Thermo King dealerships get new owners

Thermo King Corporation announces that its dealerships in Springfield MO and Tulsa OK were sold December 31, 2008, to John T. Cooper, a Springfield businessman, and R. Wayne Smith III, also of Springfield, who has been involved with the dealership for the past 15 years. The names for these dealerships have changed to Thermo King of Springfield LLC and Thermo King of Tulsa LLC, but the operations will remain in the same locations.

With the exception of family members of the prior owners, all of the previous employees remain with the new entities. Cooper, who is involved in the operation of other family businesses, will serve as president of the new LLCs, while Wayne Smith will be the chief executive officer and responsible for day-to-day operations at both dealerships. Tim Fry, formerly of Wick's Truck Trailers Inc., will serve as operations manager for both locations, and Ricky Pierce will continue to oversee the operation in Tulsa as general manager.