We the People - Fall 2019 Issue #4

FOR 10+ YEARS! hank You

Without the hard work and dedication of our employees, our success at Worldwide Equipment would not be possible. Day in and day out, our employees remain committed to the highest standard of excellence. We extend our greatest appreciation to those who have been with us through it all.

NOVEMBER

RANDY DOVE 46

JAMES DUNCAN 38

WILLIAM MOORE 30

JAY MCGRANAHAN 29

ERNEST STOKLEY 29

TERRY ALLMAN 27

NICHOLAS CROWDER 26

DAVID DAUGHERTY 26

DANNY WHITAKER 26

ROBERT BLEVINS 26

MICHELLE SEGRESS 25

DECEMBER

KEITH WILLIAMS 40

TIMOTHY KUHN 33

LORNE SHEARER 28

FREDDIE KEGLEY 27

AMY ADKINS 24

ROY HOLLAND 12

OCTOBER

MARY HALL 47

JIMMY COLE 38

TAMMY AUSMUS 36

DANIEL TROXELL 30

LISA PENNINGTON 27

SAMUEL CARR 26

BENNY SEAGRAVES 26

JERRY WALLACE 25

AUDREY PRATT 25

SHEILA HODGE 23

JAMES MABES 21

JAMES TROUTWINE 12

NANCY BUSH 12

KEITH CREMEANS 11

GARY GIBSON 10

MART GIBSON 10

DAVID ANDERS 21

MARSHALL WOLFENBARGER 21

DONALD MORRISON 20

WILLIAM MCGLOCKLIN 16

CHARLES CALDER 15

BETTY BLAKE 15

SILAS SLONE 14

JOSHUA BARNES 13

TIMMY JOHNSON 12

JAMES LEMASTER 11

EDGAR LEMASTER 12

KEVIN FISHER 11

HOWARD VANCE 10

SCOTT BLEVINS COO

It is my hope this finds you and your family doing well. In the past Mr. Dotson provided information in this section of WE the People. I think it is a good thing to let people know what is going on in and around the company. I will try to provide some insight for where WE are, where WE are going, and how you can make a difference.

Thanks to your efforts, our company is doing well. WE are healthy financially and positioning ourselves for the long haul. Investments in facilities, both new roof tops as well as improvements to existing buildings and properties, continue.

Summerville, South Carolina is one of the most modern heavy-duty truck dealerships in the South East. As modern as the Summerville facility is, the new construction and design for Spartanburg is going to be even better.

Spartanburg will be larger and have improved flow for customers and employees. WE have incorporated a couple of unique features for the facility that I feel will attract customers and

employees.

Our growth doesn’t stop with the remodel and new construction. WE are always looking for additional growing opportunities in other markets and with additional products. WE have some markets that WE are fighting over a handful of customers, yet walking and driving by opportunities for revenue and gross profit. While WE have performed well, I will continue to challenge the dealerships to perform to what it should be.

I started working for Worldwide Equipment in 1993. I was 26 years old. I needed a job, with very little understanding what I should be doing. I distinctly remember attending my very first division mangers meeting. There was a lot of anxiety for me. While I had traveled all over eastern Kentucky, selling or delivering parts, selling or delivering trucks, I had never been to the Corporate Offices of Worldwide Equipment.

In the spring of 1994, I left Somerset one afternoon driving to Prestonsburg for my first Division Managers meeting. I stopped at a gas station asking for directions for Worldwide Equipment. The guy didn’t know of Worldwide until I said something about Mack Trucks. The guy knew where East Kentucky Mack was. The meeting was being held at the Holiday Inn. That evening WE had dinner at a local restaurant in Betsey Lane, KY. I was nervous, felt like I didn’t belong in this group. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do.

The next morning was breakfast at the Holiday Inn, I ate breakfast by myself - I didn’t know anyone very well yet. I moved to the meeting

room. The managers started to file in and take their seats. I didn’t know where I should sit. I had my jacket and tie. I was nervous. I looked around at all of Division Managers. There were folks from all (4) states WE had store locations in.

