WE the People - Summer 2022 Issue #14

State of the Union

In 1957 a young man named Fred Langley was working selling insurance in Roane County and surrounding East Tennessee areas. There was a sales meeting called by Fred’s regional manager for a Thursday morning; Fred had a prior scheduled doctor’s appointment and was forced to miss the meeting. The regional manager, who happened to be attempting to win a contest, was not happy that his star salesperson missed his sales meeting. The next day, the manager and Fred did not have a happy communication. Fred decided it was time to make a career change.

Terry Dotson President-Chairman-CEO

I hope this issue of We the People finds you well, and that good things are happening for you and your personal and work families. In a previous issue, we took time to discuss some of the history of what we know today as Worldwide Equipment: in this issue, our goal will be to share more details of our beginnings.

After World War II, three brothers Joe, Ed, and Ray Browder started a small Ford dealership in the town of Harriman, TN. Harriman is located about 40 miles west of Knoxville in Roane County, TN at the base of the Cumberland Plateau, near the beginning of the central time zone. The mighty Clinch River, which begins between Bluefield and Tazewell, VA, flows close to Harriman.

Harriman happened to be at the Intersection of US27 and US70, which were two important East/West (70) and North/ South (27) routes long before 140 and 175. The interstate system was created after World War II by President Eisenhower. General Eisenhower was Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during WWII, and he discovered the value of needing roads to move a military during war!

Many folks do not know that the primary reason for the interstates were to move military, troops, and equipment, not cars, motorhomes, and trucks.

Over the following weekend, Fred decided he wanted to try his talents in the car business. There were two car dealerships in Harriman, one Chevrolet and one Ford dealer. He asked his father, a railroad man, which dealership he thought might be best. His father told him, ”I’m a Ford man,” and suggested he try Harriman Motors. Fred met with one of the Browder Brothers and soon began his career selling for Harriman Motor Company. Fred was an extremely successful salesperson and rapidly worked himself into the Sales Manager position, working with two other mangers, Cecil MullinsGeneral Manager and Ken Warren, Finance/Credit Manager. These three leaders excelled in their areas and quickly built success.

By the early 1960’s, the company’s success led to openings of East Tennessee Ford on Clinton Highway in Knoxville, TN, the current location of Lance Cunningham Ford. Around the same time, East Tennessee Ford opened a full line Ford Truck Dealership on Truckers Lane, the current operation of Beaty Chevrolet on Parkside Drive in West Knoxville. Many of you have stayed in the Embassy Suites on Parkside Drive which was built on property that was once a part of the land of East Tennessee Ford.

East Tennessee Ford was huge in the Heavy Ford business throughout the state, the region, and the entire nation. Known as “The House of Service,” East Tennessee Ford became the largest

You are now part of our today and are also part of our very being. Store by store, territory by territory, and most importantly person by person, WE have grown to what you each make us today.

Ford Truck dealership in North America. East Tennessee Ford sold a great number of Ford trucks, especially red Ford trucks! Cecil Mullins, the General Manager, was known to say you can buy any color of stock truck you want at East Tennessee Ford as long as it is RED!

Fred Langley was “The Man” in charge of East Tennessee Trucks sales and marketing, and he “managed” to sell many Ford trucks all over America!

Sometime during 1966, Fred and the management team at East Tennessee Ford began to realize that the 391, 477, and 534 cubic inch Ford gasoline engines were not going to satisfy the needs of a growing dump truck market in the Appalachian coal fields. There were 12 counties located in the far eastern part of Kentucky that were not an assigned territory of any Mack Truck branch or dealership.

Fred packed his bags and flew off to the “truck capital of the world,” Allentown, PA, to sell his idea to the President and CEO of Mack Trucks, Zenon C.R. Hanson. Mr. Hanson was and still is a legend in Mack Truck history.

Once Fred arrived to see Mr. Hanson, Fred found him extremely interested in doing a deal with the largest Ford truck dealer in North America. Mr. Hanson and Fred Langley came to an agreement, and the birth of Eastern Mack began. Fred returned home and immediately proceeded to Eastern Kentucky to find property. Once he arrived in the Prestonsburg, KY area, he arranged for the Browder investment group to buy property from Harry Ranier. Shortly after that, a corporation was formed for $25,000 and a roll of dimes in the cash box. In January 1967, Eastern Kentucky Mack had a building, franchise, corporation, and few employees. Then the adventure entered its next chapter.

