Terrie Schaff began working at Northwest Truck and Trailer Sales in Billings, Montana on October 10th, 1986. On that day I was a 22 year old rookie truck salesman at Barry Cassata GMC Trucks in Glen Ellyn Illinois. Twenty two years later in August of 2008 I purchased Northwest Truck and Trailer and Terrie was still here. Today she retired. We had a little ceremony for her this morning over cinnamon rolls and coffee and I said a few words of thanks and farewell. One of the things I said was about the importance of people in the equation of business, and how fortunate I was to be associated with such a fine person as her and all the employees of Montana Peterbilt. The more that I think about that now that I see Terrie's office is empty, the more I'm convinced I didn't say enough.
I read somewhere recently that today's average college graduate will have 10 jobs by the time they are thirty years old. Ten! Used to be when you looked at a potential employees resume' and they had more than two or three jobs in a period of a few years, they would be considered a "job jumper". My the times, how they are a changin'.
Now I'm not sure if it's just Montana, I'm sure there are other areas of the country where there might be a similar climate, but I can't recall ever encountering such a large group of employees having such a broad and diverse skill set, a great work ethic, and a team spirit that any NFL team would kill for. We have several employees that have well over twenty years of service and some over thirty! You just don't find that kind of dedication anymore.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of the deciding factors for me in making the commitment to this place was the people. It's easy to forget in today's climate of instantaneous internet buying and selling that it's the people that make or break a business, people like Terrie Schaff. The way employees are treated, and in turn, the way they treat the business is the difference between success and failure.
So with that being said, it is a sad day for all the employees of Montana Peterbilt and for me personally in that we are saying farewell to a long time dedicated employee and friend, but at the same time we're happy that Terrie is going to take some time to rest. So long Terrie, we wish you and Ron good health and happiness. But keep in mind when you get bored, the door is always open. Your shoes are amongst a select few that I sincerely doubt we will ever truly fill.
God Bless
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MX Tour is Missoula Bound!
Hello All,
I am very pleased to announce that Montana Peterbilt has delivered (14) PACCAR MX Engines since August and they're all doing very well. I've had reports of anwhere from 6.1 to 6.5 MPG. Not bad for right out of the box.
All of these units have been delivered through our Billings store, so now it's Missoula's turn. Mark your calendars because the Peterbilt MX Tour is coming to Missoula on Wednesday of next week, October 20th. The event runs from 11:00 AM till 4:00 PM with lunch being served from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
The tour includes a mobile 1000 square foot showroom featuring the PACCAR MX Engine as well as many new Peterbilt product offering. Also on hand will be the all new Peterbilt Model 587 which will be available for you to ride and drive.
Representatives from Peterbilt and Paccar will be on hand to demonstrate our new products and answer any questions you may have.
Hope to see you there!
Kevin
I am very pleased to announce that Montana Peterbilt has delivered (14) PACCAR MX Engines since August and they're all doing very well. I've had reports of anwhere from 6.1 to 6.5 MPG. Not bad for right out of the box.
All of these units have been delivered through our Billings store, so now it's Missoula's turn. Mark your calendars because the Peterbilt MX Tour is coming to Missoula on Wednesday of next week, October 20th. The event runs from 11:00 AM till 4:00 PM with lunch being served from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
The tour includes a mobile 1000 square foot showroom featuring the PACCAR MX Engine as well as many new Peterbilt product offering. Also on hand will be the all new Peterbilt Model 587 which will be available for you to ride and drive.
Representatives from Peterbilt and Paccar will be on hand to demonstrate our new products and answer any questions you may have.
Hope to see you there!
Kevin
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Two Years and Holding Strong
August 1st, 2010 was Montana Petertbilt's two year anniversary. It's kind of hard to believe it's already been two years; For me anyway.
It's at this point that I'd like thank all of our customers and congratulate our employees, every one! We've come a long way in a short while and as of the date of this writing, Montana Peterbilt is ranked number one in our district for parts goal achievement. In addition, we're ranked both regionally and nationally for both parts and service performance. I couldn't be more thankful to every customer, or more proud of the dedication and hard work of every employee. Without all of you, this accomplishment would not have been possible.
