As part of his expanding business, Mac Tools distributor Tim Lyons decided to purchase a new truck by DNJ at the Mac Tools Fair 2014.
Lyons’ new truck will be two feet longer than his current ride, but no more. “I still have tight spots in some of my metro areas. I couldn’t get a 24’ into some of those areas.”
The new truck will have updated walls (carpet) for fastening products, a better power tools display; a location farther back to store and display hammers; and a corner desk, to stay out of the way of customers, and watch over his “shop” while customers are on the truck. He’ll also update to LEDs for lighting displays.
“I like the Freightliner because the turning radius is real tight,” says Lyons. “I don’t mind tools rattling. In the Midwest with longer runs, I might have a cab.”
Regarding the display and shelving, Lyons explains his decision behind keeping the wood design.
“Here in the Pacific Northwest, one of the things you’ll find is that you’re in wood country. When you look at the architecture and all of that,” he says. “With my background in office furniture, (wood means) you feel warmth, you feel good and comfortable.”
Why the new truck? While the updated storefront will be a welcome change for Lyons to fit more and organize his current inventory, he also wants to encourage his customers to come out to the truck a bit more. As Lyons nears retirement, he hopes this strategy will help lighten the load of carrying tools into each stop.
In addition to the new truck, Lyons hopes to implement quarterly promotions that require customers show up on the truck to participate.
Overall, the purchase took months of planning before Lyons decided to buy.
“The focus is, I want to have a successful business this year, but I want to make sure my cash flow fits with my payments on the new truck. I’m trying to make sure that I got the right cash flow,” says Lyons.
