Stater Bros. Keeps on Trucking
COLTON, Calif. - Stater Bros. Markets in Colton, Calif., has added 20 tractors to its transportation fleet. The rigs were supplied by Sterling A-Line, a Willoughby, Ohio-based truck manufacturer that now accounts for one-third of the chain's fleet.
Stater Bros. employs 300 drivers for its 150-truck fleet to transport goods from the warehouse in Colton to stores across several counties, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles. "We add approximately three new stores every year, and as our business continues to grow, so does our truck fleet," said Larry Bentley, purchasing supervisor at Stater Bros. Markets.
"We purchase trucks about once a year, and for the past three years have purchased only Sterling trucks. Right now, we have 52 A-Line tractors and hope to convert the entire fleet to Sterling in the future." Bentley said each delivery truck averages about 100,000 miles a year.
In December 2002, Stater Bros. purchased 15 Sterling tractors, and subsequently 17 more in June 2003, and 20 in January 2004. "It was a competitive bid and Sterling made me an offer that I couldn't refuse," added Bentley. "In addition to the product, I have received probably the best customer service in my professional career. If the price is right, but the customer service isn't there -- it's not worth it. With Sterling, you get both and we've been very happy with them."
Stater Bros. employs 300 drivers for its 150-truck fleet to transport goods from the warehouse in Colton to stores across several counties, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles. "We add approximately three new stores every year, and as our business continues to grow, so does our truck fleet," said Larry Bentley, purchasing supervisor at Stater Bros. Markets.
"We purchase trucks about once a year, and for the past three years have purchased only Sterling trucks. Right now, we have 52 A-Line tractors and hope to convert the entire fleet to Sterling in the future." Bentley said each delivery truck averages about 100,000 miles a year.
In December 2002, Stater Bros. purchased 15 Sterling tractors, and subsequently 17 more in June 2003, and 20 in January 2004. "It was a competitive bid and Sterling made me an offer that I couldn't refuse," added Bentley. "In addition to the product, I have received probably the best customer service in my professional career. If the price is right, but the customer service isn't there -- it's not worth it. With Sterling, you get both and we've been very happy with them."