Trailer Body Builders - June 2024

Sean Kenney

Jeff Thompson

Wireless & Modular LED Light Bars

Wide Range of Polymer Fenders & Accessories

WHAT'S NEW AT BUYERS

AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES TO ACCOMMODATE EITHER A SINGLE OR DUAL REAR-WHEEL SERVICE BODY

Available in black or white powder coat finish. Conveniently bundled with mounting brackets and fasteners. FITS BOTH SINGLE AND DUAL REAR WHEEL BODY COMPARTMENTS

Carry large ladders and loads up to 1,000 lbs. Built-in tie points keep cargo under control. Adjustable height range of 21 to 31 inches.

Improves rear-view visibility and obstacle detection. Includes wireless remote and a 128GB SD card for digital video recording.

SaltDogg® Municipal Dump Spreader Series ready for all-season use

Stainless Steel, Aluminum, & Steel Hydraulics Tanks IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP

ADJUSTABLE TRI-BALL HITCH FOR 2" RECEIVERS FLEXIBLE SILICON LED STROBE LIGHTS

THREE DIFFERENT TOW BALLS GIVE YOU FLEXIBILITY FOR DIFFERENT JOBS

Quick, tool-free ball and height adjustment. Features under bumper storage position.

FLAT OR CURVED SURFACE MOUNT SUPPORTS UP TO 120° BEND

Featuring 6 single color or 12 dual color LEDs. 19 flash patterns with alternating and synchronous functions.

VACUUM OR MAGNETIC MOUNT

Featuring 18 LEDs and 19 flash patterns. 15' lead length with ON/OFF and Pattern switch. Permanent mounting kit (8891091) also available.

Online

VP/Market Leader

Commercial Vehicle Group – Michael Uliss muliss@endeavorb2b.com

Editorial Director – Kevin Jones kjones@endeavorb2b.com

Associate Editor – Alex Keenan akeenan@endeavorb2b.com

Marketing/Advertising – Dan Elm delm@endeavorb2b.com

Art Director – Patricia Bernard pbernard@endeavorb2b.com

Directories/Listings – Maria Singletary msingletary@endeavorb2b.com

Audience Development Manager – Jaime DeArman jdearman@endeavorb2b.com

Trailer|Body Builders Endeavor Business Media, LLC

CEO Chris Ferrell

President June Griffin

COO Patrick Rains

CRO Paul Andrews

Chief Digital Officer Jacquie Niemiec

Chief Administrative and Legal Officer Tracy Kane EVP/Transportation Kylie Hirko

TRAILER|BODY BUILDERS (USPS Permit 636660, ISSN 0041-0772 print, ISSN 2771-7542 online) Volume 65 Issue 8, is published monthly by Endeavor Business Media, LLC. 201 N Main St 5th Floor, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Trailer/ Body Builders, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualified subscriptions. Subscription prices: U.S. ($79 per year); Canada/Mexico ($79 per year); All other countries ($157 per year). All subscriptions are payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription inquiries to Trailer/Body Builders, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257. Customer service can be reached toll-free at 877-382-9187 or at trailerbodybuilders@ omeda.com for magazine subscription assistance or questions. Printed in the USA. Copyright 2024 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopies, recordings, or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the publisher. Endeavor Business Media, LLC does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person or company for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. The views and opinions in the articles herein are not to be taken as official expressions of the publishers, unless so stated. The publishers do not warrant either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles herein, nor do they so warrant any views or opinions by the authors of said articles.

Corporate Office: Endeavor Business Media, LLC, 30 Burton Hills Blvd, Ste. 185, Nashville, TN 37215 USA; 800-547-7377

Visit TrailerBodyBuilders.com for more information from stories in this issue, plus online exclusives on pertinent topics in the trailer manufacturing industry.

FET analysis among top ATRI research goals for 2024 Century-old tax remains troubling to trucking Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/55055351

CHARGING

Trailer order bump shows ‘green shoots’ for freight markets Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/ 55040996

Want your own issue?

1. Go online to: Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/subscribe 2. Complete the online subscription form. Read the digital edition online at TrailerBodyBuilders.com/magazine/51768

NATDA Trailer Show to honor innovation

The North American Trailer Dealer Association (NATDA) is launching a new awards program for the 2024 NATDA Trailer Show. This newly revamped program is designed to expose NATDA Trailer Show attendees to a wide array of innovative offerings while giving show exhibitors the opportunity to promote their newest products and services. The NATDA Trailer Show takes place August 28–29 at Music City Center in Nashville.

The Innovation Showcase replaces the event’s New Product Display, along with the New Product of the Year and Most Innovative Trailer and Truck Bed awards. The revamp of the former program expands the product categories to be featured, providing attendees a full display of solutions to peruse prior to entering the Expo Hall.

“Innovation Showcase will highlight an expanded range of product categories, including trailers/truck beds, products, software, and services,” NATDA Executive Director Andria Gibbon

said. “The new program will provide a comprehensive overview of “what’s next” in the trailer industry and will hopefully inspire attendees to add these exhibitors to their ‘must visit’ list.”

Exhibitors who enter their new products and services into the Innovation Showcase will be eligible for one of three award categories, including:

• The Trailer Innovation Award for components, parts and accessories used on a trailer or a truck bed;

• The Dealership Innovation Award for services, software, or programs that enhance dealership sales, marketing, service or operations; and

• The Manufacturer Innovation Award for innovative trailers or truck beds in the following categories: Cargo/ Concession Trailer, HeavyDuty Trailer, Livestock Trailer, Recreational Trailer, Truck Bed or Service Body, Utility Trailer, and Vehicle Trailer.

The Trailer Innovation and

Dealership Innovation Awards will be chosen by attendee popular vote. Meanwhile, the Manufacturer Innovation Award will be selected by NATDA’s Dealership Advisory Council. Those receiving first, second, and third place honors, will be recognized at the NATDA Trailer Show and highlighted in NATDA Magazine’s November/ December 2024 Issue.

Winning companies will receive free entry into the Winner’s Row display at the 2025 Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA, a new NATDA event focusing on innovation and technology in the trailer industry in Reno, Nevada from February 25th -27th. Winners will also be recognized at the Trailer Tech Expo Awards Banquet.

Companies exhibiting at the 2024 NATDA Trailer Show may enter one product at no charge. (Terms and conditions apply.

Additional entries may require a small fee.) Entries must be submitted by June 30 at natda.org/ innovation-showcase.

Photo: Kevin Jones | TBB

INDUSTRY

NATDA plans to launch industry data insights program

The North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) is planning to launch an NATDA Industry Insights Program called NATDAii. The program aims to collect, analyze, and report anonymized data from NATDA’s dealership network to

to its dealer members, which will allow dealerships to benchmark sales, service, and operations performance, identify opportunities for line expansion and profit center expansion, and more.”

NATDA will be kicking off an opt-in

generate actionable insights for the organization and its dealer network.

“We at NATDA are excited about the potential this program has to deliver immense value to our member base,” said Andria Gibbon, CEM, executive director of NATDA. “NATDAii is poised to deliver anonymized insights into industry trends

period for its dealer members. Those dealers interested in receiving these free reports will need to opt in to participate in the straightforward, secure data sharing program. Data from participants will be shared automatically. In the coming weeks, NATDA will extend an invitation to all active dealer members, which will

NTEA releases spring 2024 U.S. CV Market Report

NTEA – The Work Truck Association recently released the fourth edition of the U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report –Powered by the Commercial Truck Trader, NTEA, and S&P Global Mobility. This semi-annual industry report, launched in 2022, delves into the details, data, and trends around the commercial vehicle life cycle—from chassis sales and truck registration to when vehicles re-enter the sales market.

“The rate of commercial vehicle industry technology advancements is nearly unmatched in history,” said Kevin Koester, NTEA managing director. “As this continued development shifts market dynamics, it’s important to maintain a focus on data. The spring 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report seeks to provide both data and insight into drivers and the impacts of these dynamics. NTEA is pleased to share the latest edition of this resource to help the industry move forward.”

explain the opt-in process and detail the privacy and security measures used to protect their privacy and data.

“The privacy and data protection of our dealer members will be paramount as we work together to understand the market better,” said Corey Langley, NATDA director of exhibits and partnerships. “To protect dealer data, the NATDAii program data will be transferred and stored securely in adherence to SOC2 standards, a rigorous framework widely used to ensure security and privacy in various industries, including healthcare and finance. Regional reports will be compiled in such a way as to ensure individual dealership data remains anonymous and unidentifiable.”

Dealers who wish to participate can enroll at www.natdaii.com

continued collaboration with NTEA and S&P Global Mobility on this report.”

“Fueled by a resurgence of rental and leasing industry registrations, along with fleets continuing to adopt alternative fuel vehicles, 2023 was a year of positive growth for the commercial vehicle industry,” stated Mark Hazel, the associate director of commercial vehicle reporting for S&P Global Mobility. “We look forward to sharing further insights with NTEA and Commercial Truck Trader.”

This fourth edition of the U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report leverages multiple complex datasets to provide a landscape of opportunities, trends, and challenges in today’s work truck market. Topics covered include:

• Recent chassis shortages and their impact on inventory

• Purchasing trends and forecasts by vehicle class

“The insights from the 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report will equip dealers with unique data to enhance their business decisions, enabling them to strategize more effectively and make informed choices,” said Charles Bowles, director of OEM and strategic initiatives at Trader Interactive, parent company of Commercial Truck Trader. “Understanding the industry is powerful, which is why we are excited for the

• Fleet reactions to supply shortages and the resulting effects on demand

• Proliferation of electric commercial vehicles

• Inventory age trends

The spring 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report is available free to the industry. Visit ntea.com/cvmarketreport for a copy.

Irdeto launches Trailer Validation for logistic efficiency

Irdeto has added Trailer Validation to its Keystone by Irdeto solution and overall ecosystem of existing products. With a simplified vehicle identification system at its core, Trailer Validation streamlines logistical operations from the outset, making it an optimal solution both for integration with Keystone by Irdeto and as a standalone product.

“Trailer Validation is a truly pivotal advancement in the realm of logistical operations that elevates operations to a

completely new level, while also ensuring pre-emptive mitigation of costly errors,” said Niels Haverkorn, SVP, New Markets at Irdeto. “We are particularly excited to witness its expansion into diverse markets as a standalone product.”

Unlike trailer asset tracking tools that provide live vehicle location feeds, Trailer Validation ensures precise vehicle selection from the get-go. Operating via a user-friendly app and cloud-based system, it confirms the vehicle’s accuracy

after a driver scans the designated trailer number. If the app detects any discrepancies, it immediately triggers alerts to the dispatch office via a preferred notification method. This approach allows for proactive corrective measures before departure, thus avoiding costly delays.

When paired with Keystone by Irdeto, the Trailer Validation program delivers a more robust solution for reducing and addressing potential security risks beyond notifying dispatch.

By integrating with the digital key solution, Trailer Validation gains the ability to prevent unauthorized key access attempts, such as in the case of erroneous trailer number scanning or complete circumvention of this step.

Trailer Validation also does not require extra training or additional hardware and is applicable to a wide variety of container types and duty cycles, as long as they have valid number identifications.

Photo 307532749 | Technology Aleksei Gorodenkov | Dreamstime.com

INDUSTRY News

Fontaine Modification produces 20,000th truck

Fontaine Modification recently celebrated production of its 20,000th truck at its Statesville, North Carolina, modification center. The milestone truck is a 2024 Freightliner Cascadia Class 8 tractor prepared for Penske Truck Leasing.

“Along with celebrating the delivery of the 20,000th truck from Statesville, we also celebrate our valued employees for their commitment to producing the highest-quality services and products for all our customers,” said Jamil Young, Fontaine Modification president.

