VOLVO EXCAVATOR, WHEEL LOADER RECEIVE HIGHEST RETAINED VALUE AWARDS FROM EQUIPMENTWATCH.

For the seventh straight year, Volvo Construction Equipment has received a Highest Retained Value Award from EquipmentWatch, the construction industry’s leading insights provider. The 2022 awards went to the Volvo EC380E in the Large Crawler Excavators category and the Volvo L250H in the Large Wheel Loaders category.

“Volvo is committed to designing machines that retain high value over their entire lifecycle, including when owners are ready to resell them at a competitive price,” said Stephen Roy, President of Region North America, Volvo CE. “We appreciate that EquipmentWatch recognizes the innovation that goes into our machines and offers data-driven insights to support the equipment marketplace.”

Scoring the Equipment

EquipmentWatch bases its awards on intensive data analysis and the evaluation of millions of value and cost data points, with its awards program serving as a de facto buying guide for the industry. The Highest Retained Value designation recognizes equipment that retains the highest percentage of its original value for five years into the future. Buyers can rely on this objective validation to confidently purchase equipment.

The Volvo EC380 crawler excavator and L250 wheel loader feature robust structures and high-quality welding that provide superior strength and durability, making them last longer even while working on the toughest jobsites.

Volvo has also integrated machine technology that helps its products retain their value. This includes ActiveCare^® Direct, an advanced telematics system that provides insights to reduce fuel consumption, unplanned maintenance, operator errors and excessive hours caused by unnecessary idling.

To support the longevity of its equipment and help with lifecycle value, Volvo offers several additional services to machine owners, including a Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty, a Fuel Efficiency Guarantee and the Volvo Certified Used program.

Learn more about Volvo excavators and wheel loaders. 

Contact Tyler Dose at tdose@housby.com for more information on the Volvo EX380 Crawler Excavator.

View the article on volvoce.com.

Here at Housby we are always excited for the month of May and the Indy 500, though even more so this year as A.J. Foyt Racing will have a fourth entry in this year's running to celebrate the 60th anniversary of A.J. Foyt's first 500 victory. 

We're extremely proud as a company, and as friends, to have a place on the No. 1 ABC Supply Chevrolet to help celebrate an iconic moment in racing history. 

Congratulations to A.J. on this fitting tribute to a great champion, and best of luck to the entire Foyt Racing team next month!

Learn more about Housby Racing

Read the entire press release on foytracing.com

A longtime fixture in Des Moines, Iowa, Housby (online.housby.com) originally opened for business as a Mack dealership is 1969. Since that time, however, the company has grown into a nationwide, single-source solution provider.

"With the Mack/Isuzu Truck Dealership, Volvo Heavy Equipment Dealership, Load King Trailers, Transportation Division, Housby Online Sales, and all of the service associated with those companies, we have created a business model that very few can offer," says Jared Modlin, National Sales Manager as Housby.

A Solution-Driven Approach
Under the leadership of partners Kelly and Kevin Housby, the dealership takes a consultative and solution-driven approach to sales, Modlin says. It also provides its customers with parts, services, and rentals. In recent years, Sandhills Global platforms such as AuctionTime have added new opportunities for the company's growth.

"Housby has been pleased with the partnership on all levels," says Modlin. "Not only have we been able to utilize the retail sites for advertising our dealership product lines, but we have also had success with AuctionTime on moving some of our aged dealership inventory that returned strong pricing. Bringing us in on auction sale opportunities has really opened our eyes on how big we feel this opportunity can get and has gotten a large number of people within our organization excited about it."

Success with Truck Paper
On the retail side, Housby consistently runs full-page ads and occasional supplemental quarter pages in Truck Paper. "The increase in activity provided by accessing Truck Paper and Machinery Trader's buyer bases through those respective marketing avenues has yielded a noticeable increase of interest in our used dealership inventories." Modlin says. "It is widely known and accepted that these publications carry some of the most expansive buyer bases across the industry, and the leads that we have received confirm this fact."

