Episode 4: The only thing stopping 80,000 pounds from crashing into you and your family on our highways are the brakes on commercial vehicles. Commercial fleets must balance safety for the public and their drivers with the economics of operating a commercial trucking fleet in Canada. The stakes have never been higher and one bad decision on brakes can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This podcast is available on PartsForTrucks.com/podcast, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Key Topics Covered

• Brake Safety Week in Canada found 12.6% of inspections led to brake-related out-of-service violations
• Investing 8-10% more in quality brake components can significantly reduce total operating costs
• One fleet saved nearly $100,000 by upgrading to higher quality friction materials
• Air disc brakes now account for 50% of North American Class 8 trucks, expected to reach 75% by 2030
• Proper brake identification requires understanding differences between manufacturers and models
• Quality friction materials contain better lubricants, abrasives, and undergo more precise manufacturing
• Thorough brake inspections must check component wear, air system integrity, and proper adjustment
• Technicians must verify brake geometry and stroke measurements during installation and adjustment

Guest Bios

• Jay Kay: Joe has been with the Brake engineering team for 30 years. Joe started when the company was Rockwell International, then it became Meritor and now is part of Cummins.
• Robert Goodwin: Robert has 53 years of experience in heavy-duty parts and has been with PFT for 38 years, he is now serving as our Manager, Customer Care Help Desk in Eastern Canada.
• Phil Hutton: Service Manager in our Dartmouth. Phil leads his team as they service our customers equipment.

Disclaimer: The Parts For Trucks podcast is produced by Parts for Trucks, Inc for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Parts For Trucks, Inc. Read more...

Visit PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for all links.

Episode 3: In this episode, host Jamie Irvine and his guests provide a comprehensive overview of the company’s capabilities and its commitment to the Canadian trucking industry. Featuring interviews with Luke McKenzie, Matt Pounder, and Sam LeBlanc, their discussions emphasize the company’s mission to make business easier for our customers and the ways that Parts For Trucks is changing the parts and service industry in Canada.

Available on PartsForTrucks.com/podcast, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Key Topics Covered

• Company Overview: Parts For Trucks operates 32 locations across Canada, including two distribution centers, 16 parts stores, 12 parts and service locations, and three trailer shops, with over 650 employees.
• Mission and Purpose: The company exists to strengthen the Canadian transportation industry by improving efficiency and to build a Canadian-owned national player that creates career opportunities.
• Parts Access: Curating high-quality products from top vendors to meet customer needs, reducing downtime and total cost of operation.
• Service Capabilities: Offering consistent, coast-to-coast repair services to address technician shortages and provide insights that enhance parts distribution.
• Future Vision: Expanding locations, enhancing talent, and reducing customer friction through accessible purchasing options (online, in-store, phone).

Resources Mentioned

• Parts For Trucks website: PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for episode access, subscription links, and additional content.

Guest Bios

• Luke McKenzie: President of Parts For Trucks, Luke works every day to build a strong Canadian-owned business and he is committed to maintaining the Parts For Trucks’ legacy while advocating for industry issues like right-to-repair.
• Matt Pounder: A seasoned parts professional, Matt emphasizes active listening and tailored solutions to meet customer needs, leveraging vendor training and the company’s learning management system to enhance counter staff expertise and build lasting customer relationships.
• Sam LeBlanc: Service Manager at Parts For Trucks’ Moncton location in the Eastern Region, Sam leads his team in identifying root causes of failures, minimizing downtime, and delivering solutions that keep customers’ operations running smoothly.

Disclaimer: The Parts For Trucks podcast is produced by Parts for Trucks, Inc for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Parts For Trucks, Inc. Read more...

Visit PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for all links.

Episode 2: What happens when the trucking industry's wheels stop turning? It's a question most Canadians never consider, but every essential item in your home—food, medicine, clothing, fuel—arrived on a truck. Without the trucking industry, our way of life would grind to a halt. But what is the history of this industry we are so reliant on?

This second episode of the Parts for Trucks podcast takes you on a journey through a century of Canadian trucking history and reveals the remarkable story behind one of the industry's most enduring companies.

Available on PartsForTrucks.com/podcast, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Key Topics Covered

• Evolution of the Transportation Industry: From canoes, corduroy roads, horse-and-wagon, and steam powered trains to diesel powered commercial trucks pulling 53 foot trailers, the transportation industry has evolved over the last 200+ years.
• Impact of Historical Events: The Great Depression and World War II spurred infrastructure growth, boosting the trucking industry’s expansion.
• History of Parts For Trucks: Founded in 1919 as Scotia Garage, rebranded to Parts For Trucks in 1987, and expanded coast-to-coast with acquisitions in 2017 and 2022.
• Canada-US Trade Relations: The trucking industry’s growth through agreements like NAFTA, navigating tariffs and regulations, and its critical role in 90% of consumer goods transport.
• Canadian Identity: The pride in supporting a vital industry, fostering innovation, and contributing to Canada’s global reputation of resilience.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: 100 Years of Trucking in Atlantic Canada by Joel Miller, available digitally through Parts For Trucks.
• Parts For Trucks website: PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for episode access and additional content.

Guest Bios:

• Joel Miller: Author of 100 Years of Trucking in Atlantic Canada, commissioned by Parts For Trucks to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019.
• Andy Raymond: Former co-owner of Parts For Trucks, Andy joined the company in the 1970s, contributing to its growth through technological innovations, such as early computer systems, and the 1987 rebranding to Parts For Trucks. Alongside his brother Paul, he led the company with a team-oriented approach until its sale to the Miller family in 2017.
• Corey Miller: CEO of Parts For Trucks, Corey, alongside his brother Brett, acquired the company in 2017. Growing up in the tire business, he brings a deep respect for the heavy-duty industry and a commitment to making Parts For Trucks the easiest supplier to work with.

Disclaimer: The Parts For Trucks podcast is produced by Parts for Trucks, Inc for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Parts For Trucks, Inc. Read more...

Visit PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for all links.

Episode 1: Join Jamie Irvine, National Sales Director at Parts For Trucks, on the Parts For Trucks Podcast, where we empower heavy-duty trucking professionals with tools, strategies, and knowledge to excel. In our debut episode, discover our promise to make your job easier, cut costs, and elevate your performance in an industry that’s the backbone of society. Tune in for practical insights and stay for the passion—because what you do matters.

Available on PartsForTrucks.com/podcast, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

Key Topics Covered

• The importance of the heavy-duty trucking industry to society and the economy.
• The podcast’s goals: providing tools, strategies, and knowledge to simplify work, reduce costs, and improve performance.
• How Parts For Trucks plans to share expertise from experienced professionals within the company and its supplier network.

Resources Mentioned

• Parts For Trucks website: PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for episode access and links.

Host Bio: Jamie Irvine is the National Sales Director at Parts For Trucks and the host of the Parts For Trucks podcast. With nearly 30 years in the heavy-duty parts industry, Jamie has extensive experience in manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, and sales. Jamie previously hosted over 350 episodes of The Heavy Duty Parts Report and has consulted with numerous manufacturers, distributors, and service companies.

Disclaimer: The Parts For Trucks podcast is produced by Parts for Trucks, Inc for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Parts For Trucks, Inc. Read more...

Visit PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for all links.