Fontaine Modification’s Statesville modification center is dedicated to supporting trucks built at the Freightliner Cleveland and Mt. Holly Truck Manufacturing Plants and the Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) Manufacturing Plant in Gaffney, South Carolina. Opened in 2012, the Statesville operation processes some 50 trucks per week.

The Penske Cascadia order included installation of a Thermo King TriPac

auxiliary power unit (APU) on each truck.

“Fontaine Modification streamlines and simplifies the delivery of our trucks, eliminating normal supply chain issues,” said Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning at Penske Truck Leasing. “Our customers receive

Felling to support law enforcement with latest charity auction

Felling Trailers Inc. named Backing the Blue Line as the beneficiary of the 12th annual 2024 Trailer for a Cause auction. The auction beneficiary was selected by the Felling Trailers’ employees.

“For several years, we put the decision of selecting the benefitting organization in the hands of our team members in the form of a vote. A list of organizations and corresponding information is given to team members to select from,” said Brenda Jennissen, president/CEO of Felling Trailers. “We respect and appreciate our local and state law enforcement officers and recognize what they lay on the line each day they put on their uniform and leave home for their shift to protect our communities. We’re thankful to live and work in communities that are protected by these professional men and women who choose to wear the badge.”

Backing the Blue Line (BtBL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the law enforcement community in Minnesota. BtBL unites the power of members and the generosity of donors to honor and support Minnesota law enforcement officers and families; they mobilize to provide services, labor, and assistance during times of illness, injury, or tragedy, as well as join in celebrating life milestones. BtBL supports the Minnesota law enforcement community by providing resources and emotional support to law enforcement officers and their families and serving as a positive voice in the community.

their trucks on time and ready to start driving down the road immediately.”

Services offered at Fontaine’s Statesville location include installing telematics, hydraulic systems, suspension, alternative-fuel power trains, and specialized truck bodies.

An early fall auction is being planned for Trailer for a Cause. Leading up to the auction, Felling Trailers will work with Backing the Blue Line to generate awareness about the work they do for the officers and families they serve with the programs and support services they offer. Backing the Blue Line is a 100% volunteer-run organization.

Felling Trailers has hosted an online auction of an FT-3 Utility trailer for over a decade, donating 100% of the winning bid to the selected nonprofit organization, choosing a new beneficiary

each year. Previous Trailer for a Cause auctions have raised over $44,000 for nonprofit organizations such as ACT on ALZAlzheimer’s, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Minnesota Fire Fighters Foundation, Eagle’s Healing Nest, and Pockets of Hope, to name a few.

Photo: Fontaine Modification

Photo: Felling Trailers

FedEx orders 150 Blue Arc EV vans after successful pilot

The Shyft Group recently reported a purchase order with FedEx for an initial 150 Blue Arc EV Trucks to be integrated into the FedEx pickup and delivery fleet in the U.S.

FedEx tested the vehicle in real-life conditions, using it on last-mile delivery routes in Memphis. During the pilot, the Blue Arc truck operated extended 8-10 hour routes under challenging conditions, including temperatures ranging from 95-105 degrees F, marking a milestone in the vehicle’s readiness for widespread commercial use.

“As we work towards the phased electrification of our entire global pickup and delivery fleet by 2040, FedEx is eager to incorporate new and efficient electric vehicle models that meet the demands of our diverse network,” said Pat Donlon, VP of global vehicles at FedEx Express. “We look forward to bringing the Blue Arc into our growing portfolio of electric vehicles in service around the world.”

The Blue Arc truck proved reliable on long routes, efficient in energy use, and able to regenerate 20-30 kW of power through its regenerative braking system. Such features underscore the vehicle’s readiness for real-world commercial applications, with drivers highlighting its ease of maneuverability and overall comfort compared to conventional gas vehicles.

“Our collaboration with FedEx has been instrumental in refining our strategy for meeting commercial-grade EV fleet needs,” said John Dunn, president and CEO of the Shyft Group. “Customer satisfaction is core to our operations and we look forward to seeing these vehicles on the road for FedEx, reflecting our mutual commitment to innovation and sustainability.”

Photo: Shyft Group

INDUSTRY

FleetPride recognizes leading suppliers

FleetPride Inc. recently announced the winners of its supplier awards during its recent 2024 Supplier Summit. These companies were selected for their outstanding support and partnership with FleetPride over the last year.

“FleetPride values the strategic partnerships we have with suppliers. The annual awards ceremony allows us to honor those suppliers who demonstrated consistent and exceptional efforts to support FleetPride overall, whether it was field support, supply chain, digital or strategic initiatives,” said Michael Keller, FleetPride vice president of category management and strategic sourcing. “Congratulations to all of our award winners.”

Eleven suppliers received various awards for their contributions, collaboration, and dedicated focus on supporting FleetPride customers:

• Baldwin Filters – for demonstrating partnership through ongoing field engagement, visits, and sales team ridealongs; increasing touchpoints across various aspects of the FleetPride business.

• Truck-Lite – for partnering in data and marketing efforts to further grow eCommerce with an emphasis on product displays within our branch locations across the country.

• Chelsea – for close collaboration throughout periods of growth to ensure product availability through growing customer demand while improving supply chain process.

• Con-Met – for raising the bar in communication and partnership across the organization and disciplines; heavy focus in national account efforts and emphasizing cross functional relationships.

• Eaton – for driving growth opportunities through a consistent approach to program management, supply chain improvements, and issue resolutions while building strong relationships across the organization.

• Dana – for consistently pursuing partnerships and collaboration with FleetPride’s marketing, data management, e-commerce, and supply chain teams; innovating to drive significant growth within the market.

• Phinia – for providing supportive and engaging product training which aligns with FleetPride expectations to provide world-class customer service through knowledge and engagement.

• Webb – for their focus on communication, innovation, and continuous support of Field Sales teams as they launched new products.

• MAT – for dedicated focus and relentless pursuit of innovation and communication leading to reduced lead times and increases in direct shipments; continuous support of field team throughout product launches.

• Muncie – for willingness and focus on improving supply chain challenges through continuous growth; utilizing communication across all levels of the organization to prioritize efforts through changing market dynamics.

Finally, FleetPride has named Continental Battery Systems as its Supplier of the Year.

“This partnership has grown as a direct result of increased communication at all levels of the organization, innovation in product offerings and support, and a focus on training and growth,” FleetPride President of Parts and Service Mike Harris said. “Continental Battery Systems has gone above and beyond and consistently does what they promise.”

The company was “humbled and honored,” John Rauco, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Continental Battery Systems, responded.

“This recognition is a result of the collective efforts and hard work put in by both the FleetPride team and our dedicated Continental Battery Systems team,” Rauco said. “Together, we have exemplified a commitment to excellence, innovation, and outstanding service. Receiving this award validates our shared values and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. We are grateful for this honor and excited to build on our successful partnership in the years to come.”

Hoffmann Family of Companies acquires Doonan Specialized Trailer

Hoffman Family of Companies (HFOC) acquired Doonan Specialized Trailer, a semi-trailer manufacturer based in Great Bend, Kansas. Doonan has been operating for 50 years and offers 57 dealer locations across North America.

“As we continue to grow our network, our venture with Doonan is an affirmation of our belief in the future of American manufacturing,” said Geoff Hoffmann, co-CEO at Hoffmann Family of Companies. “Doonan is a great fit for the Hoffmann Family of Companies, and we have tremendous confidence in the proven management team and the positive culture fostered throughout the company.”

Mike Ruddle, vice president of Operations at Doonan, and Kelly Zecha, national dealer manager and application specialist, will both continue to play pivotal roles in the company post-close, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in serving customers.

The Doonan acquisition expands HFOC’s presence in the transportation sector, building on the 2021 purchase of Texas Bragg Trailers, based in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Photo: Continental Battery Systems

Stellar donates cobot to local community college

Stellar has donated a UR10 collaborative robot to North Iowa Area Community College’s (NIACC) Industrial Automation and Robotics Technology (IART) program. The collaborative robot, also known as a cobot, has a value of $130,000, according to the company.

The employee-owned manufacturer has partnered with NIACC in the past, including participation with the IART program’s advisory board. The UR10 cobot will be used in all three of NIACC’s robotics classes to help students gain valuable skills coding robot labs.

“I can hardly put into words just how important a donation like this is. It’s everything. Without generous gifts like this, we can’t keep up with technology’s demand,” said Bob Franken, NIACC industrial automation and robotics technology instructor. “This gives us the tools and resources we need to allow students to learn the ever-changing landscape in

automation and robotics.”

This UR10 from Stellar now puts the program at 21 robotic units. The addition will allow NIACC to expand their course selection options for robotics, allowing for the IART program to offer more

Strength requires unity and TTMA is all about promoting a shared understanding of the problems confronting all manufacturers.

NOTHING MOVES UNTIL YOU'RE ENGAGED. HELP

opportunities for more students.

“We are thrilled that we were able to provide so many opportunities for the next generation of engineers through this donation,” said Michael Niemeyer, Stellar automation engineering manager.

Photo: Stellar Industries

INDUSTRY

Steel Warehouse rebrands Cold Mill division Steel Warehouse Company, a steel solutions provider and service center, has rebranded its Cold Mill division as Specialty Strip, a boutique cold mill.

This decision reflects the company’s commitment to exceeding the industry standard for precision cold rolled strip through quality and innovation, including capital investments in its cold rolling mill equipment, according to the Steel Warehouse notice. New state-of-the-art technology ensures repeatability and predictability of cold rolled strip product. This equipment will also allow Steel Warehouse to address customers’ evolving needs with more advanced solutions.

“We continuously look at reinvesting in our businesses, equipment, and people for the benefit of our stakeholders and customers,” said Ted Lerman, CEO, Steel Warehouse. “We have been actively planning this rebranding and capital investment over the past several years and are eager to see this vision come to fruition.”

Specialty Strip, located on the South Bend campus, is part of Steel Warehouse’s Specialty Steel division, which also includes Chesterfield Steel (Cleveland), Siegal (Chicago), and Steel Warehouse Portage (Portage, Ind.).

“This transition sets a foundation that allows us to evolve with the demand of the market and explore long-term growth in the critical precision strip market,” added Carl Parker, general manager of the Specialty Steel division. “The investment we have made provides us with technology that will improve and enhance

our product scope and capabilities, helping us gain improved precision, operational efficiencies, consistent product performance and repeatability—all for the benefit of our customers.”

Specialty Strip has more than 20 years of experience in cold rolling, annealing, and slitting operations customized for exceedingly tight tolerance orders to benefit OEMs and fabrication, stamping, and fine blanking operations. The aim is to continue addressing customers’ difficult parts challenges with trusted solutions, including carbon steels, specialty alloys, and high strength low alloy (HSLA) strip.

“Steel Warehouse is known for partnering with our customers, and this investment will allow us to expand our value added, metallurgical-driven niche product line,” said Mike Reach, business unit manager of Specialty Strip.

Doleco expands capabilities at Charlotte facility

Lifting sling manufacturer Doleco USA reported the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“This expansion signifies a strategic enhancement of Doleco’s onshore production capabilities and customer service efficiency, putting us on more than equal footing with other major U.S.-based cargo securement equipment manufacturers,” said Ralph Abato, president and managing director of Doleco USA.

“Our ability to produce and test high-quality, custom-designed slings and load securement equipment in-house will significantly enhance our agility and responsiveness to customer needs.”

The 33,000-sq.-ft. facility is strategically positioned near major transportation hubs, including seaports, airports, and interstate highways, providing optimal access to raw materials while speeding shipment of finished goods to all U.S. markets.

Equipped with advanced manufacturing technologies, the plant will focus on the custom production, fulfillment of traditional orders, and delivery of Doleco’s products, including straps, slings, tie-downs, and the innovative DoNova Textile Chains, Level Deck, and ConnectedDeck systems.