I didn’t believe I should have been part of this group. The folks I was in the room with had been with the company for years. Those folks had sold trucks and trailers, loads of parts. These people were responsible for the success of this business. I was just a farm kid from Kentucky with nothing more than the desire to try and do a good job even though I didn’t know what a good job really looked like. The meeting started. Mr. Dotson was leading the conversation. He described the culture of the company. Mr. Dotson was beaming with pride. The company was doing well. In the past year or so, Worldwide Equipment had grown. A new location in Abingdon, Virginia. A new location in Cincinnati, Ohio opened in early 1992. The addition of the Mack product in Lexington, Kentucky, and the purchase of the dealership I worked for in Somerset was a good part of the conversation. It was exciting to see this company growing and being successful. I remember being nervous, I remember being concerned if I should even be at the meeting. I didn’t fit with this group of people. They were smart, they were successful. They were Worldwide. I was new to this organization and I was new to all the things Worldwide was doing. I don’t remember everything; I really don’t remember much of anything about the meeting topics at all. What I do recall is how much I

wanted to be a part of this company. A place that talked about people, a place that talked about taking care of customers, a place that talked about doing the right things. A place that I wanted to be.

I got excited about what this company could be and what it could offer me. I wanted to be a part of this.

Several years have gone by since that very first meeting, there are a lot of things that have happened. WE have grown roof tops, markets, products, and states WE operate in. One thing that has remained consistent is the talk about people.

Many of you may have heard me speak about the definition of WE. WE as defined by the Webster dictionary is “a group of people that include me”. I think that is something very powerful. I started with this company as someone that just needed a job. I didn’t believe I was supposed to belong in the Division Managers meeting. Yet I wanted to be a part of this company. I wanted to be in a group of people that included me.

Through the years the company has witnessed many things. The continual decline of the coal business in our back yard. Our diversification in other markets and products. A near death experience. Changes to rules and regulations that could have spelled the end of the company. However, our people have always tried to do the right thing. Take care of our employees, so they can take care of the customers, so the customers will pay us, so WE can take care of our employees. That circle never breaks. It continues with people that care. That care is habit forming. I believe that habits are what drive results. Good habits will drive good results and bad habits… well you understand.

Our current business climate is still very good. While currently there is more supply for equipment than demand, this year will still rank in the top 5 all time for Class 8 truck registrations. Our company has done a good job recognizing this. WE knew the pace of new truck orders and build would not be sustainable. WE knew the market would soften and put pressure on used truck values and parts inventory. While some of our actions were met with resistance and minor protest, I believe WE are in a great position.

Other dealers will not be as fortunate. This most likely will lead to additional growth opportunities in the coming months and years. Today our new and used inventory is in great shape. Our back-log orders for new trucks re-

mains strong and solid. WE have committed orders throughout the entire calendar year 2020 with several long-term customers. WE continue to improve our parts inventory. Our central support team will be planning and processing all stock orders by calendar year end. The stores will only be required to process emergency orders to satisfy customer needs. WE are upgrading our network and IT support. Our partnership with Helion will allow more time from our staff to dedicate to training and development of people and our business. Our 401k retirement plan continues to grow. WE recently exceeded a balance of $23 million dollars. I strongly encourage you to participate. If you are already participating, I would encourage you to save and invest more. The single largest challenge facing working people today is having enough retirement income. A 401k retirement plan is simply defined as a replacement for income. Our company matches dollar for dollar up to $1,000.00 cap for each qualified participant. This is free money to the employees.

Over the past several months, WE have conducted employee opinion surveys for all the locations. By the time you receive this publication, Terry and I will have met with 100% of the locations and all of the employees that participated in the survey that were working the day WE did the review.

The survey is important to us. The most important and fun part is the opportunity to sit down and talk to everyone about their opinion, their views, and their desires. I enjoy learning about our people and what WE might be able to do to make it better.

One of the items WE talked about in every store was tooling. My grandfather was a machinist. He made a living working with tools. He always told me to buy the very best tool that I could afford. I have always tried to do just that. While it is the sign of a poor craftsman that blames his tool, it is also important to have the correct tool to do the job. WE want the newest tools WE can afford to perform the job.

Your safety commitments are working. Your efforts have reduced our work accidents significantly. That is certainly not luck. It is and will continue to be a focus for our company. Our desire is to send every employee back home to their family each day just as safe as when they arrived. I am very proud of your efforts and performance. I look forward to the day WE have zero workplace injuries.

