Tag: Newsletter 3rd Article

The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies brought in 15 new companies representing 62 new locations to the VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty networks in 2025.

Together, these businesses range from multigenerational family-owned operations to fast-rising newcomers and, for the first time, international distributors in Central America.

“These distributors bring an incredible range of experience, capabilities, and regional expertise,” said Chris Baer, president and CEO of VIPAR Heavy Duty. “From established shops with decades of history to innovative businesses breaking new ground, what unites them is a clear vision for the future and the drive to use our network to fuel their success. That shared commitment strengthens our entire organization.”

New VIPAR Heavy Duty distributors added in 2025 include:

Truck Depot Corporation
30 Locations across Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador
Truck Depot marks a historic milestone as the first Central American distributor to join VIPAR Heavy Duty. Truck Depot’s staff of more than 500 employees operate a mix of sales channels including warehouses, retail stores, service shops, mobile assistance, and e-commerce. They distribute spare parts and accessories for all mass cargo and passenger transportation types and offer large inventories, strong brands, and professional staffing. 

Universal Truck Service LLC
Roseville and New Brighton, Minnesota
Universal Truck Service represents three generations of family leadership, with over 90 employees serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. The company operates 50 service bays, performing truck and trailer repair, engine and transmission work, mobile repair, tanker maintenance, Cummins warranty repairs, hydraulic hose services, and parts delivery within a 60-mile radius.

Seagull Diesel Parts Inc.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Founded by Jimmy Jacketta in 2010, Seagull Diesel Parts offers transmission and driveline service, engine diagnostics and repair, electrical troubleshooting, welding, radiator and cooling system service, vehicle inspections, frame and alignment work, DPF filter cleaning and replacement, and air conditioning service. 

Tampa Spring Company
Tampa, Bradenton, Lakeland, and Ocala, Florida
Tampa Spring is a family owned and operated business serving customers since 1927. Owned by John Messina, Tampa Spring offers a comprehensive range of truck and heavy duty vehicle repair parts, including a full line of automotive leaf springs, helper springs, air springs, and coil springs. They sell to and service both wholesale and retail customers with 60 employees, four outside sales representatives, 10 delivery vehicles, and 58 service bays. 

RENOSA (Repuestos Noé, S.A. de C.V.)
San Salvador, Ilopango, Lourdes Colón, and Santa Ana California, El Salvador
RENOSA strengthened VIPAR Heavy Duty’s presence in Central America and are a strong addition with numerous supplier relationships. The company was founded in 1990 and is owned by Rigoberto Martínez. He leads more than 100 employees who provide service to the heavy and semi-heavy transport systems in El Salvador, including differential, suspension, transmission, and brake system components as well as filtration systems and engine repairs. 

Childers Auto & Truck Parts Inc.
Pikeville and Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Founded in 2023 by Ken and Allison Childers, Childers Auto and Truck Parts is a family-owned business that has emerged as a strong presence in the heavy-duty parts and service market. The company supports fleets, owner-operators, municipalities, and off-highway customers with truck and trailer parts, full-service repair, diagnostics, and critical support services. 

Super Industrial SRL
Santo Domingo, Bávaro, Haina, and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Super Industrial SRL (La Casa del Camionero), owned by Carolina Mederos, is a family company that was established in 1975 for the reconstruction of clutches, brakes, radiators and rectification of drums, discs and steering wheels for trucks. In 1986, they opened their first store for the sale of all types of original and replacement parts for trucks, buses, and trailers of North American manufacture. Today, their reconstruction workshop and branch locations provide service and parts for the entire island.

New Power Heavy Duty Distributors in 2025 include:

NorthWest Bearing & Industrial Supply Co. Inc.
Woodward and El Reno, Oklahoma
NorthWest Bearing & Industrial Supply has been serving the gas compression, agricultural, and farming industries in western Oklahoma since 1991. Owned by Bob and Denise Mitchell, the company is a source for industrial bearings, filters, and hydraulic components. They operate a 15,000-square-foot facility in Woodward and a 2,400-square-foot branch in El Reno. Its team of 20 experienced professionals supports sales, purchasing, warehousing, delivery, accounting, and a fleet of eight delivery vehicles.

RBR Truck Parts LLC
Hutchins, Denton, Duncanville, and Fort Worth, Texas
Founded in 2018, RBR Truck Parts is a heavy-duty aftermarket parts distributor serving owner-operators, fleets, service centers, and municipal accounts in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Its Hutchins location is strategically located near Interstate 45, close to major ports, rail yards, and warehouse hubs that support the region’s trucking industry. RBR stocks a broad range of engine, suspension, brake, wheel and tire, filter, fluid, and accessory products.

Milian Truck Center
Tampa and Medley, Florida
Established in 2018 by Osman Lleo, Milian Truck Center is a family-owned distributor with three locations, including two in Tampa, and one of Florida’s key regional transportation hubs and home to the state’s largest shipping port. The company employs 45 people, operates four delivery vehicles, and manages 60,000 square feet of warehouse space, supplying aftermarket truck parts to fleets and owner-operators. 

