​Hunter Truck – 80 Years of Service

Steve Pollock
September 2018

BUTLER, PA…. Eighty years ago, in 1938, Homer Hunter opened a service station at the intersection of Routes 58 and 38 in Eau Claire, Pennsylvania. Homer was known to help people, once loaning his car to a man who was taking his wife to the hospital to have a baby, but broke down in front of Homer’s gas station. On another occasion a driver on his way home for Christmas needed a new tire but had no money. Homer gave him the tire and asked that he pay him back when he was back in the area, which eventually the driver did.

Homer was awarded an International Harvester franchise in 1950. Homer’s sons joined the company: Harry in 1960 and Bob in 1963. In 1983, Hunter was awarded a Peterbilt truck franchise, setting the stage for future growth for the company. In the years to follow, Harry and Bob grew Hunter Truck Sales to become the North East’s largest truck dealer with nearly 1000 employees and 19 locations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia. The third generation of the Hunter family is now running the business with the fourth generation working in various areas of the company. Additionally, there are many third-generation employees at the company.

The company commemorated their 80th Anniversary Year Celebration on May 31, which was Homer Hunter’s birthday. During May and June of 2018, President and CEO Jeff Hunter, along with Executive Vice Presidents David and William Hunter and Nancy Hunter Mycka visited all Hunter locations and hosting a catered lunch for the employees. Each employee received a commemorative 80th Anniversary polo shirt and viewed a legacy video which documented the history of the company. “You cannot understand where you are going, unless you know the foundation from where you came”, said Nancy Hunter Mycka.

Hunter modernized their name and logo to “Hunter Truck” and launched a new updated website at www.huntertruck.com.

Continuing Homer’s tradition of helping giving back to the community, the Hunter family and the 19 branch teams raised money and collected canned food that was distributed to local food banks. In total, they raised $5,000 in funds and 3,000 cans of food. Hunter Truck matched the team effort with an $8,000 donation to Feed America. Hunter Truck also holds annual toy drives at Christmas time to help their local communities.

The Hunter family and leadership of Hunter Truck strive to maintain a family business atmosphere for their employees and customers.

Hunter Truck was recently recognized and honored by Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Kelly on the House Floor with a 5-minute speech commemorating their growth and community commitment over the past 80 years.

Hunter Truck remains committed to be on the cutting edge of technology and innovation for the Heavy Trucking industry, while continuing to carrying on Homer’s legacy of giving back the employees, customers, and community.

Caption:

Pictured from left to right in the front row: The Hunter family – Harry, Bob, and Nancy Hunter Mycka. Back row, left to right: Jeffery, David, Tyler, William and Mitch Hunter.