SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Kenworth Sales Company recently celebrated its 75th anniversary as a Kenworth dealer, the longest tenure in the Kenworth dealer network.

Founded by W. Jay Treadway, his wife Veda Treadway, and son J.E. “Gene” Treadway in 1945, Kenworth Sales Company began as a single-office business in Salt Lake City with W. Jay calling on customers, Veda handling the books, and 17-year-old Gene selling parts.

Today, Kenworth Sales Company remains under Treadway family ownership, with Kyle Treadway (grandson of W. Jay Treadway and son of Gene Treadway) serving as President of the company. With the recent expansion of eight dealerships, through an agreement with Truck Enterprises, Inc., Kenworth Sales Company now employs more than 1,200 staff members and operates 31 dealerships in the Intermountain West and Mid-Atlantic.

“We congratulate Kenworth Sales Company for its outstanding achievement of representing the Kenworth family and products for a remarkable 75 years. We commend Kyle Treadway and all the company’s employees for carrying on the Treadway family legacy of providing excellent Kenworth trucks and outstanding parts and service support to a multitude of fleets and truck operators over these many years,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth General Manager and PACCAR Vice President.

While Kenworth’s longest serving dealer has grown significantly since Kenworth Sales Company’s beginnings in 1945, Kyle said the core values that the company was founded upon remain at the heart of how the dealer group does business today.

“My grandfather, W. Jay, was a firm believer that a handshake is the heart of a truck sale. Back then, a handshake meant that a customer was good for their money and that Kenworth Sales would provide excellent customer service and deliver a quality truck on-time and specified to meet their operational needs,” Kyle said. “While the times have changed, customer service remains a top priority. I believe the service we provide has played a significant role in our success and growth over the years. W. Jay would be proud to see us reach this 75-year milestone.”

While Kenworth Sales Company was unable to host events to celebrate its 75th anniversary due to health and safety precautions, Kyle said it does not take away from the importance of this accomplishment.

“It’s unfortunate we couldn’t welcome customers and our employees to celebrate the anniversary, but staying safe and healthy is the most important thing right now,” Kyle said.

Despite the market challenges this year has presented, Kenworth Sales Company has continued to expand its business. Earlier this year, the company relocated its full-service North Las Vegas dealership to a brand new, 67,000-square-foot facility with a 27,500-square-foot service department with 26 service bays.

“Over the course of 75 years in business, our company has overcome a number of challenges. We are a resilient group, and we will continue to serve our customers and overcome this challenge together. We look forward to the better days ahead and to what’s next for Kenworth Sales Company,” said Kyle, who received the 2014 Truck Dealer of the Year from the American Truck Dealers (ATD) and served as ATD Chairman from 2009-2012.