Boyd Gregory

In the beginning, it was a way to put food on the table. Logging was in its heyday and it was crucial to keep timber-hauling diesels on the road. So, Boyd and Emma Gregory decided to provide a repair/maintenance service for these rigs and opened Southern Oregon Diesel in 1954.

As the years passed and the business grew, Boyd and Emma were confident that Southern Oregon Diesel was the legacy and the future they would pass on to their sons. Then came the eighties. The timber industry was going through major changes and many of the independent loggers, including their trucks, stood idle.

By that time, the Gregory boys had taken a major role in the daily operations of the business. They decided that if Southern Oregon Diesel was to survive, it would have to diversify. The plan was simple: Find out who your customers are and give them the best service at the most reasonable price.

The plan was a success, and Southern Oregon Diesel is proud to be an integral part in not only keeping local, regional, and national trucking fleets on the move, but also, providing expert diagnostic and repair services to mid size diesel pick-up truck owners.

Robert & Stephanie Preston

For over 70 years, the Gregory family provided Roseburg with locally-owned auto service with their mechanic shop Southern Oregon Diesel (SOD). When it came time for brothers David Gregory and Dennis Gregory to retire and they were left the task of finding a new owner, they knew there was one business they could trust.

On April 1, SOD was purchased by the Winston-based B&S Automotive Services, owned by Robert & Stephanie Preston. B&S will be taking over the Roseburg shop and management of its five employees.

According to Dennis Gregory, SOD was the one to initially reach out to B&S about ownership. Having known the owners for nearly 30 years, he said they noticed B&S experience major growth and success within the community that influenced his choice to pass the torch to them.

“We looked around the community at what successful businesses were being run in the automotive industry,” Gregory said. “I believe that Robert and Stephanie will take this to the next level of professionalism. Overall, (it’s) good for the community.”

Robert & Stephanie Preston said they felt honored to be offered the opportunity, especially considering B&S has been active in the local automotive scene for only seven years.

“It was very humbling to be told that somebody is that impressed with what we’ve done in a short period of time,” Preston’s said.

Since its founding in 1954, SOD has primarily provided repair and maintenance services to diesel vehicles, as the name suggests. Under the new ownership, SOD will service a wider variety of vehicles as B&S typically does while still keeping a focus on diesel. Essentially, it will be like having a new B&S location in Roseburg, expanding access for customers.

For the Gregory brothers, quality wasn't the only factor that was important in choosing a buyer, but locality as well, making sure they live within and care about the community they serve.

“That’s what we’re all about. “Keeping business local and within our community”