The Charlotte facility features an advanced sewing operation capable of producing specialized textile cargo securement products tailored to individual customer specifications.

The facility’s centerpiece is a 224,000-lb.-capacity, computer-controlled, electrohydraulic servo, horizontal tensile testing machine. The device will allow Doleco to validate tensile strength according to specific product requirements. The machine enables rigorous testing and certification of products to ensure they meet required working load limits (WLL) and the highest standards of safety and durability.

The facility is expected to employ up to 30 skilled workers within the next five years. The building offers the potential for Doleco’s expansion to 100,000 sq. ft.

Photo: Steel Warehouse

Photo: Doleco USA

Phillips, Inland Trailer partner on telematics integration

Phillips is collaborating with Inland Trailers in Mexico, with Inland integrating Phillips’ trailer solutions and full telematics capabilities into their new builds. These will include the Smart7 system, REAR-VU Backup Camera, CargoVision, premium Permalite trailer lighting, and more.

These solutions will be included on all new trailer builds, and customers will have the opportunity to retrofit as well.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Phillips, a company that aligns with our vision of innovation and excellence in the trailer industry,” Rodrigo Soto, CEO and owner of Inland Trailers, said. “This partnership will undoubtedly enhance our product offerings and provide our customers with unparalleled asset management solutions.”

By using Phillips Connect’s Smart7 system, Inland is incorporating sensors such as TPMS, ATIS Regulator, ABS monitoring, CargoVision cargo camera,

and door locking security. Additionally, Inland’s integration of the REAR-VU Backup Camera and Permalite Lighting will greatly enhance fleet management by increasing the company’s visibility and cargo monitoring capabilities.

“Inland is investing big on the future of

our industry,” Rob Phillips, CEO of Phillips Industries and Phillips Connect, said.

“Rodrigo’s vision of making smart-trailers the standard has raised the bar in transportation, and provides customers with a value that no other trailer manufacturer has offered before.”

Photo: Phillips Industries

Down to business

TTMA 82nd Annual Convention adds Texas spice to discussions of AI, sustainability

By Kevin Jones

SAN ANTONIO—Getting together amid the first industry downturn since the onset of the COVID pandemic, attendees here for the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association 82nd Annual Convention didn’t let a pause in business conditions slow down the annual schedule of committee meetings, presentations, and activities. This year’s event was held April 24-27 at the La Cantera Resort & Spa.

As TTMA President Jeff Sims, Chairman Jeff Thompson of Timpte Trailers, and Vice Chairman Sean Kenney of Hyundai Translead each emphasized at various times over three days, association members “get out of it what you put into it,” a message aimed particularly at the “record class” of 128 firsttime convention attendees.

“I attended my first TTMA function in the fall of 1997 and from the moment that my wife Tracey and I walked in the door, we knew that this organization was different, that it was special—that it was all about creating relationships and working together for the betterment of the whole,” Thompson said before passing the gavel to Kenney at the closing banquet. “I have always had great appreciation for this organization and the opportunities that if offers to its members, but until you have had an opportunity to be involved at the board level and at an officer level, it is really hard to appreciate everything the organization does every day—and does very well.”

While memories tend to be made from the comaraderie and wide range of activities and entertainment, the convention is not all fun and games. Indeed, the first general session focused on emerging technology and coming trends that will impact trailer builders, with presentations on the nature of and uses for generative AI and on the potential for AI tools to improve manufacturing. Day 2 was no less weighty, with a panel discussion on sustainability in manufacturing—both why sustainability goals are important and how implementing such goals can be a challenge for an organization.

Getting a jump on next year—and beyond—ACT Research and FTR each offered their market outlook and explained why trailer manufacturers can look forward to better times.

And, in a long-standing practice, during both general sessions select associate members took to the stage for four minutes apiece to tout the latest and greatest in goods and services to benefit trailer manufacturers.

TTMA board members are, from left to right, Gene Astolfi, Trail King; Scott Hevelone, LBT; Alan Briley, Fontaine; Sean Kenney, Hyundai Translead; Corey Kirk, Tremcar; John Rust, Trail King; Jeff Thompson, Timpte; Jeff Sims, TTMA; Bob Wahlin, Stoughton; Andy Tanner, Talbert Mfg.; Dale Jones, Timpte; and Gary Gaussion, Silver Eagle Mfg.

Photos: Kevin Jones | TBB

Along with several days of highly competitive golf events, the fun part of the agenda this year included tennis and pickleball, the chance to target sporting clays, and a lesson on how to make a Texas-style barbecue rub. And, of course, the Welcome Reception on the patio, the Ladies’ Coffee, the “Texas tailgate”-themed Associates’ Reception and Dinner, and the Closing Banquet drew big crowds.

TTMA 2024 Summer Meetings will be held July 23-25 in Alexandria, Virginia, and the 2024 Fall Board and Convention Planning Meeting is set for Oct. 17-20 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The TTMA 83rd Annual Convention is scheduled for April 23-26, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico. TBB

2024-2025 TTMA Board

2024-2025 officers

Chair of the Board: Sean Kenney, Hyundai Translead

Vice Chair of the Board*: Alan Briley, Fontaine Trailer

2nd Vice Chair of the Board**: Corey Kirk, Tremcar

Treasurer: Andy Tanner, Talbert Manufacturing

President***: Jeffrey Sims

The Board of Directors will be:

• Gene Astofli, Trail King Industries

• Jeff Bennett, Utility Trailer

• Travis Eby, M.H. Eby

• Terry Elias, Lode King

• Gary Fenton, Stoughton Trailers

• Frank Flowers, General Engines Co. Inc.

• Gary Gaussion, Silver Eagle Mfg.

• Scott Hevelone, LBT

• Pratap Lingam, Kwik

• Richard Mansilla, Wabash

• Taylor Merritt, Merritt Trailers

• Bill Persinger, Wilson Trailer Company

2023-2024 TTMA Chair Jeff Thompson delivers his parting remarks during the annual convention’s closing banquet, emphasizing the importance of building relationships to improve the industry.

• Jack Rademacher, MAC LTT

• Jake Radish, EnTrans International

• Scott Vincent , West Mark

Ex-Officio Directors:

• Jeff Thompson, Timpte Trailers, Vice Chair Policy (2023-2024 TTMA chair)

• John Rust, Trail King Industries, Chair Policy (2022-2023)

• Jay Kulyk, Rogers Brothers (2021-2022)

• Bob Wahlin, Stoughton Trailers (2019-2020)

• Rick Mullininx, Great Dane Trailers (2017-2018)

• Dale Jones, Timpte Inc. (2016-2017)

• Andy Tanner, Talbert Manufacturing (2013-2014)

• Jeff Pitts, Pitts Enterprises (2008-2009)

• Menno Eby, M. H. Eby, Inc. (2005-2006)

• Charles Dutil, Manac (2004-2005)

• Bob Foster, Heil Trailer International (1998-1999)

• Don Wahlin, Stoughton Trailers (1987-1988)

• Paul Bennett, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. (1982-1983)

* Also serves as Chair, TTMA Convention Committee

** Also serves as Vice Chair, TTMA Convention Committee

*** Officer non-voting, but not a Director

Are we there yet?

Carrier profitability will continue to hinder trailer orders through 2024, but industry analysts point to a 2025 upswing

The trailer industry, even during a prolonged freight recession, remains in decent shape, with 2024 production buoyed by a solid backlog of orders from the previous couple of years—or so a pair of industry analysts outlined in dueling video presentations at this year’s TTMA meeting. And, for manufacturers who became accustomed to the heady numbers during the pandemic recovery, 2025-2026 will see a return to growth, though at moderate rates.

ACT Research Vice President Steve Tam reported that GDP will continue to grow at about 2.5% in 2024—better than he’d forecast at last year’s meeting—before slowing slightly in 2025.

“This is good for our industry, of course, as economic activity drives demand for equipment—that’s the bottom line,” Tam said.

Inflation, however, has stubbornly persisted in 2024.

“If there’s one risk in our forecast from a macroeconomic perspective, I would say that that’s probably it,” Tam added. “Otherwise, the outlook is quite positive.”

Even more broadly, “geopolitical turmoil and unrest” drain global resources and add to inflationary pressures. Tam also noted the upcoming U.S. elections have little influence on the forecast,

although economic activity may slow heading into the fall as business takes a more cautious approach while awaiting the outcome—and then adjusting their plans accordingly.

As to the freight outlook, trucking remains stymied by too much capacity, pressuring carrier rates and revenue.

“It’s kind of pushing the slider sideways in our industry,” Tam said. “And that’s unfortunate in this situation, but it’s the hand that we’re being dealt.”

Similarly, since carriers stuck with the historical norm of overbuying on the upswing in rates, 2024 is a year of consuming the excess while Tam anticipates 2025 “represents a return to some kind of normal activity.” Still, even as the backlog is down considerably from record levels, it’s “smack in line” with the 10-year average.

ACT Research forecasts a slowing in its freight index, though it remains slightly positive through 2024 before rebounding quickly in 2025 before leveling off.

ACT Research projects U.S. trailer production will bottom out in Q4 at 57,000 units after running at about 65,000 units per quarter for much of this year. For 2025, production will climb to about 74,000 units by the third quarter after coming in at 64,000 units in Q1.

‘Renormalization’

FTR Chairman Eric Starks, in a generally light-hearted presentation, tackled the question of the election’s impact on the economy and demonstrated that since the Clinton Administration, “they’re all the same,” with GDP growth averaging about 2.3% for the Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.

“It does not matter who the president is to kickstart the economy,” Starks said. “It can take up to three years for underlying economic pressure to impact demand for equipment. What we do know is that the prior year has the most impact on demand for trailers, with the year before that equally weighted as the current year. So what happened last year, and the year before, has the most impact on demand and the current year. It doesn’t get any simpler than that, folks.”

Steve Tam Photo: ACT Research

Eric Starks Photo: FTR

Graphic: FTR

As to whether 2023 and 2024 should be considered a downturn or a correction, Starks suggested these years represent “renormalization.”

“For carriers, it’s been a rate recession,” Starks continued. “But rates do not dictate demand for equipment— that comes from freight, and freight

This year’s TTMA Breakfast Club featured “Brunch, Boards, and Bubbly,” a lively (and tasty) participatory event managed by expert sommeliers Monica Nino and Bryan Gonzales, below.

Far right, Extreme Trailers’ Luke Smith didn’t have many good choices during Thursday night’s Associate’s Dinner.

has actually been pretty flat in the last year.”

By the numbers, FTR anticipates U.S. trailer production to decline to 239,500 units in 2024. The FTR forecast has “baked in” production cuts that will “start having some teeth” in the second quarter and will continue into Q3.

Looking ahead, FTR predicts production will bounce back to 275,000 units in 2025 and 295,000 units in 2026.

The FTR model is based on “economically derived demand,” or EDD. The model goes well beyond GDP projections, as FTR forecasts freight movements down to the commodity level, segmented by mode. For highway freight, FTR even models how much freight is moving by which equipment—tractor-trailers by types, and by straight trucks. The model accounts for fleet productivity levels, load size, and lane dynamics.

FTR’s 2024 truck loadings forecast was mostly stable, with the van loadings outlook improved, according to the FTR April analysis. The growth forecasts for flatbed and tank were slightly weaker than in the prior forecast, mostly offsetting slightly stronger forecasts for dry van and refrigerated.

Segment outlook

By segment, FTR forecasts for U.S. trailer production are:

Dry Van : Outlook calls for 2024 production to finish at 144,500 (down 24.5%) and come in at 166,573 in 2025 and 178,780 in 2026.

