may2023 - 34

SHOW ME YOUR TRUCK
Custom built for comfort
This Cornwell tool dealer upgraded his truck to better
accommodate his customers and the extreme heat.
By Kayla Nadler, Associate Editor
L
ast year, after nearly 10 years on the job, Cornwell
Quality Tools dealer Jim Castaneda started kicking
around the idea of expanding his business in
Henderson, Nevada. When his daughter overheard him
talking about it one day, she said she wanted to do it.
With no previous automotive background or experience,
Castaneda wanted to make sure his daughter was serious
about it, so he not only had her job shadow him on his truck
for a while but also with other tool dealers.
Naturally, like her dad, she quickly picked up on it and
has been selling successfully on her own since. Not only
did Castaneda gain a driver, but he also had a reason to get
a new truck.
He gave his 2016 22' Hino truck to his daughter and purchased
a custom-built 2022 Freightliner M2 24' Widebody.
" Having a widebody makes a difference, " Castaneda says.
" When you have six to eight people on here at a time, they're
not all bumping into each other. That's the biggest thing. "
Although, he does joke that it makes it a little harder
to drive around, but in the end " it's easier to do business. "
MUST-HAVE ITEMS
When designing his new truck, Castaneda made sure
to include a few extra items and features in his plan. A
mini fridge was one. Situated next to his desk, Castaneda
makes sure to have drinks available for sale to appease his
customers.
Multiple A/C units to handle the Vegas heat was another
must. His previous truck had two roof A/C units. This time
around, he decided to add an engine-powered unit within
the box along with two generator-powered roof units that
he uses for extremely hot days.
Lastly, he made sure to have the ability to fit multiple
toolboxes onboard. By having custom removeable shelves
and hideaway cabinets, Castaneda can easily accommodate
three toolboxes and a hutch, if and when needed.
To view more photos
of Castaneda's truck,
scan here
NOT ALL ABOUT THE TOOLS
Although, this tool dealer has his truck packed full of tools
from the ceiling to the floor and everywhere in between, he
says it's more about selling the service.
" If I sell the service and that I'm going to be here for them
when they need something or have issues, the tools actually
sell themselves, " he says. " I don't have to be a salesman on
the tools. My customers know that when they buy from me
that there's the after care that comes with it. "
However, it's not to say that keeping up with products
is not necessary. Castaneda notes that staying current with
new tools is still an important part of the business.
" Product knowledge is a must even if you're not trying to
sell to them, you still have to know what you're selling, " he says.
Prior to becoming a mobile tool dealer, Castaneda worked
as a technician on and off for 20 years and admits that
he comes across tools that he doesn't know what they're
used for.
" Product knowledge is an ongoing thing, " he notes. " You
constantly have to educate yourself on what's new and innovative
and what works and what doesn't. I'll tell my customers
straight up if I feel that it's an invaluable tool. "
FUTURE PLANS
Being a Cornwell Top 100 tool dealer numerous times,
including last year, Castaneda's goal is to " keep going
the way it's going " and to help his daughter build up her
business, who also has her sights on becoming a Top 100
tool dealer.
Jim Castaneda
Henderson, Nevada
34 Professional Distributor I May 2023 I VehicleServicePros.com
https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/distribution/tool-distributor/article/53056434/show-me-your-truck-jim-castaneda-cornwell-quality-tools http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
may2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of may2023
