Acme Truck Brake & Supply Co.

An Employee-Owned Legacy of Trust and Service

Driving Success Through People, Partnerships, and Precision in Commercial Fleet Maintenance

 

Within the commercial fleet maintenance industry, Acme Truck Brake & Supply Co. consistently demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of employee–ownership.

The company’s profitability is built on a foundation of trusted, high-quality service that is guided by a clear vision for business expansion.

Whether it’s through opening new physical locations to enhance customer reach or by leveraging essential collaborations with key supporters like HDA Truck Pride, Acme is able to sustainably remain at the forefront of its market.

Internally, Acme’s unique ESOP structure, now 100% employee-owned, creates an unparalleled air of accountability and career passion. Here, employees get to see their hard work directly translate into increased company value, and more importantly, a higher bottom line.

This not only drives workforce engagement but also firmly secures and retains the incredibly talented employees who have quite literally made Acme what it is today.

On the back end, Acme utilizes the Karmak ERP system for real-time inventory management and demand forecasting, ensuring that products are always in stock.

Furthermore, nurturing long-standing, trusting relationships with key suppliers like Cummins-Meritor guarantees access to quality products and reliable technical support.

With so many operational strengths to tout, it’s clear why Acme Truck Brake & Supply has been recognized as a top 15 nationwide player by HDA Truck Pride despite its smaller size.

To put that recognition into perspective, Acme President Joe Brookes comments, saying, “Some of the other businesses that are in HDA Truck Pride have 10 to 15 stores. We don’t do as much business as they do, but we’re right there, pushing with them, and because we don’t really look for accolades. All we do is strive to be a great team of people our customers can count on.”

Regardless, Acme proves that, on its scale, its model is not only effective but also highly lucrative.

Now, it’s time to discover the deeper strategies this employee-owned powerhouse is planning to solidify its market dominance.

Fueling Growth and Culture with the ESOP Advantage

Acme Truck Brake & Supply, established in June 1990 by Bill and Jan Dudek, has evolved from a small, family-owned business into a prominent player in commercial fleet maintenance and supply.

Initially growing organically with a core team of seven or eight employees, the company steadily expanded, adding key contributors and outside sales personnel.

In 2011, the company transitioned to a 40% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), with the remaining 60% retained by the founders. Several years later, the Dudeks fully retired, converting the company to a 100% ESOP.

“Now we’re running under a 100% ESOP. We have a board, president, and two stores, one here in Elk Grove Village and one in East Dundee, and we employ about 40 people,” Brookes says.

The decision to transition to a 100% ESOP structure was deeply rooted in the founders’ desire to empower their employees and acknowledge their collective contribution to the company’s success.

“Bill and Jan worked side-by-side with all the employees… and they saw that the best thing was to let the employees continue to run what we had all started together. It wasn’t just a ‘them’ thing, it was a ‘we’ thing, and they realized that,” Brookes explains.

This approach stands in contrast to common private equity models, and fortunately so, as the ESOP structure has had a profound influence on Acme’s growth, employee retention, recruitment, and overall company culture.

The value of the ESOP is communicated annually through statements that detail shareholdings and their worth.

This financial transparency, combined with a vibrant atmosphere stimulated through regular social events like summer company parties and colorful Christmas celebrations—complete with presents for both children and adults—strengthens bonds, reinforcing the shared success that defines Acme.

For long-term employees like Brookes, becoming owners was a source of great excitement and deeper engagement in daily operations. To ensure that this continues within the culture, new hires are carefully trained and guided.

“Everybody here helps the next guy or pushes them in the right direction if they see them falter or go the wrong way. We pick each other up. So, if someone makes a mistake, we’ll say, ‘Hey, let me help you fix that.’ Those types of things are what make it such a great team environment,” Brookes expresses.

And while compensation is a major draw for those who recognize the benefits of an ESOP, beyond competitive compensation, the ESOP offers a powerful long-term retirement benefit, often seen as superior to a traditional 401(k).

As Brookes states, employees understand that their “blood, sweat, and tears” directly boost the value of the company’s shares, which translates to a higher long-term payout for their retirement.

This direct correlation between effort and personal financial gain serves as a potent motivator. However, to sweeten the deal, Acme also provides its employees with the traditional 401(k) retirement plan option.

