IN THE LAND OF THE IROQUOIS

You head south out of Chicago, following U.S. 1. Ninety miles of fading city and blooming countryside later, as you discover the real beauty of the Downstate Illinois area known as Iroquois County, the town of Watseka displays itself on your windshield, and you can feel the small town spirit slowly spreading into your day.

It might surprise you to learn that a major field like the Transportation Industry could be so dependent on this small Midwestern community, but since Watseka is the home of Geiger Truck Parts, Inc., every trucker on the road has reason to mark it on their maps!

Geiger Truck Parts plays an important role in the lives of many residents of a broad local area, as well. The Fifteen-Acre facility is devoted entirely to Truck Parts, from Pickups to the Big Rigs, and specializes in Class 8 (semi-tractors) trucks, the "bread and butter" of the Rural American life. Doug Geiger, President of this Family-Owned and Operated Company, has certainly grown to appreciate the important role of the Truck in Middle America!

WE'VE COME ALONG WAY

Doug's father, Vernon Geiger, started the business as a recycling facility called "Watseka Triangle" way back in 1956, and the Company has gone through several transitions--plastics, scrap metals, and auto parts—before arriving at its current specialized basis. Besides the business’s evolution the facilities have also changed.

In 1990, a new 22,000 square foot building, complete with a six-bay shop, dismantling areas, rebuilding rooms, fully-equipped machine shop and an impressive office and sales lobby, was completed. In 1998, a 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse addition was completed. It includes an outside part washing station and part storage using wire-guided forklifts. Geiger Truck Parts has come a long way from its humble beginnings in the pre-Beatles years.

Under Doug's leadership, the Company has also undergone a change in philosophy. "We've realized," says he, "that we don't need to keep all fifteen acres full of slowly decaying hulks!" Along with the new building and facilities, the Company built a plan of action that called for emphasis on Pre-Dismantling the incoming trucks, and keeping the scrap bins full and ready for prompt removal.

PEOPLE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET OF ANY BUSINESS

Nowhere is this growth more evident than in the makeup of the eighteen-person staff! "People have distinct roles here, now," Doug explains, "and there is little time for overlap! We have four people dedicated exclusively to rebuilding the rear ends and transmissions that fill the ever-increasing demand for these parts." This keeps as many Customer-owned vehicles as possible out of the lot.

Of equal importance is the dismantling crew. "These guys keep the rest of us supplied with parts to build, as well as helping the 'walk-in' customer retrieve the various engine, cab or chassis parts they need to keep their trucks running!"

Geiger Truck Parts delivers throughout a pretty wide market area, and the Company's trucks and drivers are recognized all over the Midwest. "They're our 'ambassadors-at-large', " is Doug's comment, complete with a smile. "They show the Company's determination to do the job right, the first time! Our motto is 'Whatever It Takes!', and we're proud to let it show on our trucks, and in the way we conduct ourselves in the business!"

At the helm of this corporate vessel is the Office Staff. Doug is constantly aided by the most competent group of Truck-savvy office personnel in the industry. Linked by computer to thousands of other yards across the country, these people can help any customer, even if the part needed is not in their own inventory. "It may sound a little funny," Doug says, tongue-in-cheek, "but if Caesar had had people this good, we'd all be speaking Latin, even today!"

THE PART YOU NEED IS WAITING TODAY

The Company's inventory runs as far back as the late 'Seventies'. Trucks that are well maintained have longer useful lives than cars, particularly in Rural America, so Doug finds that older parts still sell strongly. Salvage trucks come in from a variety of sources, including individuals, fleets, and insurance pools. "The most interesting form of salvage, however, is the parts that arrive in component form, either a transmission, or a rear-end, or even a complete drive train." Doug refers to supplies that come from a number of contacts who cut up "old" trucks and sell the individual components. He estimates that his operation processes over 300 various-sized trucks each year, but acknowledges that this number doesn't present the whole picture. "We go through so many components!" he says.

QUALITY...IN OUR PRODUCTS, IN OUR SERVICES

Flexibility, Doug believes, is the most important quality his business possesses, and he recognizes that it's his team of professionally minded people who give the Company that quality. "When a truck owner's livelihood is threatened by the lack of a part, and if we can supply that part in quality condition and at a reasonable price, there's no doubt he'll remember that fact somewhere down the road. He'll mention it to others, and come back himself, the next time he needs help. Without a competent staff, we can't take care of him, and he'd soon forget all about us. It takes good people to provide the quick, informed response that keeps a customer happy!"

LOOKING OUT FOR TODAY...AND FOR TOMORROW

Despite the positive outlook, due primarily to the fact that "so many things have to be trucked", Doug has a number of concerns. At the top of that list is the Environment. Although he admits he doesn't know quite what the State of Illinois plans in that arena, he does feel the need to "stay one step ahead of the regulators!" He reasons that it's much easier to play by the rules, than to have to correct something that, no matter how innocently, has broken them
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Toward that end, his building is equipped with devices for on-site recycling of water used in parts cleaning, and ways to control other potential sources of hazardous waste. "You can't put water you're unsure of down the drain without worrying. We're trying to do our part, and avoid the worries."

GEIGER TRUCK PARTS...WHATEVER IT TAKES!

The sum total of all of the innovations, quality, and dedication, according to Doug, is that "We'll be here when you need us. Our most important asset, in my opinion, is the ability to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to do the job right.