Refrigerated Van: Outlook calls for 2024 to finish at 37,400 (down 19.2%) and come in at 42,737 in 2025 and 45,814 in 2026.

Flatbed : Outlook calls for 2024 to finish at 18,500 (down 39.9%) and come in at 21,494 in 2025 and 23,124 in 2026.

Graphic: ACT Research

Putting people first

TTMA recognizes safe manufacturing practices with annual awards for lowest accident rates

For more than 50 years, TTMA has recognized the importance of workplace safety with its annual Plant Safety Award. The hard-won and well-deserved honors are especially noteworthy as trailer manufacturers continue to deal with supply-chain disruptions and workforce shortages—to say nothing of the day-in and day-out challenge of running a safe facility in an uncertain market.

More specifically, award determinations are based on direct comparison of injury data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Annual Summary Form 300A, the same data used by the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

TTMA introduced its plant safety contest in 1971.

The winners for their performance in 2023 were:

Trailer Category A (over 750,000 man hours)

• Great Dane Trailers, Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Tank Category A (over 750,000 man hours)

• Wabash, San Jose Iturbide, Mexico Trailer Category B (350,000–750,000 man hours)

• En Trans International, Gatesville, Texas Tank Category B (350,000–750,000 man hours)

• En Trans International, Holdingford, Minnesota

Trailer Category C (under 350,000 man hours)

• Trail King Industries, Mitchell, South Dakota

Tank Category C (under 350,000 man hours)

• En Trans International, Salem, Illinois

Most Improved Trailer Plant

• Wabash, Cadiz, Kentucky

Most Improved Tank

• LBT Inc., Omaha, Nebraska Associate Winner

• ZF Composites North America, Oakville, Ontario (NAICS Code 336)

For Wabash, the latest honors mark the 17th year Wabash has received a plant safety award from TTMA.

“At Wabash, our teams are constantly seeking innovative ways to engineer safety into our products and designing operating environments that put people first,” said Vice President, Global Operations, Donald Winston. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication to operational excellence demonstrated

by our employees across Wabash. I share my congratulations and gratitude to our entire team for their continued efforts in upholding our safety values and ensuring a safe workplace for all.”

For Great Dane’s Elysburg manufacturing plant, this was its third overall and second consecutive plant safety award. Great Dane President and COO Rick Mullininx recently delivered the award to the facility. Plant Manager Jeff Campbell noted that such honors “do not happen by chance.”

“They are the result of each one of you, day in and day out, prioritizing safety,” Campbell said. “Your dedication to staying safe and ensuring the safety of your colleagues has been the cornerstone of our success.”

EnTrans was a repeat winner in multiple categories. Karen Czor, director of risk management, emphasized that safety “is not about the safety department or management, it’s the people.” She presented a brief video of En Trans employees discussing safety culture.

“When safety is a priority, your team embraces safety practices for a better work and life balance,” the video concludes. “It’s not just about following rules. It’s about realizing the personal benefits these practices offer.” TBB

TTMA Chairs Sean Kenney, left, and Jeff Thompson, right, flank Plant Safety Award winners ZF Group (Ben Brown), Trail King Industries (Nick Nielson), Wabash (Dustin Smith), Great Dane (Rick Mullininx), En Trans International (Karen Czor), and LBT Inc. (Scott Hevelone).

Karen Czor accepts one of the three safety awards En Trans took home this year.

On the clock: Associate presentations

Select suppliers have 4 minutes to brag

In an ongoing annual tradition, TTMA associate members provided updates on their companies’ trailer-related products and services during the convention. Allotted four minutes each, the presentations opened each morning’s general session.

In order of appearance, as introduced by Associates Chair Bobbie Bell of CMC:

AXN Heavy Duty

John Logan, SVP, sales and marketing, introduced attendees to the AXN Heavy Duty G555 mechanical suspension slide box for box vans and flatbeds. The unit can be e-coated or hot dipped galvanized, and Logan noted that AXN is the only company in North America that can provide a “truly hot dipped galvanized axle.” The AXN bogey systems are assembled to spec and P.S.I.’s automatic tire inflation system is also available.

AXN Heavy Duty, headquartered in Louisville, is responsible for the design, engineering, specifications, development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and support of products for the North American and global commercial vehicle industry.

Serving trucks, trailers, and buses in both the OEM and Aftermarket segment, AXN Heavy Duty products include trailer axles, mechanical suspensions, and landing gear. Visit www.axnheavyduty.com .

Friedman Industries

Matt Apoka, commercial manager, introduced a video that emphasized the company’s commitment to high quality flat-roll and tubular steel products, and quick delivery. Friedman’s focus is on hot-rolled, cut-to-length sheet and plate serving diverse industries such as truck-trailer, railcar, waste containers, metal buildings and storage tanks. The

flat-roll division operates five hot-roll coal processing facilities, with capabilities to ensure customers receive the best in surface, shape, and flatness qualities. The facilities produce sheet and plate ranging from 16 gauge to 1” thick in widths ranging from 36-in. wide to 96-in. wide. Friedman also maintains an extensive inventory for just-in-time delivery. In addition to strong and lasting relationships with suppliers, the company also uses risk management tools to provide long-term fixed-price solutions for customers who want to reduce their price exposure risk.

Headquartered in Longview, Texas, Friedman Industries was incorporated in 1965 and has been publicly owned since 1972.

Visit friedmanindustries.com .

Armory Technologies

A year after introducing Armory Technologies and their “origami composites” technology, Vice President of Sales Dan McGivney shared a video of

Old rivalries were put aside, pretty much, during the “Texas Tailgate”-themed Associate’s Dinner.

customer reaction to the lightweight AmorONE panel. The panels, billed as being able reduce trailer weight by 2,000 lbs., also provide superior insulating and shock absorbing characteristics. Armory worked with a prominent fleet partner, a Carrier Transicold dealer, a leading national box truck fleet, and several dry van private fleets. The test partners reported weight savings ranging from 800 lbs. to 1,800 lbs., depending on vehicle, and also saw maintenance and repair cost benefits. Additional pilots are planned for the rest of 2024.

ArmorONE panels use the Origami Composite MetaCORE. Armory Technologies takes common materials—metals, polymers, and composites—and shapes them into proprietary, 3D geometric patterns. The design results in products that can be lighter and stronger, and the Armor One panel installs just like regular panels. Amory Technologies also notes that its domestically sourced raw materials feature very high recycled content.

Visit www.armorytechnologies.com .

SAF Holland

A year after the merger with Haldex, SAF Holland President-Americas Kent Jones shared a video highlighting the advantages of an intelligent trailer technology delivering “new levels of innovation and interconnectivity.” At the heart of the system is the Intelligent Trailer Control Module, or ITCM. The ITCM integrates, coordinates, and communicates with all the electronic technologies of the intelligent trailer, providing

drivers and fleet owners critical data in real time. Sitting in the trailer frame, the ITCM electronic control unit offers expandable functionality for connecting a variety of auxiliary modules such as antilock brake systems, roll stability control, auto-lift axle control, tire pressure management systems, PC diagnostics and info-center tools, brake system monitoring, disc brake pad-wear sensors and more. The ITCM integrates with the CAN network and will facilitate wireless communication. And the ITCM is designed to integrate future enhancements that bring new innovative safety and efficiency protocols onto SAF Holland axle and suspension packages.

For OEMs, SAF Holland will deliver an entire intelligent trailer package mountain “wired and ready to go,” saving time and money currently dedicated to engineering, integrating and assembling parts.

Such seamless integration supports the assertion that SAF Holland and Haldex are “stronger together.” Visit safholland.com .

Aperia Technologies

Ralph Dimenna, chief commercial officer at Aperia Technologies, brought a hub unit of the company’s Halo Connect i3 automatic tire inflation system onto stage, because the video he presented “doesn’t do it justice.” The system, billed as the only intelligent ATIS for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers, works on all wheel positions and is “completely connected” to give the user “eyes and ears on everything

Engineering Committee

Chair Todd Eicher, of Stoughton Trailers, and TTMA Vice President of Engineering John Freiler moderate a lively discussion of side-underride guards, along with other committee business.

that’s going on” with the vehicle’s tire pressure. The Aperia system is self-powered, and the rotational energy of the tire both powers the inflator and “keeps all the connectivity going” by generating enough electricity “to keep everything powered and the batteries fully charged,” Dimenna explained.

Halo Connect i3 installs in five minutes and does not need to be removed for tire service. It is compatible with most makes and models, axles, hub diameters, and wheels. Featuring twoway communication, fleets can adjust tire pressure post-deployment, ensuring consistent inflation despite temperature changes, tire type, or vehicle load.

Aperia boasts more than 100 billion real-world miles on its ATIS line, which first hit the market 10 years ago. That dataset informs the company’s analytics tool, designed to identify overthe-road tire problems, provide alerts before the driver realizes there’s a problem, and thus reduce downtime.

Visit aperiatech.com

Reyco Granning*

Dan Giles, southern region sales manager, shared the suspension provider’s video that highlighted Reyco Granning’s history and product lines. Touting the company’s centennial year, the video emphasized that Reyco Granning has a suspension “to meet every specialty trailer application,” including heavyhaul, dump, liquid or dry bulk, agriculture, mining, waste, forestry, and more. In terms of products, the AR family of air-ride suspensions cover gross axle weight ratings of 20,000, 23,000, 25,000,

and 30,000 lbs. Axle thrust-angle alignment is intuitive and simple to perform with a single technician. The AR family is available with or without an integrated axle; when the axle is included it can be bare spindle or dressed with the range of hub and brake configurations, including air disc. Other options for the AR family include a lift axle kit, alternative coatings, including galvanization, and custom interface configurations like body attachment brackets or full subframe.

Visit reycogranning.com

Atotech

Product Marketing Manager Stephen Raynor prefaced his video by explaining that Atotech, a global chemical company, manufactures and supports paint pretreatment chemistries, plating, and zinc-flake materials. And while the video—featuring animated, detailed wire-frame renderings of various products and the R&D behind them—focused on the primary characteristics, coating options, and advantages of various Atotech fasteners, Raynor emphasized that the company uses some of the same technologies across its line, all formulated and applied to allow customers to build long-lasting vehicles.

Visit www.atotech.com .

Day 2 presentations

Sherwin-Williams

Thomas Englebrecht, global marketing manager, transportation segment, for the general industrial division of Sherwin Williams, introduced a video outlining the company’s innovation and sustainability activities. The bottom line: innovation comes from not settling for “good enough,” and “you only get better by having better standards.” Among the marketing materials available at the TTMA convention, SherwinWilliams touted its Powdura OneCure primer and topcoat powder system and the Duraspar IP 2K polyurethane solventborne topcoat system.

Visit industrial.sherwin-williams. com for more information.

EVENT COVERAGE | TTMA

Hendrickson

Adrey Schley, director of axles, brakes, and wheel ends, introduced a video highlighting the benefits of the HXL7 wheel-end package, an outboard mounted rotor designed to improve the maintenance and serviceability of air disc brakes. Traditional air disc brakes rotors are mounted inboard of the hub, meaning the wheel end had to be removed and reassembled for rotor and tone ring maintenance, both time consuming and potentially challenging for a technician unfamiliar with the assembly. The unique HLX7 outboard design provides clearance for rotor removal without disturbing the hub, making rotor maintenance more efficient and convenient. This ease of maintenance adds up to significant savings in shop costs and downtime over the trailer’s lifecycle. Additionally, Hendrickson’s rotor features a patented, corrosion-resistant tone ring with a unique threaded design and solid steel construction to prevent premature failure.

Visit www.hendrickson-intl.com .