Reality Check: Yes, times are still tough, and we are nowhere near where we need to be to equal the performance of years past, but we are getting there. I'm not sure who said it, but I've always been a firm believer in the school of thought that victory and success are easy to handle, but it is adversity and challenge that are the true measure of a person or an organization. You can either give up, or keep fighting.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: OK, so I borrowed that from Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge, but it's rings true. If there is one thing I cannot stand to hear, it is this: "But we've always done it that way" . If you would like to see my blood pressure skyrocket, just use that as an excuse. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned and the one I try to impart to my children, employees, etc, is that things never stay the same, change is constant. The impossible is possible and the improbable is probable. And unless you want to get run over, go out of business, or fail at whatever endeavor you are pursuing, my humble recommendation is that you be prepared for it: change that is. If it's not working, try another way, I don't care how long you've been doing it that way. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
But That's Impossible: Really? Let's make a short list of the things many people once thought of as gospel:
"The Titanic is unsinkable"
"We have peace in our time"
"We could never put a man on the moon"
"The Soviet Union will never collapse"
"The Dream Team will never be beat by those inferior European basketball teams"
" Osama Bin Who? Those lunatics could never really hurt us here at home"
"The levees around New Orleans have held up till now. They can never fail"
"An African American will never be president"
"There is no housing bubble"
"This bank cannot fail"
I could go on, but I think you get the point. No one foresaw the economy we are now dealing with, but we can't change it. All we can do is figure out new ways to be successful. If it ain't workin', fix it, change it, or find something else to do.
Baby Steps: Could things be better? Absolutely! But it won't be fixed tomorrow, next week or next month. In fact it could realistically take years to get back to where we were. But the good news is: I repeat: The good news is: is that we've stopped the free fall, we're no longer skipping along the bottom, but now, dare I say, we've started our slow, yet steady ascent up and out of the abyss. One step at a time.
Cautiously Optimistic: Freight rates are up, trucking companies are making more profits, used truck demand is up and the average age of the fleet in this country is very old, translating into pent up new truck demand. We are going in the right direction, and although it won't happen overnight, we will succeed. Call me an optimist, a glass half full kind of guy, whatever, but that's just the way I think. If you're looking for me, I'll be the guy with my shoulder to the grind stone, head down, taking one step at a time, pushing for the finish.
Talk to you again soon.
Kevin
It's at this point that I'd like thank all of our customers and congratulate our employees, every one! We've come a long way in a short while and as of the date of this writing, Montana Peterbilt is ranked number one in our district for parts goal achievement. In addition, we're ranked both regionally and nationally for both parts and service performance. I couldn't be more thankful to every customer, or more proud of the dedication and hard work of every employee. Without all of you, this accomplishment would not have been possible.
Reality Check: Yes, times are still tough, and we are nowhere near where we need to be to equal the performance of years past, but we are getting there. I'm not sure who said it, but I've always been a firm believer in the school of thought that victory and success are easy to handle, but it is adversity and challenge that are the true measure of a person or an organization. You can either give up, or keep fighting.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: OK, so I borrowed that from Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge, but it's rings true. If there is one thing I cannot stand to hear, it is this: "But we've always done it that way" . If you would like to see my blood pressure skyrocket, just use that as an excuse. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned and the one I try to impart to my children, employees, etc, is that things never stay the same, change is constant. The impossible is possible and the improbable is probable. And unless you want to get run over, go out of business, or fail at whatever endeavor you are pursuing, my humble recommendation is that you be prepared for it: change that is. If it's not working, try another way, I don't care how long you've been doing it that way. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
But That's Impossible: Really? Let's make a short list of the things many people once thought of as gospel:
"The Titanic is unsinkable"
"We have peace in our time"
"We could never put a man on the moon"
"The Soviet Union will never collapse"
"The Dream Team will never be beat by those inferior European basketball teams"
" Osama Bin Who? Those lunatics could never really hurt us here at home"
"The levees around New Orleans have held up till now. They can never fail"
"An African American will never be president"
"There is no housing bubble"
"This bank cannot fail"
I could go on, but I think you get the point. No one foresaw the economy we are now dealing with, but we can't change it. All we can do is figure out new ways to be successful. If it ain't workin', fix it, change it, or find something else to do.
Baby Steps: Could things be better? Absolutely! But it won't be fixed tomorrow, next week or next month. In fact it could realistically take years to get back to where we were. But the good news is: I repeat: The good news is: is that we've stopped the free fall, we're no longer skipping along the bottom, but now, dare I say, we've started our slow, yet steady ascent up and out of the abyss. One step at a time.
