History of Expedition Imports
Expedition Imports started life in 1993 as The Unimog Connection when Scott Ingham imported 2 German 404 Radio trucks. The first truck was quickly turned into a Rubicon Runner and the second was sold to help pay for the hobby. In 1995 Scott enrolled at the California Maritime Academy and moved his small business away from home and into his dorm room, with his mother's blessing! The mid-nineties were a fun time with the business operating from Scott's dorm room and the student-run "Auto Shop" at the academy. More than once a couple of the "pioneer" dealers crashed for the night in Scott's room. Conversations dragged on for hours with 3 dealers and a dog crammed into a third floor dorm room. During those years Scott found a very supportive Maritime Academy that didn't mind if he was taking up 12 parking spots at a time.....as long as he paid for the monthly parking permits!
In 1998 when Scott graduated from the Academy he made the decision to continue the business on the side while working full time at a shipping job in San Francisco. Scott was fortunate to find a good location at 440 Lake Herman Road in Vallejo.
Scott's personal life also changed as he prepared for a personal merger with Kathy, whom Scott had met at the Academy his senior year. So was born the sole proprietorship of S&K Expedition Imports. In February of 2001 Scott decided to follow his passion and turned his hobby into his full time job. In March of 2001 Expedition Imports was incorporated in California. Still working out of the Lake Herman location, it became apparent that the business needed a better location with more inside parts and vehicle storage space. The hunt for a new location was on.
On June 1st, 2002, Expedition Imports signed a lease on a new warehouse located in Vallejo. The new location combines a large workshop area, parts storage area and new offices, with a secure outside storage area. On August 1st, 2002, Expedition Imports completed the move into the new facility.
For the next four years Expedition Imports focused on building the parts and service side of the business as well as International Import and Export of Unimogs, Pinzgauers, 4wd vehicles, parts, and accessories. In April of 2006, Expedition Imports in conjunction with their European partner, purchased approximately 2400+ tons of New and New Old Stock Unimog 404 parts from Sabiex, International. With the opening of an additional warehouse in Europe to handle the supply, the parts business went into full swing. Contracts in France, Germany, and Switzerland for the disposal of parts stocks added to a growing inventory. EI continued it's growth bringing on new vendors and customers with focus on the tour truck sector, and movie vehicles. When the US Gov't began surplussing their FLU419 spare parts stocks EI worked a number of procurement contracts to put some huge batches of SEE parts into the EI Inventory.
In 2014, EI having outgrown it's location on Bennett Avenue, purchased an office building, warehouse, and yard space around the corner on Lemon Street. At this time EI also made the decision to stop it's custom builds and fabrication and focus solely on the spare parts businesses, Continental Tire distributorship, and vehicle importation and sales. In 2017 the Swiss Military began the disposal of the 230GE G-Wagons, and EI and it's European Partners were there to purchase and sell these large batches of vehicles.
In 2019 EI announced the purchase of EuroTruck Importers, operations. This strategic purchase brought in a new product line of G-Wagen parts, and took advantage of some great economies of scale between the 2 companies.
EI continues to stay focused on it’s core customer bases of Unimog, G-Wagon, and Pinzgauer support. The company has continued to grow it’s inventories and support operations in North America, in conjunction with a robust International export operation.
Key Positions at Expedition Imports
Scott Ingham, President
Scott graduated with High Honors from the California Maritime Academy in 1998 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Intermodal Transportation and International Business. Scott also holds a United States Coast Guard Unlimited 3rd Mate's License. During his tenure at the Academy, Scott held positions in the Student Government as Class President, Vice President Finance, and Student Body President. When not busy with academics or student government, Scott served as a Division Commander in the Corp. of Cadets and a Residential Assistant in the Housing Office. Upon graduation Scott went to work for SynchroNet Marine, where he held positions as Operations Manager and ultimately as the Director of Corporate Sales. Scott's part-time import business turned full time in February 2001 when he left SynchroNet to elevate his passion for unique vehicles to the next level. Scott has been involved in a number of community organizations in Solano and Napa County. Currently, when not growing Expedition Imports Scott volunteers on the school board at a Private K-12 school in Napa.
Scott met his wife Kathy while attending CMA. In the summer of 1999 they were married. Scott and Kathy have two children. Scott enjoys the outdoors, travel, cooking, coffee, and spending time with family.
Kathy Ingham, CFO
Kathy graduated with Honors from the California Maritime Academy in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in law. Kathy holds a United States Coast Guard Unlimited 3rd Mates License. While at the Academy, Kathy held positions in the Corp. of Cadets as Executive Officer and Corp. Commander. She also served the Student Government as Vice President Finance, and the Housing Office as a Residential Assistant. Kathy currently handles the back end office and accounting at Expedition Imports.
Kathy is an avid Scuba Diver and PADI Certified Instructor. She enjoys travel, photography, and spending time with family and friends.
Brian Mason, Project Engineer
Brian graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1988. He continued on to get his Masters of Manufacturing Management from Kettering University. Brian spent many years working as an Engineer for General Motors at a number of their different manufacturing plants. His final posting with GM was as a Test Engineer at their Desert Proving Grounds in Mesa, AZ. After taking an early retirement from GM, Brian pursued building custom Pinzgauer vehicles. Scott Ingham took notice of Brians skills and convinced Brian to come to EI in 2006. Brian enjoys the outdoors and all things mechanical.
Steve Dempsey, Customer Support
Steve joined EI in 2019 to handle customer support for the G-Wagon and Diesel Unimog parts lines. Steve brings 20 years of parts experience to EI, and a passion for the G-Wagon. Steve is an avid off-roader.
James Osborne, Warehouse Operations, Website Management
James is currently responsible for website maintenance and warehouse operations. James brings a background of art and graphics that can be seen in current EI promotional materials, stickers, and website graphics. (Ask him about some of his graphics projects when he worked at Fort Irwin, or his competitive paintball competitions!) When not working at EI, James is a well known artist who specializes in custom painting Japanese soft vinyl figures known as "sofubi."
Kenlynn & McKinley Ingham
No Family business would be complete without the ongoing support of the “Kids”. With Kenlynn’s focus on graphic design, her contributions can be seen in numerous graphics projects at EI. She is heading off to college this year, but her dad is already planning her summers! McKinley is currently knee deep in his high school Industrial Arts programs. When not at school, he can often be found at EI working with his dad on various aftermarket and wrench turning projects.