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June 21, 2019 - Tri-State Vacuum and Rental LLC held a ribbon cutting event in celebration of their 100th truck on June 20, 2019.
Employees, business associates, community members and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce representatives were at the location to help celebrate this great event at 8204 US Highway 59 North in Tenaha.
Stephanie Elswick, representing the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, introduced Troy Massey and his wife Abby.
Massey said how the company is really about the employees and truck drivers involved in the business.
"I'm a truck driver at heart, always have been, always will be. The most important thing to me and the company is the drivers," said Massey.
Massey explained the business started out just over three years ago with four employees. The Masseys devoted time, energy and their finances into the company, and invested all that they had without outside investors.
"It's just what we had in the company and a little help from the local bank who believed in us," said Massey. "That's probably the key to the whole company right there is a local bank that just believed in us and our ability to put a little money to work."
Massey shared the 100th truck is more than a number and he described it as being more of an indicator of transference from a "Mom and Pop" business to a large company with three different locations across Texas.
"What makes me most proud is for the people that work here, the truck drivers, the office ladies, the managers, dispatchers. We've been able to bring people in from big companies like Key Energy and like Basic and Nuverra. Those guys come here and they call it home, they don't leave," said Massey.
Massey attributes that to a family atmosphere and hometown feel of the company.
"A lot of times these other companies they try to recruit our employees. They offer them a dollar more an hour or $5,000 a year," said Massey. "The guys don't leave."
He said the greatest accomplishment is not the trucks, office, or anything else in the company but the ability to recruit and bring in the most talented people.
Massey said the support of customers has also been a big part of their success.
A company called Indigo Minerals was an example of that support, "They gave us an opportunity to work when we didn't quite have the equipment to cover the jobs and they believed in us."
Massey explained they were most interested in the job getting done and growing with Tri-State Vacuum and Rental.
"Without customers, it doesn't matter how many trucks you buy, it doesn't matter how many employees you have, if you don't have good customers that believe in you and are there for you day in and day out, then you just own a bunch of trucks," said Massey.
He stated the celebration is about the employees and the customers putting it all together and making it happen. As the event came to a close, Massey remarked there were representatives of Gov. Greg Abbott's office - Betty Russo; State Representative Travis Clardy's office - Terry Baker; and State Representative Chris Paddy's office - there for the celebration.
A ceremonial ribbon was then cut by Massey with family, friends, employees and others supporters at his side.
Afterward everyone was able to enjoy fried fish plates and BBQ.
