TB Equipment & Rental, Bangor, Maine, is a full-service heavy equipment dealership that caters to all of Maine. Vaughn and Michael Thibodeau have owned it together since 2005 and currently have 12 employees, including three salesmen. The company recently won the New Dealer award from Hyundai, which means that out of the eight new Hyundai dealerships in the United States in 2008, they sold the most pieces of Hyundai equipment. With things that solid, many people might decide to leave them as they are.

But the brothers needed a challenge. And nearby the owner of Peterbilt of Maine, with two locations in Bangor and Portland, wanted to retire and spend more time in Italy after running the business since 1986.

So on Sept. 1 the Thibodeaus took possession of the Peterbilt, Bangor location and then the Portland location on Dec. 1, thereby shaking things up a bit.

“I spent 25 years in the construction business and needed a new challenge. When the opportunity developed to purchase the Peterbilt dealership, it was something I couldn’t pass up,” said Vaughn.

Now known as Maine Peterbilt Inc., the company will remain a separate entity from TB Equipment, although Vaughn would like to move the Bangor store to Odlin Road, the same location as TB Equipment. The Portland store also will change locations within Portland at some point, but stay within Portland.

According to Wayne Flewelling, sales rep of TB, the moves are prompted by the desire for better locations with more service area and more inventory.

’More’ is the key in the brothers’ plan, even at a time when most of the nation is talking about making due with less. In addition to keeping the current staff, they plan to expand, because they are the only Peterbilt dealer in the state.

The first step in the planned expansion was when Tony Ryan was hired to work at the Maine Peterbilt Inc. in Bangor. Ryan came to Maine Peterbilt with 17 years in the logging business behind him. He also worked for DMJ McGuire Inc. in Houlton, Maine, as warranty administration and service writer for three years. Eight years with Daigle and Houghton Inc., with locations in Fort Kent and Hermon, Maine, as a Western Star Salesman complete the resume that brought him to Maine Peterbilt.

Vaughn said, “I want everyone to know that with me as the new owner of Maine Peterbilt Inc., ’We Mean Business.’ It’s only going to get bigger and better. If there is ever a problem, no matter what the problem is, you can always get a hold of me and I will work it out with you. It’s all about customer satisfaction.”

The first customers for Maine Peterbilt were Bob and Tim Ferreira of Unity, Maine, who purchased a new Peterbilt 389 daycab. CEG

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