Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/599520
V alley Truck Parts succeeds because it is never satisfi ed. The Michigan- based distributor is "always defi ning and refi ning our process," says General Man- ager Gary Troost. "We focus on those things and then accountability. We can always be better." And yet, with more than six decades of aftermarket experience and 16 combined retail and wholesale loca- tions, it's clear the com- pany has had its fair share of success. A Truck Parts & Service Distributor of the Year fi nal- ist for the fi rst time in 2015, Troost says success at Valley Truck Parts — in the parts, remanufacturing, and service markets — comes back to the company's relentless determi- nation to improve. As a company, Valley Truck Parts uses a strong focus on product, process and purpose knowledge to grow, and Troost says the company's hiring and training is built around that message. "The overall company vision is communicated with our employees," he says. "We set yearly and quarterly company initiatives, along with personal goals to stay in alignment with the overall company vision." Valley Trucks Parts was founded in Grand Rapids, Mich., in the 1950s as a wrecker and salvage busi- ness. The company grew to add retail parts sales, service and remanufacturing capa- bilities in the decades that followed before expanding throughout Michigan with four more stores — Traverse City, Gaylord, Warren and St. Joseph — in the early 90s. Each Michigan facility sells new, used and in-house remanufactured products. Three also have service cen- ters offering comprehensive repairs, as well as collision and body work and truck refurbishing. The company's remanu- facturing operation also is one of largest by an indepen- dent distributor. Valley Truck Parts is an Eaton Authorized Rebuilder, Allison Autho- rized Rebuilder and offers its own line of Platinum Series remanufactured compo- nents. Valley Truck Parts also backs its Platinum Series with its own parts and labor warranty. This helps ensure a cus- tomer's experience with Valley Truck Parts is a positive one. "It's our job to deliver on our successful formula of availability, quality and service to that customer and earn their trust," Troost says. The culture at Valley Truck Parts also seeks out other op- portunities that will help the business improve. Troost says training is a priority for the company. With such a large product offering, Valley Truck Parts is regularly schedul- ing and seeking out the best training opportunities for its team. Valley Truck Parts also has the unique advantage of a na- tional wholesale network that adds to the company's market presence. Added recently, the 11 wholesale locations serve the company's national accounts, and distribute the company's remanufactured product lines. Valley's focus on con- tinuous improvement can be found in those locations as well, says Troost. "Valley has a successful formula of availability, qual- ity, service and internal cost control through defi ned pro- cess. Our customers rely on us for same day or next day service and have confi dence the product they are selling has value," he says. More information on Valley Truck Parts, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., can be found at www.valleytruckparts.com. Valley Truck Parts at a glance While its retail distribution centers are all based in Michigan, Valley Truck Parts also has 11 nationwide wholesale distribution centers for its remanufacturing products. Source: Google Maps, Valley Truck Parts 14 T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E | O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 Valley Truck Parts DOTY Finalist By Lucas Deal, Editor lucasdeal@randallreilly.com Truck refurbishing is just one of the value-added services Valley Truck Parts offers through its three service locations.