Trailer Body Builders - January 2024

Remembering Pat Godwin: He never used reverse Page 16

Work Truck Week Preview Page 24

Upfit solution: Powering AAA’s mobile service fleet Page 18

GM, Autocar partner on zero-emissions trucks Page 36

January 2024 | TrailerBodyBuilders.com

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Contents

Event Preview

Indy daze?

Work Truck Week packed, as usual

Features 16 Remembering Pat Godwin ‘He never used reverse gear very much.’

18 Proof of concept How AAA’s My Pit Crew selected a compact power solution to upfit a new breed of mobile service work trucks 36 GM, Autocar partner on zero emissions vehicles

24 16

January 2024

The exhibit hall at WTW once again will be filled with vocational vehicles. Shown here, a CJ Logging Equipment custom 10 Series service truck from Summit Truck Bodies, mounted on a Western Star 47X.

18

37 Eaton Cummins Endurant XD now available Powertrain designed for vocational applications

36

NTEA preview 25 Green Truck Summit again focuses on fuels, equipment for today and tomorrow 28 Breaking out the market data, certification details 31 WTW 2024 Exhibitors

Cover image: Sondra Kirby

In Each Issue 5 Online 6 Editorial 8 Industry News 38 New Products

40 Advertisers Index 40 Events Calendar 42 People & Positions

4 Trailer|Body Builders ● January 2024

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Online

Trailer|Body Builders 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

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

Market Watch

Sign up for the official newsletter of Trailer|Body Builders Stay up-to-date on industry news and events, new products launches, and more.

Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/subscribe MARKETS

ARTICLE

Endeavor Business Media, LLC CEO Chris Ferrell President June Griffin

ACT Research

CFO Mark Zadell COO Patrick Rains CRO Reggie Lawrence Chief Digital Officer Jacquie Niemiec Chief Administrative and Legal Officer Tracy Kane EVP/Transportation Kylie Hirko

Great Dane

Great Dane service team member goes ‘above and beyond’ Regina Zahm “Overachiever of the Year” Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/21279548

TRAILER|BODY BUILDERS (USPS Permit 636660, ISSN 0041-0772 print, ISSN 2771-7542 online) Volume 65 Issue 3, 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.

UPCOMING

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.

Annual trailer output totals being collected Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/21280193

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

Trailer orders remain ‘healthy’ but lag recent years: ACT Research Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/ 21279815

EQUIPMENT

Stellar Industries

Stellar introduces new NXT40 Hooklift with lower profile, COG Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/ 21279640

M.O.D./Blue Edge

Time to report: TBB’s Top 25

Follow us at: @trailerbb linkedin.com/in/company/ trailer-body-builders

Remembering Pat Godwin: He never used reverse Page 16

Read the digital edition online at TrailerBodyBuilders.com/magazine/51763

Work Truck Week Preview Page 24

Upfit solution: Powering AAA’s mobile service fleet Page 18

GM, Autocar partner on zero-emissions trucks

Want your own issue?

1. Go online to: Trailer-BodyBuilders.com/subscribe 2. Complete the online subscription form.

Page 36

January 2024 | TrailerBodyBuilders.com

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E D I TO R I A L | Positive Camber

EVs: Policy more challenging than tech

Kevin Jones Editor Follow us at:

I could never be a diplomat. Apparently, I roll my eyes at inopportune times and don’t even realize it. Ask my wife: She loves me, but occasionally I have to duck.

Fortunately, I wasn’t assigned to travel to COP28, the latest UN Climate Change Conference held last month in Dubai, and so did not unwittingly create an international incident by making a face.

But I have spent way too much time reviewing the speeches, sessions, reports, and press releases that pertain to the adoption of zero emission commercial vehicles so you, our readers, don’t have to.

Looks good on paper

Participating in an early COP28 session, British electric truck builder Tevva pulled no punches.

“It’s no secret that Tevva has had its challenges this year—similar to many startups in the EV space linkedin.com/in/company/ who have faced and continue to face several obstatrailer-body-builders cles to mass production,” said Stuart Cottrell, head of energy services and government partnerships at Tevva. “North American startups are burning through cash reserves as they struggle to ramp up production in the face of dwindling funding options.”

Tevva then pointed a finger directly at the postBrexit British government, suggesting that its funding support for the EV shift isn’t competitive with some in the E.U., even as the United Kingdom has set even more ambitious clean transport targets.

And while the goal “looks good on paper,” the adoption of clean trucks plays out in company boardrooms and with fleet decision makers.

“What good are ambitious targets if you don’t have the policies or appropriate measures in place to see them achieved?” Tevva argued. “You’d think that the most attractive incentives would also be in place to stimulate demand.”

The statement characterized the U.K. financial incentives as “paltry,” citing a maximum discount of £16,000 for a battery electric truck. But in Germany the government provides 80% of the price differential between diesel and BEVs; in the Netherlands, it’s 45%.

Similarly, while Germany is already building charging infrastructure along major trucking lanes, in the U.K. “you’d struggle to find a single dedicated electric truck charging facility” on common freight routes.

“No one said the electrification of trucks was going to be easy, but it is inevitable, and the technology has developed to a point where an electric truck is a viable proposition for many fleet operators,” Tevva @trailerbb

concluded. “It is imperative that these actions and policies are put in place to facilitate the journey to net zero, by this government or the next.”

Talk isn’t cheap The ZEV Transition Council published its ROADMAP To 2030: Enabling a Global Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles at COP28. It outlines the transition for developing economies “to help make ZEVs the most affordable, accessible, and attractive option in all regions by 2030.”

I can say this, since I’ve lived in Little Rock for 30 years: Arkansas (and other less-progressive states) likely won’t have accessible and attractive ZEV options in 2030, much less those less-developed economies.

Here’s the thing: As Tevva contends, the pace of the transition is a matter of money (and political priorities), more so than one of technological obstacles.

Speaking at a COP28 Green Climate Fund event, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell couldn’t have said it more plainly: “Finance is the great enabler of climate action.”

Globally, a small group of countries have provided the bulk of funding for such initiatives, he noted— and that must change. “We need to get away from the notion that funding for developing countries is ‘charity,’ or ‘development aid,’” Stiell said. “As long as we think of climate funding this way ... it can be cut as soon as domestic political considerations dictate it.”

A generation ago, UN policy was driven, rhetorically, by addressing the divide between “haves” and “have nots.” The debate has since evolved around the term “equity,” but it’s same argument.

“Climate change does not care about north or south and neither should we,” Stiell concluded. “We are in the same leaking boat, and those who have several life jackets must provide some to the others.”

Granted, that sounds a lot like the call for charity Stiell wants to get away from, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.

But he’s flat wrong to make the ZEV transition a rich-versus-poor issue. In democratic societies, it’s a political issue: Is the effort worthy of taxpayer support? And, for much of the developed West, impactful public policy is decided on a nation-by-nation, province-by-province, and even municipality-by-municipality basis.

And that’s going to lead to a whole different set of haves and have-nots. Ask Tevva. TBB

6 Trailer|Body Builders ● January 2024

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INDUSTRY News

Photo: High Bar Brands LLC

Sentinel adds High Bar Brands to portfolio Heavy-duty trucking industry aftermarket parts manufacturer and distributor High Bar Brands LLC has reported its “strategic recapitalization” with Sentinel Capital Partners, effective December 19, 2023.

Owatonna, Minnesota-based HBB was formed as the holding company following the acquisition of Minimizer by Heartwood Partners in August 2018 and the acquisition of Premier Mfg. in January 2020. Subsequent acquisitions of Viking Sales in August 2022 and Dieters Accessories and Panelite in May 2023 solidified HBB’s position in the heavyduty aftermarket.

New York-based alternative asset manager Sentinel, specializing in middle-market private equity, acquired HBB from Heartwood. Focusing on management buyouts, acquisitions of family businesses, corporate divestitures, and industry consolidations, Sentinel targets investments in high-quality middle-market

companies in the United States and Canada. With this approach, Sentinel Partners has raised over $11.2 billion in capital since its inception, with Sentinel having an established track record of helping companies grow through access to the critical resources growing businesses need.

Christopher P. Thorpe, HBB president and CEO, expressed gratitude for the successful fiveyear partnership with Heartwood, along with equal anticipation for the future with Sentinel.

“The Heartwood team did exactly what they said they would do by providing direction and support for the company’s successful growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We are also looking forward to the next step in our journey with Sentinel, a very reputable firm with almost 30 years of private equity experience, who are aligned with our strategic goals,” Thorpe said.

“Over the next few years, HBB,

with Sentinel as its partner, will continue to grow by adding value to our loyal customers through product line expansion and geographic reach that will expand our customer base and market share significantly in the heavyduty trucking market.”

James Coady, partner at Sentinel, conveyed excitement about partnering with High Bar Brands to support continued growth.

“High Bar Brands is an incredible company with an exciting story,” Coady said. “We’re thrilled to partner with them on their next phase of expansion by providing the resources and guidance necessary to elevate the company to the next level.”

Mark Allsteadt, managing partner at Heartwood, commended the successful partnership with HBB over the past five years, and expressed pride in High Bar’s excellence and exceptional management team.

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• Maintaining significant inventories to protect customers from global disruptions.

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INDUSTRY News

Photo: Kevin Jones | TBB

Trailer Show looks for good dealer ideas The North American Trailer Dealers Association has opened its call for presentations for the dealership performance training track at the 2024 NATDA Trailer Show.

After posting records for attendance and exhibitors in 2023, the event is returning to Music City Center in Nashville, with pre-show sessions on August 27 and the exhibit floor open August 28-29.

Educational topics NATM plans to cover include trailer dealership operations, sales and marketing, human resources, leadership and management, emerging technologies, service training and data, analytics and regulations. Interested speakers must submit their applications online at natda.org/ call-for-presentations. The submission deadline is January 19.

