“He evolved with the market, willingly took on new product lines—and was always committed to doing what was best for our customers and our company.”

Bruce joined Werts Welding in 1984, when the company operated a single parts warehouse with only a small staff. In 1988, he was named parts manager, a role in which he helped lead the transformation of the parts division into one of the largest and most respected operations in the tank trailer industry.

Working alongside the Werts family, Bruce played an integral role in expanding the company's footprint from one warehouse to eight locations serving customers across the country, the company reported. During that same period, the parts department grew from just a few employees to a team of more than 50 under his leadership.

Over the course of four decades, Bruce witnessed the tank trailer industry evolve several times over. He saw major changes in equipment, technology, distribution, and customer expectations. Having experienced each of those transitions firsthand, he could tell stories for days about how the industry has changed over the decades and the people who helped shape it.

While those accomplishments are impressive, they tell only part of the story.

Bruce became a trusted advisor to customers, a mentor to countless employees, and a respected partner to manufacturers and suppliers. His knowledge of the industry, calm approach to problem solving, and unwavering commitment to customer service earned the respect of everyone who had the opportunity to work with him.