Trucks Unlimited sold to Integrity Ventures

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This article was published 06/12/2020 (1642 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A familiar truck sales and service location off Highway 12 will belong to a different company come 2021.

John Fehr, president of Trucks Unlimited, has sold his company to Darcy Brown, president of Integrity Ventures.

“There comes a time when you’ve got to move on,” Fehr, a former Steinbach city councillor, said. “There’s younger people who are more ambitious and have a desire to do more.”

Brown is no stranger to Trucks Unlimited. Fifteen years ago, he was its manager.

“It’s pretty exciting actually,” Brown said of the purchase.

Trucks Unlimited has been in business since 1992. The company, representing the Freightliner brand, sells and services heavy trucks. Integrity Ventures, meanwhile, is a service dealer for Volvo trucks in the Southeast, Brown said. Along with the sale comes rights to staff among other things, Fehr said.

Fehr said the opportunity presented itself, and owning one’s own business is different than working for somebody.

“When you’re in business you need an opportunity to sell your business before you can walk away,” Fehr said, versus quitting at any time.

Brown’s company has been located in a few places, most recently off Life Sciences Parkway on the east end of the city.

Brown said his intent is to lease out that location and consolidate operations in the Trucks Unlimited location, which has double the square footage.

Both agree technology has been a major change in the heavy truck industry over the years.

“It used to be if the truck broke down, you’d go to the truck. Now you go to the computer,” Fehr said.

Rather than listening to engines or performing other hands-on diagnostic tasks, Fehr said mechanics resort to computers in the office and in the trucks.

Fuel economy is better these days, Fehr said, but maintenance costs are higher.

Brown began working on Volvos years ago when he went to school in Brandon to obtain journeyman papers.

He’d study by day work on Volvo and Mack trucks at night. Volvo was just coming into the industry.

Brown went on to work for current RM of Hanover councillor John Giesbrecht for a number of years.

When asked if he’ll retire, Fehr said “that’s probably the intent.”

“We’ve enjoyed the ride,” Fehr said, adding he’s appreciated the support of the community over the years.