Three Wise Truck Guys

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Three Wise Truck Guys podcast, where Keith Ely, John Whitnell, and Mark Martincic share valuable insights into the trucking industry.  Special guest Justin Keck of Bruckner's Truck Sales joins Patrick Huizenga from KEA Advisors to share their experience from a recent collaboration project in optimizing warehouse layouts and workflows, shedding light on strategies that lead to enhanced productivity and customer satisfaction. Listeners will walk away with actionable ideas for adapting to market dynamics and making informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment. Tune in for a mix of expert advice and practical takeaways that can revitalize your dealership's operations.

In this engaging installment, the Three Wise Truck Guys are joined by special guests from Bergey's Truck Centers, to delve into pressing industry topics that are shaping the commercial dealership world. The episode kicks off with a lively discussion on the impact of tariffs on truck pricing and dealership strategies. John Whitnell brings valuable insights into how tariffs are influencing used truck markets and the pricing strategies dealers should consider. The conversation then pivots to effective communication strategies that dealers can use to navigate these complex tariff-related challenges. The second half of the episode features a deep dive with guests Mark Brown and Amber Worley from Bergey's Truck Centers. They share the remarkable success story of their connected vehicle maintenance services, highlighting how innovative telematics solutions are revolutionizing customer service in the trucking industry. From optimizing fleet maintenance schedules to offering a white-glove service approach, learn how Bergey's Truck Centers is setting new standards for customer engagement and vehicle uptime. Listen in to discover a fresh perspective on overcoming industry challenges and how leveraging technology can lead to superior service and stronger customer relationships. Don't miss the insights and practical tips that can drive success in today's dealership landscape.

Welcome to another insightful episode of Three Wise Truck Guys from KEA Advisors. This time, we're delving into the pivotal changes and forecasts for the used truck market, highlighting the growing role of AI and technology in transforming service departments. Our hosts, Keith, Mark, and John, discuss their predictions for 2025 and beyond, focusing on how these advancements impact dealership operations and customer service. They also tackle the challenges posed by new truck pricing, tariffs, and the ever-evolving demands of the market.  

Welcome to another engaging episode of "The Three Wise Truck Guys" podcast, brought to you from Lawrence, Kansas. This time, our hosts are thrilled to have the insightful Mark Whitnell back from his sabbatical, adding his valuable perspectives to the discussion. Join us as we dive into the current state of the used truck market, where John shares an optimistic update despite ongoing challenges with supply and pricing stability. In an intriguing conversation, Mark Martincic sheds light on service industry trends, focusing on overcoming customer pushback on pricing and the importance of efficient service processes. Additionally, we explore the significance of attracting new talent to the trucking industry, emphasizing the benefits of recruiting from outside the traditional pool. The episode features a special segment with Amber Kelzner, Director of Business Intelligence, and guest Mark Wille from Kenworth Toronto. They delve into the innovative PULSE tool, a game-changer for dealership operations, providing real-time insights to enhance profitability and efficiency across departments. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with valuable industry insights and strategies for navigating the evolving trucking landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode promises to inform and inspire.

Join hosts Keith Ely and Mark Martincic as they discuss the current state of the truck dealership market and effective strategies for navigating slow business periods. In this insightful conversation, they highlight the importance of planning, customer outreach, enhancing the customer experience, and expanding service operations. This episode also features a special guest, Mike Previdi from Gabrielli Truck Sales, who shares his experiences and insights on managing multiple rooftops and integrating new acquisitions. Mike discusses the importance of consistent training, leveraging technology like PULSE, and fostering a positive work environment to ensure business growth and employee satisfaction. Tune in to hear how Gabrielli Truck Sales has successfully implemented training programs and inventory management solutions, and learn about the significant impact these initiatives have had on their operations.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Three Wise Truck Guys podcast, hosted by Keith Ely from Key Advisors. With regular co-host Mark Martincic and special guests Jeremy Smallwood and Chris Norris, we delve into the intricate world of truck parts management. While our third Wise Truck Guy, John, is still on sabbatical, we've brought in experts to fill the void. In this episode, we revisit our discussion on parts management, focusing on obsolescence reduction, inventory integrity, and the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Jeremy and Chris share their insights and success stories, revealing how effective inventory management can lead to significant cost savings and improved service department efficiency. From the challenges of managing dirty cores to the critical role of vendor-managed inventory systems, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the strategies and best practices that can transform your parts department. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, you'll find valuable takeaways to enhance your operations and profitability. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of truck parts management with the Three Wise Truck Guys!

The Three Wise Truck guys are joined by Professional Advisor Jeremy Smallwood of KEA Advisors to dive into all things Parts. 

An exciting episode from "Three Wise Truck Guys from Key Advisors" where the spotlight is on transforming service department performance. We explore, with industry veteran Gil Klinger, how the integration of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) along with Decisiv, can revolutionize service workflow and overall operational efficiency.

