John W Cookson Co, 1058 Commercial Ave SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, US

Quality Truck Body's main business is the sales, maintenance, and repair of commercial garbage trucks, but the company also does a brisk business in new truck sales and repairs to local contractors, landscapers, and snow removal businesses. In 1971, with 5 years' experience in the truck equipment industry and a strong desire to start his own small business, 30-year-old Charles A. Smithberger founded Quality Truck Body & Equipment Company Inc He chose Youngstown, Ohio as his start-up site because he saw tremendous potential in the small, hard-working town. After some encouragement from industry icon Joe Heil, Charlie opened his doors for business on July 1st, 1971 with a single bay and a single employee, in a 6000 square-foot building. Through plenty of dedication and hard work, the business expanded to 10, 000 square-feet in 1985. But soon the business outgrew even this facility and expanded once more, this time to a new 36, 000 square-foot facility ( almost 6 times the size of the original business ). Charlie notes that the expansion "has really paid off for us." After 35 years of business, the Quality Truck now employs over 20 great people. The new building boasts 5 65-foot bays, facilities for all manner of maintenance and repair, and a 3-bay, state-of-the-art paint booth, which keeps 2 full-time painters plenty busy. Currently the office staff consists of 7 salesmen and 2 employees in the parts department? Today a 2nd generation of Smithbergers runs and manages the business. Charlie's son, Chad A. Smithberger, is currently company President. Chad grew up in the shop, learning to weld, repair, and maintain vehicles, and is currently in his 15th year of employment. From the beginning Quality Truck was intended to be a family business, and it is still run like a big family! Charlie always said that he would retire after 30 years in business, and in 2001 he did just that.