Ballard Truck CenterBallard Truck Center

Us & Our History

Ballard has been a good neighbor in our communities since 1906.

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.


ATD
TAM
RITA

225

Employees

7

Locations in MA, RI and NH

$9 Million

In parts inventory

The biggest names in the refuse management and logistics industries in New England trust Ballard to keep them on the move.

Waste Management
Market Basket
Republic
Harvey
Cleanharbors
Boston Gravel
C and S
Duva
Ironheart
waste_innovations.jpg
MM
MSP

Our commitment to excellence.

Awards & Accolades

We don’t just preach it. We live it every day. 

USA Dealer of the Year

2007, 2022

#1 in U.S. Customer Satisfaction

2019

Northeast Dealer of the Year

2007, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2022

Circle of Excellence Award

2021, 2022

Family Business Award

2016

United States Dealer of the Year

2022

BBB A+ Rated Business

Since 1963

We Proudly Sponsor

Let’s get rolling


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.

L.H. Ballards Garage, Howe Avenue, Millbury in 1918 | Pictured on left are Louis Ballard and his son Harold, and daughter Anna.
L.H. Ballard's Garage, Howe Avenue, Millbury in 1918 | Pictured on left are Louis Ballard and his son Harold, and daughter Anna.

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.

Ballard Motor Sales in 1940 | The car dealership sold Plymouth and Chrysler brands.
Ballard Motor Sales in 1940 | The car dealership sold Plymouth and Chrysler brands.

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.

Ballard Mack Sales & Service in 1988
Mack sign at Worcester location

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.

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, 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.

Mack sign at Worcester location
'Ballard Mack Sales & Service' in 1988

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.