Memphis company buys local truck dealer

Memphis, Tenn.-based Tri-State Truck Center Inc. has acquired the assets of Southwest Missouri Truck Center, a Mack and Volvo dealer operating in Springfield and Joplin.

The acquisition adds one heavy-duty truck dealership apiece in Springfield, 2527 N. Eastgate Ave., and Joplin, 3100 Davis Blvd., to Tri-State Truck's portfolio, as well as 65 employees - 45 in Springfield and 20 in Joplin - and an expected $25 million in annual revenue, according to a news release. The sale closed around Oct. 1 for an undisclosed amount, said Tri-State spokesman Will Maddox.

Tri-State President Jim Maddox added his company purchased the southwest Missouri dealer from its founder, Bob Schilli, of St. Louis.

"Like all businesses nowadays, you've got to have a bigger footprint to try to cover costs," Maddox said, noting the Southwest Missouri Truck Center addition touches the boundary of its Jonesboro, Ark., operation.

With the acquisition, Tri-State operates nine branches supporting the Mack brand, selling and serving Volvo trucks and representing the International brand, the release said. The company also has two Arkansas dealerships, three in Mississippi and two in Tennessee, according to its website.