december2023 - 36

SHOW ME YOUR TRUCK
Getting it done
Carpeted walls in this Mac Tools truck allow customers
to interact more with the products as the Velcro attachment
makes for easy removal.
By Elli Carder, Assistant Editor
S
hawn Stahle, a Mac Tools distributor since 2008, purchased
his 2017 Kenworth T300 from Herr Display
Vans at the end of 2016. Stahle runs his route out of
Yukon, Oklahoma on the west side of Oklahoma City. He
focuses more on heavier equipment with the majority of
his route consisting of fleets, trucking transportation, and
some construction.
With no significant customizations put into the truck,
Stahle took care in deciding how he would utilize the space
to improve his customers' experience. The most important
thing he took into consideration when building out and
buying his truck was the layout that he felt worked best
for his route.
Stahle knew he wanted to display a lot of cordless tools
since it's one of the areas he's seen grow the most in his
career. Building your truck around an area you specialize
in, or an area you know your customers are interested in,
can help your business flourish and land you more sales
down the road.
While Stahle is pleased with his truck and his tool distribution
career, he recognizes that there's some decisions
he could have made differently. For instance, when building
his truck he added a roll cart hole, thinking it would
be something he would utilize, but looking back on it he
sees it as a mistake.
" You go online, and you look at all these different trucks
and you kind of get an idea on what would work for you, "
Stahle says. " Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don't. "
One feature of his truck that he doesn't regret is the
carpeted walls and Velcro he added where he can put products
up, as an alternative to permanently fixing them to the
wall. This display setup allows Stahle to more efficiently
change the tools he keeps in rotation, making sure the newest
or most popular items get their time in the spotlight.
Additionally, the Velcro gives customers the opportunity to
take the products down and interact with them hands-on.
" [It's] another easy way for [customers] to constantly look
at products, " Stahle explains.
36 Professional Distributor I December 2023 I VehicleServicePros.com
GETTING IT DONE
When talking to people who are entering into the tool distribution
industry, or who might be considering a career in
it, Stahle consistently emphasizes the importance of getting
things done on time. When he's faced with a task, he
knows that putting it off or delaying its completion will
only cause problems down the road. Procrastination can
be the biggest hurdle between you and a lucrative career.
Stahle gives his son, who started his own route two years
ago, the same advice.
" The more you put [a task] off, the more you're just [going
to] dig yourself in a hole, " Stahle says. " That's honestly the
biggest advice I give. "
A TRUCK COMPANION
Last year, Stahle's family gifted him with a French bulldog
for his birthday he calls Tuck. Now, Tuck rides alongside
Stahle as his companion on the road, getting all the love and
affection from the customers along their route.
" He lives the high life, " Stahle says. " He gets petted on
and [gets] treats all day. "
Shawn Stahle
Yukon, Oklahoma
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
december2023

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