AJAX, Ont. – Durham Truck & Equipment announced recently that is it opening a new location in Peterborough, Ontario.

The new facility is a 10,000 sq-ft. parts and service branch that sits on 4.5 acres of property.

According to Emily Paterson, vice-president of operations at Durham Truck & Equipment, the increase in customer demand in an expanding market brought on the need for the new location.

“Being local will allow us to better serve our existing customer base and provide opportunities for growth and expansion of our business and that of the manufacturers we represent,” she said. “From a service perspective we were not providing our customers with easy access to routine service procedures and repairs.  With six bays available in Peterborough, the need for a more accessible repair facility will be satisfied.”

Paterson added that the new location will help the company become more efficient and serve its customers better.

“We didn’t feel we were giving the area the attention it deserved,” she said. “Where we only made parts deliveries twice a day, we were missing the in between deliveries that a local presence would allow.  As well, much of the service business was lost to competitors or to other repair shops leaving our customers without qualified Mack, Volvo and Isuzu solutions to their service and parts needs.”

According to the company, the new location will have 6-8 staff members at the new location to start, with a nightshift role being added in the next 6 months as required.

“Our sales operation will continue to be headquartered in Ajax until such time that we see an increase in demand in that area to require a full-time sales team,” Paterson said. “However, sales support will be available at all times.”

As far as driver amenities go, Paterson said the company is renovating to include a waiting area with a coffee bar and restroom facilities. She added that as the location expands there would be opportunity for the to add more driver amenities.

The new location will officially open its doors on July 20, 2015. Details about a grand opening later in the summer is still in discussion.