Driving Fleet Excellence with Family Values and Mobile Precision
In an exclusive conversation with Biz Tech Outlook, the leadership team at Equipment Experts Inc. shares the story behind their rise from a one-man mobile repair shop to a Pacific Northwest fleet powerhouse.
How Equipment Experts Inc. Built a Legacy of Reliability
In the Pacific Northwest, a company born from necessity and resilience has grown into a powerhouse in fleet maintenance and repair. Equipment Experts Inc., a full-service, family-operated business, didn’t start with a boardroom strategy or investor backing it began with a broken foot and a C-section.
In the early days, Greg Conner was a union mechanic with a dependable skill set but unpredictable employment. When an on-the-job injury left him sidelined at the exact moment his wife was delivering their third child via C-section, the Conner family faced a pivotal crossroads. Laid off shortly after returning to work and struggling to care for three young children, Greg and his wife had a decision to make: wait for another union job or bet on themselves. They chose the latter.
Greg stepped out on his own, working 16-hour days, seven days a week, as a mobile mechanic. Meanwhile, his wife maintained a corporate job to keep the family afloat. “It was tough, but we worked through it,” she recalls. Eventually, she left her job and joined the operation part-time. From there, the seeds of Equipment Experts Inc. were sown.
Their daughter Arielle joined soon after, and together the family worked not only to repair trucks but to build a company. Through self-education and working with business consultants, they expanded both their operations and business acumen. In time, Equipment Experts Inc. grew tenfold, evolving from a one-man mobile repair service into a multi-technician, full-service fleet maintenance company.
The Power of Staying Family-Operated
Remaining 100% family-owned and operated isn’t just a legal structure for Equipment Experts- it’s their cultural cornerstone. “We strive to create a friendly, caring family-feeling atmosphere, where we leave dysfunction at the door,” says the co-founder. This ethos has helped them foster a values-driven organization built on accountability, clarity, and mutual respect.
Their core values serve as a compass for hiring, performance, and team culture. New employees are onboarded with an understanding of not just what the company does but why it does it that way. “Everyone on our team, from entry-level techs to our GM, Arielle, is empowered to hold leadership accountable. That kind of transparency builds trust and momentum.”
This family-centric approach has resulted in an unusually tight-knit and high-performing team. Toxicity is addressed swiftly, drama is discouraged, and everyone from mechanics to management is aligned with the company’s vision.
Mobile Mechanics vs. In-Shop: A Tactical Balancing Act
Equipment Experts offers both in-shop and mobile repair services, a combination that sets them apart. But as the founders explain, mobile work is a different beast entirely.
“Mobile is much more complex,” she says. “It requires technicians who are self-reliant, communicative, and extremely detail-oriented.” A mistake in a shop may be inconvenient, but a wrong part on a mobile job could cost a client days of downtime. Effective logistics, risk mitigation, and on-the-road inventory management are crucial.
Mobile technicians operate in less controlled environments and must be equipped with not only tools, but judgment and adaptability. Fleet clients, particularly those in construction and logistics, rely on Equipment Experts to respond quickly and minimize disruptions making trust and technical proficiency non-negotiable.
Turning Crisis into Capability: A Client Success Story
One of the company’s most memorable client successes involved a fleet of 30 trucks, half of which were down when the client called Equipment Experts in desperation. Within a week, nine trucks were back on the road, restoring operational flow and avoiding massive rental costs.
“We see this all the time fleets that haven’t had proper maintenance for years,” she says. “They come to us when things are critical. And because of our systems, our team, and our speed, we can get them back to functioning quickly.”
This ability to step into chaos and bring order has become a defining trait of Equipment Experts. It’s not just about fixing equipment it’s about restoring business continuity for clients who can’t afford downtime.
Scaling Smart: Expansion and Training for Tomorrow
As for the future, the company is looking to grow geographically, operationally, and intellectually. Plans are in motion to add more mobile units, possibly expand to new regions, and continually refine their internal processes.
Leadership development is also a top priority. Equipment Experts runs an in-house 16-week training program open to any employee who wishes to take part. This isn’t just skills training it’s a way to share the company’s unique management philosophy, empowering employees to think and act like owners.
“Our goal is to equip the closest person to any issue with the skills and mindset to solve it the way we would,” says the founder. This decentralized approach ensures fast, consistent decisions and empowers frontline staff to lead without waiting for direction.
Facing the Industry’s Hardest Challenges
Fleet maintenance today is more complex than ever. Beyond mechanical issues, fleet managers grapple with cost pressures, vendor inconsistency, and regulatory burdens—particularly in a legal climate where risk exposure is sky-high.
Finding reliable vendors who can balance cost, compliance, and competence is a perennial struggle. “The biggest challenge is really risking abatement,” she notes. “Lawsuits can be astronomical, so clients need partners they can count on – not just for performance, but for documentation and compliance.”
Equipment Experts is uniquely positioned to provide this reliability, thanks to its rigorous processes, transparent culture, and unwavering focus on operational excellence.
A Legacy That Lives Through Leadership
While Greg Conner, the founder, is now mostly retired, his legacy lives on through the company’s leadership—his wife, their daughter Arielle, and Arielle’s husband Joe, who now oversees operations. This next generation is fully immersed in the culture, strategy, and spirit of the business.
Their mission? To continue growing while staying true to their roots: solving problems with integrity, leading with values, and keeping clients’ wheels turning literally and figuratively.
More Than Mechanics
Equipment Experts Inc. is proof that grit, family, and values can drive not only a business but a movement. In a world full of corporate mergers and impersonal service, this family-run operation stands out by staying grounded in its people-first philosophy.
From a garage to a multi-service fleet operation, Equipment Experts has built more than a company it has built trust, opportunity, and a future for the next generation of leaders in equipment maintenance.
“Empowering Fleets, Elevating Standards—One Expert Service at a Time”
“Keeping America’s Fleets Rolling with Precision, Integrity, and Heart”
Company Name : Equipment Experts Inc.
Website : https://equipmentexpertsinc.com/
Management Team
Greg Conner | Founder
Stacy Conner | President & Owner
