5 Truck servicer rolls to second shop.Keeping business rolling is the name of the game for Dwight Michaud, owner and president of Timmins Kenworth Ltd. As a man who makes things happen, he envisioned, planned and built a new independent sales, service and parts dealership for Kenworth trucks in New Liskeard in only two years. At the same time, he filled a gap in the market and created skilled jobs in Temiskaming Shores. Michaud began the private business in 1988, setting up the sales, service and parts facility on Highway 101, attracting traffic flow just east of Timmins. He brought experience from his log-hauling truck business and filled a void in the market for a Kenworth dealership. "There was no Kenworth dealer near Timmins, and I was impressed im·press 1 tr.v. im·pressed, im·press·ing, im·press·es 1. To affect strongly, often favorably: with the quality of the trucks," Michaud says. Today, the Timmins business is flourishing flour·ish v. flour·ished, flour·ish·ing, flour·ish·es v.intr. 1. To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: The crops flourished in the rich soil. 2. with about 27 employees. Again, Michaud has sought to fill a space in the New Liskeard area with his new facility, which opened for business in early February of this year. Although similar to the Timmins business, he calls New Liskeard Kenworth more "state-of-the-art." Situated on a four-acre site, it is located on the Highway 11 corridor, making it easily accessible for customers along the well-travelled route. With over a million dollars invested, the 18,000-square-foot service building is outfitted with four drive-through service bays, allowing as many as eight trucks to be worked on at one time. It also features lube service and two full four-foot deep pits, allowing the technician See PC technician and software technician. to work on the truck standing up. An overhead crane An overhead crane is a type of crane where the hook-and-line mechanism runs along a horizontal beam that runs along two widely separated rails. Often it is in a long factory building and runs along rails along the building's two long walls. can easily lift the truck in the air or pull an engine out, thus, creating more efficient work and less wait time. While they wait for their rig, customers can watch satellite television on a big-screen TV and take advantage of the shower-washroom facilities. The open-concept department also has room for a display truck. Michaud says the idea for the lounge came about after performing some research and by talking with the customers and getting their feedback. An important aspect to the Kenworth group is that they specialize spe·cial·ize v. 1. To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment. 2. To adapt to a particular function or environment. in custom-built trucks. "It is a well-respected, well-built product," Michaud says. Kenworth has also been a leader in winning J.D. Power Awards from the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study. Kenworth achieved the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among Class 8 truck owners, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the website. Manager Gilles Lacombe says the Timmins business thrives on good service and keeping customers happy. "We hope to do the same thing in New Liskeard," he says. Lacombe, who originally worked at the Timmins dealership for 10 years, moved to New Liskeard because he wanted the challenge of helping start a business from scratch. He is enjoying it and likes the area for its centralized cen·tral·ize v. cen·tral·ized, cen·tral·iz·ing, cen·tral·iz·es v.tr. 1. To draw into or toward a center; consolidate. 2. location. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The idea to build in the Temiskaming Township township: see town. began two years ago. Michaud put the wheels in motion, adding that the township was "quite accommodating and made it an easy transition." Presently, there are 12 to 13 employees, most of which were local hires. The official grand opening will be on April 28, from noon until 9 pm. Lacombe says it will be like a small trade show with suppliers, a barbeque and refreshments re·fresh·ment n. 1. The act of refreshing or the state of being refreshed. 2. Something, such as food or drink, that refreshes. 3. refreshments A snack or light meal and drinks. for visitors. Michaud says there are possibilities for a third dealership three to five years down the road. timminskenworthltd.kenworth.com QUICK FACTS Timmins Kenworth Ltd. was founded in 1988 by Dwight Michaud in order to fill a gap in the local market. This month, he opens his second location in New Liskeard. By ADELLE LARMOUR Northern Ontario Business Northern Ontario Business is a Canadian magazine, which publishes monthly in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. The magazine covers business news and issues in Northern Ontario. |
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