Every Day’s a New Day x 10,000+!
Starting a business is never an easy decision. Even in the best economy, people need to assume risk and be willing to potentially fail. The odds against success are enormous. There are hopefully favourable conditions and often an equal measure of challenging circumstances. Into this uncertainty, some entrepreneurs are driven by a purpose to deliver better value or address unmet customer needs. On March 2, 2022, K.I.D. Truck & Trailer Service will commemorate 40 years of continuous service to the Halton Region.
In the years leading up to 1982, three out of four jobs were created by big business and governments. Japanese cars were capturing a larger share of the market and Hino sold 434 units the previous year. Canada was entrenched in a deep recession with 10% unemployment, double-digit inflation and crude oil prices all peaking. Negative GDP growth and 15% interest rates coincided with companies offshoring jobs. Technology was generating new opportunities for enterprising businesspeople. The computer was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1982.
The McKenzie brothers released their Great White North album with the hit 12 Days of Christmas and a Beer. You were more likely to be unemployed with a skilled trade than a college diploma. NY islanders had won their third consecutive Stanley Cup defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4 games to zero. Wayne Gretzky, a 21-year-old won both the Hart Memorial and Lester B. Pearson trophies and broke Phil Esposito’s scoring record. The Weather Channel began broadcasting and the average cost of house in Oakville was $ 95,000! Honouring the repatriation of Canada’s constitution, Dominion Day was officially renamed Canada Day.
New Generation of Entrepreneurs
With the implementation of deregulation, trucking entered an age of entrepreneurism transforming the industry over the next two decades. A generation of WW II and Korean War veterans saw an opportunity to build businesses by standardizing the output of a quality service. As a managing partner of Roadmaster Trailers manufactured in Mississauga, Ken Dwhytie understood the fleet requirements of trucking companies in the region. He identified an opportunity to deliver commercial service for trailer operators and K.I.D Trailer Service was bound by three commitments: provide better value in return on investment, live a deep respect for customer relationships and create a family-like work environment.
Sons, Mike, and Chris joined Ken in building the business. Inheriting his father’s smooth-talking ways, Chris managed sales of trailers. Initially a dealer for Roadmaster and Dorsey trailers, K.I.D. was the first company to import US trailers into Canada. Mike assumed the role of General Manager because he is good with numbers. He recognized the key to increasing customer uptime and reducing maintenance costs was a disciplined approach to parts ordering and inventory management. A practice continued to this day.
Early supporters of the networking benefits of trade associations, they became members of the Ontario Trucking Association, Canadian Association of Movers, Toronto Trucking Association, and other relevant industry groups. The portfolio of trailer brands continued to expand with the addition of Kentucky trailers, recognized for quality and durability among established moving companies.
Growth Leads to a Bigger Location
After twenty years at the Beryl Road location, it was time to acquire more space and expand the service offering to include trucks. In January 2004, K.I.D. Trailers moved to its current location at 1090 South Service Road, across from the Ford plant in Oakville. Ever responsive to the needs of fleet operators in the area, the Dwhyties realized there weren’t affordable options for servicing Class 3 to 8 trucks in the Halton region. They understood this was a growth opportunity. The new location was easily accessible to local highways and their sign could be seen from the QEW.
Appreciating the value of community affiliations, K.I.D. became a member of the Truck Pro banner program, which is the largest network of independent service centers in Canada. By leverage the scale of this buying network, they could secure a reliable supply of reasonably priced parts for all makes and models of commercial equipment. K.I.D. was a full parts and service dealership for Fontaine Flatbeds and specialized floats, TrailStar aluminum platforms and expanded their brand representation to include a Mitsubishi medium trucks dealership.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Value
K.I.D. Truck & Trailer Service roots in the Halton region go deep. We are grateful to our long-term customers, past and present, who invest in our business with their loyal relationships. Over the last forty years, the transportation industry has seen many changes including stronger competition, lower margins, and the growing adoption of technology. Even though the current economic environment is uncertain and unpredictable, we trust our experience will help us address the challenges ahead. We maintain our focus on serving the needs of regional fleets.
K.I.D. Truck and Trailer Service is proud of our history – selling and working with quality products manufactured by companies with a sincere customer approach aligned with our values. We continue to specialize in sourcing the right truck and trailer equipment for the intended application and providing a stocked parts department and full service. We want to ensure we’re always able to meet the heavy and medium-duty vehicle repair and maintenance needs of our commercial clientele. Thank you for your support in making this service anniversary happen.
Photo Credit: K.I.D. Photo Archive
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