Con-Met

Keith Rhodes, noting that Con-Met “continues to disrupt the market with innovation,” presented a video highlighting the company’s growth over its 60 years, working with global truck and trailer OEMs to make vehicles lighter, safer, and more efficient. The company, with 17 locations and 6,000 employees worldwide, offers

superior design, engineering, and testing expertise to develop premium products and innovations. Among its products, in 1995 Con-Met introduces the proprietary PreSet hub assembly to help eliminate premature wheel end failure on trucks and trailers. The next generation PreSet Plus, boasting ease of installation, high performance, and low maintenance, has clocked 22 trillion miles from the 37 million hubs on the road since 2011.

Visit conmet.com

Jaeger-UniTek

Jaeger-UniTek Sealing Solutions

President Kevin Casey highlighted the company’s sealing technologies that are utilized in various industries with extruded products, rubber, and thermoplastic elastomers. He noted that the industry has changed in terms of sealing, with an expectation to limit noise penetration as well as water penetration—and “the molecular structure is very different.” For commercial vehicles, Jaeger-Unitek provides extruded rubber and plastic solutions for the range of sealing needs for both tractor and trailer.

Visit jaeger-unitek.com

Ridewell

The Ridewell Suspensions touted the company’s knowledge of the trailer market and the needs of the various trailer platforms. The couple also emphasized its ongoing investments,

especially in times of surging demand, to “fend off labor and supply issues” and serve customers. “We believe that suspension suppliers shouldn’t dictate how many trailers you can build by delivering the quality parts you need when you need them.”

Visit www.ridewellcorp.com

United Scrap

Kayla Sandford and Audra Butler explained that United Scrap Metal is a nationally certified woman-owned business, soon to have 10 full-service recycling facilities located primarily in the eastern half of the U.S. The company’s video presentation featured CEO Marsha Serlin who explained that the company got its start in 1978 with $200 and a rental truck—but the unrealized opportunities were plentiful. In a business with many fly-by-night operators, United Scrap today boasts revenue of a half-billion dollars and employs about 550 people. Characterized as “a partner in sustainability,” the company works with customers to help them achieve their ESG goals, sharing the same commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Visit unitedscrap.com

[*Editor’s Note: Just before press time, Hendrickson announced the acquisition of the Reyco Granning suspension business. Look for additional information on the TBB website.]

The pickleball competition, left, was frighteningly intense. Above, Rob Phillips takes the lead in the long drive contest “by this much.”

COMPANY EXPANSION | Stoughton Trailers

Stoughton digs in for new HQ

By Jeremy Wolfe

STOUGHTON, Wisconsin—Stoughton Trailers, one of the largest North American truck-trailer manufacturers, broke ground on a new corporate headquarters here on May 9.

“Today is a pretty momentous day for Stoughton Trailers,” Bob Wahlin, the company’s president and CEO, said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The new 53,000-sq.-ft. facility will initially host approximately 200 employees.

“We’ve long grown out of our current headquarters; it’s well overdue for something else,” Wahlin told Trailer/Body Builders . “And as we’ve grown out, we’ve kind of spread out. We’ve had parts of our business in different buildings and different locations—even in different cities. We wanted to bring all that back together for collaboration.”

The old headquarters, located three miles across town, will continue to host the company’s engineering, research, and design group, as well as its testing facility. The company will also retain its existing Wisconsin manufacturing facilities in Stoughton, Brodhead, Evansville, and Waco, Texas.

Features of the new headquarters

The new headquarters will sit on an 182-acre property, including 36 acres of ponds, prairie, and wetlands, as well as a 28-acre community park. The property will have paths and bike trails that tie into a local trail system.

The development emphasizes physical, mental, and business health through its design and amenities.

“We’ve designed the building so it’s more narrow so that everybody can get natural sunlight, and every position has a view of the outside and the space around the building,” Wahlin told TBB.

The facility’s amenities will also give employees plenty to do outside a cubicle.

“The building is going to include things like a workout gym, an exercise studio/yoga room and activities area, locker rooms, lots of collaborative space, lots of workspace both inside and out, and it’ll have a cafe,” Wahlin said at the groundbreaking.

The new headquarters will be “really geared toward that newer professional, the younger generation coming in,” Wahlin said. “A place where they can go and work in the cafe or go on the patio outside with their computer. They have choices to just not be locked into a cubicle.”

With the groundbreaking ceremony over, CD Smith will begin work on footings and foundations starting next week. Stoughton Trailers expects the headquarters to be completed next year.

“We hope to move in in September 2025,” Wahlin said. TBB

Renderings of the entry side of the new Stoughton Trailers headquarters building (top) and parkland side of the building (bottom).

Photo: Stoughton Trailers

Ceremonial group photo featuring Bob Wahlin, Ken Wahlin, Sue Vanderbilt, John Booher, and Daniele Thompson of Stoughton Trailers; Austen Conrad and Peter Tan of architecture firm Strang; and Steve Braatz and Dane Bernau of construction company CD Smith.

Photo: Jeremy Wolfe | Trailer/Body Builders

Future shock

EVs get the headlines, but there are plenty of clean technologies to choose from

By Jade Brasher

LAS VEGAS—Telematics, predictive maintenance, route optimization, and other fleet technologies have rapidly advanced within the past five years. So has the technology that powers fleets. Alternative fuels, electric powertrains, and even cleaner-burning diesel technology have improved with time. With all this advancement and innovation, one thing is clear: Clean technology is here to stay—at least according to TRC’s fifth annual State of Sustainable Fleets report.

The report surveys fleets across the nation to get a handle on how the industry is reacting to new regulations, new vehicles entering the market, and, overall, new options for fleet operations. Key findings of this report include:

• Confusion with new emissions and zero-emission vehicle regulations

• A rise in diesel vehicle sales

• Renewable natural gas leading growth in CNG sector

• Medium-duty battery electric vehicle deployments doubling

• Hydrogen economy pushes forward

“If I had to really sum up the report for this year, there’s one word that comes to mind: growth,” Eric Neandross, president of GNA, said during a keynote speech at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo.

Key findings

Regulatory confusion: While 2023 was a year of ZEV adoption among fleets, it was also a year of confusion, according to the report, as emissions regulations shook the fleet world—some federally and some locally. With California leading the charge in zero-emission vehicle regulations, fleets that operate in the state are busy planning their ZEV adoption while also considering their bottom line.

Other states are following in California’s footsteps. Only time will tell

how far regulations will restrict fleets in their vehicle powertrain choices, and the restrictions will likely continue to vary by state until the nation “aligns with the EPA [Clean Trucks Plan] starting with model year 2027,” the report stated.

“We have a couple of really critical regulations that were adopted that’s going to accelerate our move forward to lower carbon fuels and zero-emission vehicles in every sector: light, medium, heavy,” Neandross said. “These are regulations, these are policies that can be shifted, they could be rolled back ... But I go back to the trillion dollars being invested in this market right now, commitments that we are going to get to zero. That is the goal.”

A rise in diesel sales: Fleets purchased 7% more diesel vehicles in 2023 than in 2022, and the cost of diesel fuel also fell. This increased demand could signal a rush to buy diesel vehicles ahead of EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan implementation in MY 2027, which could increase the price of diesel vehicles by about 12%, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The popularity of renewable diesel fuel also increased. Considered a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be used as a direct replacement for diesel fuel in diesel engines, the national consumption of RD increased by 68% year over

year, according to the report. Yet, RD adoption is much slower outside West Coast states, suggesting that obtaining the fuel beyond the West Coast is more complex or costly.

Renewable natural gas is a popular fleet choice: More than 150 new renewable natural gas production facilities came online in 2023. This growth helped sustain CNG prices and helped them be competitive with other fuel choices. The demand for RNG among fleets also grew for the third consecutive year, while deliveries of natural gas vehicles fell by 11%. According to the report, existing users of natural gas vehicles are driving the demand for the fuel.

The natural gas market is facing “headwinds,” the report stated, as regulations mandate ZEV operation in fleets and Cummins phases out its popular CNG engine, the ISX12N, to bring to market its 15-liter X15N. S&P Global Mobility predicts a bright future for CNG, with 63% sales growth by 2030.

Medium-duty EV deployments double: More than 26,000 battery-electric trucks, vans, and buses were delivered to fleets in 2023—doubled since

Following the show’s rapid growth in recent years, ACT Expo moved to Las Vegas this year to accommodate demand from clean transportation vendors and customers.

Photos: ACT Expo 2024 | TRC Companies

2022. Cargo vans and pickup trucks made up 90% of those deliveries, and of those 90%, Rivian and Ford made 95%, the report concluded. While deliveries were strong, charging infrastructure challenges persist, with long lead times, increased costs, and more.

EV popularity is growing outside of California, as well. The report notes that Texas and Florida were the first and third largest markets for electric cargo vans in 2023. Fleets running shorter, lightweight routes have been identified as the BEV sweet spot, as most vehicles travel shorter routes and return to base at the end of a shift to charge. Large fleets have also begun transitioning their fleets, as the transition requires large amounts of capital. Smaller fleets, which comprise more than 95% of fleets in the U.S., are less likely to be first adopters for EV fleets, as they have less capital to invest in the endeavor.

Fleets are finding infrastructure challenges an obstacle, too. To combat this, the industry is seeing more partnerships between fleets, utilities, and third-party companies to facilitate planning and help find grants and incentives to fund EV projects.

Hydrogen pushes forward: The hydrogen economy experienced growth and attention in 2023, fueled by federal investments in hydrogen production and infrastructure. While the intention behind this investment is to reduce the risk of private investment in the fuel source and make hydrogen more affordable, the cost of the fuel almost doubled from 2022 to 2023. Regardless, OEMs brought hydrogen fuel cell EVs into the

field, with Nikola and Hyundai delivering Class 8 EVs to fleets.

Hydrogen can power fleet vehicles through either internal combustion or fuel cell EVs. OEMs are largely focusing on both versions of hydrogen-powered vehicles. According to the report, some believe that transitioning fleets from diesel ICE to hydrogen ICE will prove more cost-effective and help meet emissions targets quicker.

Like BEVs, hydrogen infrastructure is an obstacle to bringing this to market.

Growth to come

While fleets have many choices, their true options depend on their application, the vehicles they operate, and their location. While much of the focus has been on electric vehicles—and the industry is proving this through its rapid adoption rates—other fuels and powertrains can’t yet be dismissed.

“I’ve talked about this perfect storm that I see, the three big drivers in the industry,” Neandross explained. “No. 1: massive global investment; no. 2: growing commitments around sustainability and carbon reductions; and no. 3: the backstop of regulations...The tailwinds are incredible that we have right now. It’s an amazing time to be in our industry. We’ve got this robust foundation that we have in place, and we’re going to start to see increasing scaling in the years ahead.” TBB

Graphic: TRC | State of Sustainable Fleets 2024

Fleets, OEMs discuss transition lessons learned so far

By TBB staff

While ACT Expo serves as a showcase for new and soon-to-come technologies, this year’s gathering also provided a clear-eyed view of the transition from fleets and truck OEMs in several standing-room-only discussions.

“We have pressures that we’re all facing, and those pressures are affecting our businesses, our decisions, and the future of our industry,” Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, said in her keynote address. “The reason that we’re feeling this tension is because there’s a misalignment of sustainable technology, policies to regulate emissions, and an economic case for incorporating emerging technology.”

Rigid regulatory deadlines led by CARB and the EPA are putting a lot of stress on fleets.

“When state requirements and federal requirements do not align, and they’re not consistent, it does create additional issues with interstate operations and commerce, and the innovation required to meet these regulatory requirements,” said Simpson, adding that J.B. Hunt recently announced an ambitious goal to reduce carbon emission intensity 32% by the year 2034. “We will get there by focusing on three key areas: alternative power equipment, biogenic fuel, and improved fuel economy. However, there are significant challenges to each of these.”

