Employee Spotlight – Ron Duda

Ron Duda, Corporate Sales Manager for Truck and Trailer – Regina, 28 years

Ron has worked with Redhead Equipment for 28 years and previously with another Mack Trucks dealer for 12. This year he celebrated 40 years of Sales and Service with Mack Trucks. He started work within the industry as a Shipper and Receiver before becoming a Parts Person, later moved into a supervisory role and further on to Parts Manager. When Gary became the Mack dealer in Saskatchewan Ron was hired to be a Product Support Manager for the construction side. A few months in, Redhead acquired the Mack franchise for the province and Ron moved inside to help set up the parts room. A year later, he moved on to become a Sales Coordinator and Sales Manager and is now the Corporate Sales Manager for Mack Truck and Trailer division, working out of the Regina branch.

Describe a day in the life if you were explaining it to a child.

Ron describes a day in his role a bit like running a day care. His responsibilities are focused around trying to keep everybody happy and focused, working with service and sales staff, technicians and management, as well as manufacturers and customers.

Some of the biggest challenges of his role are central to working with manufacturers and any issues that arise from them. However one of the biggest rewards of course is overcoming these challenges, in spite of them, meeting with customers and knowing that you are a key part of customers being successful. Ron says the challenges are what keep him working with Redhead Equipment. “It’s constantly changing, rules from manufacturers, the way we sell, customer demand, technology, we always have to adapt.”

How do you feel about our tagline ‘Whatever it takes’?

“We had a sales coordinator in Lloydminster who recently had a child, she left home at 10pm one evening for Edmonton to pick up a part for a customer’s truck. The truck had to be running by 7am or the customer would lose the run. Techs came in early to get the job done. No one asked her to go and do it, she just did it all on her own.” Ron reflects on how Redhead employees have always done “Whatever it Takes” for customers.

Quick Questions:

Redhead Equipment is celebrating 70 years in business, why do you think the company has been around for so long?

The extreme focus on customer service I think definitely keeps our customers coming back and keeps us in business.

What does Redhead Equipment mean to you?

Things just align, it’s more than a job or employment, it’s a part of who I am, and I like to think I’m a big part of it.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career with Redhead Equipment?

Focus on the customer support and service.

What is something that might surprise people about you?

I play racquetball, and coached a junior national team back in the day. I also enjoy golfing and being outside.

Do you have a favorite line from a film?

“I’ll be back” – Terminator

Is there one song that would be the title soundtrack to your life?

I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash

When you have an hour of free time what do you find yourself doing?

Usually reading, focusing more lately on the politics of business because of how much it could affect business and customers business.

Do you have a favorite place in the world?

The North Shore of Hawaii, Maui, however I would love to see Europe someday and go on a river cruise.