Dealership Performance Training consists of classroom and workshop sessions. Presentations must be educational in nature with specific learning objectives, tailored to NATDA’s target audiences of professionals in the light to medium-duty trailer and truck bed industry with a duration of 30 or 50 minutes.

“Dealership Performance Training at the NATDA Trailer Show continues to grow. We experienced unprecedented levels of classroom attendance for the 2023 event, which reflects that fact that dealers are seeking information to help them navigate the industry and plan for the future of their businesses,” said Andria Gibbon, executive director of NATDA. “To that end, we aim to ensure that every dealership attendee walks away with actionable insights to help their respective businesses grow.”

Photo: Wabash

Wabash honored by investors Wabash has been named to the Forbes list of “America’s Most Successful SmallCap Companies 2024,” the company reported. Wabash ranked 29 out of nearly 1,000 companies evaluated.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top small-cap companies in the country. This achievement is a testament not only to the hard work of our Wabash employees, but also to the partnerships we’ve strengthened with customers, dealers and suppliers across our connected ecosystem,” said Brent Yeagy, president and chief executive officer. “By fostering innovation across our organization, we

strive to exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.”

This marks the second consecutive year that Wabash has earned a spot on the Forbes list. The ranking was based on earnings growth, sales growth, return on equity and total stock return for the latest 12 months available and over the last five years. Forbes’ evaluation places significant emphasis on the latest year’s data in determining the rankings.

The full Forbes 2024 America’s Best Small-Cap Companies list is available at forbes.com/lists/ best-small-cap-companies.

Oshkosh Defense wins US Army trailer contract The U.S. Army Contracting Command– Detroit Arsenal recently awarded a $342 million production contract for the Medium Equipment Trailer (MET) to Oshkosh Defense, which will partner with Broshuis B.V. The five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract includes the option for two additional years and calls for Oshkosh to produce an estimated 557 trailers.

The MET is a six-axle trailer designed to be pulled by the Oshkosh Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter M1300 Tractors. The combined MET and EHET system is capable of transporting military equipment weighing up to 60-tons.

In September 2022, the U.S. Army also selected Oshkosh to produce the Enhanced Heavy Equipment Photo: Oshkosh Defense Transporter System.

“We appreciate the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our logistics solutions that play a pivotal role in the swift global deployment of mission-critical equipment,” said Pat Williams, chief programs officer for Oshkosh Defense. “These trailers, paired with the Oshkosh EHET, are vital to surviving the rigors of modern combat and addressing the challenges of contested logistics.”

Oshkosh Defense will deliver the first trailers in May 2024 to support Product Qualification Testing and Operational Testing, the company reported.

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INDUSTRY News Workhorse books first fleet order for new EV step van van production in September, we were able to deliver a fully outfitted demo vehicle to Mission Linen Supply in just six weeks. The W56 performed well in field tests and their team quickly saw that we have engineered an incredibly capable and reliable delivery van. We look forward to working with both our dealer partner, Kingsburg Truck Center, and the team at Mission Linen Supply as they electrify their fleet.”

The W56 step van also offers over 1,000 cubic feet of space in the cargo box with a lowered step-in and a wide cabin door for easier entry and exit. Built with the delivery driver in mind, the cabin has also been ergonomically designed while still providing safety Photo: Workhorse Group and comfort during even the longest shifts.

The W56 zero emission delivery work “The W56’s advanced technology and van is designed to meet the challenging features made it the right zero emission demands of the commercial vehicle vehicle for us to add to our fleet,” Evelyn industry, supporting benchmark payload Scott-Phillips, senior manager for fleet capacity of up to approximately 10,000 and safety, corporate services at Mission pounds and with a range of up to 150 Linen Supply, said. “From the start of miles, according to Workhorse.

“This purchase order marks an import- our demo, we received superb support from the Workhorse team, and we were ant milestone for Workhorse as we impressed by the vehicle’s performance in commercialize our purpose-built Class field tests. We look forward to receiving 5/6 vehicle,” said Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch. “Following the start of W56 step the vehicles in the new year.”

Workhorse Group Inc. has received its first fleet order for the W56 step van from Mission Linen Supply, a California-based, privately-held provider of products and services to hospitality, medical and industrial businesses, the EV manufacturer reported. The initial 15-vehicle order is expected to be delivered in 2024.

Monday Trailers & Equipment joins Power Heavy Duty Network Monday Trailers & Equipment recently joined the Power Heavy Duty network.

The company repairs and rebuilds trailers, provides parts for them, sells and installs trailers, and customizes them, covering the full range of a fleet’s trailer needs.

“Monday Trailers & Equipment is a great addition to the Power Heavy Duty network, bringing exceptional experience and value to end-user customers,” said Jim Pennig, vice president of business development for the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies. “They are committed to strategic growth – both in the territories they serve and in the products and services they offer – and they are devoted to serving the full range of customers’ trailer needs with the highest levels of satisfaction.”

Headquartered in Strafford, Missouri, and founded in 1986 by Don Monday, who sold it to his son Ryan Monday in 2013, the company has steadily expanded its suite of services while keeping a strong focus on all things trailer.

HDA Truck Pride expands presence in Atlantic Canada HDA Truck Pride recently expanded its presence in Atlantic Canada with the addition of the Bayview Group.

The Bayview Group is a 2nd-generation family-owned business that has served Atlantic Canada for over 50 years. With 10 locations, Bayview provides for the commercial vehicle market in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

They offer parts for trucks and trailers, truck service, and offer full collision repair as well.

Mike Nagle Sr. founded the Bayview Group in 1972 and served as the company’s leader for the following 22 years.

In 1994, Mike Nagle Sr. stepped down and handed the company’s reins to his 26-year-old son, Mike Nagle Jr., who has now led the company for 30 years. Now, Mike Jr.’s sons Adam and Chris lead the company.

“People and community lie at the heart of HDA Truck Pride,” said Tina Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride.

“The Nagle family’s remarkable dedication of over 50 years to both the trucking industry and the community of Atlantic Canada resonates deeply. We are enthusiastic about championing the Bayview Group as they continue to grow in the next chapter of their journey.”

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INDUSTRY News USA Convenience Trailers now markets direct to consumers

Photo: USA Convenience Trailers

USA Convenience Trailers has recently announced a “significant shift” in its business model.

Bud Marshall, the company’s owner, revealed that they are transitioning to a direct-to-consumer approach. This strategic shift enables the specialty trailer

manufacturer to collaborate closely with individual customers, offering personalized and custom-designed restroom trailers, according to a company statement. These trailers are tailored to meet the unique requirements of event venues, homes, or other specific needs.

Previously, the company primarily worked with brokers, providing a diverse selection of custom restroom trailers. This new direction not only allows for more customized solutions but also offers consumers the opportunity to select restroom trailers that align with their specific preferences and budget requirements.

Each trailer produced by USA Convenience Trailers is crafted to meet stringent quality standards, a commitment reflected in the company’s two-year warranty on craftsmanship. The focus extends beyond just quality and warranty. They use high-quality stainless steel frames that provide long-lasting durability, ensuring every part and material used in the manufacturing process is chosen for its robustness and ability to endure over time.

USA Convenience Trailers allows customers to select from the available custom layouts or build their custom restrooms.

The manufacturers also offer shower trailers that are constructed for resilience using top-quality materials.

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F O U N D E R TRI BUTE | James Patrick Godwin Sr.

Remembering

Pat Godwin ‘He never used reverse gear very much.’

By Kevin Jones

N

ot long after the passing of James Patrick “Pat” Godwin Sr., 82, late last fall, The Godwin Group posted a note on its LinkedIn page to thank everyone who had reached out with kind words and prayers. But, as the founder of what would become the country’s largest family-owned truck body manufacturer often said, it was time to “Get back to work!”

Pat died Nov. 21, three weeks after a fall at home.

And, as family members explained to Trailer/Body Builders, a commitment to hard work was the defining characteristic of Pat’s success.

That work began on the family sweet potato farm in Sampson Country, North Carolina, where Pat became a “jack of all trades” before landing an early job as a route driver for the area’s Pepsi-Cola bottler, delivering sodas to rural farm stores.

Pat’s son and The Godwin Group President Patrick Godwin Jr., known as “Junior” throughout the industry, recalled that his father became the top driver by keeping the same early farmers’ hours to better serve customers on his route. But rather than calling it a day and heading home at noon when he’d made his deliveries, Pat would head to the bottling plant’s shop where the trucks were maintained and repaired.

Turned out, he enjoyed being around machinery and fabrication work. A business that would become a multi-brand corporate powerhouse known for customer focus and innovation got its start when Pat—not yet 25—launched Godwin Welding Service in his backyard, unplugging the stove to plug in his welder.

Speaking from her father’s office, daughter and Corporate Vice President Phyllis Godwin Strickland confirmed that Pat, who left school after sixth grade, very much believed the words posted there: “I am not smart enough to know that I can’t do it.”

“I think he also realized that he had an exceptional concept of math,” Phyllis said. “He could basically calculate in his head, and he understood geometry and how things work. He always said that he was blessed with good common sense.”

Junior confirmed that the slogan wasn’t all false modesty.

“As funny as the sign in his office is, there may be some truth to that,” he said. “He didn’t let his own faults get in his way; he tackled things head-on without fear. He never used reverse gear very much.”

Unconventional Much of Pat’s success stemmed from his not being restricted by the need to do something in a certain way because that’s how everyone else did it.

As Junior explained, 20 or 30 years ago the company had a contract with a state department of transportation that Pat’s original mobile service truck was bought used from the neighborhood grocer.

Judy and Pat Godwin stand in front of the welding business that would become the foundation The Godwin Group’s portfolio of companies.

