Matthews Motors has come a long way since Bob Matthews started with a mobile business servicing work vehicles in 1991, and a second generation of the Matthews’ family has plans for additional growth.
The business marks its 30th anniversary in July but a special event is planned from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, June 25, with food, games, music and prizes at its 1351 Gordon Highway location.
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“We have a theme of past, present and future,” said Tanya Matthews, Bob’s wife, who is the company’s president, about Friday’s events.
Bob, she said, represents a strong past with the opening and growth of the business; the five of them working together is the present; and their sons are the future.
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Bob Matthews had worked as a mechanic for six years before launching his own business. While he started as a mobile company, it wasn’t long before he needed his own location. First known as Fleetcare Commercial Trucks, the business grew from truck repairs to include truck sales becoming an Isuzu dealership then adding GMC and Hino trucks to the line-up.
Major moves included the company’s rebranding to Matthews Motors in 2018 as the Matthews’ sons, Aaron, chief financial officer; Austin, chief executive officer; and Alan, service adviser, have taken on roles in the family business.
Another strategic move was the acquisition of the former Mays International Truck Sales location, which expanded the business’s footprint, allowing for an increase in the services offered. The former Matthews Motors’ location had five acres while the current one has seven. It’s also moved from 10 truck bays to 40, tripling the size of the operation, Bob Matthews said.
In 2019, a body/fabrication shop was added to the property to give Matthews Motors the ability to customize work trucks for specific tasks — from refrigerated trucks to waste disposal vehicles to delivery units and anything else a customer might need.
“We have work ready units. We sell nationwide from this location,” said Bob Matthews.
One untapped area is in the paint and body shop arena, and that’s the direction the company is headed.
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“There’s no big paint and body shop in town for big trucks. They have to go to Atlanta and Columbia,” he said.
Also, the second generation has its eyes on becoming a “one-stop shop” for industrial truck needs and harnessing the right technology to help customers.
“Our core business is not going to change,” said Aaron Matthews. “We’re just trying to find ways of being more efficient.”
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“We’re definitely trying to keep customers more engaged,” Austin Matthews added. “That way they can make better decisions.”
Customers, friends and family interested in attending the June 25 celebration are encouraged to register for it at https://www.facebook.com/Matthews-Motors-332037324256676.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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