Category: Blog

Customer Spotlight: Royal Truck and Trailer

image

 

Royal Truck & Trailer started in 1970 as a small, family-owned facility in Dearborn, Michigan. After 50 years and 3 generations of family ownership, they have grown into one of the largest new and used semi-trailer suppliers in the Midwest and now operate at an impressive 10 acre facility.

                Ken Bumgardner started his journey in the truck and trailer business as a young boy doing tasks around the Royal Truck & Trailer shop. From sweeping floors to cleaning bathrooms, Ken used this time to learn more about the family business and the trucking industry.  Now with over 20 years’ experience, Ken is now President and part owner of Royal Truck & Trailer. “Royal was started by my grandfather, Roy Bumgardner in 1970 as a two bay service facility in Dearborn, Michigan. Since then, we have become a leader in the industry for service, parts, trailers and truck bodies,” Ken told VIS.  “[Now] we have three additional locations in Michigan: Wixom, Warren, and Gaylord.”

                But that growth doesn’t come without challenges. Ken commented that sometimes the biggest challenge is finding employees who share Royal’s vision for the future. “Our team members are the best people in the business. Everyone really cares about making Royal Truck & Trailer a better place.” That “vision” is what leads Ken and his team to constantly look for new business opportunities.

Royal Truck & Trailer Invests in VIS-Polish

                “Back in 2009, my father Carl Bumgardner and sister Julie Igielski (both owners and management of Royal), went down to the Mid-America Trucking Show where the machine was on display. Carl thought the VIS-Polish would offer a great new service to our customers, and was he right!” The investment was so worthwhile that Royal purchased an additional VIS-Polish unit a few years later. “The VIS-Polish machine has brought additional business in the way of tire retailers who utilize our services for their customers,” Ken said. “In addition, it allows us to offer another service to our customers and helps us to diversify our products and services. It gives them more options for what we can offer them.”

                Ken explains how diversification is one of the keys to Royal Truck & Trailer’s continued success. “We offer a wide range of services for our customers. Just like you can visit a large superstore and get everything you need from groceries to car accessories, we want to be a one stop shop for all of our customers’ needs. We offer convenience mixed with expert knowledge.”

                Thanks to that commitment to service, the future looks bright for this family business. Royal Truck & Trailer was recently named a finalist for Truck Parts & Service Magazine’s Distributer of the Year. Ken told VIS, “My hope for Royal Truck & Trailer is that we continue to expand. Our goal is to be one of the largest trailer and body dealers around. Not just geographically, but also in what we offer our customers. The VIS-Polish is just one more option we can offer!”

Royal Truck & Trailer is based out of Dearborn, MI with other locations throughout Michigan in Gaylord, Warren, and Wixom. To learn more about their offerings visit royaltrailersales.com. To learn more about the VIS-Polish and other products in the VIS family visit vischeck.net or call 800-837-5145.

 

Copyright © 2024 Vischeck.net. All Rights Reserved.