The new company was bankrolled by the Browder family holdings and overseen by a company named Eastern Management, which at that time was located just off Papermill Road in Knoxville. The group of companies were East Tennessee Ford, Harriman Oil, Harriman Motor Company, and several others. They were managed by Cecil Mullins, Ken Warren, and Fred Langley. The Browder family from Harriman, TN were the principal shareholders.

Sometime during the 60s, two East Tennessee Ford employees Gene Crass, “the sales guy,” and John Smallman, the manager, along with Jim McClung, a native of Rupert, WV, became the management and eventual owners of what began as Eastern Kentucky Mack. The beginning of Eastern Kentucky Mack soon expanded to Charleston, WV by purchasing the Mack Truck branch in 1969. In 1971, Eastern Kentucky Mack was named Mack Truck Dealer of the Year. Also in this year, a new building was built in Middlesboro, KY; it became Mid-South Mack. In 1972, Bluefield Mack opened at 536 Bluefield Ave; in 1974 it moved to Princeton, WV and was rebranded as Mid Mountain Mack.

This group began to call themselves “Mack’s Big Four.” This is an overview of the beginnings of what WE now call Worldwide Equipment. The name Worldwide came about in 1975, not long after the Northern Branch in West Virginia opened in the little town of Weston. The name Worldwide was chosen solely on the two letters W.E. It was the best name they found to use the WE and later developed our Registered Trademark logo.

This is how WE started and developed in our early years. You are now part of our today and are also part of our very being. Store by store, territory by territory, and most importantly person by person, WE have grown to what you each make us today.

In a future publication of “We the People” we will add chapters to this history and detail how your locations became part of the WE family.

Thanks to each of you for all you do to make WE special. Our first quarter of business has been good solely because of the leadership, management, hard work, and efforts of our people. The weather has been hot everywhere, and we thank all of you for your efforts in making “WE” successful. We appreciate each of you and your personal and work families. Thank you and God Bless all of you and all our family, and may He continue to Bless our company.

HOW WE STARTED

Eastern Kentucky Mack was formed in Prestonburg, KY.

Purchased Mountain State Mack Inc. in Charleston, WV.

Established Mid South Mack in Middlesboro, KY.

Purchased Bluefield Mack in Bluefield, WV.

Terry Dotson joined Bluefield Mack.

Mountain State Mack Northern Division in Weston, WV consolidated to WE.

Purchased Mountaineer Mack in Huntington, WV. Dotson named COO.

James “Buck” Harless purchases majority interest in WE.

Kenworth Trucks to offering. WE Lexington, as Kenworth

Kenworth Trucks added to product offering.

WE opens in Lexington, KY as Kenworth dealer.

WE becomes an ESOP company by purchasing Mr. Harless’ ownership shares.

Worldwide Equipment

Established Service Parts Inc. in Lexington, Ky. Blue Ridge Kenworth purchased in Abingdon, VA and parts only in Norton, VA.

Cincinnati Mack purchased in Cincinnati, OH.

Lexington, KY.

South Kentucky Mack purchased in Somerset, KY.

Blevins joins WE .

Lexington Mack purchased in

Volunteer Volvo purchased in Knoxville TN, adding Volvo to product offerings

Volvo Trucks dealership established in Chattanooga, TN.

Knoxville Mack purchased in Knoxville, TN.

Dayton Evans purchased in Dayton, OH.

Benson Service Center acquired in Lowmansville, KY.

Purchased General Trucks in South Charleston, WV.

Scott Blevins named COO.

Purchased Cherokee Kenworth in Columbia and Greenville, SC.

Established WE North Charleston, SC and Johnson City, TN.

Fire Prestonsburg dealership.

Volvo AB purchases Mack Trucks Inc.

Tennessee Trucks purchased in Chattanooga, TN.

Combined Mack and Volvo into one dealership in Chattanooga, TN.

