Thomas Built honors top dealers

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Thomas Built Buses dealer Matthews Buses Inc. was recently presented with the bus manufacturer’s Dealer of the Year award. Matthews Buses was also named northeast region dealer of the year. 

Thomas Built’s dealer of the year awards, which include four regional winners and one national winner, are presented each year to Thomas dealers that demonstrate outstanding performance in customer satisfaction, customer service and support, and have a strong financial performance and overall relationship with Thomas Built Buses. 

Thomas Built President and CEO John O’Leary presented the awards at the annual Thomas dealer meeting in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 11 and 12.

In announcing the Dealer of the Year award that would be presented to Matthews Buses, O’Leary said, “We have high expectations of Thomas dealers. Matthews exceeded those expectations by actively selling our Type A, C and D buses to reach 136 percent of its 2009 quota. The company works with private schools, public schools, contractors, non-traditional accounts and commercial accounts with equal vigor, and is known for always putting its customers first.”

Matthews Buses is a family-owned company based in Ballston Spa, N.Y. It has been a Thomas Built Buses dealer since 1967. Earlier this year, Matthews acquired Quality Bus and Truck Sales, expanding its New York territory to include Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland and Ulster counties. In 2008, the company purchased select assets of Florida Bus Unlimited. 

Matthews Buses offers parts, service, warranty repairs, painting and bus sales to western, central and eastern New York through facilities in Ballston Spa, Syracuse, Dansville and Maybrook, and to central and northern Florida markets through its Orlando-based dealership and mobile service units.

The 2009 Thomas Built Buses national dealer of the year was selected from among its top-performing dealers in four regions. Honored as regional dealers of the year, in addition to Matthews Buses, were:

• Omaha Truck Center Inc., Omaha, Neb. (central region)
• Carolina Thomas LLC, Greensboro, N.C. (southeast region)
• The Bus Centre, Acheson, Alberta (western region)

Gold, silver and bronze awards for dealership excellence were presented to selected dealers in recognition of outstanding performance in service, parts support and bus sales.