Trux fills much needed role as diesel mechanic in Pike County
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
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Left to right: Pike County Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Kaye Iftner, State Rep. CD Davidsmeyer, Lucas Nichols, Noah Mendenhall, Levi Walters, Nikki Simon, Trux owner Chris Nichols, Chamber board member Diane Vose, Cole McEwann, Chamber board president Coy Bainter, Brian Cooley, Robert Brewer, Pittsfield Mayor Gary Mendenhall, Danielle Howland, Pittsfield City Clerk Ann Moffit, Pittsfield Economic Development Director Ed Knight, Adam Lawson, and Pike County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director David Camphouse.
Trux, LLC – a diesel mechanic shop – recently opened in the Pittsfield industrial park. On Thursday the business – in conjunction with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce – held a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate their opening.
According to Pittsfield’s LSSD Trucking’s Operations Manager Jim Sheppard, the opening of the new diesel mechanic shop helps address a big need in Pike County and across the country.
“There is a shortage of diesel mechanics in Pike County – and nationwide,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard said that the lack of diesel mechanics significantly and negatively impacts the effectiveness of many industries that rely on trucking.
“The wait time at a lot of diesel mechanics is horrendous,” Sheppard said. “There are times when it’ll be a week to get it looked at, let alone worked on.”
Pike County’s agricultural industry will benefit from the addition of a new diesel mechanic, too.
“Farmers will be able to get their trucks back up and running quicker,” Sheppard said. “This new business will be of great benefit to the area.”
Highlighting the importance of the new diesel mechanic shop’s opening was the presence of local dignitaries and elected officials.
Present at the ribbon cutting were Illinois State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer, Pittsfield Mayor Gary Mendenhall, Pittsfield City Clerk Ann Moffit, Pittsfield Economic Development Director, representatives from the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, as well as shop employees and relations to owner Chris Nichols..
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities and wages are good in the field of diesel mechanics.
Employment of diesel service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS, is projected to grow four percent from 2021 to 2031.
About 28,500 openings for diesel service technicians and mechanics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
According to BLS, employers are increasingly preferring applicants who have completed post secondary training programs in diesel engine repair. In addition, industry certification may be important.
BLS reports median for diesel mechanics to be $48,690 per year or $23.41 per hour.