2000 2003 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012

WHERE WE ‘RE GOING

Service Manager Summit 2022

Written by: Gary Coffman

With all the issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus it’s been a challenge to conduct an on-site meeting with all the Service Managers from around the company. Not since 2019 has this happened. Finally! On June 8, 2022 in Knoxville, TN, WE were able to host a Service Managers Summit. WE kicked off the event with a State of the Union by Scott Blevins. Following Scott’s opening remarks, a WE trivia contest was arranged, and a grand prize presented to the winner. This year’s winner was David Daugherty from Branch 03 – Somerset. Congratulations David!

The continuance of the day and a half conference dealt with multiple topics related to Service Operations. The presenters were: Scott Blevins, Marty Kellogg, Doug Hertel, Denise Newsome, Brandon McDonald, Heather Klink, and Gary Coffman. A special thanks to Mr. Dotson for his key words of business practice. WE expressed the importance of employee recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention. What does our future look like?

How do WE pass on experience and knowledge to a new generation of technicians? How do WE keep them?

WE discussed Service Management topics of Repair Order management, Work in Process (WIP) management, and Service Metrics, the numbers of what “Good” looks like. Additionally, WE examined the future of Mobile Service and the support of our customers remotely at their facilities. How do WE provide a better, more convenient repair solution for them?

Finally, WE analyzed the overall customer experience. What happens when the truck enters the facility till the time it leaves? How do WE provide the WE-Way of the customer experience? What is it that WE do well to entice our customers to return to our locations?

Amongst all the business rhetoric, WE also found time to enjoy each other’s company during a Wednesday evening gathering at Calhoun’s on the River. The venue and food were terrific. It was wonderful to see everyone together and able share personal and work stories to generate the camaraderie WE need to succeed. You know, the overall takeaway from those two days is Communication. Communication internally and externally. It’s in all aspects of our business. If WE just take the time to communicate with each other properly and professionally, WE will discover that success is merely one step away. It’s just as simple as that. I look forward to our next event in 2023.

David Daugherty, winner of the trivia contest, accepting the grand prize from Scott Blevins

Leadership dinner at the Chesapeake’s Seafood in Knoxville. “The flown in fresh food was over the top!” - Tim Morgan

WE the People - Summer 2022

Mike Apple, our director of Parts Sales and Marketing, graduated from ATD (American Truck Dealers) Dealer Academy Class 046 with commencement on June 09 2022. This is a photo of the class trip to the US Capitol building. Mike represented our company very well and WE are proud of his accomplishments .

BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

The whole company welcomes you and looks forward to your successful journey with us! WE are delighted to have you here!

OFFICE MANAGER MEETING 2022

A wonderful learning opportunity with fun and friends from all over! Thanks to all who made this special for us Office Mangers!

GOOD LUCK, JOE! WORKIN HARD

luck on your new endeavor.

WE just had to seize the moment when Roy Holland was caught hard at work one morning. Keep up the good work, Roy!

Joe Woody, WE will surely miss you! Best of

Jacob Service Advisor Kerry & Layne Service Technicians

Tanner & Jonathan Parts Kody Service Kendel Service

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

PRECIOUS LITTLE ONE

louisa, ky

Eddie Lemaster celebrating his birthday on June 24th. WE hope it was an outstanding

Congratulations Barton & LeShae Ausmus in outside parts sales on their newest addition born March 6, 2022, Cayson Scott! Congratulations to Tammy on being a first time Nana!

The Middlesboro Coach Pitch League season tournament champions! Congratulations Chance Woody for a great season!

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

WE can’t wait to see everything that you will accomplish!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Congratulations to parents Joey and Amy McFarland on Josie! Congratulations to first time grandparents Jo Ann Proffit and David Daugherty on Gracelynn!

Frankie Harden, Alec Gover, and Joe Tarter Parts

JT Kunch Service

Gracelynn Rose Pence

Born May 19 6lb 8oz 20 inches long

Josie McFarland

Born March 25 7lb 8oz 18¼ inches long

WELCOME HOME

WE are happy to have you as our teams parts manager, and glad to have you back in your hometown.

HVAC DONE RIGHT

WE alongside MEI Corporation provided heavy duty HVAC training for our team on May 19th.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

Somerset knows how to have a good time! This is a compilation of their celebrations for Father’s Day and the Fourth of the July with a small touch of birthday acknowledgment!

