Galpin Ford and Recreational Vehicles has been in the business of selling automobiles and RVs for more than 50 years, first in Buckeye and then in Prescott and Dewey.
Greg Galpin is the second-generation owner of Galpin, currently employing approximately 90 employees. In addition to new and used automobiles, RVs and parts, his is the largest seller of propane in the Prescott and Verde Valley area.
A year ago, Galpin decided an expansion was in order. He moved on the purchase of four acres of land in Cottonwood almost directly across from Oxendale Chrysler Dodge Jeep, intending to build another full-service sales and service facility.
“You know, we have a lot of customers in Cottonwood,” Galpin said. “A lot of customers commute back and forth. We just thought we’d move closer …. And we’ve always liked Cottonwood. It’s a beautiful area — the whole Verde Valley, in fact.”
Galpin added that, but for a few managers already in training, he intends to hire mostly locals to work in the 9,300 square foot building, which will include eight service bays in addition to areas dedicated to sales and service.
“We’d like to hire in the area,” Galpin said, placing the number of employees at approximately 20. “It’s more convenient for the managers to have people local.”
Construction of the new facility is a sign that the economy of Cottonwood is healthy enough to support such a large-scale enterprise, Galpin said. His intention is to partially open the facility to sales in April and begin operating the service portion in July.
Further plans for local expansion are not out of the question, according to Galpin, but for right now he said, “We’re going to concentrate on Cottonwood.”
Of course, there may well be room for expansion soon: One of Galpin’s sons is already a service manager in Prescott, while another is currently studying business at Northern Arizona University with the full intention to join the family business.
