Pacific Detroit Diesel Allison.

• Position: Pacific Detroit Diesel Allison Inc. - Company Profile

Pacific Detroit Diesel Allison (PDDA) has a forward thinking strategy it would like to share with its customers. Founded over 30 years ago, PDDA operates in five locations: Anchorage, Alaska; Portland, Ore. (company headquarters); Medford, Ore.; Springfield, Ore.; and Kent, Wash. PDDA moved into the Seattle area in 1989 by acquiring Emerson Diesel, the existing Detroit Diesel distributorship. Rapid growth followed in Seattle as PDDA rebuilt its client base and gained market share. This growth resulted in the need for additional space, hence the construction of PDDA's new Kent facility.

In late 1994, PDDA purchased Alaska Detroit Diesel Allison, a vote of confidence in Alaska. Not surprisingly, PDDA busily reacquainted itself with old Alaskan customers over the past several months. PDDA's investment in Alaska reflects its observation that the business can grow by providing better customer service, an improved management team and modern facilities.

PDDA's Forward Thinking Strategy: The past three years have seen significant changes at PDDA, including significant ownership changes. These changes have prepared PDDA to embrace change according to the following covenants:

Strong Customer Focus: A sale that results in a win-win situation for both customer and PDDA is a sale based on customer focus. That customer focus is achieved in a number of ways. Old customers are hearing more about PDDA, its business alliances, products and services. New customers are coming to PDDA because PDDA's customer focus results in a value-added experience.

Re-engineered Workforce: PDDA's reorganized workforce focuses on the customer and includes a new position: product specialist. Each product specialist is responsible for marketing, training and providing service-related expertise for every manufacturer that PDDA represents.

Business Alliance: PDDA feels partnerships are a way of life, given dynamic changes in the heavy equipment field. Tooling costs are high. Aligning with top manufacturers is critical. PDDA represents or has business alliances with the following...