In the heart of Oregon’ s Willamette Valley, where farming and industry intersect, Diamond K Sales has become a trusted name in the trailer business. Founded by Royal Kropf in 2002, this dealership has grown from a small operation into one of the region’ s most respected dealers.
From Farm to Trailers
Royal’ s journey into the trailer industry was anything but conventional. Born into a farming family in Oregon & moving to Canada, Kropf spent his early years working in agriculture before moving into manufacturing and warehouse management. His path took him across U. S., from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and eventually back to Oregon.
In 2002, he took a chance and purchased his first full load of trailers, setting them up on a small lot in Halsey, Oregon. By the end of the year, he had sold 47 trailers— proof that he was onto something. By 2003, he had sold over 174 trailers, firmly establishing Diamond K Sales as a serious player in the industry.
Navigating Challenges and Market Shifts
The road to success was not without its challenges. In 2008, Royal was on track for over $ 1.2 million in annual sales, but the economic downturn of 2008 forced him to rethink his strategy. To keep his business afloat, he leaned on industry connections, forming partnerships with dealers in Northern California to share inventory loads and reduce costs.
22 NATDA Magazine www. natda. org