Photo: The Godwin Group

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called for a performance bond. Pat saw such an insurance policy, basically, as giving away a Photo: Kevin Jones | TBB piece of his profit for a job well done. And he didn’t want to do that. His unorthodox solution led to a lot of bureaucratic head scratching at the DOT. “We sent them a check for what the contract was worth, what we bid on the contract,” Junior said. “And that was a big amount of money. At the end of the contract, they sent us the money back.”

Recognized more in his work shirts and suspenders, rather than suit and tie, Pat didn’t mind being underestimated—and even played up his simple, farm-boy roots, as Patrick Godwin III, company CMO, added. He recalled the time “a massive investment company” came courting, wanting to buy the business.

They dispatched a private jet, and investment bankers met him at the airport in a Rolls-Royce limousine. On the way into town, they asked Pat where he’d like to go for dinner.

“He pointed to a restaurant and said let’s go eat there— and the people in the car were shocked. It ended up being a Kentucky Fried Chicken,” Patrick said. “That really exemplifies who he was: He wasn’t impressed by things like jets and limos. He was impressed by your work ethic, by what you did for the public and what you did for people.”

Similarly, Junior recalled that his father liked to visit competitors anonymously. Once, the owner of a competing business shared an unflattering assessment of Godwin products.

“Needless to say, that was not a very good discussion at all. And they had no idea who they were talking to,” Junior said. “He decided at that point that he just needed to bow out of that conversation and leave fairly quickly before they figured out who he was.”

And, on a couple of occasions, Pat and a competitor might have gotten a little sideways on a deal.

“They’d coming knocking on the door, wanting us to sell [the business] to them,” Junior said. “This is exactly what he told them: ‘One of these days we’re going to own you,’ and, by golly, we did.”

Still and after all, as Phyllis pointed out, competitors can also become friends—especially in an industry like truck bodies.

“Everybody’s in this business to make money. Get to know your competitors and get to know their products. But don’t talk down about your competitors,” she said. “That would reflect badly on our character if we did.

“It’s amazing when we go to a trade show, especially The Work Truck Show, how many vendors, competitors, and people in general would seek Pat out to say hello. Leaders of some our biggest competitors would reach out to him to have a hot dog and a conversation.”

Three generations of Godwins were on hand for TBB’s visit in 2017 to the recently relaunched Williamsen-Godwin Truck Body Co. in Salt Lake City. From left to right, Junior, Patrick, and Pat.

Potential and expectations His children didn’t shy away from recalling that Pat’s parenting style was based on “tough love.”

Pat-isms Chances are good that anyone who sat in on a meeting with Pat Godwin would hear one or more of what The Godwin Group employees fondly refer to as Pat-isms. A selection: • I’m not smart enough to know I can’t do it • I don’t need it now, just before you wake up tomorrow • Listen here, chief (you know you’re in trouble with this one) • Juice ain’t worth the squeeze • I’m not asleep, I’m meditating (as he appears asleep in meetings) • It ain’t braggin’ if you’re tellin’ the truth • It’s a bad wind that can’t change • You get what you pay for • I didn’t say it was your fault, but you’re getting the blame for it • A wise man will change his mind, a fool never does • Before me there wasn’t me, and after me there won’t be • If I get to hell and you’re not there, I know the last bus ain’t run yet (to someone who’s done him wrong) • Let me be very pacific • If you need me, I’ll call you (usually results in confused looks) • Once you say “I can’t” you’re half defeated

“When we were at work, we always addressed him as ‘Pat,’” Phyllis said. “There was a distinct difference between being at work and being at home. We all grew up knowing what was expected. Fortunately, we had a very doting mother that really picked up the slack. Were we the perfect children? No. Was he the perfect father? No. We were loved, but he spent a lot of our childhood hours at work.”

Indeed, Patrick characterized his grandfather as “addicted to work.”

“He was one of the first ones in and was the last one to leave. He was always into something; he had his hand in all parts of the business, just about to the end,” Patrick said. “He was really demanding, and he could be extremely difficult to work with. But that was his way of teaching.

“He was hard on you because he could always see your potential. He did the same thing with his employees. Work ethic was at the top of his expectations. However, where much was expected, he also rewarded these employees. If you worked to your expectations and you had a strong work ethic, you’re going to be well compensated.”

Ultimately, if Pat surprised anyone it was because they made the wrong assumptions.

“The easiest way I can summarize all these stories, all these descriptions, is to look at him on the street,” Junior said. “He was who he was, and you wouldn’t think he had two nickels to rub together. And he wanted you to think that.

“He didn’t want you to know who he was, because that’s how he found out about himself.” TBB January 2024 ● TrailerBodyBuilders.com 17

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F E AT U R E D UPFI T | Mobile service

Proof of concept How AAA’s My Pit Crew selected a compact power solution to upfit a new breed of mobile service work trucks B y J o e l H a r g r a v e , B u s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t M a n a g e r, A A A Hoosier Motor Club /My Pit Crew

Y

ou might say my Job at AAA Hoosier Motor Club is to take crazy ideas and make them happen. I might also add that anyone who knows me knows I love that job.

Located in Indianapolis and independently operated, AAA Hoosier Motor Club serves 55 Indiana counties and approximately 400,000 members of the 55 million AAA serves in the United

States. A few years ago, our company had a vision to start a mobile tire service division to complement our traditional and well-known emergency roadside service. As you may have guessed, the

task of making that new mobile tire service offering a viable business fell on my shoulders, and frankly, I was excited by the prospect.

You see, of the 600 to 700 members who call us each day for emergency services, like battery failures and lockouts, 25 percent of those pertain directly to tire service. So we knew we had a sizable and ready-made customer base. That was the easy part. We also knew that we had a successful battery replacement service that we had started a few years earlier. The hard part was going to be figuring out how to literally bring a mobile tire shop to the customer, all without making the customer uncomfortable.

As an MBA, I understand the business aspect of building a new service offering. And since I’m also a certified master service technician, I understood

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Mobile power generation has been around for a long time and it’s common to see large engine-driven generators being hauled to and fired-up at worksites. The problem with that approach was that these generators are large, loud, hot and produce significant amounts of exhaust.

If they are towed behind a vehicle, they are somewhat unsightly and unwieldy, and if they are mounted inside a service vehicle, they take up a lot of room and can make the internal environment a lot less pleasant for those who have to work around them.

The target audience for our appointment-based mobile tire service included those in residential neighborhoods, people working in offices and anyone else who was interested in the convenience of having a full-fledged tire shop come to them. So, we didn’t think they would want some of the noise, smells, and unsightliness that would come along with an actual retail tire shop.

EPEQ journey

My Pit Crew brings an entire mobile tire shop directly to the consumer.

Photos: Vanair

the nuts-and-bolts side of the actual services we wanted to deliver.

What I didn’t yet understand was how we were going to first package, and then remotely deliver, full-service tire replacement, balancing, repairs, rotations and all of the other services that most tire stores offer, and do it on four wheels.

I’m not sure how we came across Vanair’s Electrified Power Equipment (EPEQ) line, but I knew of the company for their other mobile power solutions.

They were also another Indiana-based company, and we liked the idea of potentially working with an advanced manufacturer in our home state.

On paper, or at least on Vanair’s website, the EPEQ System looked almost too good to be true.

From what we could tell, here was an all-electric version of a generator with compressor capabilities and enough

power to totally run all the necessary equipment and then some. It was also very compact, so compact it could easily fit in a service van envelope with enough room left over for all the tire service equipment. And, since there was no internal combustion engine involved, there was very little noise and no heat or fumes to contend with. They even called it “Clean, Quiet Power”.

We reached out to Vanair and Chip Jones, their strategic manager Electrified Products, who came down to Indianapolis to give us a presentation. He explained that the EPEQ product offering included a wide variety of practical, fully-electric mobile power components.

Each component in the EPEQ line is purpose-designed and optimized to work within its battery-powered system. The advanced ELiMENT brand lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery contains a one-of-a-kind battery management system that has the ability to discharge power while being charged itself.

Chip explained that Vanair was able to tailor an EPEQ system to meet the needs of virtually any fleet, depending on what the fleet is trying to accomplish: A single-function machine is available, and an “ecosystem” of products can also be configured. This combines exactly the functions needed for a specific fleet’s applications, including providing users in enclosed bodies with access up to 45 CFM of battery-driven

The demand for remote EV charging capabilities is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade, and My Pit Crew is meeting the need today.

Generation gap One of the main issues of creating a retail mobile tire service shop is how to supply it with the electricity and compressed air necessary to run the equipment. We looked at a number of potential solutions, but they all had one confounding problem: They all required a generator powered by an internal combustion engine.

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F E AT U R E D UPFI T | Mobile service

My Pit Crew’s system includes the Vanair EPEQ Air20 compressor, [below] a 20-cfm, 175-psi unit and two ELiMENT 100-amp hour batteries capable of filling a 20-gallon air tank 700 times before recycling.

Vanair supplied all the system components, including two 220-volt inverters for EV charging, 110-volt inverters for computers and other equipment and a shore charger used for overnight charging of the system.

air compressor power, with no exhaust fumes, no heat and far less noise than a traditional engine-driven compressor.

Coming up with the perfect fit

The compact system easily fit in a service van with enough room left over for all the tire service equipment and produces very little noise and no heat or fumes to contend with.

We were impressed enough to start seriously exploring the use of the EPEQ system in our mobile tire service concept. We started doing our due diligence on Vanair and the EPEQ. In the meantime, we began exploring the practical branding and messaging we wanted associated with our service.

With the ability to fit both our power source and equipment into a smaller space, we ultimately decided that we could use a van vehicle platform for our service and, in 2021, we chose three Ford Transit 250s. We also came up with “My Pit Crew” as our brand name.

