hosts his current operations was made up almost entirely of orange groves. As the orange groves disappeared and urban commerce flourished in the area, so grew the Peterbilt fleet and operations of this major south- ern California materials hauler. Today, you'd be hard pressed to find an orange tree in bustling Buena Park, but the familiar teal-colored fleet of West Coast Sand & Gravel, now up to 320 power units, is a common sight. The fleet is near 100 percent Peterbilt, mostly configured as transfer dumps, and includes a mix of older traditional conventionals as well as a pair of new Model 567s, Peterbilt's newest convention- al designed specifically for the vocational market. While Struiksma knows he's in a business that tends to value function over form, he also knows there's a point of differentiation to be made when it comes to running equipment that gets noticed. "They're just more stylish," he says, explaining his longstanding preference for Peterbilt. "They're nicer looking trucks, and that defines your image out on the road. Our customers, our drivers, ourselves — everybody looks at it and takes pride in the work that's being done or the way we're delivering the product." Third generation The Peterbilt image has long made an impression on the third generation of the Struiksma family that is now taking on a leadership role at the firm that was started by John Sr.'s uncles. John Jr. now heads up the company that operates out of 10 locations (including Phoenix) with product and service offer- ings ranging from construction aggregate to sports field products. Four sister companies (dealing with bagged product, wood, redi-mix and brick, respec- tively) also operate under Struiksma's guidance. While the elder Struiksma remembers well the first Peterbilt in the West Coast fleet — a used Model 359 — the younger Struiksma expresses a preference for more recent Peterbilt vintage. The Model 579 will soon be making up a greater por- tion of the West Coast fleet, he says. "It's like driving a luxury car," says John Jr. "The wide cab is very comfortable for a driver. The visibility from the driver's seat is an important feature. And you don't often think about aerody- namics in our application but it matters. We're definitely interested in saving some fuel. "We also have the PACCAR MX-13 Engine in some of those trucks, and they're performing very well. We're liking the fuel economy we're seeing." If drivers have their way, the Model 567 will soon be making a greater presence in the West Coast fleet. "The drivers we have in them now are ecstat- ic about them," says John Jr. "Our guys aver- age up to 300 miles and our trucks run up to 16 hours a day, so comfort and ride are very important to them." "The drivers we have in our Model 567s now are ecstatic about them." John Struiksma Sr. (left) and son John Jr. lead WCSG. WEST COAST