Today we’d like to introduce you to Bret Fox.
Hi Bret, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I started college, I needed to cancel my Costco membership as there was no Costco nearby. A clause in the contract allowed me to transfer the credit limit from the Costco card to an American Express card. This initial small credit line allowed me to purchase my first M35A2 “Deuce and a half” cargo truck for personal use. Military vehicles were a newfound hobby of mine. The appeal of American history, the mechanical nature of it, have always appealed to me.
During college, a passerby came up unsolicited and offered to buy my Deuce and a half on the spot. I declined twice until he offered a price that I couldn’t refuse. Two weeks later, I had three trucks in my possession but still hadn’t thought of this as a business avenue. Within eight weeks, I was up to twelve vehicles. Over the next two years, I continued buying and selling “Green Iron” part-time. I had 64 military vehicles at my peak–while still in college!
In 2017, I was referred by a friend to come out with my military wrecker to move some equipment belonging to a man named James Crouch. This man became my mentor. He saw what I was doing and helped me incorporate my business. Later that year, War Fox Equipment, LLC was established. Part of this process included getting my auto dealer’s license, graduating college, and moving to the DFW area with all of my equipment.
I accepted a managerial position with John Deere, a full-time job that allowed me to use my college degree, mechanical skill set, and business sense. Yet, I found myself working evenings and weekends on my Green Iron passion, projects that were fulfilling and allowed me to grow. After two years of this arrangement, I came to an impasse: do I continue on the traditional career path, or do I take War Fox on full time? I followed my passion.
Today, I have a transportation service, five employees, and am a leading military vehicle dealer in the state of Texas. In addition to selling to individuals, we are actively engaged in serving the needs of emergency service departments by providing vehicles, parts, and technical support. Several War Fox vehicles have gone on to serve in volunteer fire departments, high-water rescue organizations, and one was even used to protect an alpaca farm from wildfires.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I entered a long-established “old man’s game” that is both owned by many generations of old money and covered by government red tape. This industry functions independent of the market and its needs. We, the surplus buyers, are taking vehicles of war, repairing and repurposing them for peace. Government regulations can change abruptly and without cause, leading to spontaneous shortages in the market, which hurts public services and private owners alike. The goods released are ultimately snatched up by those with the highest dollar, which is usually Big Surplus, pricing those in need of the equipment out of the market.
Building a business from the ground up has been difficult and challenging. Financial institutions have deemed this industry high-risk. Banks perceived me as young and didn’t share my vision of the true value in the equipment. Thus, I received no financial backing and grew War Fox steadily from its own success and reputation.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about War Fox Equipment?
War Fox does not simply buy and resell military vehicles. We are a full-service vehicle dealer, from initial transportation to repairs to product support. We have the experience to select quality vehicles from government inventory. We also upgrade vehicles before sale; we install new tires, perform electrical diagnostics, mil-spec paint jobs, engine repairs, and custom fabrication.
We deal in all U.S.-made military vehicles, such as HMMWVs (“Humvees”), wreckers, and 8×8 cargo trucks. We have even handled armored tracked vehicles, including an M47 Patton main battle tank. Our passion for preserving military history and our knowledge of these vehicles has spread through word of mouth in the Green Iron community. We pride ourselves in connecting with people across many industries and giving these trucks new life.
What makes you happy?
I genuinely enjoy these military vehicles and their historical value. Each vehicle has a unique story to be told and is shared by those veterans who served with them. When I’m able to preserve a piece of history and give a truck a second life, I feel a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction. A lot of thought, planning, and hard work went into these vehicles and I can say I’ve become a part of that too. Also, tanks are pretty cool too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.warfoxequipment.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXEwU0DuRWv1W1KJNAgJ6A
Image Credits
PointBlank Images