Representative Michaela Wallace, Justin Coffey, and Jake Bergen assist Housby with multiple Sandhill sales tools. "All three have been incredible to work with," says Modlin. "There has been constant follow-up and all three have been open to questions without making it feel like it was a burden. The customer service, coupled with the opportunities all of the representatives have brought Housby staff in on, have been a great step in promoting our company's success."

Entering 2021 Strong
The year 2020 was anything but business as usual, but Modlin notes that Housby has been able to weather the pandemic better than many other types of businesses. "I'm appreciative that I've been involved with a company that has taken the proper precautions when dealing with COVID-19," he says. "It has created a need to get innovative with respect to completing normal business operations. I think once COVID is under control and the business landscape returns back to normal, we will be better and more efficient because of it."

It's still early days for Housby's relationship with Sandhills, but it has already paid dividends for both companies and opened up possibilities for the future. "We have a few AuctionTime/Housby Online Sales partnerships in the works where we will be tasked with providing auction services for AuctionTime customers that we are really excited about," Modlin says. "We look forward to the opportunities that will be presented in the coming year in this line of the business."

View the article on sandhills.com. (pages 26-27)

Our valued customers:

The products and services that Housby provides are essential to our clients, and to the transportation community as a whole. We remain dedicated to serving all of you.

 Over the past several weeks, we have taken a number of measures to help safeguard our customers and employees among our open facilities:

While these are certainly unprecedented times, please know that we continue to remain committed to providing exceptional service to you, our customer.

Our thoughts go out to those who have been affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We especially appreciate the healthcare workers, our local community leaders, and government entities around the country who are working tirelessly to contain this pandemic.

We are truly grateful for you, our customers, and our valued team members. Please continue to take care of yourselves, each other, and your families.

Sincerely,

Kelly Housby and Kevin Housby

This year’s North America Competitive Satisfaction Survey (COSS) ranked Volvo CE in first place for overall customer satisfaction.

Heavy equipment owners surveyed as part of the Customer Satisfaction Survey (COSS) collectively placed Volvo CE above competitors in the market. COSS measures customer perceptions across the entire purchase and ownership experience for those who have bought a unit of construction equipment over the past three years. Volvo CE uses the survey to reflect on the areas where it excels and those that need improvement. 

“It is great to see that the activity and heavy focus to improving our COSS results for NA is paying off,” shares Stephen Roy, Head of Region North America. “This is a result of the great efforts of our team, our dealers and other Group functions working together to improve our support of customers.”  

Volvo earned an 8.67 and placed first; compared to the previous year where it received an 8.47 and placed third.  A 0.2 improvement in the Uptime Support Index for the third consecutive year contributed to the result and represents a long-term focus.

“Our Uptime department was the first within Volvo CE, and it brings a strong focus on solving issues quickly using ActiveCare Direct and ensuring we call our dealers back daily when we have a machine down. We cannot be complacent as the competition is focused on improving customer experience as well,” says Stephen.

Housby Heavy Equipment was a key contributor to the overall ranking, being named Uptime Dealer of the Year in North America for 2019, the most recent year awarded.

Five sub groups make up the overall satisfaction rating. The groups include the Sales Index, Delivery Service, Uptime Support, Ownership Care, and Product. 

Volvo also scored first against competitors on the Net Promoter Score (NPS), which determines how likely a customer is to recommend purchasing to others. Volvo received a rating of 49 compared to CAT’s 23, Komatsu’s 30, and John Deere’s zero. 

The COSS demonstrated that Volvo CE excels in machine environmental care, repair statues and updates, service quality, machine disposal offers, and finance offers. The areas of improvement include handling complaints, machine uptime, spare parts availability, invoicing, and delivery with full documentation.

Des Moines, IA (October 2020) -

People want to work for Housby. Tyler Olson says that’s been the case for years. But don’t just take it from him.

“We’ve been named one of the Top 50 places to work in Iowa for the last six years,” he says.