Over the years, there are many things that remain constant. Our desire to grow. Our desire

to be diverse. Our desire to always be about the people. Our business will always be about people.

Automation, artificial intelligence, technology, alternative power, predictive maintenance, there are so many things in the industry that distract. Having been in this industry as long as I have, those distractions have also been there every step of the way. Electronic Engines, Hours of Service, ABS, Automated Transmissions. Automatic Slack Adjusters. Roll Stability. Vorad. All of these things have become just a part of our industry, an industry made of people. Those distractions will continue as will the ability to solve problems and offer solutions will be with people.

I had written earlier about the first Division Manager meeting I attended. Being a part of a group of people that includes me was how I got hooked. Being a part of a culture of sales is one of the many reasons I want to be a part of this company. I want to be known for the actions and habits, not for the products WE have access to. I want to win business by adding value, not having the lowest price. I want to solve customers problems. I want to help a customer either make money or save money. If I can do that, I should win their trust, confidence, and their business. Helping people accomplish success will provide success for you.

Three simple questions for every customer… Where do you buy it?

Why do you buy it there?

If I can do that, would you buy it from me? Those three questions have won me a lot of business over the years. If you want to use those questions in your quest for doing business, please do so. There is no copy right or restrictions from asking EVERY customer for something they are not buying from you. While it won’t work every time, the win percentage is good!

I will close this note with a thank you. Thank you for being a part of our company. Thank you for caring about our people, our customers, our suppliers, and about each other. Thank you for your efforts, your desire, and your commitment to be better tomorrow than you were yesterday. Thank you for believing in this group of people that include me. May God continue to shine his blessings on you, our wonderful country, and OUR great company.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

“Over the years, there are many things that remain constant. Our desire to grow. Our desire to be diverse. Our desire to always be about the people. Our business will always be about people.”

By the People,

WE asked you to submit to us your success stories, events, and family updates, and your response was astounding! See what the rest of your WE family has been up to.

Complete Truck & Trailer

WELCOME TO THE WORLD, LILLY ANN

Congratulations to service tech Jacob Raley and his wife Sandy Raley on the birth of their daughter. Lilly Ann Raley was born July 18th, 2019 and is the youngest of two children.

LABOR DAY KICKOFF COOKOUT

On September 4th, 2019, Complete Truck and Trailer enjoyed a successful and competitive Labor Day cookoff! Members of the 67 WE family were invited to put their cooking skills to the test in a competition of homemade dishes. Everyone reaped the delicious rewards, and turnout was significant. The grand prize winner was Mike Fields, who won $20 for his showstopping chili. Second place was Donna Ashe with two entries: corn casserole and buffalo ranch chicken dip. WE are fortunate to share such good times and good food as a family!

For the People Louisa

KEVIN FISHER

The Louisa division would like to recognize Kevin Fisher for being selected as the Navistar/ASE Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year. Kevin was awarded this title based on his outstanding performance on the ASE tests as well as meeting specific parameters set by Navistar.

Navistar will be recognizing Kevin at an awards banquet on Wednesday, November 13th in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Scott Resort & Spa. ASE hosts these annual awards in conjunction with the ASE Board of Governors meeting. Navistar will be covering the cost of travel, two nights at a hotel, and meals for Kevin and a guest of his choice. How exciting!

Kevin was selected from a database of all technicians who work for Navistar and took the ASE tests in the last year. He is one of only 55 technicians across the country who will be honored at the awards banquet. WE are very proud of Kevin for his achievement and are fortunate to have his talent at Worldwide Equipment!

Worldwide Ford A BIT CHILI ON A HOT DAY

The city of Marion recognized Worldwide Ford as a corporate sponsor of their annual chili cookoff in July. During the event, the city thanked the employees and staff for their contributions to the community. Pictured to the right are Bill Woods, Ken Heath, and Jen Blevins. WE are so proud of our Ford dealership!

Corporate

GIVE A LITTLE BIT

Pictured above are employees and students of the Michael Dunn Center in Knoxville, who were the very happy recipients of an Isuzu NPR 16’ box truck earlier this year! The truck was gifted to them by our president, Terry Dotson. WE strive to have a positive impact on the communities around us, and seeing smiling faces like this makes it all worth while!

