There鈥檚 been another change in the heavy equipment and trucking sector in Houston thanks to the sale of Pacific Truck & Equipment to Inland Truck and Equipment.

Effective Feb. 29, Inland is taking over Pacific鈥檚 location in Houston as well as Smithers.

The purchase will add to Inland鈥檚 existing 44 location in western Canada and down through southern California, Arizona and New Mexico.

The purchase marks a return of Inland to the region.

鈥淭hrough the years, our relationship with the Inland team has remained very positive鈥攅ven following their departure from the area,鈥� said Pacific Truck & Equipment co-owner Kevin Groot in a release.

鈥淕iven that several of Inland鈥檚 team members are from the region, their connection here is well-established鈥攁nd I am happy about welcoming Inland back.鈥�

Inland has already been beefing up its presence in central and northern B.C. with redevelopments in Prince George, Fort St. John and Kamloops.

Inland chief operating officer Andrew Johnston said the Pacific purchase means the company can better serve key industries in Houston and Smithers.

The sale follows the decision by Finning to significantly reduce its Houston presence by closing its shop and office property up for sale.

Some of the Finning employees will stay in the area, working either directly in the field or from a smaller office in town.

The company cited a decline in the resource economy as the reason.