Celebrating 75 Years of Inland Truck & Equipment: A Legacy of Innovation and Service

Oct 24, 2024 - 10 months ago

Inland Truck and Equipment shares a significant milestone for the British Columbia company, celebrating 75 years of excellence in the heavy truck and equipment industry.

Celebrating 75 Years of Inland Truck & Equipment: A Legacy of Innovation and Servic — *The Kamloops team moving into their new building, 2022*

From our humble beginnings in British Columbia to becoming one of the world’s largest Kenworth dealerships, our journey has been defined by a commitment to innovation, resilience, and exceptional customer service.

Humble Beginnings and Bold Moves

The story of Inland began in 1949 with founder Lloyd Parker’s vision of meeting the needs of his customers, one truck at a time. From selling farm equipment and surplus U.S. military vehicles in Penticton, British Columbia, to recognizing the enormous potential of the Kenworth brand, Lloyd’s business instincts would shape Inland’s future in ways that are still felt today.

In 1956, a customer named Bob Hayes requested a Kenworth truck—a brand Lloyd was only vaguely familiar with at the time. Teaming up with a local shop, Lloyd secured the Kenworth and sold it to Hayes. A year later, when the customer never returned for repairs, Lloyd realized just how exceptional the Kenworth product was. This led to a pivotal moment in 1957 when Inland secured a dealership agreement with Canadian Kenworth. From that moment, Inland’s trajectory shifted, and Inland Kenworth was born.

Growth, Expansion, and Diversification

Over the decades, Inland has expanded and evolved significantly. After securing the Kenworth dealership, Inland grew across British Columbia in the 1960s, diversifying into heavy equipment for forestry and construction by the 1970s. The 1980s marked its entry into the U.S.—acquiring Kenworth dealerships in California and Arizona—while also partnering with Link-Belt Excavators. The 1990s and 2000s saw further growth through partnerships with CASE and Tigercat, as well as strategic acquisitions in both the U.S. and Western Canada. Inland’s introduction of TRP parts-only stores in the 2010s enhanced service capabilities across North America. By the 2020s, Inland had solidified its place as a leader in the trucking and heavy equipment industries.

Supporting the Communities Who’ve Supported Us

In 2022, Inland consolidated its long-standing tradition of philanthropy under the new I-Care brand. This initiative has empowered team members to elevate their charitable efforts and broaden community impact. A notable example occurred in 2023, when Inland celebrated Kenworth’s 100th anniversary by auctioning three limited-edition W900 trucks. The proceeds, totaling over $500,000, were donated to charities like Truckers Against Trafficking, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, and STARS Air Ambulance.

A Culture of Collaboration and Excellence

Inland’s success over the past 75 years is due in no small part to the dedication of our employees. From the start, Lloyd Parker believed that if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers. This guiding principle has fostered a collaborative and supportive culture at Inland, one that has driven our success for over seven decades.

To ensure our team continues to meet the highest standards of service, we recently launched COMPASS, our innovative Learning Management System (LMS). COMPASS provides our employees with ongoing training, certifications, and continuous learning opportunities tailored to their roles—ensuring that they stay at the forefront of industry advancements.

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we remain focused on the future. With a network that spans 44 locations across British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, California, Arizona, and New Mexico, we are proud to be one of the largest Kenworth dealerships globally. Inland is also committed to embracing zero-emissions technologies—supporting our customers as they navigate the fast-changing world. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation, deliver exceptional service, and give back to the communities where we live and operate.

While much has changed since 1949, the core values that Lloyd Parker instilled in the company—integrity, dedication to customer satisfaction, and a commitment to excellence—remain our foundation. As we look to the next 75 years, we are confident that the legacy of Inland Truck & Equipment will continue to inspire and endure.

Source: Inland Truck & Equipment