Mont and Nancy Bush are shown here looking striking while celebrating 25 years of marriage in the Bahamas.

BABY WESTON

Nancy Bush’s aunt Libby and daughter Lexi are shown here repping a $5000 check for new uniforms, courtesy of Chris Stapleton!

Congratulations to Karen Sergent on the birth of her grandson. Weston Matthew Hensley was born in Lexington on August 27th, 2019. He weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz and measured 20 inches long!

Amy Adkin’s daughter, Chloe, is looking stylish for her first day of junior year!

SUPERIOR CARRIERS

Customer shoutout! Check out this cool wrapped Mack, driven by a veteran who works for Superior Carriers. Scott Blevins had the opportunity to attend their annual rodeo and speak to the vice president.

Greenville

BACK TO SCHOOL RULES!

Kids and grandkids of our Greenville WE family are all dressed up and ready to go back to school!

Adriana Covert with Justin Staton & Lianna Covert

Hunter White

Conner Manser Harper, Luke, & Knox Rice

Kacey & Sawyer Scott

Sylvia Van Essen

Harley, Hayden, Hailey, & Harrison

Eli Burdette

Kloee Bob Montgomery’s Granddaughter

Jack and Jill Stapleton (yup, you heard that right!), children of Carla Stapleton, are all ready for back to school!

Bob Montgomery’s Grandchildren

Knoxville

YEARS OF SERVICE

Worldwide Equipment Knoxville would like to acknowledge the following people for reaching a year of service milestone.

Thank you for all your hard work!

Marshall (Jr.) Wolfenbarger - 20 years

Michael Molinari - 20 years

Greg Benson - 20 years

James “Bobo” Phillips - 20 years

Jeff Vesper- 5 years

Cory Weimer - 5 years

LAYING THE HURTT ON ‘EM

Parker Hurtt is the son of Zabe Hurtt, the grandson of Jeff Taylor, and both an avid sports enthusiast and participant! He is shown here with a certificate receiving his yellow belt in karate (middle), and with an MVP game ball!

Jim Toussaint and Robert Gomez gifted a plaque to the Tennessee State Highway Department.

Scenes from this year’s SC&RA Association Convetion in Houston, Texas

Cross Lanes Bus Garage

GLAD TO BE AT WVAPT

Herb Bleigh, Tim Martin, Tim Mackie, and Shawn Hutchinson are seen here representing us at the WVAPT (West Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation) 2019 Tradeshow, held at Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV this July. Brian Bennett, shown far right, taught several classes.

Dayton

WE’LL MISS YOU, MIKE

Mike Iones retired on August 29th, 2019. He worked at our Cincinnati location from 2000 - 2007, and in our Dayton Location 2016 - 2019. Enjoy your retirement, Mike! You deserve it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

And you, and you, and you... Chattanooga had a lot of August birthdays! Happy birthday to Darrell, Gary, Eylene, Sandy, Andrew, Jason, and Michael!

THEY’VE GOT SOME FISHING TO DO

Congratulations to Jim Duncan and Jerry Beckett for their retirements. Jim retired after 38 years and Jerry after 44 years of work at Worldwide. WE wish them the best in retirement and appreciate the time they spent with us!

JULY 2019 ISSUE CORRECTION

BABY JERHETT

WE would like to congratulate Daniel and Heather Cobb on the birth of their son! Jerhett Avery Cobb was born July 9th, 2019, weighing 6 lbs, 4 oz.

WE would like to apologize for a misprint that was present in the last issue of WE the People. Jerry Wallace’s name was misprinted as “Jeremy” Wallace, and his son Jerry Edward Wallace’s name was misprinted as Edward Wallace.

Princeton

MILITARY MEN

A couple of brave young men from Princeton are soon going to assist in protecting our country.

Hunter Blake Collar, pictured far left, is the son of Princeton operator Jessica Jones. Hunter is currently a senior in high school and has signed with the United States Army. He reported to MEPS in Pittsburgh in September. After graduation, he aspires to pursue a career in the Army elite as an airborne ranger.

Jacob Matthew Neal, pictured middle right, is son of service tech Craig Neal. He has joined the United States Navy and has completed his first required training in Chicago, Illinois. Thank you for your service!

PROUD PARENTS

Congratulations to Andrew Darnell and his wife on the birth of their first baby boy, born July 25th, 2019. He weighed 6 lbs. 15 oz.

DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

Sept. 8th - 14th

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

In the last issue of WE the People, we learned that Miley Blake had sustained an injury that threatened to keep her down for a while. But in the next chapter of the Miley saga, we learn that hasn’t stopped her! She has signed up for cheer in the fall and is currently doing ballet, tumbling, and tap. She has a swim clinic at OSU in November, and she’ll be back in the water in spring. Miley, your resilience is inspiring!

An awesome truck decked out for Breast Cancer Awareness sits on display at Boyd Brothers’ Driver Appreciation Day, 9/13/2019.

Tons of good food, catered by Worldwide, line the tables at Boyd Brothers’ Driver Appreciation Day, 9/13/2019

Dayton and Cincinnati divisions attended USA’s Driver Appreciation Day, 9/10/2019

Kids have been having lots of fun with our safety coloring sheet! Check out these entries from Somerset.

Jane Lew LITTLE ELIJAH

Congratulations, Andy and Michelle Evans, on the birth of your grandson! Elijah Andrew Woodford was born to Drew and Ashley Woodford of Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 27th, 2019, weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz.

A SUPER SWEET BIRTHDAY

All smiles over here! Happy 63rd Birthday to Alan “Harley” Hefner, shown here looking pleased as punch with some goodies from Pal’s.

Somerset

BABY BRENT

Say hello to Brent Wesson Tarter, born August 2nd, 2019 to happy parents Austin & Kylie Tarter. He was 6 lbs. 19 oz. and 19 1/2” long.

JUST MARRIED

Congratulations to Barry & Myra Holman’s daughter, Kalie, on her marriage to Jonathan Muncy on June 22nd, 2019.

Welcome, Fareina Ryan, to Somerset’s parts team!

Adelynn - Keith Whitaker’s Granddaughter

Emmarie Sharp - Neil Sharp’s Granddaughter

Arielle Burton - Joey MacFarland’s Niece

Summerville

JUST MARRIED

Summerville has been blessed with many weddings! Take a look at these happy newlyweds.

Lexington

HINO CERTIFICATION

Blake Shelton has completed all required online and in-classroom HINO courses and is now HINO CERTIFIED! Way to go, Blake!

OFFICIALLY RETIRED

Congratulations to Jerry Beckett on his retirement. He has been a member of the WE family for 44 years. Thank you for all you’ve done for us, Jerry, and enjoy retirement!

We the People - October 2019

Summerville tech Jake Vandermolen and his family outside their new home

Jonathan and Teresa Gardner - 6/5/2019

Nick and Breanna Redmond - 6/5/2019

Michael and Alison Wayne - 2/16/2019

Harlow Reese McDaniel, born June 20th at 8 lbs. 15 oz! Third daughter of Kenneth McDaniel.

WHAT DO OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY?

Where would WE be without our customers? We always strive for excellence in customer service and want to make sure that each customer has the easiest, most enjoyable experience possible. When performance is especially stellar, WE always appreciate it when our customers drop us a 5-star review!

“A big thank you to Bill and the employees of Worldwide Ford. My truck was broken down on the interstate and they got me in touch with a wrecker and had my truck diagnosed and repaired the next morning. Great group of people! ”

BRIAN STUART

Marion, VA

“These guys can get you anything you want for your Kenworth. Very friendly, very fast, and pretty reasonable prices.”

CLARK McCALL Greenville, SC

“Nice place, fast service. Had been to 4 other Kenworth shops, none had fixed the issue. These guys fixed it in 2 hours, and back on the road.”

“Great staff, very knowledgeable, great prices, and no BS. I would use them anytime I’m through there. - From the guy with the big purple W900. Keep up the great work! ”

EDGAR JOHNSON

Abingdon, VA

MARK STACK

Columbia, SC

Worldwide Equipment’s quarterly news publication is back and WE need YOUR help to make it the best that it can be!

Appropriate submissions include:

Customer Success Stories

Outstanding Employee Spotlight Events/Parties

Family Milestones (marriages, babies, etc.)

Photos (please include photos with your submissions if possible!)

Keep an eye out for the quarterly email containing the link to submit an entry! WE would love to feature you.

And a big thank you to everyone who submitted a story for October’s issue!