Knox Trailers Inc. / DBA KP Services Truck and Trailer Parts
Knoxville and Crossville, Tennessee
Founded in 1993 by Steve Fultz and Tommy Jones, Knox Trailers offers heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, repair, and refurbishing services. Operating out of a 32,000-square-foot Knoxville facility and a new 4,800-square-foot warehouse and showroom in Crossville, the company provides 14 service bays, a paint booth, and a dedicated fleet of delivery and service trucks to meet customer needs quickly and reliably.

West Ridge Heavy Duty Parts LLC
Logan, Utah
Established in October of 2023, West Ridge Heavy Duty Parts is a fast-growing, service-driven company founded by Jared Strawn and Russel Guymon. They offer a full range of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts and services, including flywheel resurfacing, custom driveline and hydraulic hose fabrication, U-bolts, and welding services. Their customer base includes a diverse mix of on-highway fleets, owner-operators, agriculture, and mining operations across class 5 through 8 vehicles.  

Accurate Alignment and Frame Service Inc.
Appleton, Wisconsin
Accurate Alignment and Frame Service has been a family-owned business in the northeastern Wisconsin market for the past 70 years. Owned by Mark and Dennis Broehm, they offer heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, shop supplies, tools and equipment, and extensive repair capabilities. With 24 service bays, 34,000 square feet of shop space, and a 14,000 square foot warehouse, the company supports fleets, municipalities, independent service facilities, and owner-operators.

A & L Systems NexGen LLC
Redford, Michigan
A & L Systems NexGen offers a full range of heavy duty truck parts and specializes in the engineering and installation of auto-lubrication systems for both on- and off-road equipment. They service fleets, municipalities, independent service facilities and owner-operators in the Detroit area from their 6,500 square foot warehouse and showroom. Originally established in 1980, the business was purchased in 2024 and is owned by Ron Meehan. 

Brakes & Wheels Inc./Gordo Bros.
Odessa, Texas
Brakes and Wheels distributes a full line of heavy duty parts, operates a brake reline shop, repairs utility trailers and installs toolboxes, brush guards, head-ache racks, and other accessories for the oil field customers they service. They serve independent owner-operators, local fleets, oil field service companies, and city and county service centers out of a 20,000 square foot facility located on 2 acres. The business was started by Connie and Ray Quiroz in 1975 and is owned today by Connie and sons Rene and Gilbert.

True North Fleet Services , a group of fleet maintenance and repair providers, recently announced the expansion of its platform through two new partnerships. They include:

• Georgia-based operators Elite Diesel, a diesel truck repair operator based in Augusta, Georgia
• Myles Truck Repair, a heavy-duty truck repair services operator serving the greater Atlanta region

With these new partnerships, True North enters the Southeast, broadening its service offerings to include towing expertise and heavy-duty engine repair.

Elite Diesel, which has a second facility in Savannah, specializes in heavy-duty truck repairs, including welding and fabrication, heavy equipment and general diesel maintenance.

Myles Truck Repair offers dealership-level truck repair services to customers across Atlanta from its shops in Lawrenceville, Auburn, Winder and Fayetteville. Myles delivers a comprehensive suite of maintenance solutions, heavy-duty collision repair and 24/7 roadside towing assistance within a 50-mile radius of its facilities.

“As we continue to expand True North, we’re excited to welcome the Elite and Myles teams to the platform,” said Gary Price, chief executive officer of True North Fleet Services. “These partnerships enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end fleet solutions to a broader range of customers, building out our mobile service and heavy-duty engine repair capabilities and spreading our footprint into the highly fragmented Southeast U.S. market. Both Elite and Myles have earned reputations across Georgia for safety, reliability and a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction, making them a perfect fit for what we’re building at True North. By combining our strengths, we’re delivering even greater value to Elite and Myles’ customers.

Todd Myles, founder of Myles Truck Repair, said, “For the past 13 years, we’ve delivered best-in-class truck repair services to customers across Atlanta, playing a vital role in keeping our city’s roadways safe. This partnership is a testament to the exceptional work of our talented technicians, whose skill and commitment to providing reliable, high-quality service to our customers has been the cornerstone of our success. With True North’s backing, we’ll expand our service offerings and reach new end markets, unlocking further value for our customers and employees, while preserving our brand identity.”

“True North shares our vision and deeply values what we’ve built,” added Jimmy Knight, Founder of Elite Diesel. “Their team’s respect for our culture and shared commitment to quality, team collaboration and customer satisfaction makes them the ideal partner as we enter this next chapter of growth. With access to True North’s advanced service technology, capital support, data systems and back-office infrastructure, we’ll deepen our reach across the Southeast, invest further in our people and continue delivering strong customer ROI.”

True North’s partnerships with Elite Diesel and Myles follows its previously announced partnerships with Billy Bob’s Repair & Tire, a San Antonio, Texas-based full-service repair operator, and PennFleet, a fleet services operator headquartered in Philadelphia.

Ryder System, Inc. is expanding its presence in the Southeast with the opening of a new 20,000 square feet full-service commercial truck rental and maintenance facility at 105 Constitution Drive, McDonough, Georgia. Located in South Atlanta’s fast-growing logistics corridor, Ryder’s new McDonough facility enhances access to fleet and maintenance services for regional businesses, according to a statement from the company.