Because, at the time, the EPEQ system was new and we were early adopters, Vanair worked directly with us and our preferred Vanair dealer on the initial upfit of our three vans. I have to say, they have some very smart and proactive people up there in Michigan City, and they literally sketched their ideas out on paper, and we were impressed with what we saw.

We ended up upfitting two of the Transits with the EPEQ and added Level-2 electric vehicle charging capabilities to the third. We opted for the

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One of the My Pit Crew’s Transits is equipped with Level-2 EV charging capabilities, using the Vanair’s 220volt inverters.

AAA’s Joel Hargrave has led the organization’s efforts to establish a professional mobile tire service, branded under the name My Pit Crew.

EPEQ AIR20 compressor, which is a 20-cfm, 175-psi unit, and two Vanair ELiMENT 100-amp hour batteries running the compressor.

Vanair supplied all the ancillary components, which are only a small portion of their total offering. In our case, these included 220-volt inverters for the EV charging, 110-volt inverters for computers and other equipment, as well as the shore charger used for overnight charging of the system.

The rubber meets the road Our stated goal was to make to-yourdoor tire replacement quick and easy.

Today, anyone can browse our tire catalog online, narrow their search based on their vehicle, tire size, or preferred tire brand. Once they know what they want, they can request a quote or schedule with one of our “Crew Members,” or they can make the purchase and schedule the tire replacement online. Then we come to them.

Our vans are beautiful to look at, with well-designed graphics that present My Pit Crew as a professional service organization that can confidently drive into even the most exclusive neighborhood. Once at a customer’s home, place of business or almost anywhere they choose, our technicians can get a vehicle’s tires fully changed in about an hour, and with travel time between runs, can perform about four or five tire changes per day.

Thanks to Vanair’s EPEQ system, most of the work takes place inside the vans. The system quietly powers the tire changers, balancers, and grinders and fills the tires with air and provides

more than enough energy to do everything our mobile tire shops need to, with plenty to spare.

Other clubs now are looking seriously at what we’ve done and how we’ve done it, and realize that we’ve got the branding, the POS system, the website, the training and all of the processes in position, including the right technology to power vans. Just two years in we’ve

proved the concept, and My Pit Crew is about to really take off.

It isn’t easy starting a new brand from scratch and this initiative certainly wasn’t my first rodeo, but with a lot of elbow grease, a little luck, and the right equipment and systems, we’re on the road to bringing professional mobile tire service to the rest of North America. TBB

Of the 600 to 700 members who call AAA each day for emergency services, 25 percent pertained directly to tire service, so Hargrave, at left, knew it had a ready market for its newly-branded mobile tire service offering.

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Date: 6/1/2023 Bulletin

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO WWW.GEN2ABS.COM

FULL LINE ABS COMPONENTS ECU

EXTENSIONS

CABLES

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*OEM KITS

nsity any

2S/1M

ber

SW

2 Sensors/1 Modulator

SW

GEN2-1010 GEN2-0210

SW

url •

SW

replaces replaces

S4005001010 R955344

(Includes GEN2-3120 Cable)

GEN2-2010

low king,

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S400 8506000 S446 1082060

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All references to competitors’ part numbers are for cross reference purposes only

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ck •

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ck •

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All references to competitors’ part numbers are for cross reference purposes only

GEN2-1030 - Part number has been superseded by GEN2-1031 as replacement S400 500 1030

www.gen2abs.com Video Performance

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Manuals

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6/29/23 10:45 AM AM 1/8/24 11:20

E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA

Indy daze?

Work Truck Week to return with packed exhibit hall, education sessions

By TBB staff

W

hen The Work Truck Show rebranded as Work Truck Week, NTEA – The Work Truck Association showed some foresight: A day or two, then even three to check out the latest vocational equipment, hear from best and brightest industry experts and visionaries, and network with the men and women who use trucks and truck equipment to build America and keep it running was obviously not enough time. And, to squeeze everything in, the current four-day run will be pushing it. So, as always, TBB advises attendees to pace themselves.

Work Truck Week 2024 will run March 5–8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The event encompasses The Work Truck Show, Green Truck Summit, NTEA Annual Meeting, Work Truck Week Ride & Drive, and more.

“This year, we’re emphasizing the many ways Work Truck Week increasingly gives you more: more equipment, more connections and more answers,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “From an exhibit hall packed with innovative new vehicles, equipment, and technology to an educational conference second to none, Work Truck Week is where the business of commercial vehicles gets done.”

The Work Truck Show exhibit hall showcases commercial vehicles, equipment, and other products—many revealed during Work Truck Week—from 500 companies. It’s open March 6–8. In addition to the main exhibit hall, the New Exhibitor Pavilion is a dedicated display space for showcasing first-time exhibitors and will be open March 6–7.

Additionally, attendees can experience commercial vehicles with the latest technology and propulsion systems during Work Truck Week’s Ride & Drive from March 6–7.

Along with exploring new technology and vehicles, attendees will also be able to attend Green Truck Summit, NTEA’s full-day advanced vehicle and fuel technology conference on March 5. The summit offers sessions led by industry experts, government representatives, fleets, and manufacturers on clean energy trends and operational insights.

The WTW 2024 educational program, which runs March 5–7, includes a range of Special Sessions and shorter Breakout Sessions focused on ideas to improve efficiency, implement

The Work Truck Show exhibit hall will be open March 6-8, and the New Exhibitor Pavilion will be open March 6-7.

Photos: NTEA

best practices, and enhance operational growth. The Chassis Update Sessions return with 12 commercial vehicle OEMs and three EV manufacturers sharing vehicle changes and upfitting solutions.

Work Truck Week is also offering an expanded series of Workforce Development Sessions, which are free and available to all WTW24 registrants.

Finally, in addition to the many informal opportunities to connect with colleagues throughout Work Truck Week, there also are several official events on the agenda, such as the Opening Reception at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5. Generation Next, an industry professional development group, will also host a Leadership Workshop & Networking Reception on March 6. On March 7, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis and Emmitt Smith, two of the National Football League’s greatest running backs, will team up as keynote speakers at NTEA Annual Meeting, which includes breakfast and updates on NTEA resources and initiatives.

For more details, see the following pages. Or just save a step and register at this link: www.worktruckweek.com/ WTS/register/WTS/Registration/registration.aspx. TBB

Attendees can experience commercial vehicles with the latest advanced technology and propulsion systems during Work Truck Week Ride & Drive March 6–7. No advance registration required.

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Green Truck Summit focuses on fuels, equipment for today and tomorrow Mary Aufdemberg, general manager of product strategy and market development for Daimler Truck North America, will deliver this year’s Green Truck Summit keynote address on March 5.

Held as part of Work Truck Week 2024, Green Truck Summit provides insights, solutions and resources in support of the work truck industry’s drive toward achieving greater sustainability, productivity and efficiency.

John Davis, creator, host and executive producer of MotorWeek, returns as emcee and will moderate two new panel discussions, one with fleet leaders at the forefront of advanced vehicle

technology adoption and another with top chassis manufacturers.

GTS offers programs from industry experts, government representatives, fleets, and vehicle and equipment manufacturers focused on the evolution of the CV landscape as the shift toward zero emissions continues to accelerate.

“While most of WTW is focused on commercial vehicles, equipment and technology available now, Green Truck Summit is all about what’s happening in the future, exploring where the industry is moving and how we are getting

there,” Nikki Wilson, NTEA senior director of member services, said.

Green Truck Summit is fuel agnostic and covers a wide range of advanced fuels, including electricity, propane, hydrogen fuel cell and biofuels, as well as technology that reduces emissions and improves fuel economy.

Aufdemberg is responsible for platform strategy, market development, brand management, marketing communications and marketing operations for DTNA’s Freightliner and Western Star truck brands, as well as the company’s proprietary parts brand, Detroit. She is an 18-year veteran of DTNA. Aufdemberg’s 8:40 a.m. keynote is followed by Fueling the Future:

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E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA Fleet Perspectives on Advanced Fuel Solutions at 9:40 a.m. In this general session, fleet leaders share their experiences and lessons learned across a variety of applications and fuel types.

After that, representatives from GM Envolve, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Navistar share their insights into the evolving fuel landscape, as well as strategic considerations for different applications in vehicle planning.

This session, Chassis OEMs’ Vision for Advanced Vehicle and Fuel Technology, explores what’s on the horizon in the next

five years and highlights the trends and technologies that will shape the industry.

Following GTS Lunch, included with Green Truck Summit registration, Tim Campbell, managing director of Campbells Consultancy, provides a global perspective on advanced fuel solutions and potential effects on the North American market.

In Advanced Fuels: Global Market Trends, he’ll cover vehicle propulsion trends, forthcoming efficiency technologies, and regulatory and emissions mandates.

WTW Breakout sessions schedule (A Work Truck Week or Green Truck Summit Conference Package is required to attend these sessions.)

■ Considerations for Driver Assistance Technology and SecondStage Commercial Vehicles (Tuesday, March 5, 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm): The application of driver assistance technology has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years. As more fleets are demanding safer vehicles, upfitters and manufacturers are pressed to pair these technologies with installed equipment. This session will provide an overview of these systems and their functions, current test methodologies and guidance for upfitting vehicles with advanced driver assistance technologies. Presented by representatives from SEMA Garage.

■ Work Truck Industry Economic Overview and Market Forecast (Tuesday, March 5, 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm): Gain economic and market information to help optimize business planning processes. With expert analysis from NTEA and S&P Global Mobility, learn commercial vehicle industry market trends and how they’re affected by U.S. and global economic cycles.

This session includes a North American chassis sales forecast — a critical component of market planning.