Cautiously Optimistic: Freight rates are up, trucking companies are making more profits, used truck demand is up and the average age of the fleet in this country is very old, translating into pent up new truck demand. We are going in the right direction, and although it won't happen overnight, we will succeed. Call me an optimist, a glass half full kind of guy, whatever, but that's just the way I think. If you're looking for me, I'll be the guy with my shoulder to the grind stone, head down, taking one step at a time, pushing for the finish.
Talk to you again soon.
Kevin
Friday, May 14, 2010
Montana Peterbilt and Big Sky Trucking Embrace the New ISX/SCR Engine
Bob Schmaing, Motana Peterbilt, and Randy Stewart, Big Sky Trucking
This week Randy Stewart of Big Sky Trucking took delivery of a 2011 Peterbilt Model 386 from Montana Peterbilt. This truck is the first to be hitting the road in Montana that meets the stringent new guidelines placed upon the trucking industry by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Peterbilt's model 386 boasts sleek aerodynamic styling coupled with performance and fuel efficiency, putting the 386 at the top of it's class.
Cummins new ISX/SCR engine further boosts the performance and efficiency of this model, and is the first engine certified by the EPA for meeting the 2010 emissions standard (2.5 grams). While meeting these standards, the ISX will continue to provide excellent fuel economy.
Montana Peterbilt and Big Sky Trucking are proud to embrace this new environmentally friendly technology, while still meeting the rigorous demands of today's trucking industry. Thanks for the order Randy!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Dear Employees, Thank You.
Each year, Peterbilt Motors Company scores all full service Peterbilt dealer locations performance through a program called the Standards of Excellence. This program measures performance in four functional areas of dealership operations. These include:
The results determine how well each dealership is doing in these areas by measuring operating standards, financial results and goal achievments. Each year at the Peterbilt Dealer Meeting, the Platinum Oval Award is awarded to a very select group of dealers who have demonstrated outstanding performance in all aspects of the Standards of Excellence program.
At this years meeting, only (10) dealers out of (211) full service locations were honored with this prestigious award, and I am very pleased and honored to annouce that Montana Peterbilt - Billings was one of them!
This award would have not been possible, and is in fact the direct result of all of our employees hard work and dedication. My brother John and I are very proud to be associated with such fine people and wish to congratulate each one of them on this outstanding achievement!
Thank You!
Kevin
- General Management
- Truck Sales
- Parts Department
- Service Department
The results determine how well each dealership is doing in these areas by measuring operating standards, financial results and goal achievments. Each year at the Peterbilt Dealer Meeting, the Platinum Oval Award is awarded to a very select group of dealers who have demonstrated outstanding performance in all aspects of the Standards of Excellence program.
At this years meeting, only (10) dealers out of (211) full service locations were honored with this prestigious award, and I am very pleased and honored to annouce that Montana Peterbilt - Billings was one of them!
This award would have not been possible, and is in fact the direct result of all of our employees hard work and dedication. My brother John and I are very proud to be associated with such fine people and wish to congratulate each one of them on this outstanding achievement!
Thank You!
Kevin
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, June 1st. Mark Your Calendars!
Mark your calendars! Tuesday, June 1st, Montana Peterbilt will be hosting our annual Open House in Billings. This year is extra special as we will be introducing Peterbilt's newest Model 587 powered by the all new PACCAR MX Engine! The truck will be available to ride and drive. In addition, we will have on hand a 53' double expandable trailer that offers over 1000 sq ft of air conditioned display area featuring:
We will also be featuring a new 2011 Peterbilt Model 386 powered by Cummins ISX/15 SCR Engine that will be available to ride and drive as well.
Factory Representatives from Peterbilt Motors Company, Paccar Financial and Cummins Rocky Mountain will be on hand for new product presentations.
The event will run from 11:00 AM till 4:00 PM, with BBQ Lunch being served from 11:30 AM till 1:00 PM.
As an extra treat, LWC recording artist Sean Morgan will be on hand to provide the entertainment!
Hope to see you there!
Kevin
· PACCAR MX Engine Display
· Interactive Features & Benefits Displays
· Peterbilt SmartNav Kiosk
· An Outdoor Covered Area for Event Hosting
We will also be featuring a new 2011 Peterbilt Model 386 powered by Cummins ISX/15 SCR Engine that will be available to ride and drive as well.
Factory Representatives from Peterbilt Motors Company, Paccar Financial and Cummins Rocky Mountain will be on hand for new product presentations.
The event will run from 11:00 AM till 4:00 PM, with BBQ Lunch being served from 11:30 AM till 1:00 PM.