Battery-electric trucks, for instance, bring reduced payload capabilities, range, and higher charging times when compared to operating a diesel truck.

“It’s not economically viable to incorporate zero-emission vehicles into our fleet at scale right now, but it is important that we begin to test and the pilot these technologies,” said Simpson.

And any EV transition requires charging infrastructure.

“For one electric truck, you will need the same electricity that it takes to power 600 homes,” said Simpson. “To put that in perspective, the fast-charging infrastructure needed to support J.B. Hunt’s fleet, if we were to be entirely electric, would be the electricity of 1.4 million households, that’s 1% of the U.S.”

Indeed, during his presentation Ryder System CEO Robert Sanchez didn’t pull any punches on how he sees electric trucks fitting into his fleet.

“From our point of view, for commercial EVs to work in the real world, we need a breakthrough in battery technology and

clean technology, policy, and economics.

an expansion of the charging infrastructure,” said Sanchez.

“We need an inflection point that’s a credible technology breakthrough that serves as a catalyst for mass adoption of new technology.”

Ryder conducted a quantitative analysis comparing traditional diesel engines to EV technology. To determine the total cost of transport, or TCT, the Ryder team looked at the costs of diesel versus EVs in light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial classes. Based on representative loads from its own dedicated transportation business, the analysis showed significant cost increases to convert to EV technology in today’s market.

“The cost increases we expected; the magnitude of those increases we did not,” Sanchez said.

For truck OEMs, the learning curve has been steep for the last five or so years—and they’re now revising their approach to the business to help customers make the transition to EVs. A key during the early transition, as a panel of executives discussed, has been the collaboration between the OEMs, both in North America and globally.

“Back in 2018/2019, we really didn’t know what we were doing; we just knew we had to do something. I would say there’s been some positive surprises,” said John O’Leary, president and CEO, Daimler Truck North America. “I think the products that everybody has are probably in a more advanced state than we would have thought they’d be at this point in time. On the negative side, I think we would have thought that maybe the ramp-up curve would have not flattened out as it has really at this point.”

Jonathan Randall, president, Mack Trucks North America, explained the OEM’s first foray into EVs four years ago with a refuse truck as a strategic decision based on the application.

“Our optimism and exuberance were probably way ahead of the market’s willingness to accept that technology and adopt, but we’ve made strides there for sure,” said Randall. “And there’s more and more interest in the technology. The interesting thing, as we learn, is this drive towards economic and operational parity to what’s in the market today, from diesel offerings, and, of course, we’re not there, but we’re starting to get there.” TBB

J.B. Hunt President Shelley Simpson points to a “misalignment” of

Photo: ACT Expo 2024 | TRC Companies

Blue Bird, Morgan Olson, Xos combine for electric step van

By Commercial Vehicle Staff

Blue Bird Corporation debuted its electric-powered step van at the 2024 ACT Expo. The company teamed up with Xos and Morgan Olson to manufacture the prototype.

The last-mile delivery step van and stripped chassis on display featured a 140kWh lithium-ion battery. The batteries are mounted inside the frame rails for superior battery protection. The battery pack supports a vehicle range of up to 130 miles on a single charge.

Blue Bird’s prototype is based on a 178” wheelbase for lastmile delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 23,000 lbs. The company utilizes lightweight materials and components for its vehicle platform maximizing vehicle payload while continuing to prioritize safety.

Blue Bird offers several safety features on its EV prototype, including “hill hold,” which prevents the vehicle from rolling backward or forward when sitting on a hill, and “electric creep,” which allows the vehicle to slowly start moving from a stop when the driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal to simulate a gasoline engine in gear. In addition, the Blue Bird stripped chassis provides 55-degree, best-in-class wheel cut to improve maneuverability in tight urban settings.

“In 2022, Blue Bird introduced its EV commercial chassis concept vehicle at ACT Expo,” said Britton Smith, president of Blue Bird Corp. “The operating prototype of our electric-powered step van is based on industry-leading EV technology. For nearly

a century, Blue Bird has perfected its core capabilities of designing, engineering, and manufacturing school buses from the ground up. Now we are one step closer to applying our world-class vehicle manufacturing expertise and expanding our electric-powered product range to the commercial vehicle market.”

Blue Bird has partnered with Xos, an electric truck manufacturer and fleet electrification services provider from California, who is offering their expertise gained from deploying hundreds of zero-emissions commercial electric vehicles since 2018. Morgan Olson, a Michigan-based builder of work truck bodies, is responsible for providing the body for the prototype.

“We at Morgan Olson are looking forward to a productive collaboration with Blue Bird and Xos on the development of this step van prototype,” said Mike Ownbey, president and CEO of Morgan Olson. “By combining the expertise of our industry-leading companies, we are confident that we can offer our existing and new step van customers a new chassis option that provides great value in the commercial vehicle market.”

Blue Bird anticipates its electric-powered stripped chassis to be commercially available in late 2024. TBB

Range, Thermo King develop electric reefer

By TBB staff

Trailer electrification company Range Energy and Thermo King will collaborate to advance the commercialization of electric refrigerated trailers.

This collaboration will integrate Range’s electric trailer platform with Thermo King’s hybrid TRUs and electric TRUs.

“Working with Thermo King to advance electric refrigerated trailers marks significant progress in the electrification of commercial trucking, providing a near-term and pragmatic solution for fleets of today and tomorrow,” said Ali Javidan, CEO and founder, Range.

The integration process will also include extensive testing, customer pilots, and public demonstrations.

“Range is an early mover in trailer electrification, and we believe this partnership has the potential to contribute significantly to the acceleration of our industry’s decarbonization efforts,” said Chris Tanaka, vice president product management, Thermo King Americas. TBB

Blue Bird’s prototype is based on a 178” wheelbase for lastmile delivery vehicles and a GVWR of up to 23,000 lbs.

Photo: Josh Fisher | Endeavor CV

The Range platform will be combined with Thermo King’s hybrid and electric TRUs.

Photo: Range Energy

Rizon Truck offering two new Classes 4-5 models

By Commercial Vehicle Staff

Rizon Truck is expanding its electric Classes 4-5 lineup with two new models, the e18Mx and the e18Lx, the company announced at ACT Expo. Both come with additional capacity and an updated warranty package.

“We’re happy to bring Rizon back to the ACT Expo to mark the first anniversary of our brand’s debut,” said Andreas Deuschle, the global head of RIZON Truck. “A lot has happened since then, including customer handovers and Rizon’s entry into the Canadian market. Now we are ready to offer our model year 2025 trucks. By increasing the gross vehicle weight and updating the

warranty, Rizon is taking an important step forward to provide customers with the best solutions for their businesses.”

According to the company, the e18Mx and the e18Lx both offer an upgraded payload capacity of 18,850 lbs., about 855 lbs. more than the current capacity of 17,995 lbs. Additionally, both models will come with a warranty package that protects the powertrain and high-voltage electrical equipment for eight years or 120,000 miles, and the high-voltage batteries for eight years or 185,000 miles.

The new trucks are designed for urban and last-mile delivery. Both are customizable for different body

options, such as box trucks and stake beds, and both have a tight turning radius. Additionally, each will come standard with safety options such as collision avoidance.

Finally, each truck can go 160 miles on a single charge, the company stated, and both support Level 2 AC and DC fast charging.

Rizon Truck is accepting orders for the 2025 model year. TBB

ZM Trucks debuts Classes 4-8 lineup

By TBB staff

North America’s newest zero-emissions commercial truck brand, ZM Trucks, debuted at ACT Expo with five models in the Class 4, 5, 6, and “baby 8” segments. Expected to be on sale before the end of 2024, each ZM Trucks model is optimized for local market needs and will be assembled in North America and compliant with all North American regulations, resulting in purpose-built, zero-emission work trucks, offering total cost-of-ownership advantages versus traditional diesel trucks.

“ZM Trucks isn’t your typical untested startup. As a subsidiary of ZO Motors Tokyo, our zero-emissions vehicles are grounded in proven and reliable technology, as well as solid funding and access to supply chain resources and partnerships that would be out of reach for most brands starting out,” said Joost de Vries, CEO of ZM

Trucks. “ZM Trucks will offer tangible financial, operational, and regulatory competitive advantages, such as improved cost-per-mile performance, decreased downtime for maintenance, better city-center access due to noise abatement regulations, and enhanced driver comfort.”

ZM Trucks provides cost-efficient charging, making battery-electric

| TRC Companies

vehicle driving hassle-free with powerful 20 kW AC charging solutions, alongside standard DC charging options. A standard 220V/100A circuit will allow for overnight charging. The trucks are designed with clean back-of-cab and chassis rails, enabling efficient upfit

At ACT, Rizon marked its first anniversary.

Photo: Rizon Truck

ZM Trucks unveils ZEV commercial lineup at ACT Expo 2024.

Photo: ACT Expo 2024

solutions. With available dual electric power takeoffs on all cab/chassis platforms, ZM Trucks are ready for the challenges of the work truck world.

The Asian-market production models displayed at ACT Expo included the ZM4, ZM8, ZMx FCEV, and ZM22. Below are the basic specs on the coming North American versions:

• ZM4: A Class 4 battery-electric van with a unibody design, high payload, and 132 kWh HV battery.

• ZM8: A Class 6 battery-electric vehicle, ZM8 is equipped with the industry’s largest cab with a flat floor, almost 80” of roof height, and the most powerful drivetrain in its class. The ZM8 platform has been sold in Asian

Isuzu unveils next-gen electric refrigerated truck

By TBB staff

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America has begun development of an all-electric Isuzu NRR EV truck integrated with the Thermo King e300 all-electric transport refrigeration unit.

Isuzu’s NRR EV was announced in March 2023 and is planned for production this summer. The Class 5 NRR EV is Isuzu’s next generation of medium-duty delivery trucks.

“Our new NRR EV has been the top conversation for the last couple of years,” Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, said. “We knew we had a good solution for dry product delivery, but many of our customers also needed refrigerated delivery. With all of the intricacies of the powertrain and a new approach to refrigeration, this really shows the power of the Isuzu-Thermo King collaboration. Engineers have worked tirelessly to get this right and customers will appreciate what this truck can do. For Isuzu, this is among the first Class 5 all-electric refrigerated truck offerings, and it will open new doors for us and our brand.”

The NRR EV has three wheelbase offerings (132.5”, 150”, and 176”) that allow customers to choose between 14-20’ bodies to utilize the vehicle’s 19,500 GVWR. When it comes to the powertrain, the NRR EV can be equipped with one of four battery pack configurations (60 kWh, 100 kWh, 140 kWh, and 180 kWh) with different estimated ranges from 60-235 miles.

This advanced Isuzu powertrain is key to the development of an all-electric refrigerated Class 5 truck. The powertrain is equipped with an electric-power takeoff that has an operating range from 7-12 kWh output with a peak output of 26 kWh for demand spikes, like when operating a dump body under heavy load. One of the best features of the ePTO is that it works

countries since early 2022, with more than 6,000 units on the road and over 125,000,000 miles accumulated.

• ZM8FCEV: A market-proven Class 6 fuel cell electric vehicle with over 2,500,000 miles already accumulated.

• ZM22: A Class 8 battery-electric vehicle with proven drivetrain in various Asian brands. Features a ground-up EV chassis designed with 264 kWh in-frame HV batteries and a 2-speed, dual motor e-Axle capable of 500 kW peak power.

• ZM22 FCEV: A Class 8 fuel cell electric vehicle with the same proven e-Axle as the battery electric ZM22 and supported by a 60 kWh in-frame HV battery. TBB

seamlessly without a switch. This means the driver doesn’t need to dial it up or down to meet the power demands of the onboard equipment. The NRR EV’s onboard computer will communicate directly with the Thermo King e300 all-electric transport refrigeration unit and supply the power needed.

