Wabash County Farm Bureau Inc. to host Meet Your Candidate April 24, 7 p.m. Honeywell Center’s Nixon Room
THE PAPER
April 11, 2012
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Ryan Long marks fourth generation as new owner of
. c n I , r i a p e R k c u r T L L L e l p i Tr by Brent Swan On Jan. 1, Ryan Long became the fourth-generation of his family to take ownership of what is now Triple LLL Truck Repair Inc. A fixture in the Wabash area community since 1928, the Longs have evolved from primarily a means for farmers to transport goods to a truck repair shop capable of anything from complete engine overhauls to a variety of chrome accessories for nearly any make of semi-tractor. Long’s Trucking began by utilizing horses and mules, before Howard purchased a small semi in 1936 to the criticism of many residents. After a downtown fire, Howard relocated the business to his residence at Rural Route 1, Wabash, where his wife Vera operated the telephone and kept track of the books. In 1947, Howard’s son Richard joined the business, which had evolved to include the transportation of livestock, dry fertilizer, and grain. Ryan’s father, Maurice “Mauri” Long, joined Howard in 1974, officially forming Triple L Trucking as all three Longs were driving under the same operation. “I’ve always been around semis and diesels,” Ryan said. “When I was younger, I’d always c o m e
home from school and be in and around the shop.” Since Ryan has taken over ownership from his father, Ryan’s main goal is to have more quality time with his customers. “I think building and establishing a relationship with a customer is the true key to a successful growth in a business. We have passion for what we do and I am willing to go the extra mile to make it right.” Ryan has worked to continually provide the most up-to-date services that area truckers might need. “As the economy has shifted, people have been looking to save money wherever they can,” Ryan explained. “One of the biggest costs truckers have is in the tires they drive on.
We’ve added a laser alignment system where we can help our customers save money by getting more life out of their tires.” Another great help to keeping truck drivers on the road is Long’s 24-hour road service. Whatever the time or where ever the place, Long has a portable service trailer to take on breakdowns of any kind. By teaming up with Brian Murphy, Triple L Truck Repair, LLC offers around the clock service capabilities to truck drivers from around the nation. “By going with this service, we’re able to help not only the truck drivers from around here, but we’re able to branch out to others as well,” Long said. “A driver from Texas might be driving through, have a breakdown, and n e e d service.
THE STAFF AT TRIPLE LLL TRUCK REPAIR INC. includes (from left) Annette Rensberger, Brian Murphy, Ryan Long, Shannon Overlander, and Kyle Page. Long took over ownership of the company effective Jan. 1. (photo provided)
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BEFORE AND AFTER: A 1999 Peterbilt 379 that Triple LLL Truck Repair rebuilt (pictured left) after being rolled over and a photo of it shortly after it arrived at the shop. (photos provided)
Index Classifieds ....................28-30
Weekly Reports ............12-15
D&E ..................................22
Community News ....20,21,24
In Memoriam Dorothy Anderson, 98 Bernard Bashore, 58 Philip Bauer, 65 Wayne Campbell, 92
Barbara Click, 83 Matthew Cornett Beulah Fleck, 90 Rhea Kirby, 87
Vol. 35, No. 4 Harold Nigh, 82 Charles A. Shuman, 91 Robert Smalley, 88 Teresa Stanley, 53
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326