Drivers told the company that they were missing opportunity and executives listened
An 18-wheeler pulls in for service at the new Speedco last Thursday. Work went on while company officials held an official grand opening at the business located at Exit 272 on Interstate 90.
When an 18-wheeler needs to get its oil changed, timing is very important.
But what the operators of Speedco, a national provider of on-highway preventive maintenance and tire service to the commercial trucking industry found was that so was the location.
And that's what prompted Speedco's parent company, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, to open a location at exit 272 along Interstate 90. While the store has been open for several weeks, the company held an official dedication Sept. 15 that included bringing in Chris Ripani, president of Speedco, Inc. to cut the ribbon on the lube and service business.
"We are excited to officially open a Speedco location in Spokane, expanding our network and making preventative maintenance service more readily available in the highly traveled Northwest corridor," Ripani said in a news release. "Our customers depend on us to deliver the quick lube, tire and service solutions they need to stay on the road, no matter where they are in the U.S."
The Spokane location is the 52nd in the nationwide system, and it was a missing link for many long-haul truckers, Ripani said following the ceremony.
"They change their oil - it depends on the fleet - anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 miles," Ripani said. Most of the Class-8 semi trucks Speedco services have over 10 gallons of oil circulating through their diesel engines.
A tractor-trailer generally drives a minimum of 100,000 miles a year, depending on the route.
"The typical oil change can run between $260 to $350, $400," Ripani said. The variance comes in that unlike the standard automobile, trucks are very complex, needing up to five filters.
Most Speedco stores are on highways and drivers plan service around their delivery routes, Ripani explained. "I need to get an oil change, I need to get in and out quick," he said of the typical customer.
It was many of those drivers who told the company they were missing business by not having a location in Spokane.
"A lot of our customers tell us about routes they travel and (they say), you're missing a location," Ripani said. Whatever load truckers are hauling determines where a driver will stop, he explained.
"I don't have time to stop when I'm in Portland, but because I have to be in this other location, Spokane would be the perfect place to stop," Ripani said.
The newest store is located along one of the busiest commercial trucking routes in Washington. It will bring industry-leading tire services, quick lubes and other solutions to commercial fleets that regularly use this route.
The company took a look at that feedback, studied truck traffic and economic trends and found, "Our customers want us there, it's a good opportunity, trucks travel through there, so that's how we're expanding," Ripani explained.
The property for the Spokane location was purchased in 2006, but because of the most recent recession, Speedco waited until the financial times were better.
Speedco became part of the Bridgestone family when the Tokyo-based worldwide tire and rubber company purchased a company that owned Speedco in 2007. In the U.S., Firestone is a brand of Bridgestone, Ripani said.
"They were expanding and put everything on hold during the acquisition, and then the recession happened," Ripani said.
According to Ripani, Bridgestone's purchase of Speedco was a natural because it helped potentially expand their ability to sell more tire products.
"It plays into the commercial Bridgestone strategy which is to service customers," Ripani explained.
"If you're on the highway and you have a tire that's going down, or that has a wear condition, Speedco can get you up and running," Ripani added, using Bridgestone products, of course.
The new Speedco employs 15 and also became engaged in the local community with its $1,500 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, part of a company-wide effort that has raised $770,000 over the past 10 years.
Speedco is located at 10916 W. Westbow Lane in the Fairways area. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. and
Saturday through Sunday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. To call Speedco, call (509) 747-0815.
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.
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