The Thermo King e300 is part of the evolve portfolio of electrified refrigeration solutions. This Class 5 refrigerated truck solution developed by Thermo King is fully integrated into the OEM’s electric vehicle chassis. It can provide cooling for single-temperature applications with minimal impact on the Isuzu NRR-EV’s range.

The e300’s electric reciprocating compressor provides constant, continuous system capacity regardless of whether the vehicle is stationary or driving down the road. The capacity is not susceptible to varying engine RPM changes that impact a traditional engine-driven system’s performance.

The e300 eliminates traditional components like the belt-driven compressor, mount and drive kit, and refrigeration hose. Installers will appreciate the reduction in overall installation time, while owners will appreciate the increased reliability because fewer parts mean fewer breakdowns. The e300 also uses R-452A refrigerant, which is a low-global warming potential refrigerant that reduces direct CO2 emissions by nearly 50% per unit when compared to the traditional R-404A refrigerant. TBB

Isuzu unveils next-generation electric refrigerated truck integrated with Thermo King technology.

Photo: Isuzu

Tanker uptime

Bulk haulers across North America rely on the facility for critical repairs and maintenance—now more than ever

By Jason McDaniel

John Barrett, who runs Wabash’s Mauston, Wisconsin, facility, oversees one of the largest tank trailer parts and service operations in North America.

The 40-acre campus features nine buildings, 22 service bays, six production bays, and three fabrication bays; 50 employees, including many technicians with 20-plus years of experience; and over $3 million in parts inventory—a combination of assets and capabilities that attracts customers from across the U.S. and Canada. “We have been repairing trailers here since 1962,” said Barrett, the general manager in Mauston for the last 23 years. “We have an exceptional

Wabash produces approximately 3,500 tank trailers per year, and if they require major services or repairs, they’re often routed to Mauston from all over the U.S. and Canada.

Wabash’s Mauston, Wisconsin, facility, established in 1962, is the OEM’s base of operations for tank trailer repair and maintenance.

reputation. We’re known for doing the tough jobs, the big jobs, and the hard jobs, so people have come to rely on this location. If it’s something outside the box, or outside the norm, and it’s going to be a little tougher, they send it here.

“They know we’ve got the engineering backing, OEM parts, and skilled labor for the work.”

The work keeps coming, too—more every day.

Wabash partners with fleets, distributors, and dealers, and often ships OEM parts and components directly to end users who are trying to control maintenance costs while running equipment longer amid record inflation. But tank fleets of all sizes still count on Mauston for the critical services they can’t perform themselves. “Since the coronavirus, it’s been harder to find skilled mechanics and welder/fabricators, so it’s been difficult for carriers to outfit their shops with employees,” Barrett said. “And so a lot of times they’re working more on the tractors and sending trailers our direction.”

The industry veteran recently spoke to TBB about tank trailer production and maintenance, parts availability, and Wabash’s ongoing effort to improve trailer functionality and durability; and shared three tips to help tank fleets keep equipment on the road for decades to come. “It’s not just the initial price you pay for the equipment up front,” he said. “It’s also the cost of maintenance over the lifetime of that product. That all comes into play. And as the prices increase on this equipment, our customers have an expectation that it will last longer, and to Wabash’s credit, it does.

Photos: Wabash

“We’re building a better product today than we built 10 years ago.”

Parts supply and innovation

In response to customer demand and COVID-induced supply chain disruptions, Mauston manufacturers more of its own tank parts and components than in pre-pandemic times as well. “COVID was a gamechanger,” Barrett said. “We had to get creative for a few years in locating parts, procuring them, manufacturing our own parts, and doing whatever it took to get customers’ equipment back on the road.”

Parts availability and lead times are “much better,” he said. But Wabash, which produces approximately 3,500 tank trailers per year, continues to expand its vendor group and “near-source” wherever possible, allowing it to quickly dispatch parts and part assemblies to customers, and even competitor facilities.

Wabash continuously enhances its trailers, too, Barrett said. The OEM introduced sanitary tank trailers with Acutherm intelligent thermal management technology two years ago. It also now offers chemical, corrosives, farmpickup, food-grade, and DEF trailers with the “latest and greatest” safety systems and components, including roll stability and anti-lock braking (ABS), Hendrickson air-ride suspensions and tire inflation systems, GPS tracking, and third-party telematics integrations.

“Wabash leads the pack when it comes to innovation, experimentation, and technology implementation,” Barrett asserted.

Total tank trailer maintenance

Mauston leads the way in customer cooperation.

In addition to supplying parts, repairing trailers, and assisting dealers with warranty work, the facility conducts tank trailer tests and inspections for regional and national customers—and often serves as shops’ information technology department when diagnosing issues with “smart” sensors and systems. “I get calls all the

time from people who say, ‘We want to put a new ABS system in, can you guys program it for us?’ Because A, they don’t have the skill, or B, they don’t have the equipment,” Barrett said.

“It’s a challenge. That’s why a facility like ours stays busy.”

To help reduce the frequency of phone calls, Barrett offers the following tips for tank trailer maintenance:

• Establish a preventative maintenance program—and stick to it. “You really need a good preventative maintenance schedule,” he said. “Fleets should have a good schedule, they should follow it with a good, thorough checklist, and not just pencil whip it but actually perform every item on the list.”

• Check trailer lights, wiring, and assemblies—religiously. “If air lines are fading, replace them,” Barrett recommended. “Don’t wait for them to leave you stuck on the side of the road. Check your fittings and make sure they’re clean, dry, and greased in the junction boxes and all the connections. The more proactive you are on lights and wiring, and the accessories that go with them, the fewer headaches you’ll have.”

• Inspect every trailer—even “non-code” tankers. “Code tanks that are hauling hazardous chemicals need tests and inspections performed on an annual basis,” Barrett explained. “But there are a lot of tanks that don’t haul hazardous chemicals, and don’t require regular HM-183 cargo tank inspections, so many people don’t inspect the inside of those tanks. That’s a mistake. They should still have a schedule for looking inside tanks for corrosion, cracks, and anything that potentially could be a problem.”

Fleets who follow that advice will keep trailers rolling long after Barrett retires.

“Even though I’ve been with this company for 41 years, I’m still super excited about the direction we’re going and culture we are cultivating,” he concluded. “That is going to help us continue to grow and produce better equipment that goes up and down the road safer. Our families travel these roads, too, so we want our customers to get their trailers where they need to go as safely as possible.” TBB

The 40-acre tanker campus established in 1962 in Mauston, Wisconsin, features nine separate buildings.

Wabash’s Mauston, Wisconsin, tank trailer location boasts 22 service bays, six production bays, three fabrication bays, 50 employees—and more than $3 million in parts inventory.

John Barrett, Wabash general manager in Mauston, Wisconsin.

Welding Equipment

ESAB Warrior Edge 500 DX system features new WeldModes

ESAB has introduced its Warrior Edge 500 DX multi-process power source featuring four advanced MIG/MAG WeldModes—THIN, ROOT, ROOT Pipe and SPEED—as well as an Advanced Pulse WeldMode. All WeldModes enhance arc stability, offer more control at faster travel speeds, and reduce spatter for less post-weld clean-up. Warrior Edge DX is designed to help make good welders great, optimize productivity, improve quality, consistency, and simplify training, according to ESAB.

Users set up material after wire spool change on an intuitive TFT LCD interface inside the RobustFeed Edge DX wire feeder. The feeder’s front panel features day-to-day controls, Quick Job (memory)

welding positions, and creates a smooth arc even while weaving. The ROOT Pipe WeldMode optimizes gap bridging in vertical down pipe applications.

The THIN, ROOT, and ROOT Pipe WeldModes use enhanced short-circuit transfer processes with a novel type of adaptive control that delivers consistent and smooth metal transfer for a more stable weld puddle. Improved stability gives the operator better control even when welding at faster travel speeds, plus it suppresses the conditions that lead to the formation of spatter. Even though these WeldModes lower heat input for reduced distortion, their gap-bridging ability promotes consistent fusion without excessive reinforcement on the backside

buttons, WeldMode selection, and RFID badge-controlled access to promote consistency and manage a workforce with varying degrees of skills.

The Warrior Edge 500 DX has built-in connectivity and comes with a lifetime subscription to the InduSuite WeldCloud Fleet online software application.

The THIN WeldMode reduces heat to minimize distortion when welding thin plates (0.7 to 3 mm, or 22 to 11 gauge). With an ability to bridge gaps, the easy-to-control ROOT WeldMode is optimized for root passes on plates in all

of the joint. In addition, there is no need for a voltage sense cable which simplifies set-up and reduces the risk for mistakes.

The SPEED mode creates a more focused arc by taking a conventional spray transfer arc and overlaying a modified pulsed current wave form on top. Benefits of the SPEED mode include improved control at higher travel speeds, reduced spatter, deeper more focused penetration in fillet welds and the ability to weld in narrower grooves. The Warrior Edge 500 DX also offers synergic Pulse MIG WeldMode, conventional and synergic MIG/MAG

welding, MMA, Live TIG, and carbon arc gouging. The Warrior Edge 500 DX has a rated welding output of 500 amps at 60% duty cycle.

“The Warrior Edge 500 DX enables ordinary welders to benefit from sophisticated WeldModes without needing continuous training or relying too much on individual operator skill,” said Arne Lagerkvist, global director – Heavy Industrial Welding Equipment, ESAB. “The intelligence inside the system makes set-up fast and welding easy. When using a synergic WeldMode, operators can fine-tune performance simply by adjusting the wire feed speed and trim control knobs, and the system will maintain optimized arc characteristics and deliver excellent weld results.”

Warrior Edge systems also offer an Arc Dynamics function where the operator can set welding parameters and fine-tune by turning a single knob. Benefits include creating a more focused arc for faster travel speed when making fillet welds, adjusting arc energy for specific welding conditions, stability control for specific travel speeds, wire stick-out and better control of the weld pool, and weld bead geometry. Arc Dynamics works in all synergic WeldModes to provide customized control over welding.

The Warrior Edge power source is designed to work with the RobustFeed Edge wire feeder, which features an effective and quick to set up operator management system that uses an RFID-reader to scan operator badges. This allows locking parameter limits for the quick jobs, improving repeatability and adherence to Weld Procedure Specifications. The feeder also provides ESAB’s new TrueFlow digital gas control technology for greater precision, confidence, and cost savings. The system automatically prevents insufficient gas flow and optimizes flow during arc starts and welding, a common source of quality issues and gas waste. TrueFlow can save $640$1,280 per year, per machine in gas waste in typical use cases, ESAB reported. Visit esab.com for more information.

Photo: ESAB

Comau adds new generation of small robots

Comau has introduced its new S-Family of small yet powerful robots. The first two high-speed robots, with payloads of 13 kg and up to 18 kg, are expressly indicated for assembly, arc welding, and handling applications where accuracy, repeatability, and speed are non-negotiable.

Characterized by their exacting performance and historic red robot design, the S-Family robots also reflect Comau’s dedication to making automation more accessible to diverse and non-automotive industries. The compact, robust, and versatile robots can easily access small spaces and tight areas that are difficult to reach with other robots.

And because they are highly energy efficient, as certified in accordance with Fraunhofer procedure instruction, the S-Family of 6-axis articulated robots help companies achieve higher production quality and better performance with reduced energy consumption and costs.

S-Family robots are perfect for applications requiring extreme accuracy and speed while ensuring full protection from elements including water, dust, and other contaminants. With their bestin-class protective IP68 hollow-wrist design, the electrical and auxiliary cabling runs inside the wrist, which allows the robots to enjoy greater agility while minimizing the risk of damage.

Furthermore, they are the only robots to feature fully integrated arc and gigabit dressings, which help remove layout constraints, make assembly and installation easy, ensure faster response times, and significantly reduce cable kinking, breakage, and subsequent maintenance costs.

