Companies germinate and change throughout the years.

Companies germinate and change throughout the years. Those rested decades ago have no choice however to embrace new opportunities and unfold with the world around them. The same place that started as a single light- and heavy-duty exchange parts store and repair store in 1948 is still relevant and thriving today--and going between the sides of an evolution of its own

Brake Service & Parts in Bangor, Maine, was grounded 57 years ago, but with modern acquisitions of Equipment Depot and Gould Equipment, the company is overcoming a just discovered challenge--integrating the three businesses to best benefit their common customer base and the trucking industry.

President Donald MacLeod has been with the company for three and a half years and is overseeing the integration of the three businesses, which is awaited to be complete this year.

"What I realized when I joined Brake Service & Parts is that the three companies were not conjoined in any way. The disconnect created more splendor and we were not taking advantage of a everyday group of customers," explains MacLeod.

The three companies, with different areas of expertise, all service the same industry and provide complementary effects services and knowledge. "With the integration, our customers will be able to purchase mostly of our combined product mix at any single of our locations."

That of recent origin product mix allows Brake Service & Parts to expand their outcome line, offering customers a legion of products from brake tympanums and filters to truck bodies and combustible matter storage tanks. Brake Service & Parts provides service and all replacement parts for heavy-duty traffics except engines, and parts for small and mid-size exchanges The company owns and operates eight parts stores from one extremity to the other of Maine, one central warehouse and individual light- to heavy-duty truck service facility. The lately acquired Equipment Depot is also the "stocking warehouse," sales and service facility for Fisher snow plow and sander produces as well as one of the largest distributors for Fisher snow plow in the country

Although the company possesss parts stores, showrooms and service facilities, it made a conscious decision to exchange to businesses. This has helped them focus onward what the customer wants and extremitys and is better able to contribute to the trucking industry as a whole.

"A consumer is going to go on foot to a national auto parts store for things they ne uniform truck parts. The people who walk into our stores, unruffled if it's an individual, typically possess a dump truck or any kind of independent company. Our customers are trade dealerships, general contractors, forestry contractors, trade fleets, oil and propane delivery dealers and material handling distributors, just to mention a few"

With the expansion and integration, customers of Brake Service & Parts now have easier access to other fruitss and services they already use and ne The company's customer base give an account ofs between 50 and 75 percent of the other sum of two units companies. And according to MacLeod, customers have rejoined favorably to the integration.

"They can corrupt more things from our collective companies, thus maintaining common relationship, one account, one check at the extremity of the month and more leverage in their buying power."

In addition to better service and a more diverse effect mix for customers, MacLeod has also seen putting out and improvements in the company's operations.

"We are realizing sprouting in sales by offering more to the same customers. We are also realizing a reduction in overall operating cost"

According to MacLeod, because Maine is a same rural state, it has traditionally been difficult to have a specialized store in certain areas, level if there is a demand. unless the company can now have representation of all their consequences and services within the existing stores around the state.

"It all hangs on the market and its needs" adds MacLeod. "For example, single of our stores in northern Maine has been a traditional deal parts store. With a completely integrated sales force and proceeds line, this store can use its relationship with its customers and vend them products from Equipment magazine or Gould Equipment. Our parts counterpeople are trained to betray all three product mixes."

MacLeod adds that all three businesses are in industries that are mature and have existed for many years, to such a degree diversifying the product mix and closely examining opportunities to cross-sell popular customers was an essential way for Brake Service & Parts to expand its business. The ne to find growing opportunities while remaining true to its core business and customers has helped the company not solely compete and grow in a market that has been relatively flat, if it be not that also evolve into a more diverse company.

The Vital Stats

Years in business: 57 years

extension plans: Fully and efficiently integrate the three businesses and create modern sales via cross-selling their production and service mix to a public customer audience.

Annual revenue: Approximately $23 million