IRVING, Texas — FleetPride the nation’s largest independent distributor of aftermarket heavy duty parts and service provider, recently announced that it has acquired the assets of Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Wheelco Truck & Trailer Parts and Service.
According to a news release, “This strategic acquisition brings great talent, expertise and capabilities that will strengthen FleetPride’s ability to serve customers across South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin, as well as trailer and specialty equipment OEMs nationwide.”
Financial details of the transaction were not released.
Wheelco Truck & Trailer Parts and Service was founded in 1961 and is a third-generation family business, owned and operated by Steven P. Stich, the news release notes. The business consists of six retail parts locations, two service centers, one distribution center and Wheelco Manufacturing Components OEM division.
Regarding the decision to sell his business and why he chose to partner with FleetPride, Stich said, “Wheelco has prided itself on being a customer driven company for over 62 years. We do whatever it takes to win with our customers every day, and I’m very excited to join forces with a company like FleetPride that does the same. Their national parts and service presence, extensive resources, and opportunities for growth will be a great asset for our customers and our employees.”
FleetPride president Mike Harris said he is eager to welcome new team members to his company.
“On behalf of the entire FleetPride organization, I am thrilled … (and) honored that Steve Stich chose FleetPride to carry on the legacy of his family business,” Harris said. “We knew early in the process that Steve and his leadership team were going to integrate very well with our vision, values, and purpose. In fact, several of our stated values are identical – all centered around people, customers and safety. With such a strong culture, this is a high-fit business which will make FleetPride stronger end to end.”
For FleetPride, this acquisition creates density in existing markets. It now has 18 locations in South Dakota and Minnesota, several of which are in and around the Twin Cities.
The Wheelco service technicians will now have access to FleetPride Tech University, featuring an online LMS platform of truck and trailer programs, plus instructor-led, hands-on training at FleetPride’s new technician training center near Atlanta.
In addition, FleetPride is creating a new OE Solutions division by combining Wheelco Manufacturing Components with FleetPride’s OE trailer axle division.
“We are excited to announce the new FleetPride OE Solutions division,” Harris said. “While both companies have been providing axle assemblies to trailer and specialty equipment OEMs for over 20 years, we’re taking advantage of the combined capabilities to expand our presence in this segment by providing innovative solutions for air brake axles dressed to customer specifications, suspensions, and kitting solutions designed to create production efficiencies for our OEM customers. Our team members are very excited to bring extensive industry knowledge and capabilities together under the new OE Solutions division.” F
FleetPride’s axle assembly operations are based in Grapevine, Texas, while the Wheelco Manufacturing Components assembly plant is based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
