About Ballard Truck Center
Ballard has been a good neighbor in our communities since 1906.
Ballard’s been keeping the community rolling for over 100 years, and looks forward to 100 more.
OUR VALUES
Founded as a blacksmith shop in 1906 – Ballard Truck Center is a 5th generation, family owned business.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our guiding values being at the core of everything we do and who we are.
Treat our employees and customers like family.
Worry about being better -and bigger will take care of itself.
Always do what is fair and honest.
A relaxed work environment makes for a fun day and satisfied customers.
250+
Employees
8
Locations across New England
10M
In parts inventory
"Our Trusted Partners"
OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
We don’t just preach it. We live it every day.
2007, 2022
2019
2021, 2022, 2023
2016
Since 1963
Our History
Founded in Millbury, Massachusetts in 1906 as L.H. Ballard’s Garage, Ballard Truck Center has deep community ties and a long history of family values.
The beginning
Ballard has been on the move since the beginning. A blacksmith and carriage maker by trade, Louis Ballard opened a small repair shop in 1906.
By 1918 the demand for automobile repairs was on the rise, and Louis officially opened L.H. Ballard’s Garage on Howe Avenue in Millbury, MA – or “Ballard’s” as locals would call it. His son Harold became his assistant.
Ballard’s was the first auto repair shop between Worcester and Blackstone, MA.
Ballard Motor Sales
In 1928 with business doing well, Louis opened Ballard Motor Sales – a Chrysler dealership – on the adjacent property on Howe Avenue in Millbury, MA.
By 1940 Louis had 7 mechanics working full time for him as well as his son Harold.
In 1948 Harold Ballard and his wife, Minnie, took ownership of the dealership. They received the Chrysler Medal of Merit Award in 1951.
Robert “Bob” Picking started working at the dealership in 1960 in between serving four years in the U.S. Navy
Throughout the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, Ballard Motor Sales built a reputation for honest sales and service through repeat sales and hard work.
We Proudly Sponsor
Ballard Mack Sales & Service
By 1982, Janet Grahn (Harold and Minnie’s niece) and John Picking (Janet’s nephew) began working for the dealership. Bob Picking and Janet Grahn purchased Worcester Mack in 1988 and renamed it Ballard Mack Sales & Service – or Ballard Mack – where Steve Grahn (Janet’s son) begins working.
The Grahn’s and Picking’s worked throughout the ’90s to transition the company from consumer vehicles to commercial trucks. Ballard Motor Sales was closed, and the building in Millbury sold.
In 1999 Ballard Mack officially became known as Ballard Truck Center.
Today and Tomorrow
In 2001, Ballard Truck Center’s second location is added in Johnston, Rhode Island.
Samantha Grahn (Steve’s daughter) is working full time for the company by 2007.
In 2010, Ballard Truck Center’s third location is added in West Springfield, Massachusetts – expanding the company’s product offerings to medium duty trucks with the addition of Hino and Mitsubish-Fuso.
Ballard Truck Center’s fourth location is added in 2011 in Avon, Massachusetts along with the addition of the Volvo brand of heavy duty trucks.
Ballard Truck Center’s fourth location is added in 2011 in Avon, Massachusetts along with the addition of the Volvo brand of heavy duty trucks.
In 2012 the company begins offering leasing and rental services under a subsidiary, Ballard Lease & Rent. Robert Picking (John’s son) begins working for the company as well.
The Isuzu brand of medium duty trucks is added in 2016.
Ballard Truck Center’s fifth location is added in 2019 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
In 2020, Mitsubishi-Fuso announced they would be terminating sales in the North American market. The name is dropped from Ballard’s product offerings. Late in the year, despite slowed business due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a sixth location in West Wareham, Massachusetts opened in November.
In 2021 the first-ever dedicated Road Choice® parts retail store opens at Ballard Truck Center’s Tewksbury location, after a redesign of the parts showroom.
Early in 2022 Ballard Truck Center took delivery of the first electric truck it has sold, a Mack LR Electric sideloading garbage truck. This was the first truck of its kind ever to hit the road in New England and was used by local fire departments for training on how to handle the new technology in an emergency. In August, Ballard’s first location in the Granite State is acquired in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Ballard Truck Center made history in 2023 by sweeping top national awards at concurrent Mack and Volvo Trucks Dealer Executive Meetings, earning the titles of Volvo Trucks 2022 United States Dealer of the Year and Mack Trucks 2022 North American Dealer of the Year.
Today, Ballard Truck Center has locations across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire offering new and used Mack, Volvo, Isuzu, and Hino commercial trucks; services all makes and models; boasts an industry-leading parts department; and offers full-service leasing and rental services.
Our Mission
Ballard brings honesty and sincerity to the hard workers of our community – whether helping them grow or making them go.
Our Vision
To be the best experience in the full-service commercial trucks industry, for our customers and employees.
