U N I O N STATE OF THE

who helped shape our business thoughts; the locations that were added in the early growth of the company; and the areas where we were successful, and in some cases not so successful, that provided valuable lessons.

Scott Blevins President / COO

Hello,

Welcome to the spring edition of WE the People. My hope is you are enjoying the season change and you are just as excited as I am.

Several of the past editions of WE the People included some history of the company in this space. Names of leaders, names of team members, names of customers, and dates that were important to our success. Acknowledging our roots, what made us successful, with an effort to try to identify and describe how WE became WE “a group of people that includes me.”

I appreciate the opportunity to learn about those

From my chair, I can cheer the loudest for the success of our company and each of our folks involved. I get to witness the daily performance of all the business units. I see so many wonderful things our people do to assist customers in their successes, like finding that much needed part or staying a little later to ensure the truck repair is completed so a driver can finish the delivery or get back home to the folks they love.

I see customers that can finally acquire that new or used truck/trailer for the first time or add units to their growing company.

All those things and more do not happen on their own. Someone takes pride, someone cares.

When I first started in this crazy business 36 years ago, I just needed a job. I had a wife and a son and no health insurance. I was concerned for my family. WE did not have enough money to get sick. Could not afford to go to the doctor for a fever that would not go away, or something even more serious or scary.

I soon discovered I was surprisingly good at my job. I liked what I did each day and the folks I worked for liked it too. Sometimes they would even tell me that.

I got to know our customers. Our dealership sold them parts and fixed their trucks. Occasionally, I was able to get behind the wheel and deliver a new or used truck and/or trailer to a customer. Maybe it was because they could not find someone else to drive. Maybe it was because a customer liked me, or maybe it was because I was simply trying to pay my bills and make more money by helping.

Thirty plus years ago, I was introduced to Terry Dotson. Terry was going to purchase the dealership where I worked. While I was reluctant at first, I quickly found a place where I felt like I belonged.

I was able to become part of something much bigger. Worldwide Equipment became a place where I could collaborate with others, learn something every day, and then put those things to work helping customers and team members be successful.

I had a purpose. I could make an impact, and the potential was limitless. There was a time in my life I did not feel that way. Our company allowed me an opportunity to make a difference.

Today, our company has grown considerably. Hundreds of folks have found a place where they can have a purpose, make an impact, and have the potential to achieve their wants and needs.

Whatever those things are, the opportunity is here.

WE very recently completed our FY2023 accounting period. Many records were broken this past year. Our parts departments and service teams set monthly records for revenue. Our mobile service operations continue to grow and prosper. This too did not just happen, someone took pride, someone cared.

Today WE have more technicians, more mobile service vehicles and more outside parts salespeople than ever before in our history. This past year WE invested more in training and development than ever before. Our commitment to developing and improving has never been greater.

However, our industry continues to change. Regulations regarding emissions, electric vehicles, alternative power, trucks without drivers, and artificial intelligence to plan routes and deliveries are in constant industry news. The pressure associated with adopting and implementing these options will only increase. Having the training and the knowledge to assist our customers will continue to add to our value proposition.

Our company continues to grow to meet the needs of our customers. Plans are underway soon to begin construction for a new dealership facility in Valdosta Ga. This past year WE increased our outside parts sales team by twenty-one members. Our forecast for this coming year calls for twelve more to meet our needs.

Today, WE have over three hundred service and body shop technicians, with more needed in most, if not all, locations. Our adoption of customer communication during our service repair process is working. WE will add Premier Care Gold and Certified uptime centers in several locations this year.

WE have made significant changes in our Full-Service Lease and Rental offerings. WE have identified the segment of business that fits our ability to support and service customer needs. While there is much to do, WE can see the impacts of those changes.

This past year, WE sold all the new trucks that were allotted. WE were unable to meet some of the customers’ needs due to our inability to secure more new truck production from our manufacturing partners. I believe this will continue to be a challenge this coming year.

WE have our first battery electric vehicle on order. WE will have a minimum of two dealerships that will be EV certified to sell and service batteries and electric vehicles. The dealership will include charging stations to support the customers and products.

This too is a significant investment, and WE expect a reasonable profitable return.

What will the future bring to Worldwide Equipment? Maybe the question

What will the future bring to Worldwide Equipment? Maybe the question is better asked as “what will Worldwide Equipment bring to the future?” is better asked as “What will Worldwide Equipment bring to the future?”

WE will continue to keep our eyes on the horizon for new markets and new products.

WE will continue to offer training and development opportunities for all employees.

WE will continue to provide a workplace environment that is safe and secure. A workplace for collaboration, learning, and engagement.

WE will continue to provide opportunities for people to find success with their wants and needs within our company.

WE will continue to look for and provide solutions for our customers’ transportation needs and provide value to their operations.

WE will continue to look for improvements in processes and procedures.

WE will continue to provide the very best of quality tools WE can afford (a lesson my grandfather taught me).

WE will continue to ask that each of our team members be the very best they are capable of being for them and for our company.

I am not entirely sure what fuel will be in the tank of tomorrow’s trucks. I am unsure what the motor or transmission of power will look like. I am unsure what the cab, sleeper, box, or bed might be. I am sure there will be a need for someone to sell it, or sell parts and pieces of it, and someone to service, repair, and support it. I am sure it will be WE, a group of people that includes me.

I am enormously proud of the performance and accomplishments of all our employees and teams. Understanding and accepting our process and procedures has provided the resources necessary to achieve our results.

I want to thank all our team members for the things they do each day, both big and small to ensure our success today and for our future.

WE, this group of people that includes me, is incredibly special to me. Allowing you and me to have a purpose and make an impact, with the opportunity to achieve the things WE want and need in our personal and professional lives.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this group.