Trebar Kenworth celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of its co-founders as a Kenworth dealer with a major trade event and other activities in Boise, Idaho.

When someone asked S. Hatch Barrett what he's most proud of, he grinned and quickly responded: "Our dealerships' customer satisfaction scores. Without a customer being satisfied with our service and our product - Kenworth trucks - we can't have success and we can't have longevity," said Barrett, who has served as dealer principal of Trebar Kenworth Sales for the past 42 years. "I take extreme pride in how we deal with customers, and the products we offer them. They, in turn, become loyal to our organization. We both prosper."

Barrett's contributions to the industry and community were recognized recently at a surprise dinner party, which kicked off the company's annual trade show and symposium for customers. "I was taken aback," said Barrett. "So many friends, customers and colleagues took time to attend the dinner. It was a complete surprise."

The emcee for the event was Cecil Andrus, former Idaho governor. "He's a good man. And it goes to show that a Democrat and Republican can put politics aside and become good friends," Barrett said with a laugh.

"Trebar Kenworth Sales has focused on keeping the customer first and that was evidenced by the outpouring of support and recognition that Hatch received," said Bill Kozek, Kenworth's general manager and Paccar vice president. "Their dealership group mirrors the quality that Kenworth places in its trucks."

The day after the dinner, Trebar Kenworth customers were welcomed to a trade fair and seminars in Boise which focused on the hybrid of the future, and 2010 engines. "Also on display in Boise was the latest in Kenworth technology - the T660 with Kenworth Clean Power(R), and the T270 hybrid. We also showed some vintage trucks - a 1953 Kenworth Bubble Nose and 1931 Kenworth logger," said Barrett. A similar event was sponsored by the Idaho Falls location of Kenworth Sales Co., Trebar Kenworth's affiliate organization.

Trebar Kenworth has been doing trade shows and customer appreciation days for its customers since the early 1980s.

"I'll continue on with Trebar in a consulting role - I'm not retiring quite yet," said Barrett. "I only wish I could do this another 50 years. It's been a lot of fun and I've met and worked with wonderful people."