SHOW ME YOUR TRUCK
An eye on expansion
Independent dealer Jason Dutrow and his three-man team
provide a consistent service in Northern Virginia.
By Sara Scullin, Editor
Jason Dutrow is the owner of Manassas Tool
Company. This is his seventh year as a mobile
tool dealer. Dutrow was a technician for 14 years
before becoming a franchisee, and then eventually
an independent distributor in 2017.
"After running the independent trucks for a year,
the GEARWRENCH branding looked appealing so I
signed on with GEARWRENCH/Apex Tool Group in
April 2018,” Dutrow says. “Since then, the branding
has really taken off.”
After four years with the franchise, Dutrow added
a second route and second truck, and very recently
took on a third truck — a 2005 GMC 5500, 18' box. He
is working to condition the mechanical components
of the GMC, as well as modify the interior and exterior.
The whole operation services part of Prince William
County, Virginia. Their clients include dealerships,
and service stations, as well as truck, autobody,
motorcycle, aviation and ATV shops.
The first truck is a 2016 Freightliner M2, 22’ box
with a wide body, built by American Custom Design
Vehicles (ACDV). The second truck is a 2012 Isuzu
NRR, 20’ box built by Summit Body Works. The team
also runs a 2016 Ford Transit as a fill-in, in case either
of the big trucks go down or Operations Manager
Michael Orlando needs to deliver parts or big tools.
Dutrow purchased the Freightliner M2 in 2016 to
replace his original Freightliner MT45 step van.
“The M2 is a great vehicle for a wider, open route,”
Dutrow says. "The Isuzu is great for a city route,
although not as comfortable without a walkthrough.”
“The customers love the new look of the trucks,”
Dutrow says. “They have expressed that painting the
cab black with the full wrap has really made it stand
out from the rest. They always compliment the fact
that the trucks are always well stocked, and there is
a wide variety of tools that they don’t usually see.”
To view more photos of Dutrow's truck,
go to: VehicleServicePros.com/21014952
16 Professional Distributor I June 2017 I VehicleServicePros.com
Independent distributor Jason Dutrow’s main truck is a 2016
Freightliner M2, 22’ box with a wide body, built by ACDV.
16 Professional Distributor I September 2018 I VehicleServicePros.com
Business has been good for the three-man team.
“We practice a lower pressure sales environment
and try to teach our customers the features and benefits
of each tool if they seem interested," Dutrow
says. "They always respect our knowledge of the
product and appreciate when we recommend tools
which will help them get their job done faster and
more efficiently.”
Dutrow hopes to add a fourth truck, and maybe
one day a brick-and-mortar store. Beyond that, he
wants to do his part to help tech ed programs.
“Since rebranding the trucks to GEARWRENCH,
I’ve also expanded my line to run promotions with
advertising material such as tee shirts, hooded sweatshirts,
hats, stickers and banners,” he says. “And,
GEARWRENCH has a great tech ed program which I
plan to utilize in local in local high schools and colleges
near me. I am currently awaiting county approval to
become a certified vendor for a lot of their programs
in education and county municipalities.”
Jason Dutrow
Prince William County, Va.
Population: 451,721
/21014952
/VehicleServicePros.com