As general manager of the company’s Mack, Isuzu and Cummins dealership in Des Moines, Olson says Housby’s perennial ranking among the state’s best employers by the Des Moines Register is a source of pride throughout the business. After ranking 16^th in the Midsize Business category in 2018, Housby leapt to third in the category in 2019.

The Register hasn’t named its top businesses yet this year, but regardless of how those rankings turn out, 2020 already has been another milestone year for Housby, which was named a finalist for the Successful Dealer Award for the first time in July.

No matter how many accolades the company receives, Olson says Housby remains forever humble about its sterling reputation.

The business has been singularly focused on serving customers since Jack Housby first opened it in 1969. And while public praise is appreciated, Olson says that’s not why the company works so hard. Olson says at Housby, putting people first will always be its raison d’etre.

“Our ownership team knows everyone who works in this business and they truly care about each and every person. I don’t think that’s something you see a lot with businesses that have more than 200 people, but it’s definitely the case here,” he says.

First founded as a truck detail and towing business, the company now encompasses a medium- and heavy-duty truck and trailer dealership with equipment sales, parts, service, body and collision repair and customized maintenance programs; a Volvo construction equipment division; a specialty mixer systems production business; and a national auction house that holds two dozen auctions per year.

Olson says the multitude of services enables Housby to be uniquely positioned to serve central Iowa’s diverse customer base, which includes on-highway and off-road fleets as well as municipalities, waste and refuse haulers, construction and heavy industry businesses and the agriculture sector.

“We tell all of our customers we want to be their one-stop shop; we can take care of them from front bumper to back [bumper] and everywhere in between,” he says.

How does Housby do it? Olson says that’s where the company’s employee-centric culture comes in.

Housby’s leadership team has worked tirelessly to instill a culture of respect, transparency, cooperation and communication across the operation. Olson says once an associate is hired at Housby, they are “part of the family,” which means their thoughts and ideas on how to help the business run more efficiently and better serve customers are always welcomed, appreciated and evaluated.

And when good ideas are submitted, they’re acted upon.

“We are always quick to adapt,” Olson says. “I think that’s something our customers like about us. When we find a way to do something better or offer something that helps them, we do it.”

Employees like that too, Olson says. Turnover within Housby’s truck dealer operation is almost non-existent. Employees are more likely to stay two hours late than leave two hours early, and even with COVID-19 and August’s derecho windstorm impacting the business, Olson says Housby employees continue to go above and beyond in a difficult 2020.

“They have told us how much they want to keep coming to work every day to keep our customers going,” he says.

Housby returns the favor through generous training and career path development programs, such as its scholarship program (in partnership with Des Moines Area Community College) for new technicians, its Housby University program for existing technicians and a comprehensive leadership program for associates who strive to move into management roles within the company.

And similarly, generous efforts are taken outside the business.

Olson says Housby partners with local schools to offer career preparedness assistance and is a major contributor to several non-profits, including to Youth Homes of Mid-America, which provides troubled youth and their families a path to independence, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Iowa and Easterseals Iowa, among others.

Regarding Easterseals, the Housby family helped the group raise more than $360,000 during its 2017 fundraising initiative.

By Lucas Deal
Trucks, Parts, Service

Des Moines, IA (July 2020) -

Selected as one of three finalists for 2020 Service Lane MVP, master service advisor John McCollum has been recognized for the skills he brings to his role at Housby in Des Moines, Iowa, where he now serves as the liaison between customers and service technicians.

He’s always had a passion for extreme customer service, and his previous decades of experience in the restaurant industry have served him well.

“You learn a lot about customer service, how to keep people coming back, and how a business operates,” the 53-year-old says about his previous experience. “From budgeting to hiring to purchasing, you learn all the things that make a person well-rounded in the business world. You get a very good foundation of business knowledge.”

