Karmak Celebrates 30th Anniversary

July 20, 2011
Throughout 2011, Karmak, Inc. will celebrate its 30th anniversary of providing technology business solutions to the heavy-duty truck industry.

Throughout 2011, Karmak, Inc. will celebrate its 30th anniversary of providing technology business solutions to the heavy-duty truck industry.

Karmak provides state-of-the-art technology solutions to the heavy-duty truck industry, developing, installing, supporting, and maintaining innovative business management software. Karmak products are used by heavy-duty truck dealers, parts distributors, manufacturers, service shops, lease/rental facilities, trailer dealers and fleets.

From 1974 until 1981, Schien Body and Equipment employees Richard Schien and Alan Weller designed and built a heavy-duty software system from the ground up. Driven by a lack of adequate system options in the heavy-duty industry and their need for these technology resources, the Karmak Business System was conceived. Until this time, awkwardly trying to fit a heavy-duty business into an automotive software platform was the only choice for the entire heavy-duty industry.

Karmak was founded in Carlinville, Ill. in 1981 by Richard Schien and began with three employees, including co-developer Alan Weller and current Chief Technology Officer, John Lebel. A pioneer in the heavy-duty technology industry, Karmak began marketing the industry’s first all-inclusive computer system to heavy-duty businesses.

Throughout the company’s three decades, adjustments were made to products and processes to allow for changes in both technology and customer needs. In 1997, Karmak purchased competitor, RINFO, Inc., further establishing the company as an industry leader. Currently, Karmak supports 500 customers at approximately 1,800 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company became employee-owned in 2004, and is now home to more than 200 employees specializing in areas such as inventory control, service shop management, accounting, new and used truck sales, information technology, and systems engineering.

According to Bill Healy, Karmak President/CEO, one immediate focus of the company is “to further improve customer relationships by providing tools that assist in improving their relationships with their customers.”

To commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary, a celebratory open-house style event will be held later this year, allowing customers, community, associates, and friends to visit and celebrate with company employees. Additional anniversary events are planned throughout the year, such as at the annual Karmak Technology Conference & Expo, an annual training event for Karmak customers held in St. Louis.