■ Exploring Idle Reduction Technologies for BEV and ICE Vehicles (Tuesday, March 5, 3 pm – 4:15 pm): The commercial vehicle market is rapidly evolving, and it’s crucial for fleet managers to stay ahead of the curve in reducing emissions, saving fuel and increasing operational efficiency. This session will explore the array of anti-idling technologies available, such as fuel-operated heaters, air conditioning systems and electrical heaters. Learn strategies for configuring your fleet and selecting the right system to maximize the benefits of these technologies, considering the unique needs and challenges of your operation.

■ The Top 10 Misconceptions of Vehicle Certification (Tuesday, March 5, 3 pm – 4:15 pm): Certification involves more than putting a label on a work truck — it’s a commitment to meeting specific and consistent processes to

Starting at 1:50 p.m., Green Truck Summit registrants can choose from four sets of 30-minute breakout sessions on topics including EV charging impacts on the utility grid, natural gas fuel options, safety considerations for advanced fuel vehicles, getting started with hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and ePTO considerations.

Following the breakouts, GTS participants are invited to the Bringing It Home Closing Session at 4:30 p.m. The wrap-up serves as the “voice of reason,” ahead of a reception at 5 p.m. TBB

help assure purchasers of safety, reliability, and durability. Learn the basics of commercial vehicle certification, including 10 common misconceptions. In addition, find out why proper certification matters and what can go wrong during the process.

■ Demystifying ePTO Applications (Wednesday, March 6, 8 am – 9:15 am): Learn the anatomy of ePTO and associated terminology, including what the term actually means. Gain details on input and output of power, and find out how manufacturers and OEMs think of ePTOs. In addition, explore the future state of ePTO and discover what’s on the horizon. Presented by representatives from Altec and Muncie Power Products.

■ Global Work Truck Market Trends and Implications (Wednesday, March 6, 8 am – 9:15 am): Join Tim Campbell as he shares his unique perspective on developing trends in the global commercial vehicle market. He will address a variety of topics, including regulation, technological advancements and global trends that may impact the North American commercial vehicle market.

■ Upcoming U.S. Department of Energy Initiatives Affecting the Commercial Vehicle Industry (Wednesday, March 6, 8 am – 9:15 am): Join the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy for updates on their latest research and development initiatives impacting the commercial vehicle industry. Attendees will also learn about potential opportunities for the industry to help support upcoming projects and programs.

■ A Guide to EV Technology and Work Truck Applications (Wednesday, March 6, 9:30 am – 10:45 am): Explore the fundamental aspects of electric vehicle (EV) technology and its practical applications in the commercial vehicle space.

Learn the nomenclature for electrified systems and other EV basics. If full electrification isn’t an option, discover interim solutions that can help meet zero-emission requirements.

■ Electrified Propulsion Vehicles (xEV) High-Voltage Electrical Safety Standards (Wednesday, March 6, 9:30 am – 10:45 am): A representative from ASE will present information on new standards for electric vehicle safety. These standards offer

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guidance to create electrically safe work conditions as well as establish several levels of certification for individuals working on or around electrified vehicles and provide certification tests for each. This session will cover safety standards design and development, identifying differences between the certification levels and test delivery through NetExam.

■ Using Time to Create More Time (Wednesday, March 6, 9:30 am – 10:45 am): How often have you thought: If I just had more time? Indeed, are you tired of working 8 hours a day and getting only 4 hours of work done? It’s more common than you think. Get more done per day, finish projects on time, enjoy a sense of accomplishment, and reduce your work hours and stress.

Presented by Doug Cartland, president, Doug Cartland Inc. ■ Expanding TCO Calculations: Factoring in Tax Credits and Incentives for Advanced Fuel Considerations (Thursday, March 7, 9:30 am – 10:45 am): This session will address calculating total cost of ownership (TCO) with a focus on advanced fuels and factoring in taxes, incentives, and residuals.

Considerations include infrastructure and utility costs (construction costs versus charging as a service), state regulations (California, Advanced Clean Fleets, memorandum of understanding states) and more.

■ Upfitting on EVs: Chassis OEM Perspectives (Thursday, March 7, 9:30 am – 10:45 am): Join a panel of leading chassis OEM representatives and get answers to common questions about upfitting on electric vehicle (EV) chassis. Potential topics may include guidance on what can and cannot be done with the HV battery, how the vehicle monitors the HV battery (mA/ volts), HV battery cut-off/de-energize battery, tapping into the HV battery system, application engineering guides, managing battery temperatures, preventative maintenance, and welding procedures on EVs. Presented by representatives from Ford Pro, GM Envolve and Stellantis.

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E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA

Breaking out the market data, certification details

By TBB Staff

E

conomic and technical experts from the NTEA – The Work Truck Association will share their insights during breakout sessions at Work Truck Week 2024.

Steve Latin-Kasper, senior director of market data and research, will analyze the latest market trends in “Work Truck Industry Economic Overview and Market Forecast,” while Bob Raybuck, director of technical services, and Steve Spata, senior technical assistance director, will bust technical myths in “The Top 10 Misconceptions of Vehicle Certification.” Both sessions are offered Tuesday, March 5.

“The Work Truck Week educational program is one of the ways in which we further knowledge, offer insight, and provide services that help our members and the industry make informed choices for their businesses,” said Pat Godwin Jr., NTEA education committee chair and corporate president of The Godwin Group. “For topic areas that are critical to our industry, such as market data and industry trends or vehicle engineering and compliance, the most-qualified instructors often are NTEA staff who work with our members on these matters on a daily basis.”

The annual economic overview and market forecast led

by Latin-Kasper and Andrej Divis, executive director, Global Heavy Truck Research, S&P Global Mobility, is a perennial favorite with Work Truck Week attendees. The pair provide

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Packed conference rooms are the norm for the breakout and educational sessions at Work Truck Week.

Photo: NTEA - The Work Truck Association

and interpret crucial economic and market information to help attendees optimize their business planning processes.

The session includes a North American chassis sales forecast, a critical component of market planning.

Latin-Kasper has been on the NTEA staff since 1999, providing research and analysis on work truck industry markets.

His reports cover everything from leading economic indicators for industry application markets and the U.S. economy, to OEM shipments and sales data. In addition to his role at NTEA, he teaches economics at Milwaukee Area Technical College, is a member of National Association for Business

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March 5–8

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Indiana Convention Center

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I n d i a n a pol i s, I N

MORE THAN A TRADE SHOW MORE EQUIPMENT

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MORE CONNECTIONS

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MORE ANSWERS

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E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA Economics (NABE), and is a panel member for Bloomberg’s monthly forecast. He has been named one of Bloomberg’s top economic forecasters.

The work truck industry depends on a multi-stage manufacturing process in which thousands of small companies are charged with designing, upfitting, and building end-product vehicles for specific applications and certifying that these vehicles meet motor vehicle safety requirements.

Certification itself is a commitment to following specific and consistent processes to help assure customers of the vehicle’s safety, reliability and durability. In their session, Raybuck and Spata will cover the basics of commercial vehicle certification, and the duo will talk about 10 common certification misconceptions, why proper certification matters, and what can go wrong during the process.

Raybuck has more than 30 years of engineering experience at NTEA focused on commercial vehicles and is an expert on technical issues and challenges facing manufacturers and distributors. In his NTEA role, he keeps abreast of all government safety standards and proposed rules, including Federal Excise Tax. As part of NTEA’s engineering team, he provides solutions daily on body and equipment installation issues,

chassis and equipment compatibility, weight distribution challenges, and vehicle certification needs. He also oversees and serves as liaison to four NTEA operating divisions and is a member of SAE International.

Spata’s automotive engineering career spans more than three decades. In addition to fielding member questions on a variety of regulations and standards, he also monitors government agency rulemaking activities, reviews proposed legislation, and assists in developing educational materials and resources for the industry. He oversees and serves as liaison to four NTEA operating divisions, is a member of SAE International, acts as a liaison to the SAE Truck Crashworthiness Committee and is a technical committee member of the National Fire Protection Association 1900 Standard for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles, Automotive Fire Apparatus, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Automotive Ambulances.

Work Truck Week (WTW) and Green Truck Summit (GTS) Conference Package registrants have access to both of these WTW Breakout Sessions and dozens more (see the schedule below). TBB

NFL legends Bettis, Smith take a run at NTEA Annual Meeting keynote Jerome “The Bus” Bettis and Emmitt Smith, two of the National Football League’s greatest running backs, will team up as Work Truck Week2024 keynote speakers at the NTEA Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 7. With four Super Bowl victories between them, the pair have plenty to share about teamwork, persistence and success.

The Annual Meeting keynote will be a question-and-answer conversation between Bettis and Smith moderated by Jason Ritchey, 2024 NTEA Convention chair, and president and owner of Curry Supply Co.

Jerome Bettis

Both Bettis and Smith left college after junior year to enter the NFL Draft. Each was selected in the first round.

Bettis was drafted by the L.A. Rams in 1993. Over the course of his career, he was voted to the Pro Bowl six times and was named first-team All-Pro twice. In 2001, he won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Emmitt Smith for his work with The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation that assists underprivileged inner-city youth. In 2006, Bettis retired from the NFL after helping the Steelers win Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Smith, who remains the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1990. He spent 13 seasons with the Cowboys and two with the Arizona Cardinals, returning to the Cowboys for a day to officially retire with the team in 2005. Smith is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, NFL Most Valuable Player award, NFL rushing crown and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award in the same season. He led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl the same year three times, in 1992, 1993 and 1995. Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Both men built successful careers after their playing days; Bettis as an author and broadcaster, Smith as a businessman with interests in construction and real estate.

“Jerome Bettis and Emmitt Smith reached the pinnacle of their first chosen career—professional football —and then went on to build successful careers off the field, as well,” says Ritchey. “From football to TV to business, I can’t wait to hear their stories and perspectives … and maybe Emmitt will even share some dance tips he learned on Dancing with the Stars!”

