More Than Parts—A Global Sustainability Leader Right Here at Home
In Davie County, innovation doesn’t always look like what you expect. Just off the road in Advance, a facility many pass without a second thought, is quietly leading a global effort in sustainability, manufacturing, and economic impact.
DEX Heavy Duty Parts, part of the Volvo Group, is redefining what it means to recycle, reuse, and rethink the lifecycle of heavy-duty vehicles—while creating jobs and opportunities right here in our community.
“Most people might drive by and think we sell truck parts or see dumpsters and assume it’s a waste facility,” Darin Redmon, director of operations at DEX, shared. “But what we really are is a key piece of a circular economy—we’re taking products and giving them new life over and over again.”
A Global Company with Local Impact
DEX operates as part of the worldwide Volvo Group, a global leader with more than 100,000 employees across 190 markets.
The company relocated its corporate operations to Advance in 2014, establishing what is now a 210,000-square-foot facility on a 38-acre campus. From this location, DEX plays a critical role in supporting Volvo and Mack Trucks across North America.
DEX employs a total of 83 people across its operations, including 63 team members based in Advance and 20 at a Level 1 facility in Oklahoma City, who play a key role in supporting customers nationwide.
While the reach is global, the impact is deeply local.
In Davie County, the company has built a strong, stable workforce, with an average employee tenure of more than 7 years—reflecting a focus on long-term careers, not just jobs.
“We’re not just trying to employ people—we’re trying to create a place where people want to come to work,” said Bob Crippen, parts sales manager. “We’re making a difference every day, not just for the company, but for the community and the environment.”
DEX also actively supports the community through:
- IGNITE Davie College Promise
- Davie County Employee Appreciation and Hands-On Worker events
- Truck Driver Appreciation Day
- Manufacturing Day student tours (hosting more than 150 students)
- Partnerships with Forsyth Tech and Davidson-Davie Community College
- Local food drives and Humane Society support
Leading the Way in Circular Economy
At the heart of DEX’s work is a concept that’s gaining global attention: circularity.
Traditionally, manufacturing followed a linear path—take, make, dispose. But DEX has already spent over two decades on this far more sustainable model: reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycle.
“Our goal is simple—we don’t want waste,” Crippen explained. “We call it asset recovery. Everything that comes through here still has value—we just find the best way to use it.”
DEX ensures that nearly every part of a vehicle can be reused, repurposed, or properly recycled
That includes:
- Used parts are resold to extend vehicle life
- Renovated parts are restored to strict performance standards
- Remanufactured components are rebuilt to like-new condition
- Surplus parts are redirected back into the market
“Remanufacturing means taking something completely apart and building it back to new specs,” they explained. “Renovation means restoring it so it performs as it should. Either way, we’re extending the life of that part—and the vehicle it supports.”
A Complete Lifecycle Solution
DEX’s work is part of something much bigger—an industry-leading approach that few companies can match.
“We’re the only original equipment manufacturer in the heavy-duty industry that has a complete life cycle solution,” said Redmon. “That is done through DEX Heavy-Duty Parts here in Advance and our Oklahoma City facility.”
Zero Waste, Maximum Impact
DEX’s commitment to sustainability goes far beyond industry standards.
- 100% landfill-free operations
- 99% recycling rate
- Over 10 million pounds of material were recycled in 2025 alone
That work translates into a measurable environmental impact:
- Equivalent to removing 4,464 passenger vehicles from the road for a year
- Comparable to the annual energy use of 2,000 homes
“We’re not just minimizing our footprint—we’re actually giving back more than we take,” explained Redmon. “That’s something people don’t always realize when they drive by.”
Beyond materials, DEX is also innovating in water sustainability. The wastewater from parts cleaning is treated with DEX’s state-of-the-art treatment system—creating a closed-loop system with zero wastewater discharge. It’s just one more way the company stays green.
Even everyday materials are reimagined:
- Cardboard is processed and reused as packaging
- Shipping containers are designed for repeated use
- Protective materials from production are repurposed before recycling
“Recycling is actually one of the last steps for us,” Crippen explained. “We always try to reuse or repurpose first.”
Sustainability as a Business Model
DEX’s approach to sustainability isn’t an add-on—it’s built into everything they do.
“For a small business, recycling sounds easy, but the reality of it is that recycling is a cost,” Redmon shared. “But we made that part of our business model. We know it’s important not only to the company, but to our employees, the community, and our world. If we don’t make those changes and think longer term, the effects are dramatic.”
Extending the Life of Every Truck
One of the biggest impacts of DEX’s work is helping keep vehicles on the road longer—benefiting both the economy and the environment.
“If we can help keep a truck operating for 15 or 20 years instead of just a few, that’s a huge win,” Crippen said. “It’s especially important for owner-operators who depend on their vehicles to make a living.”
By offering multiple product options—used, renovated, and remanufactured—DEX provides solutions at different price points while supporting sustainability.
Open to the Public
Many people don’t realize that DEX Heavy Duty Parts is open to the public. In addition to serving dealerships and commercial customers, the company also sells parts directly to individuals.
Available inventory can be browsed online at https://dexheavydutyparts.com, and customers are also welcome to visit the on-site showroom by appointment at 2016 Cornatzer Road in Advance.
Building the Next Generation Workforce
DEX is also investing in the future of manufacturing and skilled trades.
Last year, the company, in partnership with Volvo Group North America, donated a new Volvo VNL 840 truck to Davidson-Davie Community College’s Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology Program. The modern truck serves as a critical hands-on training tool, helping ensure students gain real-world experience with industry-leading equipment as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Through partnerships with technical colleges, students gain real-world experience inside the facility—earning pay while learning critical skills.
“We want this to be a pipeline,” Redmon said. “Not just for us, but for the entire industry.”
Employees often grow within the company, with many starting in entry-level roles and advancing into skilled trades or leadership positions at DEX or elsewhere within the Volvo Group.
“Some of our best painters started in the warehouse,” he noted. “That’s something we’re really proud of.”
A Hidden Asset in Davie County
DEX Heavy Duty Parts may not be the most visible business in Davie County—but it is one of the most impactful.
From global sustainability leadership to local job creation, from student engagement to environmental stewardship, DEX represents the kind of forward-thinking industry that is shaping the future of our region.
“One of our taglines when people ask, ‘What does DEX do, or what do you sell,’ we say ‘We sell DEX-periences,’ said Redmon. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an end customer, an internal group, or an employee; that experience we provide is really what sets us apart.”
Experience the DEX-perience for yourself at https://dexheavydutyparts.com/multimedia/.
To learn more about career opportunities at DEX, visit their website.
About DEX
DEX Heavy Duty Parts, part of the Volvo Group, is a leader in recycled, renovated, and surplus heavy-duty truck parts solutions for Volvo and Mack, as well as All Makes trucks. Headquartered in Advance, North Carolina, with operations in Oklahoma City, DEX delivers a complete lifecycle offering across North America. By maximizing the value of every asset, DEX helps extend the life of trucks, reduce waste, and drive a more sustainable industry forward. With a focus on quality, speed, and unmatched customer experience, DEX delivers more than parts. We deliver the DEXperience.