KIRKLAND, Wash. — Jim Bednar, truck salesman for Custom Truck Sales in Winnipeg, Man., has captured the Canadian title in Kenworth’s T800 Walk-Around Sales Competition.

Bednar first won his district title, then took first place at the Canadian championships in Winnipeg to earn a trip to the North American finals held in conjunction with the recent Kenworth Dealer Meeting in Palm Springs, Calif. Bednar was among six finalists competing for the top prize in the competition, which focused on the Kenworth 2006 model T800 Extended Day Cab.

During the competition, participants “walk around” the truck to discuss key features, advantages and benefits and are graded on their presentation. The six finalists won their district competition and then their region title to advance to the North American championship.

“Kenworth dealer salespeople provide valuable assistance that helps customers to make an informed purchase decision and get the right Kenworth truck spec’d for their specific application,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales. “This year’s competition gave Kenworth salespeople a greater knowledge of the features, benefits and advantages of the Kenworth T800 Extended Day Cab in a dump truck configuration, enabling them to better satisfy the vocational needs of each customer.”

In addition to Bednar, other Kenworth district winners in Canada were Jean-Rene Bourgoin, Kenworth Montreal, St. Laurent, Que.; Bob Brewster, Kenworth Nova Scotia, New Glascow, N.S.; Lonnie Carpenter, Inland Kenworth, Penticton, B.C.; Richard Kader, Tandet Kenworth, Kingston, Ont.; Doug Meier, Inland Kenworth, Campbell River, B.C.; John Sheridan, Kenworth Barie, Innisfil, Ont.; and Russell Warnock, Edmonton Kenworth, Edmonton, Alb. The Canadian contest was conducted in English and French with bilingual judges.