In October of 1935 E.M. “Gene” Tharp started out with what was to become his lifetime interest and occupation with a used 1926 truck. By “horse trading” and long hours of hard work, his dream of a commercial hauling business of his own was realized. Gene enjoyed the commercial hauling business and conducted it for over twenty six years. He saw it grow from one used truck into a fleet of over twenty tractors and more than a hundred pieces of equipment.

In 1961 Gene decided to do full time what he had done part time throughout his life – sell and trade. In 1962 Gene’s son Morris Tharp started with the dealership when he was 19 years old. In 1964 Gene acquired the International franchise. Gene continued to serve as president of E. M. Tharp, Inc. until1986. At this time Morris Tharp acquired and is the current president and his son Casey Tharp is the current vice president of E. M. Tharp, Inc.

We at E.M. Tharp have grown since then into a variety of businesses. In 1993 we acquired the Peterbilt franchise for Fresno, Kern, Kings, Tulare and Madera counties. We have locations in Fresno, Porterville, and Bakersfield. Our Main office is still at the same location that Gene started at in Porterville. Additional companies under the E.M. Tharp banner are as follows: American Truck Parts, Viking Trailer, DEPO, Mitsubishi Forklifts, EZ Go and in 2004 we acquired Kroeger Equipment and Supply in Fresno.

We want to say "Thank You" for your past business and we are here for you in the future!