PacLease: Leasing improves Rockman's productivity and credit

Three years ago, trucks were a million-dollar question for Lake Stevens, Wash.-based Rockman LLC. 

“We were a truck brokerage company, hiring independent truckers to pick up dirt and rock, then reselling it to consumers,” recalls Chris Miller, the company’s chairman.  “As a small company, we were spending over a million dollars a year for trucking services.”

With expansion plans in the offing, Rockman re-evaluated its operation. 

“We bought a few used trucks and hired a mechanic,” says Miller. “But that experience left us with high maintenance costs and breakdowns. We felt there had to be a better way.”

There was a better way, thanks to PacLease. Miller and company president Jerry Perkl visited with Kenworth Northwest which suggested they discuss a lease program with their PacLease franchise to see how they could expand and cut costs at the same time. 

“Jerry and I both knew about the quality of Kenworths from previous years in operating trucks,” says Miller.  “But what sold us even further was service support.   

"PacLease and Kenworth Northwest have shops near by and are available 24/7. That, coupled with how they could benefit us from a cash-flow standpoint made leasing from PacLease a smart decision. We ended up leasing six T800 dump trucks and pup trailers. We paid the first and last month’s payment and were on the road with new trucks.”

Miller says the construction trucks from PacLease have operated flawlessly, hauling 34-ton loads with the 8-axle truck with 17-yard dump body and 17-yard pup trailer. 

“Our goal is to max out at 105,500 gross combination (the Washington state legal limit).  Every ton of payload counts,” says Miller. “PacLease worked with us to get the specs we needed to maximize payload.  We spec’d them with Caterpillar 475 engines driven through 18-speed transmissions.  They’re also strong trucks, with 46,000 pound rear-ends.”

Leasing has not only improved Rockman’s productivity and service, it has helped the company’s credit.  “Through leasing and how it’s carried on our balance sheet, we can go to banks for other money or lines of credit,” Miller says.  “That’s helped us expand even faster.”

Today, the company has 11 more Kenworth custom-spec’d T800 dump trucks on order, plus a T300 lube truck.  Five of the T800s will go into service in Miller Quarry, a new division. “Customers now know we not only have rock products for sale, but can deliver with our own fleet of trucks.”

Rockman is also adding a maintenance contract to its lease. “Technicians are hard to find so it’s a great fit to have PacLease handle everything.  They know the trucks better than anyone, so they can assure us maximum uptime. ”

Miller says his drivers are ecstatic about driving Kenworths. “The quality of the truck shines throughout which has eliminated any turnover problems.  The attention to detail and comfort is very evident in the truck– from the new inlayed dash to heated seats and mirrors.  And the turning radius and visibility our drivers have makes maneuvering so much easier.

“Overall, we couldn’t be happier,” Miller concludes. “We have highly productive trucks from PacLease and they’re helping us succeed in highly competitive marketplace.”