By Bob Miller, NTEA Director of Outreach
This article was published in the September 2016 edition of NTEA News.
Dickinson Truck Equipment (DTE), an NTEA Distributor member based in Dickinson, North Dakota, was founded in 1985 by Kurt Wanner.
Born and raised on a family farm in Mott, North Dakota, Kurt liked working with his hands, and developed strong welding skills and an interest in truck equipment while growing up. After finishing high school in 1979, he began working in the parts department at Hills Brake and Equipment (Rapid City, South Dakota) and soon moved into equipment sales.
In 1985, Kurt moved back to North Dakota with his wife, Juli, to start his own business. He opened DTE with Knapheide, Auto Crane, Silent Drive, Tommy Gate and Brand FX product lines.
DTE truck
Though quite challenging at times, the business venture has been rewarding for Kurt. He’s excited about the industry’s continued advancements in product design and features through the years, such as LED lights, loomed wire harnesses, better paint and finish products, and new electronics. According to Kurt, though, the cost of doing business has been the most significant change as compared to when he started.
DTE specializes in ¾- and one-ton pickups and has evolved into a full-line truck equipment house, serving the industrial, commercial, construction, farm and ranch, oilfield and agriculture markets in the region.
DTE service bodies
The business sits on two acres with three buildings providing 14,760 square feet of space. There are 10 employees — six full time in the shop and four in the office, parts and sales — all of whom Kurt credits with DTE’s business success.
DTE building in Dickinson, North Dakota
For more information, visit
dickinsontruckequipmentinc.com, call 800-743-2934 or stop by 1012 First Ave. SE in Dickinson.