ENCORE, MILEY!

YOU’VE BEEN EGG’D!

Betty Blake’s daughter Miley is in dance and went to Nashville July 6-10 to perform with others. In order to do this, she did a fundraiser. One of the fundraisers they did was called “you’ve been egg’d”, and they chose to “egg” our service manager’s office on the Saturday before Easter.

Photos from Miley Blake’s dance recital for 2022. This included a combination of Ballet, Tap and Tumbling. WE are so proud of you!

HOLE IN ONE

MANAGER MEETING HI, LANDON!

This was the first office manager meeting since COVID-19. WE were blessed to meet some new friends, and visiting with our old friends. It was a great meeting! Thank you for having us!

us almost a full year now!

Landon Fussnecker came from Laurel Oaks and has been with

Golfing outing for Laurel Oak Trade School. WE get most of our younger techs from here.

dayton, oh

WE’RE GROWING

WE welcome all of your newer faces! WE are proud to have you all as part of our ever growing team, and WE look forward to celebrating your future successes with you!

Bradley Barker Parts

Tom Oldham Parts

Madison Roberts and Kevin Dull Parts

Aaron Doyle Intern

Chloe Osborne Parts Delivery Driver

Stephen Martin, Damion Cornett, & Emanuel Gibson Service

Jeff Heiser Forman

Erica Lenoir Parts

Keegan Stroupe Technician

Tabitha Profitt Parts

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION

Christine Sladewski’s daughter Riley and Donna Mullin’s son Hunter are offical graduates of 2022! WE are proud of you!

columbia, sc

BATTER UP

Tom Oldham’s granddaughter Miya was invited to throw the first pitch at the Dayton Dragon’s game on June 5th. They won 8-3! Congratulations to both!

TACOS FOR TWO

A surprise luncheon was thrown in honor of Tabitha and little miss Oaklynn due on July 14! She’s not even here yet, but her favorite food is tacos!

cross lanes, wv

THE BUS PEOPLE TRADE SHOW

Every year in July, West Virginia attends a bus banquet and trade show. WE steal the show with all of the goodies we use to set the tables, and this year was no exception. At the auction dinner, Steve Bradley auctioned himself off to be pie’d in the face for $75! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication in creating a memorable and successful event.

TAKING NAMES AND BUSTIN’ CLAY

Herb Bleigh helped organize a Skeet Shoot as a scholarship fundraising opportunity

LET’S PAR-TEE

Steve Bradley, Rick Ahart (WE), and Pat Clark (Putnam County Schools) at a golfing fund raiser for WV Health Care Assosciation.

LEADERS CREATING LEADERS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CLOWNIN’ FOR A CAUSE

LET’S GET CRAY

Adam Newman came and cooked a delicious low country boil to celebrate Valdosta having a record month. Congratuatlations on all your hard work and achievements!

Jonathan “Teddy Bear” Patterson celebrating Red Nose day to help end child poverty.

WE Valdosta celebrated service writer Jennifer Yates surprise birthday lunch on June 10th.

Dr Pat Bettin and Curtis Ellis at the Paccar Institute for Managerial Leadership class.

jane lew, wv

WE ARE GRATFUL FOR YOU

Harley Hefner has been with the company for 31 years on July 16th! Congratulations Harley! WE couldn’t do it wouthout you

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK

Ray Riley has been with the company for 7 years! Congratulations Ray! WE are proud to have you with us

johnson city, tn

SO THIS IS LOVE

Hugh Reed and his wife, Kimberly celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary this year. Congratulations!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CJ Ross celebrated his 23rd with us this year. WE are so thankful to have you with us! WE hope it was a fantastic day!

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Corporate has had a few meetings and events this year. WE were thrilled to host our office and parts managers as we created learning opportunities for future growth. WE hope to host more events soon!

AUTOCAR TERMINAL TRACTORS

Tim

customer, Tommy

of Garten Trucking in Covington, VA purchased three new 2023 ACTTs. His company does spotting and logistics for West Rock. He plans to purchase 3-4 terminal tractors from us every 3 years!

CUE THE CONFETTI

Monthly birthday celebrations are always a blast! WE celebrated with ice cream cake and gave out WE goodie bags filled with different items! Happy Birthday, guys!

