About Us
Our Story: From a Magazine Idea to a Family Business
In 1959, two friends came across an article in Popular Mechanics that sparked an idea. They saw a need and launched a small business cleaning and repairing shopping carts. What started as a simple service soon grew into Carriage Trade Service Company.
Just a few months after opening, they hired their first employee, Charles Sweetser. Charles quickly proved to be an invaluable asset. He started in the service division but soon moved into sales, eventually becoming a partner and purchasing the company. Under his leadership, Carriage Trade expanded beyond shopping carts to offer a wide range of retail and material handling equipment.
Carriage Trade has always been a family affair. As a child, Charles's oldest son, David, began helping out and learning the business from the ground up. He officially joined the company full-time in 1983 as a service technician. Since then, David has worked in various roles, from service manager to sales, and now serves as our President. He continues to run the day-to-day operations and ensures our commitment to quality remains strong.
In the mid-1990s, another key team member joined the fold: Kurt Sweetser. Starting as a service technician, Kurt's dedication and expertise led him to become our current Service Manager.
Today, Carriage Trade Service Company is a testament to decades of hard work and a commitment to our customers. Charles still comes to the office several days a week, sharing his valuable insights and wisdom. We’re proud to be a family business with deep roots, and we’re dedicated to providing the best service, shopping carts, and supermarket equipment for all your needs.
Meet the Team You'll Be Working With
At Carriage Trade, you’re not just a number—you're a valued partner. When you work with us, you're dealing directly with the people who have built this company and continue to drive its success.
- David Sweetser, President: As the company's president, David oversees all departments. With decades of hands-on experience in every aspect of the business, he ensures our operations run smoothly and our customers receive the best possible service.
- Kurt, Service Manager: Kurt leads our service department with unmatched skill and attention to detail. His extensive experience as a service technician means he understands our equipment inside and out, ensuring all repairs and installations are handled with expertise.
- Charles Sweetser, Founder: Charles’s vision and leadership laid the foundation for our company. Though no longer handling daily operations, he continues to share his invaluable insights, reminding us of the tradition of excellence we were built on.
We look forward to serving you and adding you to the long list of customers who rely on the Carriage Trade family.
