Harper bros acquire nation’s largest Freightliner dealer; Cariglia named principal

TORONTO — Continuing their Canada-wide dealership expansion, Paul and Steve Harper have officially announced the acquisition of Freightliner Mid-Ontario, the largest Freightliner dealership in the country.

The co-owners of the Harper Group — parent company of Harper Detroit Diesel Limited and other companies — also announced that the dealership will now be called Harper Freightliner Inc., and will continue to operate from the three existing locations in Mississauga, Pickering and Woodbridge.

The company has named former Freightliner Canada President Bob Cariglia as dealer principal, general manager and equity partner. Harper described him as the ideal candidate to “lead the business to new heights given his reputable career attributes and stellar reputation in the industry.”

“The dealership acquisition by the Harper Group represents an expanded and significant diversification initiative into the Ontario commercial vehicle market which allows us to stay focused on our core strengths and reputation associated with commercial vehicle sales, service and support,” said John Cosgrove, president and C.O.O. of Harper Detroit Diesel Ltd.

This acquisition will also represent a further partnering by the Harper Group with the largest commercial vehicle and engine manufacturer in the world, says the company.

The Freightliner products will complement the organization’s existing distributorship for Detroit Diesel, Mercedes Benz and Allison Transmission, as well as the Sterling Truck and Western Star products offered through Harper Ontario Truck Centres.

“When combined, the Harper Group’s network of dealerships and distributorship operations in Ontario will be in a position to deliver world class products to all the commercial vehicle sectors in Ontario with its over 60 years of world class sales, service, support experience and reputation,” the company states.