From restaurants to big rigs

Before he began explaining mechanics to fleet managers and owner-operators, John McCollum was a manager and then owner of a Midwest diner called Country Kitchen, and later bought a steakhouse franchise.

After leaving the restaurant business, McCollum landed in customer service for a Ford dealership in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was promoted to service advisor.

There, he says, he learned a lot about the mechanical side of being a service advisor — and he got to put his restaurant industry customer service skills to good use. In 2017, he was hired by Housby Mack where he says he was thrilled to learn about the Mack service advisor curriculum. In fact, in his first week at Housby he completed all of the service advisor eLearning.

“The classes were highly beneficial for any service advisor,” he says.

At Housby, McCollum focuses on breakdown repairs and says that the atmosphere is different than at the car dealership. “Technicians in the car world are often paid a flat rate and don’t have time to explain things to a service advisor. In the truck world, relationships with technicians are stronger. It’s much easier to get the information I need to relay to my customer,” he says.

Learning the ropes

The training — combined with McCollum’s ability to listen well, his attention to detail and his empathetic nature — helped McCollum earn the title of master service advisor. After just three years at Housby Mack, he won the 2019 Isuzu Service Walk Around Competition. He hoped to do the same for Mack at UPTIME 2020 in Dallas before it was rescheduled for later this fall due to COVID-19 concerns.

Handling customers with care

When McCollum ran a restaurant, he was the kind of manager and owner who cleared snowy paths for people to get safely in and out of their cars. As a service advisor, he exhibits that same level of caring, citing a time this winter when a truck driver traveling with his wife broke down in an empty lot across from Housby.

A busy four-lane highway separated couple and dealership, and when the driver called Housby and talked to McCollum, the driver said he would walk across the highway. McCollum insisted on hopping in a courtesy vehicle and picking up the couple, and then he arranged a tow for the truck. When the couple wanted to return to the truck to retrieve a few items, McCollum drove them. “I wouldn’t allow them to walk back and forth across the street,” he says. “It’s too dangerous.”

Once a technician repaired the truck and the customer went on his way, he called McCollum to let him know that he’d made it safely to his destination.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to treat customers in a way that makes them feel you care,” McCollum says. “Everybody wants to feel like they are important, and in this business, they want to feel like I own their repair.

“One of the things that always stood out to me in the restaurant world is that you should never let a customer leave with anything but a positive feeling,” he says. “That’s the way I live every hour of every day. If I can be the guy who keeps someone on the road and gets him to his destination on time, there’s a lot of joy in that for me.” 

Housby Heavy Equipment is the Volvo Construction Equipment 2019 Uptime Dealer of the Year for its commitment to providing customers unrivaled service and support.

Shippensburg, PA (June 2020) - Volvo Construction Equipment has named Housby Heavy Equipment its 2019 Uptime Dealer of the Year in North America.

The Uptime Dealer of the Year award recognizes the North American dealership that demonstrates Volvo’s commitment to being the No. 1 uptime provider in the construction industry, including with its new Service Commitment pledge to provide customers unrivaled service and support.

With Des Moines-based Housby Heavy Equipment, these are not just words. Their actions prove their dedication to keeping their customers up and running. One example is keeping a fully stocked parts department, which allowed them to achieve 98% parts availability in 2019. Another is the outfitting of nine Mack trucks to use as service trucks to help improve customer uptime.

“From our expertly trained service staff to our dedicated customer service representatives, from our large parts inventory to our mobile lube truck, we are set up to help keep our customers on the job and productive,” said Kelly Housby, President of Housby Heavy Equipment. “Uptime is a priority for our customers, and it’s our priority, too. When we took over the Volvo CE distributorship, our focus was to hire the best parts and service team, followed by a great sales team, and build a culture that totally supports uptime with the integrity and care of the entire organization.”

Housby joined the Volvo CE dealer network in 2017 and has represented Mack Trucks since 1969. With locations in Des Moines, Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, and Carroll, the solid reputation for service that they’ve earned as a Mack dealer is replicating across its growing construction customer base across Central and Eastern Iowa.