The Power of Reputation, Precision, and Partnerships

Acme Truck Brake & Supply boasts an impressive, established website that effectively markets and provides detailed product information to customers, complete with an online ordering portal.

However, the company’s direct advertising is limited in the best way.

“We don’t do a lot of advertising. A lot of our business comes from word-of-mouth, so our walk-in business is huge. People come in, they see the service they get and they start telling everybody else about it,” Brookes proudly expresses.

This organic marketing strategy is a direct result of Acme’s reliable operation. Customers know that if they need something, the place to go is Acme, and they’re hearing not from the company but rather from their friends and business partners.

Acme has built a strong reputation for employing intelligent people, well-seasoned workers who often can identify parts and problems without needing to consult a catalog.

Plus, the company’s consistent ability to have parts in stock further reinforces its customers’ trust and loyalty, making Acme the go-to destination for many in the commercial fleet industry.

Additionally, in a competitive market saturated with truck dealers like Peterbilt, GMC, and Freightliner, Acme distinguishes itself through its precise, highly specialized services.

“There are not a lot of companies out there that still cut flywheels, work on brake drums and rotors, or repair drive shafts and front axles. This is what we do, and because of that, we get a lot of our competition coming to us to get our assistance with some of these jobs that they just can’t perform,” Brookes states.

In conjunction with its specialty services Acme Truck Brake & Supply employs a disciplined approach to demand forecasting and inventory management, mitigating risks like overstocking and stockouts.

The company engages in weekly to monthly reviews of inventory levels, analyzing sales reports to understand product demand.

Utilizing its Karmak ERP system, Acme meticulously tracks seasonal sales trends, allowing for proactive stocking adjustments to ensure product availability for customers throughout the year.

The inventory management strategy combines a buy time method with min/max order levels, providing a comprehensive perspective on lead times and optimal shelf quantities.

This is how the company minimizes operational delays and helps customers consistently find the parts they need.

On the other hand, the selection and management of suppliers are also critical to Acme’s commitment to quality.

The primary criterion for choosing partners is the ability to provide a quality product that consistently meets standards with little to no warranty issues and returns. So, vendors must demonstrate reliability in manufacturing and delivery time.

“Another big thing that we’re looking for is a vendor who can support us with technical information. Meaning a website that we can view to make sure that they have inventory that we can get real time pricing on,” Brookes says.

When it comes to vendor reliability, Acme’s partnerships truly shine, as they have been essential to enabling quick problem-solving and ensuring consistent product supply.

A standout partner is Cummins-Meritor, with whom Acme has maintained a relationship for over 35 years.

Cummins Meritor has been exceptionally supportive, offering programs and technical resources that have notably aided Acme in expanding its drive shaft repair business.

Lastly, Acme actively prioritizes purchasing through HDA Truck Pride Program, leveraging this partner channel for trusted vendors whenever it can.

A Future Driven by Expansion and Diversification

Looking ahead, Acme Truck Brake & Supply is poised for strategic expansion and diversification in the next two to five years.

The overarching goal is to grow the business, either by opening another physical location to enhance customer service reach or by adding new services and product offerings not currently available.

Specific areas under consideration include diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning, a significant opportunity within the industry that Acme currently doesn’t provide.

Expanding its offering of engine parts, particularly aftermarket options, is another potential avenue to better serve customer needs.

Regardless of which direction it moves in, Acme Truck Brake & Supply Co.’s internal philosophy will remain focused on achieving recognition through unparalleled customer service and trusted parts supply.

As Brookes previously expressed, it will always be regarded as a great team of people that its customers can count on to get the right part to get them back on the road.

The company’s strategy reflects a continuous drive to evolve, one that will keep it at the forefront of commercial fleet maintenance and supply.

By continuing to anticipate market demands and leverage its strong operational employee-owner culture, Acme Truck Brake & Supply is guaranteed to remain a captain of its industry both now and in the future.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Acme Truck Brake & Supply Co.

What: A trusted, employee-owned provider of heavy-duty truck parts and component services.

Where: Headquartered in Elk Grove Village,Illinois, with an additional location in East Dundee, Illinois.

Website: www.acmetruckbrake.com