MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — You can’t beat Vikas Gupta for sheer moxie. You can’t beat him on the sales floor either. Two years after joining Arrow Truck Sales’ Toronto office, the former computer hardware engineer rocketed to the top of the sales force across the entire North American organization. That’s a Canadian first, by the way.

Not bad for a guy who’d just arrived in the country from India — not knowing a thing about trucks or the industry — in 2002. Especially considering his numbers topped 200 other Arrow Truck salespeople across the continent — some with over 25 years of experience.

Vikas Gupta flanked by Arrow Canada VP Frank Oliveira and Branch Manager
Adam Davy. Frank says he knew Gupta would top the sales charts.

But the guy’s got talent in spades — talent that was very evident to Arrow Truck Sales Canada VP Frank Oliveira when the latter came around selling advertising for the Punjabi language Ajit Weekly newspaper. After two sitdowns with Gupta around his family kitchen table, Oliveira says he finally persuaded Gupta to join his team.

“Vik came here two years ago knowing little of the business, but he came with all the right ingredients to succeed and now we’re here today honoring Arrow’s top salesman in North America,” he said.

For the record, Gupta sold 137 units in 2006. But big numbers aren’t new for him — in 2005, after a year on the sales floor, Gupta walked away with top Canadian salesperson award.

“If you feel proud in your heart about what you’re doing, anything is possible,” said Gupta in accepting the award at a recent press conference at Arrow’s Toronto office.

And what’s the next big target for Gupta? Ensuring the Canadian flag is standing tall at Arrow Truck Sales head office in Kansas City, Mo.