The History of Thompson Truck & Trailer
Dennis Thompson began his career at the International affiliated truck dealership in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1976, as a mechanic’s helper. Over the next 20 years, he progressed through the company’s management before becoming the eventual owner in 1998. Years later, Travis Thompson followed in those footsteps, first joining the company at age 18 as a diesel technician and then working his way up before being named President and CEO in 2013. Over the last 20+ years, Thompson has continued to invest in the business and expand our capabilities and product offerings:
- 1998 - Dennis Thompson purchased Hawkeye International Trucks - later renaming the business to Thompson Truck & Trailer. Original purchase included locations in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Waterloo, Iowa.
- 2000 – The Davenport location moved from West River Drive to its current location at exit 292 right off Interstate 80.
- 2003 – Thompson aquired a full-service truck dealership, utility trailer dealership, and Goodyear tire franchise in Dubuque, Iowa.
- 2007 – Brand new full-service truck dealership is opened in Sterling, Illinois.
- 2012 - Thompson Truck & Trailer is the recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award, an award given only to those dealerships that achieve the highest level of performance.
- 2013 – Travis Thompson, formerly the Director of Fixed Operations, is named President of Thompson Truck & Trailer. Dennis Thompson is named Chairman.
- 2016 – Thompson moves into the brand new full-service truck dealership at current location on 6th Street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. New facility includes a multi-million dollar state of the art body shop and paint facility.
- 2018 – President, Travis Thompson, is elected to the IMTA Board of Directors.
- 2019 - Thompson Tire & Retread moved from North Liberty to new location at 5701 16th Ave in Cedar Rapids. This new location is better equipped to serve tire customers in the area.
- 2021 - Thompson Truck & Trailer was awarded the prestigious Public Relations Award from the Iowa Motor Truck Association (IMTA). This award celebrates companies who creatively generate positive awareness for the trucking industry.
- TODAY - Thompson is proud to employ over 200 skilled team members and serve customers across Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. We have 77 service bays, 11 body shop bays, 2 paint booths, 3 tire locations, and rapid access to millions of dollars in stocked parts and trucks.