“Housby’s dedication to continually improving customer service and uptime are increasingly setting them apart from their competition,” said Stephen Roy, Senior Vice President Region North America. “They are truly partners in making sure machines are working when they need to be.”

Des Moines, Iowa (September 12, 2019) – Housby received third place overall for Top Iowa Workplace for Mid-Size Companies. This award is based solely on the feedback that Housby employees offered through an employee survey. More than 130 employees participated, which is very unique to have such great participation. This year only 135 companies made the Top Workplace list, and Housby ranking third is a great accomplishment.

From The Des Moines Register, “Housby believes the company’s family-first attitude is part of what has kept it among Iowa’s top workplaces for six consecutive years.” 

At Housby, we are forever grateful that Jack Housby's values have been passed down to Kelly and Kevin Housby, and still continue today. Read more about Housby and why we have a family-first environment, in this Des Moines Register article.

Thank you to each individual employee for everything that you do in making Housby a great place to work!

Des Moines, Iowa (September 13, 2018) –Thanks to our employees, the Des Moines Register has once again recognized Housby as a Top Workplace in Iowa, marking the fifth year in a row for the Des Moines-based company.

From The Des Moines Register, “The Top Workplaces program was set-up to recognize companies that have a great workplace. We have found that Top Workplaces have the working environment that allows them to outperform peers. The most successful companies are the ones that employees believe in.”

At Housby, we couldn’t agree more. We strongly believe that by caring for our employees, they will in turn care for our customers. The management of Housby is thankful for the employees who continually make this company a great place to work – it would not be possible without them. Thank you to our employees for once again making Housby a top workplace in Des Moines!

View Housby's Top Workplace listing >

Kansas City, MO February 27, 2018 – Utility One Source (UOS) announced today a major rebranding effort, changing the company’s name to Custom Truck One Source. The rebrand unifies all company platforms under the Custom Truck One Source name.

As part of the rebrand, the online sales partnership with Housby will also be changing names, now titled Custom Truck One Source Housby Online Sales. This partnership allows Custom Truck One Source the opportunity to provide a complete solution to its customer base not only for equipment purchasing but also for equipment disposal.

Known for customization across a wide range of industries and a vast array of products, Custom Truck One Source is positioned as a true “one stop shop” for its customers. Company officials say the new name sends a clearer message about what the company does.

“Every day, people look to us for innovative solutions—and clear communication about them,” said Fred Ross, CEO. “With our focus on custom in the name, it can work for every industry we serve, whether it’s utility, forestry, rail, construction, propane, oil & gas, or other heavy equipment industries. We think Custom Truck One Source does a good job of that.”

Load King, a trailer and equipment manufacturing subsidiary, will continue to operate under its well-known name, while including Custom Truck One Source in its logo and communications.

The transition to the new name has already begun and becomes official on April 1. Ross and other executives are rolling out the rebrand in communications to all partners and vendors.

“It’s an exciting time for Custom Truck One Source,” said Ryan McMonagle, COO. “Our industries are moving fast, and it takes speed, skill and ingenuity to meet the changes. We think the new brand reflects that and will help keep us headed in the right direction.”

ABOUT CUSTOM TRUCK ONE SOURCE
Custom Truck One Source is the first true single-source provider of specialized truck and heavy equipment solutions. With sales, rentals, aftermarket parts and service, equipment customization, remanufacturing, financing solutions, and asset disposal, our team of experts, vast equipment breadth and integrated network of locations across North America offer superior service and unmatched efficiency for our customers. Learn more at customtruck.com and keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT HOUSBY
Founded in 1969, Housby has grown to serve customers across America and around the world from its headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. For nearly 50 years, Housby has developed a full menu of services specific to each customer’s needs and across all industry types. Online timed sales, transportation, ready-mix system manufacturing, complete truck refurbishment, and engine rebuilds are just a few of the services offered, now to include heavy equipment. Learn more at housby.com.