Opperman & Son is your go-to for heavy-duty equipment. We are a dealership that sells used Class 8 trucks and used and new tanks and trailers. We have a diverse inventory to service many industries – Petroleum, Chemical, Dry Bulk/Pneumatic, Construction with Dump and Water trucks and trailers. Our inventory is ever-changing, so check back often and if you see something you like, call us immediately because it could be gone tomorrow! We are an R-Stamp facility with a full Repair, Welding, and Body Shop with a paint booth along with a Parts Showroom on site – we can deliver or ship parts to you too!
In 1964, David Opperman Sr. incorporated his business with his son, David Jr. The events that occurred before and after that time make up the engine and body of the heavy-duty equipment sales and service business known as Opperman & Son.
The Backstory
Oscar John Opperman (1884-1941) opened the Pacheco Pass Garage, a gas station and mechanic shop, just outside of Gilroy, CA, with his son David Sr by his side, in the late 1920s. This was the first service station on the west coast for the Opperman family, who previously built electric cars in London before moving to the United States and opening a service station on Long Island, NY.
A decade later, in the 1930s, Oscar and his two sons, David Sr. and Ralph, went into business in the logging and lumber industry north of San Francisco in the Cazadero area.
The Original Oppermans
In 1953, David Sr. (1910-1991) moved his wife Elizabeth (Betty) and three kids, David Jr, Betsy, and Stephen (Steve) to Healdsburg, CA.
David Opperman Jr (1932-2022) worked with his father, David Sr, converting old logging trucks into water trucks in their Healdsburg shop. This business grew as they began renting out their converted logging rigs as demand for heavy equipment increased.
In 1964, the business moved to its current location at 280 Kinley Drive in Healdsburg, and David Opperman Sr with his son David Jr incorporated Opperman & Son.
David Jr served time in the United States Air Force (1948 - 1955) and married his wife, Gloria, with whom he had five children: Kim, David III, Brian, Marc, and Kara. David Jr. became President of Opperman & Son following his father’s death in 1991, until he retired in 1999 to do more adventuring.
Steve Opperman, known to many as Steve-O, excelled in his role on the sales and purchasing side of the business. He was key to the success and growth of the business. He served as President from 2000-2008, then stepped back so he and his wife Shirl could spend more time traveling in their motor coach.
The Brothers
By 2008, the 3rd generation executed the perfect “divide and conquer”. David Opperman III managed the Service side of the business before retiring in 2023. Brian Opperman supervises the Parts side of the business. Marc Opperman has focused primarily on Sales and Purchasing, serving as President since 2008.
The 4th generation came on board starting in 2013 with the addition of Whitney Opperman, Marc’s daughter, in an Inside Sales role focusing on New Equipment Sales. She currently serves in the General Manager role. Brian Opperman Jr, Brian Sr’s son, also joined the business in 2015 in the Parts Department, where he currently serves as the Parts Warehouse Manager.
Today at Opperman & Son
Today at Opperman & Son, two generations of Opperman family members work side by side, including “the brothers” along with their two sisters, Kim and Kara. The family upholds the core values of the company: Quality, Service, & Integrity. As of 2024, we are proud to be celebrating 60 years in business and 4 generations of family involvement. We thank each one of our valuable team members and our long-time repeat customers for making it possible.
Fun Facts
- In 2009, Opperman & Son became a Heil dealer
- In 2014, Opperman & Son became a Wabash Tank Trailer dealer, selling Beall, Brenner, Walker, and Bulk tank trailers in California, Oregon, and Washington
- In 2020, Wabash sold Beall to Mac Trailer. Opperman stayed on as a dealer for California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
- In the past, we built fire trucks and, at one point, even built our own tanks!
- Way back when, the Opperman family owned a ready-mix plant.
- Our longest-employed team member has been with us for 55 years.