As an energetic and visionary leader, David Thompson, CEO of Factory Outlet Trailers & Truck Upfitting, recognized the ample opportunities available in the mature market of retail trailers and truck upfitting with a scope to explore his creativity and implement strategic processes and improvements, David dedicated himself to growing the business and transform the industry. In an interview with The CEO Views, David discussed being named one of the “Most Energetic Visionary Leaders to Watch 2025” and he reflects on his leadership journey.
Professional Acumen and Breakthroughs
David began working young, mowing lawns with “David’s Lawn Services” at age 12. He explored various businesses as he matured, learning essential skills and discovering his strengths. Quickly, he recognized his talent for connecting with people and closing sales. David thrived on seeking out opportunities and building success from the ground up.
He pursued his business degree and MBA while trying his hand at small businesses and working as a sales representative for small businesses or an account executive for corporate commercial B2B services. David worked with a commercial bank for 10 years, learning everything about the financial health of a business and creating commercial lending solutions for SMEs. “This gave me the playground to study hundreds of different small businesses in dozens of different industries across Western Canada and make key connections with business leaders and entrepreneurs,” shared David.
In 2019, David acquired a local SME, Factory Outlet Trailers, and began a period of growth and expansion in key new markets and complimentary products. Over the past six years, the company has tripled its staff, grown from 1 to 13 locations across Western Canada, and doubled its market share.
Decoding Visionary Leadership
To David, visionary leadership means pausing to see the business as it truly is, then exploring every perspective to transform its reflection into something greater. Being able to envision possibilities and identifying the steps required to get to a new, creative, and innovative end goal is real vision. David adopts this approach to take his relationships with his employees, managers, business, family, and kids toward their goal. With regular brainstorming sessions, he ensures the authenticity of ideas. David is extremely curious and asks many questions to get to the “whys.”
Driving Innovation Through Enthusiasm and Vision
Showing up every day with a high level of enthusiasm and positive vision for the company’s future helps David drive innovation. He maintains a growth mindset, which has been crucial to the business’s success. David constantly pushes his boundaries and thinks outside the box, doing so with excitement and celebrating small wins and positive moments. This has helped Factory Outlet grow as the largest trailer and truck outfitting dealership group in all of Canada.
The Philosophy of Giving Back to the Community
“Our performance and our brand are recognizable across Canada now, even to the point where approximately 50,000 of our trailers are on the road today,” proudly shares David. This consistent, and reliable customer service and fair factory direct pricing for customers, is why we are the first go-to for businesses and consumers to look to Factory Outlet Trailers and Truck Upfitting as their hauling solution provider.
Innovation in Business Strategy
Of all the strategies in play, tackling the biggest challenges buyers face stands at the heart of the business approach. Unlike many trailer dealerships and truck upfitting shops that often push customers toward ill-fitting products, Factory Outlet takes a different path. By offering a vast array of configurations, Factory Outlet ensures every customer finds a solution tailored to their unique needs.
Factory Outlet has more experience and has sold more trailers & truck beds than any other. It has the history and data on what to offer and are constantly look to new innovative products for the future. In addition, the company offers full customization and fabrication options. It can fabricate, design, and engineer products in-house or work with manufacturers directly at the factory. Products can ship right from Factory Outlet to the customer’s doorstep, meeting their specific needs in record time.
Leadership Style: Vision, Authenticity, and Inspiration
David’s leadership style is founded on a code- “Shut up, suit up, and show up.”
- Shut Up: Doesn’t me keep your mouth shut. It means discouraging crying over spilled milk or seeing the glass as half empty constantly. David chooses to lead his people with positivity. However, this does not mean ignoring areas for improvement.
- Suit up: This means live by relentlessly preparing. Employee excellence is one of the pillars of FOT’s value foundation. The organization does not force-feed, but encourages employees to perfect their craft and offers tools and resources to learn, study, and execute.
- Show Up: It means to come, be present, be engaged, go the extra mile, and be your best every day. FOT has been doing that for 25 years, and 50,000 customers look at that and say, “I trust FOT as the experts for all my hauling solutions.”
David finds that employee empowerment is elevated when he shows up without walls and barriers, and his managers lead with authenticity.
Leading the Way
David advises aspiring leaders to remain patient, always put the customers first, and go the extra mile for them and your employees. Consumers demand more now than ever and should demand a higher level of service, better products, and more value for their hard-earned money.
Showing up genuine & authentic with people is the universal handshake to remove barriers to communication and allow open channels that are sometimes not afforded otherwise.
