Shawn 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.
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.
