In 1982, Dick Sweebe had a chance to move from a corporate job with International Harvester to an opportunity to own an International dealership in Memphis, Tenn. Since then, he hasn’t regretted the move. His dealership, Mid-America International Trucks Inc., is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
A former zone manager who called on truck dealers in Northern Ohio in the late 1970s, Sweebe understood what dealers needed to provide truck customers with a top level of service. From day one as the owner of his own dealership, Sweebe prioritized quality and service for his customers. “I was assigned a territory and learned from other salesmen how to sell trucks, how to prospect for customers and what it took to keep customers happy,” Sweebe says.
Under the leadership of Sweebe, the dealership has grown from two locations in Memphis to forming a larger dealership parent company called Diamond Companies Inc. that includes 16 facilities in four states. “We’ve gone from 56 employees to more than 600,” Sweebe says. “In fact, seven of Mid-America’s original employees are still with the company. We’ve enjoyed a lot of growth and support from our customers and from International.”
During the 25th anniversary celebration, special events will be planned, including an event at Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. “It’s important to reward our great employees,” Sweebe says. “They understand the value of customer service, and without our sales, service and support staff, we would not be where we are today.”
Mid-America Trucks is located in a key transportation hub. With the headquarters of FedEx in Memphis, along with the convergence of two major interstate highways, an expansive rail system and the Mississippi River, providing fast, reliable service and support for customers is essential. “Our 25 years of success is shared among the customers, employees and International,” Sweebe says. “We’re ready for another 25 years of success.”
