If you’re looking for a barometer on the health of Central Alberta’s oil and gas sector, you might find it at 8046 Edgar Industrial Cr.
There, Freightliner of Red Deer is well into a 10,000-square-foot expansion that owner Don Patterson said was precipitated in large part by the needs of the oilpatch.
“We’ve been so busy servicing our customers that we’ve had guys working outside most of the summer,” he said, adding that the bulk of the full-service dealership’s business is energy-related.
It’s a welcome change from 2010, when the oilpatch was still suffering the effects of the global recession. Even this spring, said Patterson, North American truck sales for 2011 were only expected to reach about 125,000 units.
“By the end of March, the projection had already moved to 160,000 and from what I read the other day, the number is actually 220,000.”
It was early this year when Patterson set the wheels in motion for Freightliner of Red Deer’s expansion — which was a bit nerve-racking at the time but has proven to be the right move. Not only will the addition double the dealership’s shop space, giving it seven more bays, but those bays will be better suited for the newer trucks that come in for servicing.
“They’re twice the size of what we’ve got here,” said Patterson.
“All of our customers’ stuff is getting bigger.”
The business’s payroll, which currently exceeds 50, is also expected to grow.
“We’re hoping to find a minimum of seven to 10 techs, if we can get them.”
Freightliner of Red Deer has been operating in the city for more than 20 years, with Patterson joining the company as a salesman in 1996. By 2004 he had become a partner in the business with Dave Boyden, one of its founders, and in January 2010 became the sole owner.
The dealership’s building dates back to 1999. Patterson said he believes ongoing investment in a business is important, but he also wanted to maintain a high level of customer service.
He hopes the new premises will be available for use by the beginning of January.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com