In this engaging episode of 'Three Wise Truck Guys', join industry experts Keith Ely, John Whitnell, and Mark Martincic as they delve into the complex world of the used truck market. They kickstart a riveting discussion with an overview of the previous year, detailing how 2023 unfolded as a year of correction culminating from a series of changes in the market dynamics that began in 2020.

In celebration of 5,000 downloads, the Three Wise Truck Guys answer questions from our listeners. Do you have a question you would like answered? Reach out to us today and maybe we will answer your question on the next episode. 

Allen Phibbs joins us again time to wrap up our discussion on leadership training. 

The Three Wise Truck Guys welcome KEA Advisors Education and Training Director, Allen Phibbs to the podcast to discuss the success of the Emerging Leaders program and growing leadership rolls within your dealership. 

It's the Two Wise Truck Guys in today's episode as John and Keith review the first six months of the used truck market and where the next six months will take us. 

Join Keith, Mark and John as they wrap up our series on dealership service departments. 

The Three Wise Truck Guys are at it again discussing continuous improvement in the service department. 

In this episode of Three Wise Truck Guys we welcome JB Rihm and Valerie Woods to the podcast to discuss continuous improvement. 

Mark Martincic leads a discussion on building the structure needed for a successful service department.

The Three Wise Truck Guys address tech retention and then tap into the expertise of John Whitnell to dive into what we should look for in the 2023 Used Truck market. 

Join the Three Wise Truck Guys as they take a look back at 2022, where the commercial trucking industry stands today and what the future of 2023 holds.

Join the Three Wise Truck guys with guest Kent Ely as they discuss how to increase your parts inventory performance. 

Ryan Donald of McMahon joins the Three Wise Truck Guys to talk about Parts Staffing Productivity.

Cory Miller from Bruckner's joins the Three Wise Truck Guys and Amber Kelzer of KEA Advisors to discuss Parts Performance.

DMS conversions are one of the most disruptive things a dealership can go through. When’s the best time to do it? What considerations must you take in the selection process? Most importantly, how do you align your organizational processes to the system, no matter which one you’re working with? The Three Wise Guys are experts in this, having successfully assisted in hundreds of DMS conversions and installs in dealerships all over the continent. Mark, Keith, and John had so much to say we’ve split this episode into two parts.

DMS conversions are one of the most disruptive things a dealership can go through. When’s the best time to do it? What considerations must you take in the selection process? Most importantly, how do you align your organizational processes to the system, no matter which one you’re working with? The Three Wise Guys are experts in this, having successfully assisted in hundreds of DMS conversions and installs in dealerships all over the continent. Mark, Keith, and John had so much to say we’ve split this episode into two parts.

Korey Neal, President at K. Neal Truck & Bus Center, joins Keith, Mark, and John to share his wisdom and experience around breaking ground, growing, and developing the new facilities at K. Neal.

Lucas Deal of Successful Dealer joins the Three Wise Truck Guys to talk about the past, current, and future of the Used Truck world.

Market Development expert and KEA Advisor Gary Weisbaum joins the Three Wise Truck Guys for an in-depth discussion on pivoting your sales and marketing efforts to increase parts and service sales.

The Three Wise Truck Guys bring in special guest, Amber Kelzer, Director of Business Intelligence at KEA Advisors, to talk about Parts Inventory Health as a strategic initiative at dealerships. Learn how to challenge every piece of your parts inventory management.

Special guest Casey Scheirer talks with the Three Wise Guys about utilizing LEAN concepts in process-change engagements with KEA Advisors customers.

Join the guys as they cover the fourteen principles of LEAN, and how to apply them during our current crisis. 

Join Mark, Keith and John for part one of a discussion about continuous improvement. 

This month, the guys are joined by special guests from the KEA BI department, Amber Kelzer and Patrick Huizenga, as well as Controller and Inventory pro Kent Ely to talk utilization of DMS and VMI, and healthy habits in the parts department.

Mark, Keith, and John discuss service department operations: common pitfalls, opportunities, and the various ways a service department can succeed or struggle.   

We share our perspectives on 2020. What should dealerships be doing now to prepare for a year that’s looking to return to normal market conditions? How should you gear up as things settle down?

Join the guys for a discussion on an important part of Change Management: Addressing The Why. When does change work? When does it fail? Can you describe the why to your team? Allen Phibbs is our special guest to talk about the leadership aspect of change.

Industry veterans Mark Martincic, John Whitnell and Keith Ely have watched the dealership world change a lot throughout their decades working in it, and they look forward to commiserating, reminiscing, reflecting and observing on their many cumulative years as consultants, talking about what the future may hold for this industry, discussing "good reads" as well as providing insight into what is occurring in our current projects.