BURNABY, B.C. — Inland Kenworth has combined its Port McNeill operations with its Campbell River branch, as B.C.’s ailing forest industry reduces truck demand.

The Port McNeill branch was a small operation with six staff.  Two employees have been retained at the company’s Campbell River branch and four were laid off, according to Inland Kenworth president Bill Currie, who attributed the closure to the economic climate.

“Unfortunately the sales volumes have diminished over time,” he told Trucknews.com. “The company will make every effort to continue to service those customers directly affected from Campbell River and Nanaimo.”

Inland Kenworth has indicated that the closure is related to the troubled forestry industry, and the loss of major contractors such as Ted Leroy Trucking and Hayes Forest Services.

However, Currie added that Inland Kenworth has no intention of closing either the Campbell River or the Nanaimo branches. Just two years ago, Inland Kenworth opened a new 33,000 sq.-ft. dealership in Nanaimo.

While the Port McNeill operation was small, Inland Kenworth is sensitive to the impact this closure has had on this small coastal community, according to Currie, who also indicates that the closure is not a sign of financial weakness.

“We are very stable and focused on the future,” he said.

Inland Kenworth is a diversified organization which includes dealerships for trucks and equipment as well as leasing services. Inland Kenworth recently announced the expansion of two new PacLease locations, one in Prince George and the other in Kamloops. In addition, the company has 15 branches in B.C., one in the Yukon, two in Southern California, two in Arizona, and two in New Mexico.