So, in addition to automating welding, handling, foundry, automotive, and battery manufacturing processes, the S-Family can be easily used for food and beverage and general assembly

applications. Finally, the robots can be mounted on the floor, wall, or ceiling to optimize facility space without sacrificing assembly performance.

S-Family robots have been tested and certified for energy efficiency in accordance with Fraunhofer procedures, and are available in two different payload configurations (13 and 18 kg) with a 1700 mm reach and a repeatability of ±0,03mm. Please visit www.comau.com for product or company information.

Photo: Comau

PRODUCT Focus

Miller releases new all-in-one engine-driven welders

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC recently released the Bobcat 265 Air Pak and Trailblazer 330 Air Pak. In addition to the Air Pak options, the Bobcat 265 is available in gas and LP models, while the Trailblazer 330 comes in gas and diesel.

Both the new Bobcat 265 Air Pak and Trailblazer 330 Air Pak offer all an integrated industrial rotary-screw air compressor that eliminates the need for a separate compressor. These powerful, all-in-one machines are lighter and smaller than previous models, offering multiprocess weld quality, auxiliary power, battery charge/crank assist, and, now, an air compressor—delivering allin-one capabilities for maintenance, repair operations, and field

• Front panel predictive maintenance displays alert you when your equipment needs to be serviced, and access doors and toolless panels make servicing the machine accessible and simple for technicians.

• Easily connect 240-volt tools without an adapter.

• Digital interface simplifies and speeds machine set up.

• The machines are smaller and lighter than previous models for easier mobility and more truck space.

Beyond the shared features of the two machines, each has unique benefits. The Bobcat 265 Air Pak is lightweight at only 570 lbs and comes with a smaller footprint to more easily fit on a work truck.

“The new Bobcat and Trailblazer Air Pak engine-driven welders eliminate the need to have a separate air compressor, lightening up operators’ payload and saving them space,” said Brian Bellile, product manager, Miller. “Both machines are ideal for work truck and field fabricators. Regardless of which machine is best for your operation, these machines are all-in-one solutions for professionals across industries, preparing them for any job and repair on the jobsite.”

Both Air Pak machines allow operators to run air impact wrenches and give 100% deliverable air. The compressor produces 30 cfm of air at 100% duty cycle and delivers 80-160 psi of air with an optional storage tank for consistent airflow performance. Other benefits of the Bobcat 265 Air Pak and Trailblazer 330 Air Pak include:

• Auto-set technology makes weld parameter setup quick, easy, and precise for all operators.

• Standard battery charge/crank assist eliminates the need to carry a stand-alone battery charger on trucks.

• An advanced, independent welder and generator power system ensures no interaction between the welding arc and jobsite tools. Weld quality is increased and jobsite tools can run without interruption.

• Multiprocess welder allows common welding processes, helping operators complete quality welds every time.

• A direct spool gun connection makes it quick and easy to connect spool guns for welding aluminum.

The Trailblazer 330 Air Pak features exclusive benefits and advanced settings designed to further productivity and weld quality. This machine provides up to 330 amps at 30.5 volts and 100% duty cycle to allow high deposition rates by running bigger-diameter flux-cored wire and gouging thicker materials. Operators also get more control with pulsed TIG, and the updated Dynamic DIG technology provides smooth, consistent stick arcs tailored to match applications, materials, fit-up, and welder technique. Other benefits exclusive to the Trailblazer 330 engine-driven welder include:

• Excel power provides auxiliary AC power, delivering it at a fuel-saving, quieter idle speed—standard on the Trailblazer 330 Air Pak.

• Standard ArcReach technology lets operators change parameters at the weld joint with an ArcReach feeder. This decreases the downtime spent walking to the machine and reduces exposure to slip, trip, and fall hazards.

• Cable Length Compensation (CLC™) ensures that the voltage that welding operators set is the voltage they get—even hundreds of feet away from the power source.

• Advanced Auto-Speed technology adjusts engine speed automatically to match any load, so it never runs faster than necessary for the job.

• For remote current, voltage and contactor control, a receiver plugs directly into the 14-pin receptacle of the machine for up to 300’ of operating range.

• Wireless Interface Control (WIC) allows complete front panel operation from anywhere on the jobsite.

• Select models include standard Polarity Reversing, which allows users to switch between stick, flux-cored, or gouging with no need for cable swaps—thus saving time and improving weld quality by eliminating the risk of welding in the wrong polarity.

The Bobcat 265 Air Pak and Trailblazer 330 Air Pak enginedriven welders are legends redefined, now equipped with industrial rotary-screw air compressors to tackle maintenance and repair on any truck or jobsite. By eliminating the need for a separate air compressor, these all-in-one solutions can save operators and operations time, money and space.

For more information, visit www.millerwelds.com

Photo: Miller Electric

Buyers Products introduces continuous rotating spot light with remote

Buyers Products has added three new LED lighting products for the construction, municipal, and utility vehicle industries. New this year is an ultra-bright, rotating spot light with a wireless remote, a wide-angle, tri-color LED strobe light, and a five-inch LED flexible strobe light.

The ultra-bright, rotating spot light comes with a wireless remote for convenient use inside or outside of the cab. The light boasts continuous 360-degree light rotation and a 110-degree vertical tilt, while the cast metal frame offers durability superior to plastic. Users can choose from a permanent or magnetic mount with a black or white powder-coat finish.

With many states and municipalities adopting a tri-color platform with their vehicles, the wide-angle, tri-color LED strobe light offers amber, clear, and green flash patterns. The addition of green helps with visibility from a distance, helping drivers identify municipal vehicles even in wintry conditions.

The five-inch LED flexible strobe light is constructed with impact-resistant, flexible silicone, adding the ability to be mounted on curved surfaces such as fenders, bumpers and mirrors. The wide-angle optics improve visibility. This light is SAE Class 1 rated.

“We are working to serve the unique demands of the construction, municipal

Double Coin adds all-steel ST radials to lineup

CMA and Double Coin have introduced two new all-steel ST Radials to the Double Coin lineup.

The additions are 16” sizes, expanding on the RT500 model. These include the high-demand sizes of ST235/80R16 and ST235/85R16, designed explicitly for high-speed trailer use.

Aaron Murphy, sr. vice president at Double Coin, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “These additions fill a need our customers have asked about for some time. We’re excited that the time has arrived to add these quality trailer tires to our Double Coin stable of products.” Visit www.doublecointires.com for more information.

and utility vehicle industries,” said Dan Doerr, director of new product development at Buyers Products. “By expanding color combinations, focusing on durability, and enhancing the high-visibility functions of our LED lights, we’re able to address the various needs of our customers’ fleets.”

Visit www.buyersproducts.com.

July 15-17, 2024

TCA Refrigerated Meeting

The Lodge at Spruce Creek Stowe, VT truckload.org

August 21-22, 2024

ACT Research’s 71st Outlook Seminar

The Commons, Columbus, IN www.actresearch.net

August 27-29, 2024

North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) Trailer Show Music City Center, Nashville, TN www.natda.org

September 9-11, 2024

Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) Intermodal EXPO Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA www.intermodalexpo.com

September 9-12, 2024

FTR Transportation Conference Union Station, Indianapolis, IN www.ftrconference.com

September 9-12, 2024

The Summit (CVSN Executive Conference) Fontainebleau Las Vegas, NV cvsn.org

September 15-19, 2024

TMC 2024 Fall Meeting & National Technician Skills Competitions Raleigh Convention Center, NC tmc.trucking.org

September 17-22, 2024

IAA Transportation 2024 Hanover, Germany www.iaa-transportation.com

September 24, 2024

NTEA Executive Leadership Conference

Saint John’s Resort, Plymouth, MI www.ntea.com

September 30-October 2, 2024

Wabash Ignite 2024

Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville, KY wabashignite.com

October 9-11, 2024

NTDA 34th Annual Conference Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa Indian Wells, CA www.ntda.org

October 12-15, 2024

ATA Management Conference & Exhibition Music City Center, Nashville, TN mce.trucking.org

October 15-16, 2024

2024 Commercial Vehicle Upfitting Summit Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Sandusky, OH www.ntea.com

October 15-17, 2024

FABTECH

Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL www.fabtechexpo.com

October 20-25, 2024

VIPAR Heavy Duty IMPACT Conference JW Marriott Marco Island (FL) vipar.com

November 5-8, 2024

SEMA Show

Las Vegas Convention Center, NV www.semashow.com

January 23-30, 2025

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week ‘25 Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX www.hdaw.org

Truck, trailer, and body OEMs

Daimler Truck North America expanded Kevin Bangston’s role to include president and CEO of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. in addition to his current position of president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses. He succeeds Jeff Sather after 23 years of service at DTNA. Bangston began work at DTNA in 2001 in corporate finance, eventually filling international leadership positions across the globe. Both FCCC and TBB will report to Bangston.

Bob Martin is retiring from his position of national parts and service manager at M.H. Eby after 30 years. Martin first joined Eby in 1994 as the service manager of the Blue Ball, PA division, until he took responsibility for service and parts activities at all Eby branch locations in 2012. At this time, he also joined the company’s executive leadership team. In retirement, Martin and his wife plan to spend time with family and travel.

Felling Trailers’ Inside Trailer Sales Consultant Laurie Engle is retiring after working with the company for 32 years. She joined the Felling as a parts salesperson before progressing to trailer sales, where she sold livestock/horse cargo trailers directly to end users. She went on to configure trailers for custom solutions, such as when Engle helped build a trailer platform for an amusement park ride company. She intends to spend time with family and friends in retirement.

Suppliers and distributors

Grote Industries and Star Safety Technologies hired Gunther Hochapfel as the company’s new regional sales manager. Previously, Hochapfel served a Canadian warning light manufacturer as a sales leader and applications specialist. Now, he will cultivate and fortify Grote and Star Safety Technologies’ relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Associations

Dean Phillips joined the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) as its new director of technical training. Phillips’ responsibilities include leading the association’s work to expand its technical training offerings. Before joining the association, Phillips worked as a production enhancement engineer at Link Systems and founded Longevity Industries. He currently hosts the PMA podcast ‘Destiny of Manufacturing.’ Phillips succeeds Peter Ulintz, who will continue to serve as a PMA consultant, present at seminars, and conduct training.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is hiring Ryan Stutzman as its chief financial officer. Stutzman replaces former VP and chief financial officer George Afremow, who is retiring after 12 years of service. Stutzman will be based in Diamond Bar, California, at SEMA’s headquarters, and will be overseeing day-to-day finance, investment relations, and accounting activities for the Association. He’ll also help select and implement new company-wide systems. Prior to joining SEMA, Stutzman served at the Cherokee Chemical Co.

Michael Widgren has been promoted to Dayco chief financial and administrative officer after the company’s acquisition by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners. Widgren will work with Craig Frohock, Dayco CEO, out of Birmingham, Michigan, and will be responsible for ensuring the continued profitability and growth of the company, as well as identifying new channels and business opportunities. Prior to joining Dayco in June 2023, Widgren served as VP of Finance and CFO DRIV at Tenneco and controller of North and South America for General Motors.

Rebecca Conway, vice president, U.S./Canada Aftermarket Marketing for Clarios, and David Stewart, vice president of sales and marketing for Wells Vehicle Electronics, have joined the MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers

Marketing Executives Council. The two new participants will work to help push aftermarket industry growth through the council, which brings together aftermarket supplier marketing executives to collaborate on manufacturer issues. The council also assists with communication and education for the industry.

Kevin Bangston

Bob Martin

Laurie Engle

Michael Widgren

Gunther Hochapfel

Dean Phillips

Ryan Stutzman

David Stewart

Rebecca Conway