Freightliner buys flagship dealer

Freightliner Corp. has bought its largest Canadian dealership, Freightliner Mid-Ontario Inc. of Mississauga, Ont., from its three principals. It has three locations in the Greater Toronto area and 255 employees, and has been managed by Freightliner Market Development Corp. since March 1. Brad Thiessen, previously with Toromont Caterpillar, has been named as general manager.

The parent company has owned the dealership before, when original owner Ed Stoodley ran into financial difficulty several years ago. It was subsequently sold to Barry Talbot, who also operates Freightliner dealerships in Winnipeg and Brandon, Man. He was later joined by Stoodley and Ed Ranft as part owners. All three have sold their interests in the dealership, but Stoodley remains as general sales manager.

The main Mississauga facility and the Pickering branch, east of Toronto, both offer 24-hour, seven-days-a-week parts and service availability.