Strategically positioned near Interstate 75 and major distribution hubs, the facility advances Ryder’s port-to-door logistics service model with rental, maintenance, and fleet solutions. This new location follows Ryder’s recent Nashville-area expansion, reinforcing a broader strategy to meet rising demand across high-growth regions. With five full drive-through maintenance bays, the facility will also feature RyderGyde integration for real-time fleet visibility and shop status updates.

“This expansion reflects Ryder’s investment in high-growth regions where evolving logistics needs demand flexible and tech-enabled solutions,” says Tom Havens, president of Fleet Management Solutions at Ryder. “McDonough’s proximity to Atlanta, strong infrastructure, and thriving industrial base make it an ideal location for extending our service footprint.”

McDonough, located in Henry County, one of Georgia’s fastest-growing logistics and manufacturing hubs, is rapidly emerging as a key inland port destination. Its strategic position along I-75 connects businesses to Atlanta’s metro market and beyond. New infrastructure enables containers to be offloaded directly onto trucks, streamlining freight movement and easing highway congestion.

This growth complements the Port of Savannah’s record-setting expansion, now recognized as the fastest-growing port on the U.S. East Coast. According to the Georgia Center of Innovation, Georgia’s logistics sector employs more than 250,000 people and generates over $83 billion in annual economic impact. McDonough’s industrial parks and distribution centers continue to attract investment, fueling demand for fleet management and transportation services. These factors make it an ideal location for Ryder’s Southeast expansion.

The new Ryder facility is expected to create employment opportunities in the region, including roles for skilled technicians and customer service professionals. Individuals interested in joining Ryder’s growing team can explore current openings at ryder.com/careers.

The Larson Group (TLG Peterbilt), a major Peterbilt dealership group, has announced the acquisition of Performance Peterbilt, effective Nov. 17.

This strategic move joins two customer-focused, family-owned organizations committed to exceptional service for the trucking community, according to a statement from TLG. It also expands TLG’s footprint in the Southeast.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Prior to this acquisition, TLG Peterbilt operated 26 locations across 8 states, specializing in new and pre-owned Peterbilt trucks, parts, and service. Performance Peterbilt adds eight locations in three states to the TLG network, expanding TLG’s footprint to Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.  

“We’re thrilled to welcome the Performance Peterbilt team and their customers into the TLG family,” said Glenn Larson, TLG President & CEO. “Both our companies are built on a foundation of strong relationships and customer support. This acquisition strengthens our ability to serve truck owners and fleets with a broader reach and deeper resources—without losing the values that drive our success.”

Performance locations will now be known as TLG Peterbilt.  TLG now operates 34 commercial truck dealerships in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi.

The new locations include:

• TLG Peterbilt – Albany in Albany, Georgia
• TLG Peterbilt – Lake Park in Lake Park, Georgia
• TLG Peterbilt – Tifton inTifton, Georgia
• TLG Peterbilt – Tallahassee in Tallahassee, Florida
• TLG Peterbilt – Cottondale in Cottondale, Florida
• TRP South Port in Southport, Florida
• TLG Peterbilt – Hattiesburg in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• TRP Gulf Coast in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

FleetPride Inc. and TruckPro, LLC recently jointly announced the closing of a merger of the two companies effective Oct. 28, creating the nation’s leading independent distributor and service provider in the heavy-duty aftermarket parts industry. The combined company will operate under the FleetPride name and will deliver enhanced value to its customers through greater parts availability, deeper technical expertise, best-in-class service and an enhanced ecommerce experience, according to a statement from the two companies.

Operating under the combined ownership of American Securities and Platinum Equity, the new FleetPride will be led by Tom Greco, who joined the company as chief executive officer in July. Chuck Broadus, TruckPro’s president and CEO, will continue to lead the TruckPro business, reporting to Greco.

With over 450 locations, more than 110 service centers and six distribution centers, FleetPride’s expanded footprint positions it to serve customers nationwide across the U.S. and Canada with a comprehensive assortment of parts. Through its enhanced ecommerce platform and logistics network, FleetPride can provide faster access to critical parts, deeper inventory visibility and tailored solutions designed to keep trucks on the road and fleets operating efficiently, the merger announcement said.

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting new chapter for our team members, customers and valued supplier partners,” said Greco. “This strategic merger is about more than combining two businesses, it’s about building a culture that values people, brings best practices from both organizations and drives innovation. Together, we are creating a stronger, faster-growing company that will deliver greater value for customers and growth opportunities for our team members and suppliers.” 

“The strategic merger with FleetPride marks a tremendous step forward for our business and customers,” said Broadus. “We are bringing together the strengths of both organizations as we align our knowledgeable team members, extensive networks and resources to deliver best-in-class service to the heavy-duty aftermarket. We are eager to embrace the many growth opportunities this combination offers and we are excited about our future together.”

The newly combined company will be headquartered in Irving, Texas with a satellite office in Memphis, Tennessee.