Morgan’s

Garten

David Anders, Derek Barbee, Jeff Taylor, Chris Hickman, and Josh Barnes

Greg Benson, Don Fox, Doug Garrison, Ed Smith, and Bryan Shaver

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

Congratulations to Hugo for his 10 year anniversary, and to Courtland for his 5 year anniversary! WE couldn’t do it without you!

THE LIMIT IS THE SKY

Michael Toussaint, the son of Knoxville Oporations Manager Jim and his wife Barbara Toussaint, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville, TN! He will be attending Middle Tennessee State University in the fall studying in the Professional Pilot Degree Program. He has been awarded MTSU Presidential Scholarship, MTSU Blue Raider Scholarship, and the Tennessee Hope Scholarship. His career goal is to become a commercial airline pilot for one of the major airlines. Congratulations Michael and good luck on your future endeavors!

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

WE would like to extend a belated welcome to Jermaine and Zack in our detailing shop! WE are happy to have you as part of the team!

OH, BOY! ENJOY!

A baby shower was held in honor of Krista and Albert Striebel as they anxiously await the arrival of their bouncing baby boy. WE are so excited for you! Congratulations!

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE BACK

Scott Wooten unfortunately had a stroke back in January and returned to us in great health and great spirits in June! WE are so happy to have you back!

CELEBRATING YOU

A big happy birthday and thank you to Regina Amaro for all of her hard work here at corporate. WE appreciate everything you do and hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Willbanks had Kiki’s Shaved Ice come to their location as a special thanks to their guys working in the hot summer sun day in and day out. WE appreciate your dedication and your hard work!

DO YOU WANT TO BE IN WE THE PEOPLE?

Of course you do! Are you unsure what to do in order to send in pictures or get information out about events?

It’s simple: let us help you! Go to the marketing page on weportal, and click the submissions link. OR email marketing at marketing@thetruckpeople.com.

NEW FROM HR AND PAYROLL: The Wisely Pay Card Program by ADP

WE now offer the Wisely Pay Card program in addition to traditional direct deposit into your back account. The Wisely Pay Card is a reloadable prepaid Visa or Mastercard that offers several benefits to card holders. There are no application fees, credit checks, or fees needed to use a Wisely Pay Card. It can be used for in-store and online shopping, and has a smart phone app to manage your account 24/7!

Please see your office manager for more information on the Wisely Pay Card Program!

WE are pleased to share a new pay option available for all employees!

CUSTOME R TESTIMONIALS

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!

Great place for truck parts. Good and his crew will get ya going. Jim the outside salesman goes to customers to service part needs. Great people to work with

- Daniel Kuhns

I was broke down and needed help on a Friday and Ross Moran the parts Mgr. Stepped up and went above and beyond to find the part I needed and help me get it within a few hours. Once the part was in they pulled my truck in the shop and now I get to spend the weekend with my family!

- Jeremy Murphy

The service members very nice and helpful. That’s the way it should be. After having trouble with my truck they got on it quick. I called and checked on my truck and they were very helpful and courteous. Thanks for getting my truck back to tip top shape!!

- Anthony Goodwin

CINCINNATI OH

Outstanding customer service, support, and these guys were reliable when we came into their shop. My partner and I came in from Flint, MI and we were treated like regulars, TOP OF THE LINE SERVICE!! Even though my comment didn’t have their things done right on our end they were patient and got the job done for us in a short time frame. Again Thanks guy

- Quanterika McKenzie

REMEMBER THANK Trucker Technician

CONWAY SC

SUMMERVILLE SC

CROSS LANES, WV

CORPORATE

SALES & SERVICE

SUMMERVILLE 843-725-5378

780 Jedburg Road Summerville, SC 29483

ALBANY 229-883-6550

2702 Palmyra Road Albany, GA 31707

DOUGLAS 912-384-8813

121 Bowens Mill Road SE Douglas, GA 31533

VALDOSTA

229-259-9393

1527 Madison Highway Valdosta, GA 31601

SPARTANBURG 864-814-7100

SPARTANBURG 864-814-7100

295 Access Road Spartanburg. SC 29303

SUMMERVILLE 843-725-5378

780 Jedburg Road Summerville, SC 29483