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NTEA Exhibitors 2024 Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

A. L. Hansen Mfg Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4550 A.R.E. Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937 Abrams MFG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6015 ACARI Engineering Company LLC . . . . . 4400 ACME Products Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 6433 Adrian Steel Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4905 Aebi Schmidt Group North America . . . . 1721 Aeromotive Services Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544 Agri-Cover, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853 Air-Flo Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5601 Allegis Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5227 Alliance Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5809 Allied Mobile Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4920 Allison Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2901 Ally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5928 ALT Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 653 Altec Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5043 AlumiTank Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1142 AM Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447 American Mobile Fleet Services . . . . . . . 5321 American Truckboxes, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 American Van Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Ametek Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Ampliroll Hooklifts - Marrel Corp . . . . . . 4100 Anthony Liftgates Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2737 APSCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3823 ARI-HETRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6141 Arkon Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5922 Armadillo Liners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 ASA / Voyager Camera Systems . . . . . . . 2341 ASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1552 Aurora Parts & Accessories LLC . . . . . . . . . 112 Austin Hardware & Supply Inc . . . . . . . . 4605 Auto Crane Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1901 Automann USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Automotive International Inc . . . . . . . . . 5921 Avery Barron Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 746 Aware Innovations, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570 Axalta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 843 AXIONLIFT NORTH AMERICA LLC . . . . . . 113 B&W Trailer Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Bad Dog Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5920 BEAU-ROC Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5733 BedLock Safety Products LLC . . . . . . . . . N20 Bedrock Truck Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Bennett DriveAway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2247 Bergstrom Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 BETTERBUILT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N25 Bibeau Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 Binotto USA LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6215 Black Fleet Network™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4251

Blue Arc | A Shyft Group Brand . . . . . . . 2927 Blue Ridge Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . 4501 Bollinger Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1833 BOLT Locks by STRATTEC . . . . . . . . . . . . 1343 Bonnell Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 943 Boomerang Rubber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4334 Boomlight LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N21 Bosch Automotive Service Solutions . . . . 442 Boss Industries, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2911 BOSS Snowplow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5933 Bostik Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4307 bp pulse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 BrandFX Body Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2621 Brandmotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667 Brandon Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5701 Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations . . 946 Brigade Electronics Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5913 BrightDrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4629 Bucher Hydraulics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5221 Buckeye Body & Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 1437 Bulldog Winch Co LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2244 Bullet Proof Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6012 Bullet Proof Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N10 Bustin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Buyers Products Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 4329

Coxreels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1453 Crane Composites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4350 Crownline By Ground Zero . . . . . . . . . . . . 462 Crysteel Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3601 CTech Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3321 CTW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742 CURT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 CVG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2344 Daimler Truck North America . . . . . . . . . . 1121 Dakota Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733 DECKED LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6241 Dee Zee Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537 Deflecto, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2243 Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment Co., LLC . . . . . . . . . . 5241 DEL Hydraulics Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3618 Delivery Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6301 Derive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 944 DewEze Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3419 Dexter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4342 Dhollandia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Diamond Roll-Up Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6405 Diamond Vogel Paint and Coatings . . . . 4018 DIG Creative Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362 DINOL US Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6415 DirectDrive PLUS LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5720 Dometic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547 DownEaster MFG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6309 Dragonfly Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6409 Drive Clean Indiana - GOEVIN . . . . . . . . 5710 Drive Products Manufacturing . . . . . . . . 6323 Driverge Vehicle Innovations . . . . . . . . . 6209 DuraClass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3801 Dur-A-Lift, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3109 DuraMag | A Shyft Group Brand . . . . . . 3032 Dynatect Manufacturing, Inc . . . . . . . . . 2242 Eagle Hydraulic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6413 Eaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1943 EAVX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Eberhard Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5121 Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems/Espar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5443 EBY Truck Bodies (M.H. EBY, Inc.) . . . . . . 3101 ECCO & Truck-Lite (Clarience Technologies Companies) . . . 1243 Element Fleet Management . . . . . . . . . . 2143 Elite Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4042 Engineered Bonding Solutions LLC . . . . . 542 Engineered Components Co . . . . . . . . . . 4014 Extendobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4048 EZ Connector Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5532

[See ad pgs. 2-3]

BYD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763 C.R. Brophy Machine Works Inc . . . . . . . . 120 Cadet Truck Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3413 CARGO EASE INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 Carlisle Polyurethane Systems . . . . . . . . . N16 CARR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649 Casappa Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6010 Cast Products Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 942 Certified Power Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . 3829 Certusoft, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6024 Check Out Our Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 Clean Cities, U.S. Department of Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5708 Clean Fuels Alliance America . . . . . . . . . . 337 Clean Seal Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5437 CM Truck Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721 ComeUp USA Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6016 Command Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Commercial Truck Trader . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1647 Compressed Air Systems LLC . . . . . . . . . 2924 Compu-Spread (Bosch Rexroth Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . . 6447 Cougar Vibration Div of Martin Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . 758 Cox Automotive Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6115

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E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

EZ STAK LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 FCAR TECH USA, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Feal Ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N19 Federal Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3819 FedPro™ Tub O’ Towels/ Free All . . . . . . . 363 Femco USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445 Fiber-Tech Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5127 Fill-Rite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4237 Firewire LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N05 FISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5533 FLD Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1553 Fleetio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5725 Flexco Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425 Fontaine Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429 FORCE America Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4351 Ford Pro™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2301 Form Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 FRC (Fire Research Corp) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Freedman Seating Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4825 Freightliner Custom Chassis . . . . . . . . . . 1409 Freudenberg e-Power Systems . . . . . . . . . N14 Full Vision Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4330 Fullbay Shop Management Software . . 6401 Fulterer USA Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6208 Future Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Gamber-Johnson LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2147 Garnsey Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566 Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 General Motors/ACDelco . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4629 Genesis Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6125 GEN-Y Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1949 Geotab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624 Getec Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5609 Gledhill Road Machinery Co . . . . . . . . . . . . 501 Globetech Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567

Harbinger Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1658 Harp’s Tarps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5727 Havis, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1753 HDM Systems Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . 647 Heavy Duty Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5909 Heavy Motions Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4044 Hellwig Suspension Products . . . . . . . . . 5625 Henderson Products Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5541 HENDRICKSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2534

KS Hydraulic Machiner Co Ltd . . . . . . . . 5702 KTI Hydraulics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5721 Labcraft Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Lanau Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6315 LEER Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Legend Fleet Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935 LiftGator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3828 Liftmoore, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1401 Lincoln Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3201 Lincoln Electric Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531 LINE-X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5925 Link Manufacturing, Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4619 Lion Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4025 Littelfuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 666 Load King Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4101 Loop Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4821 LTA Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1653 Lucerix International Corp . . . . . . . . . . . 5615 M&K Truck Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4141 Mack Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3123 Magnadyne Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4028 Mailhot Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2825 Maintainer Corp. of Iowa, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 3117 Marion Body Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3513 Masterack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Masterflux by Tecumseh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 Maxilift Cranes USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5138 MaximusGroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470 Maxon Lift Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4611

[See ad p. 22-23]

Gloso Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 659 GM Envolve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4629 Go Power! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646 Gold Glass ALP LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6229 Golight, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1043 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. . . . . . 6417 Great Dane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Greater Indiana Clean Cities, Inc. . . . . . . 4332 GreenPower Motor Company . . . . . . . . . . 209 Gregory Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6437 GRIDRACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562 Grote Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6021 GS Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847 H.B. Fuller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2142 Hamsar A Methode Electronics Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6322 Hannay Reels Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4551 Hansen International, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

[See ad p. 7]

Hennig Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4134 High Bar Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4404 Highway Products Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Hillsboro Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Hilltip Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2537 HingePosT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1446 Hiniker Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5511 Hino Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1701 HL Bearings NA Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 Holman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1153 Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation . . . 5534 Hosetract Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443 Hutchinson Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . 5825 HYBRID DESIGN SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . 563 Hyva Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4113 IAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5000 IMMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1643 Innovative Access Solutions . . . . . . . . . . 4000 InPower LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5726 INPS Fleet Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4010 IntelliShift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4305 InterMotive Vehicle Controls . . . . . . . . . 3729 International Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1921 Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 2801 Isuzu Commercial Truck of America . . . . 1101 ITW Performance Polymers . . . . . . . . . . 4136 J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers . . . . . . . . . . . 2521 Jammy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 Jaydu LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N18 JB Poindexter & Co Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 JB Poindexter & Co Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921 JD Fulwiler & Co Insurance / Work Truck Total Protect . . . . . . . . . . . 3201 JOMAC LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6001 Jotto Desk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4001 KampCo Steel Products Inc . . . . . . . . . . . 1442 KB Powertrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N24 Kenworth Truck Company . . . . . . . . . . . 5001 Kia America Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1455 Kinedyne LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6009 [See ad p. 14]

Knapheide Manufacturing Company, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001 Koble Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Konik Heavy Duty Products . . . . . . . . . . . 849

[See ad p. 11]

Maxxima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1744 MCLAREN DOORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Mechanical Products Company . . . . . . . . . 521 MegaPower Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2045 Mercedes-Benz USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1421 Merchants Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6111 Merritt Aluminum Products Company . . 5901 Meyer Distributing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4225 Michelin North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463 Midway Specialty Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . 1742 MileMarker Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Miller Electric Mfg LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1851 Millner-Haufen Tool Company . . . . . . . . . 5716 Mitsubishi HC Capital America Inc . . . . . N08 MJ DE-YI INTERNATIONAL LTD. . . . . . . . 5433 Mobile Desk / Mobile Office Solutions . . . 5820 Mobile Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Mobileye, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Model 1 Commercial Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . N11 Modern WorkTruck Solutions . . . . . . . . .5824 Mohawk Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4151 Monroe Custom Utility Bodies Inc . . . . . . 637 Morgan Olson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Morgan Truck Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Motiv Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4135

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2401TB

HEAVY DUTY

FOR THE LONG HAUL

HOT-DIPPED GALVANIZED AXLE AXN Heavy Duty has introduced the world’s first hot-dipped, galvanized, heavy-duty axle.

