Thriving at 45: Family-Owned Freightliner Dealer Celebrates Anniversary With Continued Growth
Troy, Illinois, September 1, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Milton John Hopkins, III, and two business partners joined together 45 years ago purchasing a White Motor Truck franchise to start a modest truck dealership called Highland White Autocar. The original team of 15 employees in 1970 had the difficult task of establishing a new business and cultivating customers but made $1 Million in sales during their inaugural year. Construction soon began on a new 15,000 sq. ft. facility to meet customer needs and business operations moved the following year to the other side of Highland, a small community 30 miles from St. Louis.
As Freightliner announced plans in 1975 to distribute its own vehicles, the dealership was also in a period of leadership uncertainty as Mr. Hopkins faced medical issues. In 1976, his son, M. John Hopkins, IV, was up to the task and assumed leadership of the company and became a shareholder while the other two partners left the business to pursue other opportunities. The younger Hopkins’ first foray into dealer management was successful as the company was recognized with “Regional Dealer of the Year” honors and was one of the first dealerships to be awarded a Freightliner franchise.
Truck Centers, Inc. is a family-owned dealer group proudly representing Freightliner, Western Star, Ottawa, Fuso, Sprinter and Detroit performance products that was recognized as the 2014 Successful Dealer Award recipient. Our network consists of seven full-service dealerships, two auxiliary locations and one on-site customer parts facility in the St. Louis metro area, throughout Central and Southern Illinois, and southern Indiana. Truck Centers, Inc. stocks a wide array of new and used trucks; offers multiple vehicle location services to obtain a customer's desired unit anywhere in North America; $12 Million inventory of heavy-duty truck parts and accessories; 131 work bays with 150 certified technicians providing industry-best hours of operation; three full-service, on-site body shops; and a professional team of employees committed to excellence and superior customer service. For additional information, visit http://www.truckcentersinc.com.
Michelle Petroff, Marketing Manager
The successes did not come easy and were definitely the culmination of hard work, grit, a remarkable team, and substantial personal sacrifice. Hopkins and his sister even put their personal assets on the line to plead the bank to give them a time to get the business turned around during a period of crisis. The company went from the brink of collapse to continued growth and success because of cornerstone principles of doing the right thing and providing exceptional service each and every time. In 1979, the company expanded to Mt. Vernon, Ill., and was recognized as a Freightliner “Regional Dealer of the Year”, a recognition that would repeat several more times over the decades just as additional locations continued to be added under the Truck Centers’ banner.
The trend continued of new sales records, acquisitions, and growth but the same small town values and customer service remained strong. This blend of progressive leadership and a strong moral compass kept the team strong and helped forge solid customer relationships. In 1984, all business operations other than body shop services left Highland for an expansive new facility with direct highway frontage on I-55/70/270 in Troy, Illinois. And in 1990, Truck Centers, Inc. received the most prestigious distinction that a dealer team can receive in our industry – the American Truck Dealers’ “Dealer of the Year Award”. This award can only be received one time during the leadership of the dealer principal and is a true testament that John Hopkins and his team managed this only 14 years after assuming the helm.
Just 2 years later, Michael F. Yates, a trusted, longtime employee that rose through the ranks, became a minority owner in the company. Fast forward 23 years and Hopkins and Yates are still a dynamic force of leadership and are now joined by their children in the business. Katie Hopkins serves as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the flagship Troy location while her brother, Justin Hopkins, recently departed his General Manager role to assume the title of Vice President of Sales to dedicate his time to working closely with the TCI sales force and customers to find the best possible truck and specifications for each unique application. Trevor Yates is a Sales Executive based in Troy and has been recognized multiple times as a national top performer by Freightliner with the prestigious Leland James Sales Achievement Award. His younger brother, Tyler Yates, has worked in various locations and in parts and service and is currently our Customer Service Representative assisting customers using his diverse knowledge and experience. The Truck Centers’ team also has a strong multi-generational representation amongst employees with several families having two and three generations working alongside one another.
“I am proud to have watched Truck Centers, Inc. flourish from Highland White Autocar into the amazing company that it is today,” recalled Chairman/CEO, Milton John Hopkins, IV. “The small company of 15 dedicated employees in 1970 laid the cornerstones of our corporate values and commitment to customer service that now extends across three states and 549 employees. It is an honor to work alongside great people as we continue to build valuable relationships with customers by delivering premium products and services.”
After continued expansion, the company simply outgrew the original building and constructed a new 161,000 sq. ft. facility in 2000 for corporate offices, parts, sales, and service while the body shop and emergency services’ departments remained in the original building. Simultaneously, a state-of-the-art Training Center was also built on the Troy campus. The 24,000 sq. ft. Training Center is recognized as one of Daimler Trucks North America’s best dealer-owned training facilities and has award-winning, fully-certified instructors that offer classroom and hands-on training for Truck Centers’ employees as well as technicians from other dealerships and customer fleets.
The growth of the Troy campus is mirrored in the entire company as it continues to thrive and grow by expansion and acquisitions. Truck Centers currently consists of 549 team members working at 7 full-service dealerships, 2 auxiliary locations and one on-site customer parts facility in the St. Louis metro area, throughout central and southern Illinois, and southern Indiana. Additional expansion is also on the horizon for the company as it is enjoying some of its best business years. Trucks cannot come fast enough as customers are benefitting from the exceptional fuel economy and technological advancements offered by Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit. We are excited for what the future holds for our customers, employees, and the communities that we serve.
“Truck Centers, Inc. is fortunate to represent the broad spectrum of Daimler Trucks North America brands but I believe that our best resources are actually the people within Truck Centers,” added Hopkins. “Our team members are what helps distinguish us because of their dedication to the products that we represent and passion for helping our customers. Forty-five years of handshakes, personal commitments, and delivery is what has allowed for this milestone celebration.”