As an extra treat, LWC recording artist Sean Morgan will be on hand to provide the entertainment!
Hope to see you there!
Kevin
Friday, March 26, 2010
Perspective
I make it a habit of walking through the shop several times every day to see who's trucks we're working on, chat with the technicians, and generally just keep tabs on the business. I especially like talking to our customers and getting to know them. I'm a firm believer that people still buy from people, and I want to try to get to know (or at least say hello and thank for the business) every customer that walks through our door.
Today as I was making my rounds in Billings when I saw an older Freightliner sitting in Bay 3 with the engine apart. I asked Allen Higgins about it and he told me I really needed to meet the owners. So I walked into the drivers lounge and introduced myself to Mr and Mrs. Hamood Nazik (please forvgive me if I misspelled the name).
It turns out Mr and Mrs Nazik used to own a trucking company in Bagdhad, yes, that Bagdhad, and were quite prosperous until Saddam Hussein took it all away from them before the second Gulf War. They came to the U.S. to escape the persecution and landed at the airport with $70 in their pockets.
That was ten years ago, and since then they've purchased a used truck, got on with Landstar, managed to purchase a house in Phoenix and finished raising their nine children, several of which I understand are doctors now.
I chatted with them for a few minutes, letting them know I certainly appreciated their business. They made it a point (in very broken English) to tell me that our shop comes highly recommended from everyone they spoke to at the local Pilot Truck Stop and that they love coming through Montana because they have always been treated especially well by the people here. (Something which I can personally attest to as well)
I don't know if it was appropriate to do so or not, but I felt very compelled to welcome them (albeit somewhat tardy) to my country and ask them how they liked it. They both were literally beaming when they answered that they loved their new country and all the opportunity it has given them. They told me this all the while sitting on an old couch, waiting for their truck to be repaired.
It really made me think. Some people would have been annoyed, frustrated, or downright angry at their situation. After all, who wants to spend a couple of days away from home waiting for your truck to be repaired? Not this couple. After all they've been through as a husband and wife, mother and father, and business owners, they are still ecstatic at the fact that they are here at all: A country where although everyone doesn't always get along, they are free to pursue their dreams, knowing full well that it will be a long hard road with no guarantees of success, but they can at least do so with the peace of mind that some dictator's thugs won't be coming around in the middle of the night to take it all away.
So while we Americans get angry at each over things large and small, we should on occasion stop to consider that we at least have the freedom to do so without the threat of being butchered. Perspective is a sobering thing.
God Bless!
Today as I was making my rounds in Billings when I saw an older Freightliner sitting in Bay 3 with the engine apart. I asked Allen Higgins about it and he told me I really needed to meet the owners. So I walked into the drivers lounge and introduced myself to Mr and Mrs. Hamood Nazik (please forvgive me if I misspelled the name).
It turns out Mr and Mrs Nazik used to own a trucking company in Bagdhad, yes, that Bagdhad, and were quite prosperous until Saddam Hussein took it all away from them before the second Gulf War. They came to the U.S. to escape the persecution and landed at the airport with $70 in their pockets.
That was ten years ago, and since then they've purchased a used truck, got on with Landstar, managed to purchase a house in Phoenix and finished raising their nine children, several of which I understand are doctors now.
I chatted with them for a few minutes, letting them know I certainly appreciated their business. They made it a point (in very broken English) to tell me that our shop comes highly recommended from everyone they spoke to at the local Pilot Truck Stop and that they love coming through Montana because they have always been treated especially well by the people here. (Something which I can personally attest to as well)
I don't know if it was appropriate to do so or not, but I felt very compelled to welcome them (albeit somewhat tardy) to my country and ask them how they liked it. They both were literally beaming when they answered that they loved their new country and all the opportunity it has given them. They told me this all the while sitting on an old couch, waiting for their truck to be repaired.
It really made me think. Some people would have been annoyed, frustrated, or downright angry at their situation. After all, who wants to spend a couple of days away from home waiting for your truck to be repaired? Not this couple. After all they've been through as a husband and wife, mother and father, and business owners, they are still ecstatic at the fact that they are here at all: A country where although everyone doesn't always get along, they are free to pursue their dreams, knowing full well that it will be a long hard road with no guarantees of success, but they can at least do so with the peace of mind that some dictator's thugs won't be coming around in the middle of the night to take it all away.
So while we Americans get angry at each over things large and small, we should on occasion stop to consider that we at least have the freedom to do so without the threat of being butchered. Perspective is a sobering thing.
God Bless!
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