Adaptation helped Calgary KW dealer reach milestone

CALGARY — Barack Obama sold "change" to get himself elected U.S. president in 2008, so why shouldn’t it work for GreatWest Kenworth?

The Calgary-based company marked its 40th anniversary in the truck dealership business this year with an open house on Sept. 9, and, they tell us, adapting to changes in the industry has allowed the dealership to overcome more than one recession over the years.

“You have to adapt and adopt change,” says Paul Storwick, president and co-owner of GreatWest. “If it ain’t broke, break it and do it differently. I believe there’s always a better way to do something.”

Paul, along with his older brother Jeff, are third generation owners of the chain of Kenworth dealerships. Although Jeff and Paul took different paths into the family business, it has taken both their efforts to see GreatWest Kenworth reach its milestone anniversary.

Together, they’ve built one of the most respected Kenworth dealerships in North America, receiving countless awards and accolades from the OEM and selected to serve on its dealer council.

“We’re pretty proud, it’s not often you get a third generation business make it through,” says Paul.

Jack Street and his son-in-law John Storwick operated a CAT dealership in Calgary during the ‘60s, selling scrapers and other off-road equipment. They sold that business in 1967 and a few years later an opportunity arose to purchase GreatWest Kenworth, which originally opened its doors in 1964. 

Running the family dealership was a lifelong
dream for Paul (above), while Jeff
joined when the business needed him most.

In 1970, the new owners took over operations of GreatWest at its location in southeast Calgary. While GreatWest still operates out of the original location, it’s grown considerably from four service bays to 26.

Jeff and Paul started working full-time at the dealership in 1983. For Paul it was a life-long dream come true.

“I always wanted to be in the business and started when I was 13 washing trucks,” explains Paul. “I turned wrenches, got my Class 1 and drove truck for a bit, then went into administration, parts and sales.”

Jeff, meanwhile, distanced himself a little bit from the family business and pursued a university education focusing on math, statistics and finance.

But during the recession of 1983, Jeff joined the dealership and helped steer it through a tough time. He’s been an integral part of the family business ever since.

Eventually, the brothers took over the business from their father and grandfather, serving as dual presidents.

“We looked at the job and we tried to take on activities and tasks that we were good at,” says Paul. “I do the operations side and he does the finance side. It’s just evolved from there.”

“It’s a big ship to have one person in charge,” he adds. “You need good partners to make it happen and we compliment each other well. We’re two different people, we’re black and white, and fortunately we have each other.”

GreatWest has five locations and 147 employees across Alberta, with the other dealerships in Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge.

While three generations of ownership is impressive, GreatWest might even make it to four.

“My father has 16 grandkids who all have the opportunity and potential to join if they want,” notes Paul. “We would like to keep it going and get to the fourth generation.”