Featuring a one-piece, seamless design, it delivers superior corrosion protection, durability and strength for the long haul. Since 2009, AXN has provided quality-engineered products to North America.

The hot-dipped, galvanized, heavy-duty axle is an industry-changing new product that can’t be matched. It’s innovation like this that makes AXN the preferred single-source provider and expert for all undercarriage needs.

WORLD’S FIRST HOT-DIPPED, GALVANIZED, HEAVY-DUTY AXLE INCREASED DURABILITY TOUGH AGAINST CORROSION INDUSTRY-LEADING G555+HOTDIPPED, GALVANIZED BOGIE SYSTEM SUSPENSION, AXLE AND LANDING GEAR

For questions and products details: AXNHEAVYDUTY.COM (502) 749-3200 sales@axnheavyduty.com

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Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, AXN Heavy Duty is a proud subsidiary of Fuwa.

1/4/24 11:40 7:54 AM 1/8/24 AM

E V E N T PR EV I EW | NTEA Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

MS Foster & Associates Inc . . . . . . . . . . 2146 MTE Hydraulics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4311 Mullen Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4043 Muncie Power Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3427 Myers Spring Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6214 NAFA Fleet Management Association . . . . 150 National Fleet Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6333 National Fleet Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1247 Navico Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4038 Netradyne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655 Nissan Commercial Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . 929 Nortech LED / Triple C Mudflaps . . . . . . . 468 North American Signal Company . . . . . . 5129 Novawinch USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 NTEA – The Work Truck Association . . . 3401

ProTech Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4421 Pro-Vision Video Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 5826 Pulltarps Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Putco, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754 Quake LED - Strobe Lux . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4129 Quigley Motor Co Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5841 Rack-It Truck Racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4013 Ram Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5101 RAM Mounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6014 Randall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Ranger Design Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 953 Raptor Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N17 RC Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2821 Reading Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Recochem Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467 REDARC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469 REE Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1843 REIZ AUTO PARTS (THAILAND) CO.,LTD . N12 Rhino Linings Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . 525 Rhino USA Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N04 Ridge Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2043 RigDig BI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 529 Rigidized Metals Corporation . . . . . . . . . . 407 Riverside Mfg., LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3001 RKI Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3329 Rockport Commercial Vehicles – Division of Forest River Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 6101 RolaCase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 663 ROLAIR Compressors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2049 Roll Rite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 R-O-M Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Romik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Rosco Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1345 Rostra Accessories/ Vehicle Safety Manufacturing . . . . . . . 2441 Rotary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1029 ROUSH CleanTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553 Rowe Electronics Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Royal Truck Body | A Shyft Group Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2933 RTA Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5613 Rugby Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3701 Rush Truck Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2529 RVS (Rear View Safety) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Ryder Racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3622 S&P Global Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6431 S&S Diesel Motorsport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 SAFE FLEET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Sage Oil Vac Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2811 Samlex America Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5821 SCHROEDER INDUSTRIES, LLC . . . . . . . 2920 SEA Electric LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621 Sensata Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3830 Service Trucks International / Tiger Cranes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6025

SH Truck Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5501 Sharpline Converting Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4035 Shenzhen Autoequips Tech Co Ltd . . . . . 5536 Sherwin-Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4125 Shocker Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N06 Sigma PowerTrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766 Signature Series Gas Springs . . . . . . . . . . 752 Simplicity Air Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762 SlideMaster by Innovative Industries . . . 349 Smyrna Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2137 Sno-Way International Inc . . . . . . . . . . . 3629 SnowEx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 861 Sortimo of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1501 SoundOff Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 SpaceKap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6223 SpitzLift Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3620 Spokane Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5226 Stabilit America, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508 STAHL / Arbortech Truck Bodies . . . . . . . 3719 Stellar Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2629 Stertil-Koni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Stinger Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4601 Strobes R US, A Shyft Group Brand . . . 3033 Summit Truck Bodies LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Superior Signals Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4301 SuperSprings International, Inc. . . . . . . . 2446 SwapLoader USA Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1743 Switch-N-Go® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5133 Swivel Storage Solutions C/O Clamca toolbox Distributors . . . . . 4235 Syntech Systems, Inc./FuelMaster . . . . . . 152 TAFCO Equipment Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2829 Taylor Pump & Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3013 TecNiq Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4721 Terex Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3619 Terminal Supply Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 5621 The Godwin Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5021 The Papers Inc - The Municipal . . . . . . . . 569 Thieman Tailgates Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1536 Thomas Regout International B.V. . . . . . . 1047 Thunderbolt Locks, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Tie 4 Safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N03 TigerTough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2335 Timbren Industries Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4315 TODCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1613 Tomar Electronics Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 Tommy Gate / Anteo USA . . . . . . . . . . . . 5031 TOPPER MANUFACTURING . . . . . . . . . . 6326 ToughLite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4239 TowMate, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1448 TrailerDecking.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4004 Tramec Sloan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4037 Transfer Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5627 Transglobal Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643 Trim-Lok, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2342

[See ad p. 29]

NTEA Partners Booth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3201 Oakmont Capital Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 ObeCo Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571 Octillion Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6419 Odyne Systems, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 OE Wheel Works Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Onspot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4623 Opti-Luxx Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6443 Optimo Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632 Optronics International LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 952 [See ad p. 35]

ORAFOL Americas Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672 Orscheln Products LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Owens Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628 Ozinga Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5435 Padoan SRL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5037 Palfinger North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . 2321 Palmer Power & Truck Equipment . . . . . . 5741 Paneloc Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5617 Par-Kan Company, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6425 Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3611 Parkhurst Manufacturing Co Inc . . . . . . 4321 Pearl Solutions Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N01 Performance Advantage Company . . . . . . 132 Peterbilt Motors Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 4701 Peterson Manufacturing Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 4231 [See ad p. 27]

Phoenix USA Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1144 Piusi USA Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6020 Plastic Components Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546 Pollak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1049 Posey Logistics Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5605 Powerbrace Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6109 PPG Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520 Pride Bodies (Wabtec Corp) . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Prime Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 ProClip USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N22 ProDrive PTO & Hydraulics . . . . . . . . . . . 2047 Propane Education & Research Council . . 353

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Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

Company Name . . . . . . . . . . . . Booth Number

TRIPLE CROWN PRODUCTS, INC. . . . . . 6028 Truck Covers USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4024 Truck Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 Truck Safety USA LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 TruckCraft Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5709 TruckOffice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4924 TruckScience Axle Weight Calculator . . . 3201 TTI, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662 Ultimate Linings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6008 Ultimate Power Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 5817 Unicell Body Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6119 Unique Truck Accessories/BRUTE . . . . . 6043 Unique Truck Equipment, Inc. . . . . . . . . 6423 US Fleet Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 US Tarp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5827 Utilimaster | A Shyft Group Brand . . . . . 2921 Valk Manufacturing Company . . . . . . . . . . 401 Valley Truck Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1143 Vanair Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1443 VanDOOR Europe BV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N13 Vango . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5321 Vanner Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 642 VB-Airsuspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Vector Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6435 Vehicle Security Innovators . . . . . . . . . . . 857 Velvac Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5917 Venco Venturo Industries LLC . . . . . . . . 3313 Veolectra Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N02 Verax Chemical Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . N23 Verity Rear Vision Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . 5712 Verizon Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5924 Viatec Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420 VMAC - Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743 Volatile Free, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N07 Volta Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2922 VPG Onboard Weighing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5700 W&C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2435 Wabash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4933 Wagan Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N09 WALTCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1601 Warn Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Warner Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1733 Warren Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3811 Waytek Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668

Wilcox Bodies Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Will-Burt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4003 Wil-Ro Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2637 Wire Works Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . N15 Wolo Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471 Work Truck Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446 Workhorse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4401 WorkTruckCert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3201

WW Engineering Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4338 Xantrex/Zero RPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421 Yoder Oil Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6212 ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4411 Zorg North America LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2145

[See ad p. 39]

WEATHER GUARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6133 Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America, Inc. . . . . . . . . 5943 Weigh Safe, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6026 WESTERN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5233 Westin/Superwinch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4019 Whelen Engineering Co Inc . . . . . . . . . . 3007 Whiting Door Manufacturing Corp. . . . . . 3519

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VO C AT I O N AL EQ UI PM ENT | Powertrains

GM, Autocar partner on zero emissions vehicles

By TBB Staff

General Motors and Autocar Industries signed a joint development agreement to create a range of zero tailpipe emissions vocational vehicles powered by GM’s HYDROTEC power cubes.

“EV propulsion systems like GM’s Ultium Platform are great solutions for electrifying passenger vehicles, but larger vehicles like Autocar’s Class 8 trucks, refuse trucks, and terminal tractors require robust solutions that enable significant energy carrying capacity and fast refueling times,” said Charlie Freese, GM executive director, Global HYDROTEC. “We want to enable zero tailpipe emissions solutions for the largest, highest energy consuming vehicles, and fuel cells are ideal for the most energy intensive applications.”

These jointly developed trucks will be powered by GM’s HYDROTEC power cubes, which are GM’s fuel cell propulsion system solution for these commercial vehicles. HYDROTEC power cubes are designed to be compact, easy to package, scalable and to electrify vehicles and applications across a variety of industries, from freight trucking and aerospace and locomotives to power generation.

The first vehicles will go into production in 2026 at the Autocar Truck Plant in Birmingham, Alabama. Vehicles with HYDROTEC technology will be built to order by Autocar and will be sold directly to customers. Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors.

Cummins agrees to record penalty for emissions defeat devices

By Kevin Jones Cummins Inc. reported Dec. 22 that it has reached an agreement in principle to pay a $1.675 billion penalty to settle claims that it violated the Clean Air Act by installing emissions defeat devices on hundreds of thousands of engines. The penalty would be the largest ever for a Clean Air Act violation and the second largest ever environmental penalty, according to a statement by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

Defeat devices are parts or software that bypass, defeat, or render inoperative emissions controls such as emission sensors and

Photo: Autocar

Each power cube contains more than 300 hydrogen fuel cells, along with thermal and power management systems and proprietary controls to fuel cell and battery life and performance. The HYDROTEC power cube provides 77 kilowatts of power, and multiple power cubes can be arrayed in the vehicle for even higher power ratings.

