october2023 - 50

SHOW ME YOUR TRUCK
Taking a
leap of faith
Tracy Bourdon's 2023 Freightliner is
equipped with everything he needs to
make the buying experience smooth and
efficient for his customers.
By Elli Carder, Assistant Editor
C
ornwell Quality Tools dealer Tracy Bourdon
designed his 2023 Freightliner from Summit
Bodyworks in Colorado in June of 2022. However,
because of COVID-19 delays, it wasn't until nearly seven
months later, in January, that the truck was finally sent
out on its first route.
GETTING STARTED
Bourdon has been selling tools since 2020 when he and his
wife made their first truck live at the height of the COVID-19
pandemic. Despite the challenges the couple faced, Bourdon
leaned on his background of 20 years as a technician and he
and his wife Monica Bourdon hit the ground running.
" It was a leap of faith, " Bourdon says.
In their first year, they ranked as No. 34 in Cornwall's
Top 100 tool dealers, and now they have around 380 to 400
loyal customers.
At three years out, Bourdon's business is right where he
wants it. His routes run in some of the bigger cities in Northern
Alabama, like Huntsville, Madison, Athens, and Decatur.
Today, they're 100 percent family-owned with Monica working
full time with him.
Bourdon services mostly mechanic shops, a few body
shops, a couple of heavy duty shops (both independent and
dealership), and even one boat shop.
BUILDING THE TRUCK
While at a tool show, Bourdon was able to work with Summit
Bodyworks and design his truck on the spot.
Knowing he would need room for both himself and
Monica, Bourdon picked a truck with a 24' wide body box.
This allowed for plenty of room to stand in the truck and
talk to customers without feeling cramped.
When customizing the truck, Bourdon added slide outs for
tool mounting, a bigger refrigerator so he could offer drinks
to customers, and two empty spots on the back of the truck
for storing carts.
50 Professional Distributor I October 2023 I VehicleServicePros.com
Tracy Bourdon
Northern Alabama
Perhaps the most important addition of all to the truck
is Bourdon's Aussie doodle Deezal, the dog that's been riding
with him since he was eight weeks old.
" We have customers come to the truck just to see the dog, "
says Bourdon. " He's got his favorite stops, and he likes to see
everybody and greet [them] at the door. "
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE
When you first walk onto Bourdon's truck, you'll see a long,
open shelf with tools on display so customers can peruse
without the need for opening drawers.
" My district manager turned me on to that, " Bourdon
says. " He goes, 'Dude... you open this stuff, you won't believe
what kind of sales you have.' At first, I was like, 'No, it won't
[make a difference],' but it [did]. "
Bourdon keeps his tools neatly organized, with wrenches
together, sockets together, and separate categories of tools and
equipment designated to certain parts of the truck. This type
of organization has been incredibly helpful for Bourdon's
customers, especially those with specific jobs they need to
accomplish that require distinct tools.
Bourdon explains that, " A lot of guys really don't have to
ask, 'Hey, where's this at?' "
In fact, Bourdon's organization and cleanliness is one of
the things customers compliment the most about his truck.
MAKING IT EASY FOR THE CUSTOMER
Tuesday through Friday, Monica helps out with their computer
station on the truck. She's able to help any buyers out
by showing them the digital catalog and whatever else they
might need assistance with.
Bourdon says he and Monica have been blessed with
not only their customer base, but also the great successes
they've experienced.
" The economy worries me a little bit, " Bourdon admits.
" But as the pandemic showed, technicians aren't going
anywhere. "
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
october2023

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