DAPHNE and SEMMES – In 12 years, JBT Power has grown from a two-person lawnmower shop to a 25-employee outdoor power equipment, utility trailer and tractor dealer with locations in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Gregg Wood, owner and president, says “being active in the community is one of the reasons for our success.”
JBT Power’s community involvement, school support and energy led the 2023 Alabama Retailer of the Year judges to name Gregg Wood and his son, Ben, as the Silver Alabama Retailers of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category.
“We are lucky to have a dedicated team at JBT Power as well as great customers,” said Gregg.
Gregg Wood, a former Marine and Army helicopter pilot, left a corporate chief operating officer position in 2011 to be his own boss. He bought the assets of JB Thomas Inc., a two-employee lawnmower shop on Baldwin County 64. In 2015, JBT Power moved to its current location at 1204 U.S. 98 in Daphne. Ben Wood left a position in distribution sales to join the family business in 2021 and serves as the company’s sales manager. Significant sales in Mobile and Washington counties as well as east Mississippi prompted JBT Power to open a second location in May of 2022 on five acres in Semmes, northwest of Mobile.
Casey Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the Woods as Retailers of the Year, said, “No words can truly express all that this company does for our community and our chamber.” So far in 2023, JBT Power served as host for a Taco & Tractor Ladies Night, The Young Professionals Cornhole Tournament and the Business After Hours New Years’ celebration in January, said Williams. The business also sponsors the chamber’s Jubilee Festival of Arts in Daphne each year. Gregg serves on the chamber board and Ben on its Young Professionals Board. “They donate their time, their location and their manpower,” said Williams.
One of the tractor lines JBT Power sells is Kioti, pronounced “Coyote.” JBT Power created a company mascot named “JB Kioti.” Each week during the fall football season, the business sponsors the high school “Band of the Week” on local television, featuring the mascot with area high school bands. Some of the past winners include Faith Academy in Mobile; Saraland High School; Bayside Academy in Daphne; St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope; Daphne High School; and Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes. All schools in the local area are eligible to be named Band of the Week.
Besides cheering on bands, JB Kioti each year dons a Santa suit and makes appearances in the Daphne and Semmes Christmas parades on the JBT Power float. A company truck even pulled the WKRG Channel 5 float last year in the Pensacola Christmas parade with Santa JB Kioti on board. The whole JBT Power crew gets in the spirit with a large Christmas light display and waving to community members passing by the business.
JBT Power supports local sports in various ways and even partnered with the University of South Alabama athletics in 2022 to provide a tailgating event at each home football game for its customers.
Gregg and Ben aren’t the only family members involved the business. Paula, Gregg’s wife, works part time as an administrative assistant; and his daughter, Megan, a junior at Auburn University, has worked summers and holidays since she was 14.
The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their community. This year’s 11 winners were selected from 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees.
“Gregg and Ben Wood are retailers of the year EVERY year to their customers, their 25 employees as well as Baldwin and Mobile counties,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. JBT Power has been an Alabama Retail Association member since 2022.
Other 2023 Retailers of the Year
Previous Retailers of the Year
The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,300 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Gregg and Ben Wood, JBT Power | 251.626.7317
Nancy King Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.868.2195 | 800.239.5423
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