Saint Paul, Minn. - Rihm Kenworth broke ground on new facilities in South St. Paul and Coon Rapids, where the family-owned business will sell and service The World’s Best® Kenworth trucks. Rihm Kenworth is the second oldest continually operated Kenworth dealer in the world. The new facilities will accommodate the company’s recent growth. Rihm Kenworth’s parent company Rihm Family Companies (RFC) kicked off its 85th anniversary in January by acquiring LTX, Inc., which owns Lawrence Leasing Inc., the operator of Lawrence NationaLease – a commercial truck leasing company with 15 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. As a result of the acquisition, RFC’s workforce totals more than 300 employees and operates at 21 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
From left to right: Peter Hellegers (City Planner), Ryan Garcia (Economic Development Manager), J.B. Rihm (Vice President of Rihm Kenworth), Kari Rihm (President and CEO of Rihm Family Companies), Stephen King (City Administrator), Bill Flatley (City Councilmember), Chris Hartzell (City Engineer), and James Francis (Mayor)
From left to right: Peter Hellegers (City Planner), Ryan Garcia (Economic Development Manager), J.B. Rihm (Vice President of Rihm Kenworth), Kari Rihm (President and CEO of Rihm Family Companies), Stephen King (City Administrator), Bill Flatley (City Councilmember), Chris Hartzell (City Engineer), and James Francis (Mayor)
Rihm Kenworth’s new location in South St. Paul at Concord Boulevard and Armour Street totaling 68,000-square-feet will serve as Rihm Kenworth’s new headquarters and offer sales, parts and service. The new full-service location in Coon Rapids near Highways 610 and 47 totaling 75,000-square-feet will also feature a body shop with state-of-the-art paint capabilities. Both facilities will include Rihm PacLease operations under the Lawrence Leasing umbrella. Lawrence Leasing is currently being renamed Rihm Leasing to align with the parent company’s brand and identity.
From left to right: Brad Greskowiak (City Councilmember), Jerry Koch (Mayor), Kari Rihm (President and CEO of Rihm Family Companies), J.B. Rihm (Vice President of Rihm Kenworth), Matt Stemwedel (City Manager), and Grant Fernelius (Community Development Director).
From left to right: Brad Greskowiak (City Councilmember), Jerry Koch (Mayor), Kari Rihm (President and CEO of Rihm Family Companies), J.B. Rihm (Vice President of Rihm Kenworth), Matt Stemwedel (City Manager), and Grant Fernelius (Community Development Director).
The groundbreaking ceremonies featured remarks by representatives from Rihm Kenworth, the project’s construction company R.J. Ryan, and local officials. “We are excited to be expanding to the South St. Paul and Coon Rapids communities,” said Kari Rihm, president and CEO of RFC. “We are thrilled to break ground on these facilities, which will allow us to improve our service and offerings for our loyal customers throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.” Construction of both facilities will run on concurrent schedules, with openings scheduled by the end 2017. There will be no changes to the company’s other facilities in Minnesota (Albert Lea, Sauk Centre, Lake Elmo, and Bemidji) or its Superior, Wisconsin, facility.