Peterbilt Returns to Northwest Arkansas
by October 1, 2012 12:00 am 165 views
After about a 10-year hiatus, Peterbilt is returning to Northwest Arkansas.
The Larson Group, which sells and services Peterbilt trucks throughout the Midwest, will open a parts and service facility at 715 N. Bloomington St. in Lowell by the end of the year.
Bill Locke, general manager at The Larson Group’s Peterbilt dealership in Fort Smith, said the company at one time had a location in Tontitown, but decided that with stores in Fort Smith and Joplin, the Northwest Arkansas location wasn’t needed.
“But I think the market’s kind of demanding it right now,” Locke said, “and we’re ready to come back and do some parts and service business.”
Peterbilt of Northwest Arkansas will also offer truck rental and leasing, he said, and may eventually add sales. Locke said they’re looking to hire between 10 and 12 people initially.
Neil Hefner Construction Co. of Springdale is the general contractor handling the renovations to the space that formerly housed Transport Refrigeration of NWA. Set on 4.81 acres, the building will have a 12,600-SF maintenance shop, 6,000 SF of office and showroom space downstairs, and another 4,600 SF of office space upstairs.
The Larson Group is based in Strafford, Mo., near Springfield.