About Us
We are a Thermo King authorized Sales, Service and Parts (or whichever apply) dealership location. Thermo King is the world leader in transport temperature control systems for trucks, trailers, buses and rail cars. Thermo King also manufactures auxiliary power units, which dramatically reduce engine idling. As part of Thermo King’s unmatched nationwide dealer network, we provide expert factory-trained service when and where you need it, and a complete line of genuine and competitive parts. Trust us to get you back on the road quickly and keep you up and running.
1969: Truck Thermo King, Inc. opened for business with three employees on January 2, 1969 in a two-bay shop approximately two miles north of the present dealership location. The founders, Everette Showalter and Bob Plecker, put the "truck” in the dealership name because there were few refrigeration units in the area at the time, and they thought that the new business might have to depend partly on truck (and trailer) repair to survive.
1974: The original two-bay building was enlarged by the construction of four more bays and additional parts department space.
1979: An early evening fire caused substantial damage to the building and the loss of two service bays. The building was usable after repairs, but plans got underway for the construction of a new facility.
1983: A new 19,200 square foot building was built approximately two miles south of the original facility, with frontage on I-81. This building had thirteen service bays, improved interstate access, and included larger offices and parts department.
2003: Truck Thermo King acquired Thermo King of Central Virginia, Ashland, Virginia, extending its territory into central and southern Virginia.
2005: Thermo King Central Virginia added two UpTime service vans in Emporia, Virginia to service the southern Virginia area and increase service coverage on the I-95 corridor.
2008: Truck Thermo King, Inc. celebrated its 40th year in business. The Harrisonburg dealership purchased land with the possibility of building a new facility in the future.
2010: Truck Thermo King, Inc. added an UpTime service truck and certified Thermo King technician to provide service in the growing Winchester area.
2014: Truck - Thermo King moved from the existing building to the third facility in the company's 45 year history. The new building is located at 101 White Picket Trail, Mt. Crawford, Virginia, and offers over 30,000 square feet of expanded service, parts, and office space as well as much-improved access from I-81 and U. S. Route 11.
2015 - In May, Greg Blades joined the Truck - Thermo King Companies as General Manager of the Central Virginia location, bringing with him over 17 years of experience in the transport refrigeration business.
2019 - Truck - Thermo King, Inc. celebrates its 50th of service to the trucking industry!
Corporate Management
- Richard (Butch) Showalter, President
- Kenneth Showalter, Executive Vice-President
- Michelle Brinkley - Vice-President, Service
- Ashley Gillette, Secretary/Treasurer
Truck Thermo King Operations
- Richard (Butch) Showalter, General Manager
- Kenneth Showalter, Service Manager
- Matthew Stickley, Shop Foreman
- Steven Chandler, Parts Manager
- Domenic Zaccaria, Sales Manager
Truck Thermo King, Inc.
Hours of Operation:
Parts and Service – Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - Midnight
Sales and Office – Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
Phone: 540-434-7004 or 540-433-1990 (Parts Direct Line)
Services:
- Factory-authorized Thermo King sales and service dealer
- Carrier refrigeration repairs
- "TK for Carrier" replacement parts
- TriPac auxiliary power units
- Kidron dry freight, refrigerated, and slip-in truck bodies
- Hercules dry freight and refrigerated truck bodies
- Major and minor trailer repair and service
- Minor truck and tractor repair and service
- Kysor/Bergstrom air conditioning units/parts/service
- Maxon Liftgate parts/service
- Aurora trailer parts (for all makes)
- Used trailer sales
- Used unit sales
- Storage trailer rental
- Virginia State Inspection
Thermo King Central Virginia Operations
- Faith Stanley - General Manager
- Chris Hollins - Shop Foreman
- Brannan White - Parts Manager
- Chris Ruffa - Sales Manager
Thermo King Central Virginia
Hours of Operation
Parts and Service – Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM. to 7:00 PM.
Sales and Office – Monday - Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
Phone: 804-550-5666
Services:
- Factory-authorized Thermo King sales and service dealer
- Thermo King and Carrier refrigeration repairs
- TriPac auxiliary power units
- TK for Carrier replacement parts
- Minor trailer repair
- Used unit sales
- Hercules dry freight, refrigerated, and slip-in truck bodies
- Van insulation kits
Thermo King Central Virginia became an authorized Thermo King dealer on Feb 28, 2003. Located 10 miles north of Richmond, VA, off of I-95, TKCV currently employs 14 people.TKCV has 3 two service trucks and five drive-through bays.
Biographies
Richard L. (Butch) Showalter joined TTK in May of 1969, working at the parts counter. Later he became Parts Manager, Sales Manager, General Manager, Vice President of Operations, and finally President and CEO. Holds a degree in English and Education from Madison College, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from James Madison University.
Kenneth L. Showalter joined TTK in June of 1971 as a service technician. He later became Service Manager, Vice President - Service, and finally Executive Vice President. Has attended numerous classes and conferences during his many years of supervising trailer, refrigeration, tractor, and air conditioning technicians.
Ashley Gillette came to work in the office at TTK in 2000. She presently is corporate Secretary-Treasurer, and credit and financial manager. Ashley holds a degree in Managerial Economics from Bridgewater College.
Michelle Brinkley graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in Political Science and started at TTK in 2004. Michelle was originally a service writer and now assists with all service operations.
Steven Chandler joined TTK in 1989, following a stint with Kenworth. Certified as a Thermo King parts professional, Steve supervises a staff of six including an outside parts salesman.
Faith Stanley came to TKCV from Penske Truck Leasing, where she supervised rental and maintenance of over 200 vehicles. Faith is a graduate of James Madison University and spent three years as parts manager at TKCV before being elevated to general manager.
Chris Ruffa has one year of experience with TKCV, but has many years of sales experience, first with Xerox for 22 years and most recently with Utility Trailers. Many of Chris' customers are accounts and fleets he previously called on in central and northern Virgjnia.