GreatWest Kenworth, in Calgary, Alberta, has remained a family business since its inception. As the company celebrates its 40th year in business in 2010, employees took time to reflect on the past at a ceremony last month at its corporate headquarters.
“We’ve grown from our one location in Calgary to four company dealer locations and a parts facility,” said Jeff Storwick, who serves as co-president of GreatWest Kenworth, along with his brother Paul. “The growth has really been driven by our customers. With five locations we’ve expanded to serve customers even better and they’ve responded by being loyal to our company and Kenworth trucks.”
GreatWest Kenworth actually dates to 1964 when it was the area’s Kenworth dealership. John Storwick and Jack Street, Jeff Storwick’s grandfather, purchased the local dealership in 1970 to form GreatWest.
“They had sold a Cat dealership a few years earlier,” recalled Storwick. “And, they wanted to get back into commercial vehicles, so when they had an opportunity to purchase the existing Kenworth dealership in Calgary, they jumped at the chance. They understood the quality of Kenworth and wanted to represent a truck line without equal when it came to engineering excellence and OEM support. It really matched with their own sense of values and dedication to customers. Over the years, we’ve had an excellent relationship with Kenworth and we, and the Storwick generations to come, look forward to the next 40 years.”
The dealership is one of the most decorated one in Kenworth’s network, having won a Dealer of the Year award and consistently taking home gold and silver awards from the OEM.
“We’re a third-generation family business, soon to be fourth generation. That heritage – coupled with our 165 employees, many who have been with us for 25-plus years – gives us a solid working relationship with our customers,” said Storwick. “They know us and trust us in new and used truck sales, our PacLease franchise for leased trucks, and in our service and finance department.”
“GreatWest Kenworth is truly dynamic and they stay ahead of the curve in offering superior service and support of the Kenworth product line,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales. “While Kenworth makes The World’s Best trucks, we feel we’re represented by The World’s Best dealership in Calgary, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Grand Prairie, and Lethbridge. They set the bar high for others to follow.”
