A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR jOHN GARDNER, FOUNDER AND OWNER OF AMERICAN WRECKER SALES, AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUSINESS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that American Wrecker Sales is celebrating its fortieth anniversary; and

Whereas, in 1973, John Gardner established Gardner Enterprises, Inc., with Red and Amelia Gardner and Mark Gardner as the board of directors. Between October 1973 and July 1983, John and Mark Gardner operated both Gardner Paint and Body Shop and Gardner Wrecker Service; and

Whereas, in July of 1983, John Gardner opened American Wrecker Sales after working several months on a deal to acquire American Truck Bodies owned by a longtime business associate Micky Lawson. During this time John knew that Century Wrecker Corporation was in the process of releasing the new hydraulic wheel lift wrecker and that this product would revolutionize the towing industry; and

Whereas, between 1983 and 1990 John and his friend Sonny Gillespie spent countless hours traveling the Palmetto State, making door-to-door sales calls to demonstrate the new Century hydraulic wrecker with a wheel lift. They had immediate success and established a group of lifelong customers; and

Whereas, in 1993 after the growth and establishment of American Wrecker Sales, John and Mark Gardner decided to sell Gardner Wrecker Service. In 2000, they decided to split Gardner Paint and Body from Gardner Enterprises and American Wrecker Sales, due to the growth of both companies, which remain at the same original site in Cayce and enjoy a mutual business relationship; and

Whereas, John Gardner maintained ownership of American Wrecker Sales, and after a brief economic slow down in the early 1990s, it experienced a surge of growth when the rollback/car carrier began to take a strong hold in the market. Mr. Gardner's staff increased to include a full-time parts department, service facility, additional outside sales staff, and several part-time drivers who relocated vehicles; and

Whereas, an extreme economic slowdown occurred at the end of 2008, and sales came to a virtual halt, but Mr. Gardner used his experience from the early 1990s to guide the company for the next four years to ensure that it would stay financially sound. Relying on his high standard of customer service, he kept the company open and moving forward. Later in 2012, business began to revive and grow again, and for the next ten years, American Wrecker Sales saw unprecedented growth; and

Whereas, in 2019, American Wrecker Sales became a Miller Industries President Club Distributor, an honor reserved for the top fifteen Miller dealers throughout the United States, many of which have major markets, such as Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D. C.; and

Whereas, under Mr. Gardner's guidance American Wrecker Sales continues to grow. While 2018 to 2022 were banner years that recorded growth each year, the fortieth anniversary year has started with unprecedented numbers, and the company has already had the best Q1 in its history; and

Whereas, after forty years with American Wrecker Sales and fifty years in business for himself, Mr. Gardner remains an integral part of the day-to day business, providing all of his customers exceptional customer service, whether helping a walk-in customer purchase a V-chain or cable or closing a deal on the purchase of a new truck; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize John Gardner for forty years of extraordinary customer service and quality products from American Wrecker Sales, and the members wish him continued success in the years to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor John Gardner, founder and owner of American Wrecker Sales, and congratulate him upon the fortieth anniversary of the business.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to John Gardener.

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