Sioux Falls: A Return to Our Roots

At TEC Equipment, our story is one of grit, growth, and gratitude. Spanning over 30 locations across 8 states, our company has evolved into a leading full-service commercial truck dealership. But our roots remain firmly planted in a place known for its hard work, strong values, and Midwest determination: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In 1968, TEC Equipment founder and CEO David Thompson was a college student in Iowa seeking summer work to help pay for school. Through his college roommate, he landed a job as a truck driver with Midwest Coast Transport, based in Sioux Falls. It was honest, physical work and it opened his eyes to the trucking industry.

After graduation, David enlisted in the military and served multiple tours in Vietnam. Upon returning home, he was welcomed back to Midwest Coast, this time with a deeper sense of discipline and purpose. His path ultimately led him west to Portland, Oregon, a move that would lay the groundwork for what would become TEC Equipment.

By 1985, David had launched TEC Equipment and began travelling the country purchasing used trucks. On one trip through Sioux Falls, a chance seat assignment on a flight would change his life. He met Ann, a Sioux Falls native who, in his words, was “beautiful, smart—and completely uninterested in talking to me.” Six months later, they were married.

Together, David and Ann built both a family and a business in Portland. Their three sons—David, Chris, and William—now hold key leadership roles at TEC. Family values and a commitment to people have shaped the company's growth, deeply rooted in the same principles David first shaped in Sioux Falls.

In 2021, TEC Equipment expanded its footprint into the Midwest by acquiring a local dealer's Volvo operations. For David, the move wasn’t just a smart strategic play, it was a return to where it all began.

“It felt like coming home,” he says. “We weren’t just interested in opening one location. We were building an interstate corridor. And Sioux Falls is a strategic hub, but is also deeply nostalgic.”

This expansion marked a turning point not just for TEC, but for David personally. It brought his journey full circle, reconnecting him to the city that gave him his start.

Today, TEC Equipment is proud to announce a major investment in Sioux Falls and the larger region: a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility that will house TEC's existing dealership operations and support future growth.

Located near the intersection of I-29 and I-90, this modern facility positions TEC at the heart of a vital freight and logistics corridor. More importantly, it reflects a long-term commitment to a community that helped shape both our founder and our company.

“We’re here for the long haul,” David says. “We want to grow, attract top talent, and be a vital part of the Sioux Falls business landscape.”

TEC’s expansion into Sioux Falls is about more than just growth; it’s about people, opportunity, and the connections that stand the test of time.

One team member at our new facility is the son of a colleague David Thompson worked with during his early days at Midwest Coast. That kind of generational link isn’t just rare, it’s meaningful. For David, this represents the generational strength and enduring relationships that have powered TEC's growth over nearly five decades.

“Sioux Falls has always been a place of opportunity for me. This new chapter is about giving back and building something lasting for the next generation.”

The new Sioux Falls facility is more than just expanded square footage for TEC. It signals a commitment to creating high-paying jobs with exceptional benefits, delivering best-in-class service to our customers, and making a long-term investment in the people and economy of the Midwest.

As TEC continues to grow, we remain grounded in the values that started it all: integrity, loyalty, hard work, and respect for every person we employ and serve.