Peterbilt expands service capacity

Truckers driving from Sacramento to Salt Lake City have just one place to stop for repairs on Peterbilt trucks, and John Phillips, owner of Peterbilt Truck Parts & Equipment in east Sparks, used his exclusive position to expand his shop’s service capabilities.

Peterbilt Truck Parts & Equipment last week broke ground on a 12,330-square-foot state-of-the-art service facility at Larkin Circle that will add an additional 10 service bays, boosting Peterbilt’s ability to service trucks passing through the area.

“Our business has grown so much in last three years that we needed more service bays,” says Phillips, who has owned the Peterbilt dealership for six years. He’s owned similar big rig facilities in California for the past 45 years.

The $2.5 million expansion is expected to be up and running by Sept. 15. Q&D Construction is general contractor on the design/build project. Subcontractors include Don Mackay Architect, Odyssey Engineering, Forbes Engineering, Nelson Electric, D&D Plumbing, Applied Mechanical and specialty contractor Air & Lube Systems.

In addition to a rise in business, Phillips says it was crucial to have a standalone facility that could handle all aspects of Peterbilt parts, service, sales and leasing.

“The manufacturer required it, and that’s what we will do,” Phillips says. “Our business has expanded to the point where we couldn’t do it all in one building. We wanted to have the identity of Peterbilt in one facility so our customers who drive Peterbilt have a facility they recognize and have the confidence that (Peterbilt) is all we do.”

Phillips says the average age of trucks on the road today is approaching eight years old, though due to strict emissions regulations the average age of tractors in California is closer to three or four years old. Those older rigs require more service to keep them on the road.

Water at the new service facility will be self-contained and recycled, and it will contain a diesel filter particulate cleaner for rigs with new emissions systems. Additionally, it will have two overhead five-ton cranes running the length of the shop that can pick an engine from any spot in the building.

Phillips says the model is expected to be copied at Peterbilt dealerships across the county.

“The prototype we did, Peterbilt has recommended it to dealers around the country. This will be the finest service facility they will have, and we are very proud of what we have done.”

Phillips expects to hire another six to eight diesel mechanics to staff the new facility.