NORTH MANKATO, MINN. — North Central International recently purchased Hoglund Bus Company, which includes the Marshalltown location, as well as two locations in Minnesota. The purchase has been discussed for about six months, and the final transfer of ownership will take place on Monday.

NCI is made up of 14 dealerships across the upper Midwest. and they specialize in truck sales, repair and service. According to Co-President Andy Hatlestad, they have been considering the purchase for quite a while, in order to expand the company’s portfolio and be able to sell buses in Minnesota and Iowa.

Hatlestad said they were drawn to Hoglund because the company structure was similar to NCI, as both companies are family owned. Hoglund Bus was founded in 1947 by Stuart and Arleen Hoglund, and for 75 years, it thrived in the school bus and commercial bus industries.

“They’ve got a similar vibe to us as a family-owned business,” Hatlestad said. “It’s going to bring a whole new product line for us to sell through these bus only stores, and I think it’s going to be a great complement to what we already have in place at North Central International.”

NCI has been selling commercial trucks for about 80 years, according to Hatlestad, and while they were in the bus business back in the 1990s, they haven’t been in that industry since then.

“There’s a bit of a movement out there with international dealers to bring some of those bus locations back into truck operations as well,” Hatlestad said.

While NCI will have ownership of Hoglund Bus as of Monday, the three locations will still operate under the Hoglund Bus name, with many of the day-to-day operations remaining “status quo” in Hatlestad’s words.

According to the news release from NCI regarding the purchase, Hoglund President and Owner Tom Klein, who NCI worked with throughout the purchase, feels that his company will be in good hands.

“The best part about my time in the bus industry is the amazing relationships I have forged. Great customers, great employees. I am happy that Hoglund Bus Company becoming a part of NCI will only enhance and broaden the experience for the people I have become fond of,” Klein said in the release. “NCI’s large network of locations will offer an even greater capacity to serve the customers and a similar ideology from the new ownership will welcome Hoglund employees into a new ‘family.’ I am confident that NCI will uphold the values and honor the legacy that was forged by my wife Holly Hoglund Klein.”

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Contact Susanna Meyer

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