Triz Engineering will provide integration support for power distribution between the fuel cell and batteries, which store electricity that is captured from regenerative braking or is created by the power cubes. Triz is an engineering company owned by GVW Group, which also owns Autocar.

“With GM and Autocar, we have built a fuel cell application that is unique within vocational vehicles—giving severe-duty trucking more options to be truly capable of achieving zero tailpipe emissions,” said Johann Vorster, president of TRIZ. GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cell power cubes will be produced

by GM in Brownstown, Michigan. TBB

onboard computers. The company allegedly installed defeat devices on 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup engines. The company also allegedly installed undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines.

“The types of devices we allege that Cummins installed in its engines to cheat federal environmental laws have a significant and harmful impact on people’s health and safety,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “Our preliminary estimates suggest that defeat devices on some Cummins engines have caused them to produce thousands of tons of excess emissions of nitrogen oxides.”

The governmental entities involved are the U.S. EPA, CARB, the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, and the California Attorney General’s Office.

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Eaton Cummins Endurant XD transmissions now available

By TBB staff

Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies’ Endurant XD series automated transmission is now available in select vocational Western Star and Freightliner models.

As part of the Cummins integrated “The Endurant XD series represents a powertrain, Endurant XD and Endurant new level of precision, control, and duraXD Pro, paired with the Cummins X12 bility that will change the way vocational or X15 engine, are available in the fleets think about AMTs,” said Dave Western Star 47X and 49X and the Karnes, VP of sales at Eaton Cummins.

In November, Cummins announced Freightliner 114SD PLUS​.

“We offer our vocational custom- the Endurant XD series was available ers reliable products that can be out- in select Kenworth truck models in fitted to suit their needs,” said Aaron Mexico and Latin America.

Scates, VP of vocational and medium The transmissions are offered as part duty market development at Daimler of the Cummins integrated powertrain, Truck North America. “By offering the paired with the Cummins X15 engine, Eaton Cummins Endurant XD series and are available in Kenworth T680 transmissions in our Western Star and and T880 models.

Freightliner vehicles, our customers “We think Mexico fleets are going will have more options when spec’ing to really like the Endurant XD series as they make the move from manual for their specific application.”

The Endurant XD series are new, pur- transmissions to automated transmispose-built, 18-speed automated manual sions,” said Max Martinis, Mexico sales transmissions designed for applications director, Eaton Cummins. with high gross combined weight ratThe Endurant XD has undergone milings, such as heavy-haul and double- lions of miles of testing from Australia and triple-trailer tractors. to Mexico in various applications,

For its part, the company reported it has “cooperated fully” with the relevant regulators, already has addressed “many of the issues” involved, and “looks forward to obtaining certainty” as it concludes this lengthy matter.

“Cummins conducted an extensive internal review and worked collaboratively with the regulators for more than four years,” a company statement said. “The company has seen no evidence that anyone acted in bad faith and does not admit wrongdoing.”

Cummins disclosed a review of these matters in 2019 and has regularly updated its disclosures as that review progressed.

The company has already recalled the 2019 RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks and has initiated a recall of model years 2013 through 2018 RAM 2500 and 3500 trucks, a statement said.

Eaton Cummins Endurant XD series automated transmissions are now available in Western Star and Freightliner models, along with select Kenworths in Mexico and Latin America.

Photo: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies

including dump and logging trucks. Its robust design features encapsulate electronics protected from the environment and provide operators with oil pressure and temperature information to ensure performance in extreme conditions.

The Endurant XD features Eaton’s twin-countershaft design with helical gears optimized for fuel efficiency.

The Endurant XD delivers up to 2% improvement in fuel efficiency when compared to the UltraShift Plus. TBB

Cummins expects to record a charge of approximately $2.04 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 to resolve these and other related matters in the United States.

The Justice Department will work “diligently” to incorporate the agreement into a consent decree that will be filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Garland noted.

“Violations of our environmental laws have a tangible impact— they inflict real harm on people in communities across the country,” he said. “This historic agreement should make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in its efforts to hold accountable those who seek to profit at the expense of people’s health and safety.”

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NEW Products

Decked unveils updated drawer system for pickups Decked first introduced its Drawer System to truck beds in 2014 and is now releasing its fully redesigned, next-generation Drawer System and D-co Case protective case line.

The Decked Drawer System is made to fit all full- and mid-size trucks and cargo vans produced in the last twenty or so years, creating a flat load floor in truck beds for sleeping or loading construction materials while below the deck, full-bed-length weatherproof drawers can secure tools, rescue equipment, and any other essentials.

“After ten years of listening to the feedback from our most rigorous testers and critics, and constantly improving the products we were selling, it was time to scrap the old playbook and start over from scratch,” said Decked VP of marketing, Greg Randolph. “This is a total redesign with new molds and tools as well as our very own in-house manufacturing.”

The all-new Drawer System is offered in two distinct configurations: Full-size pickup trucks and cargo vans and midsize trucks. The mid-size Drawer System isn’t a scaled-down version of the full-size, but is re-envisioned to better suit the use cases and limited bed space of modern mid-size trucks.

Both of these two new product line offerings address concerns around wasted bed space, drawer usage and function, weatherproofing, and cargo management. Additionally, new molding technology has improved impact resistance and durability by over 25%.

Full-size truck drawer systems The reimagined full-size truck Drawer Systems offer the same 2,000-lb. payload capacity and 200-lb. per drawer weight rating as the original while still weighing in at 200-220 lbs., depending on bed length. The second generation also increased drawer extension, while the drawer itself is noticeably larger at an 18” width with an updated square profile that increases volume by over 10% per drawer.

The new Decked Drawer System has also added topside cargo tie downs

integrated into the outbound edge of the deck of the system. Eight tie-down locations (four per side) have been added with a D-ring tie down system, which lies flat and countersunk in the surface when not in use. These tie downs make a steel-to-steel connection with factory bed tie-downs for a 400-lb. load rating. The Drawer System itself still utilizes factory bed tie-downs for a drill-free installation in nearly all fitments.

The new drawer system also removed the Ammo Can corner bins, allowing for uninhibited pass-through to the wheel well both fore and aft outbound of the drawers. This not only enables storage of longer items but allows for better access to side-mounted electrical outlets. These passthroughs are covered from above by waterproof and lockable stash bin lids and can be filled with four removable Stash Bins.

Further embellishments include increased protection from the outside environment with added cabside and drawer-side panels.

Mid-Size Truck Drawer Systems For the mid-size truck Drawer System, Decked created one “Super Drawer” to replace the two asymmetrical drawers previously offered. This reduced the system payload requirement from 2,000 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. and enabled engineers to create the single Super Drawer with a 400-lb. payload rating. The Super Drawer spans from wheel well to wheel well and

runs the full length of the bed, offering 30% more drawer storage capacity than previous versions, the company stated.

This drawer can also be reconfigured into a sliding tray by removing the drawer sides with Decked’s D-co Cases. The midsize truck drawers also extend 3” more in 5’ beds and 8” more in 6’ beds.

Similar to the full-size system, Decked removed the Ammo Can corner bins from the mid-size truck Drawer System in exchange for two pass-throughs, one on each outbound side, reaching from the tailgate to the wheel well.

The mid-size systems have two stash bin access ports, one on each side, which are also covered by a waterproof and lockable lid and can be filled with four Stash Bins that are included with the system. On the cabside end, the system is fitted with two access ports that pop open to provide access to any space left unoccupied by the wheel wells outbound of the drawer.

The mid-size Drawer System also features six 400-lb., load-rated, steel-to-steel bed tie-down locations atop the deck, three on either side. Just as in the full-size, cargo tie-downs are integrated into the outbound edge of the deck of the system using a D-ring tie down system. When not in use, these D-ring tie-downs lie flat, countersunk in the surface. The cabside and drawer-side closeout panels from the large-size system are also included.

Visit www.decked.com for more information.

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Hilltip offers new tractor V-plow models for snow removal in harsh conditions Hilltip’s new SnowStriker VTR snowplows are designed for compact tractors and loaders weighing 2.5 to 5 tons. These v-plows feature heavy-duty box construction to withstand the harshest winter conditions.

Available in six models ranging from 5.5 to 8.6’ wide, VTR snowplows have a curved, powder-coated snow blade to create an optimal snow-rolling effect.

An adjustable, two-segment cutting edge with trip springs offers unmatched plow protection. The plow provides superior coverage because the segments compress independently when obstacles are hit. The cutting edges are available in polyurethane or high-strength steel.

VTR snowplows also have an adjustable attack angle that allows operators to adapt to different plowing surfaces and weather conditions. Additionally, the blade tilts and oscillates up to six degrees when plowing on uneven ground, producing a cleaner scrape.

Visit www.hilltipna.com/en/ for more information.

Optronics intros tempsensitive heated lighting Optronics International recently released its TLL75 Series LED flood beam work lights and STL13 Series 4” round LED stop, turn, and tail light. Also available with an amber lens, the TLL75 Series LED flood beam work light is less reflective in snowy conditions.

The new lamps begin heating at the core of the lamp, at the level of the circuit board, warming the body and housing.

“Unlike lamps that are constantly cooking themselves, our heating technology only comes on when necessary,” said Dustin Smith, Optronics VP of sales.

A solid-state, surface-mount device design protects the electronics and heating elements of the TLL75 Series LED flood beam work lights and STL13 Series 4” round LED stop, turn, tail lights from moisture, shock, and vibration, according to the company.

Visit www.optronicsinc.com.

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EVENTS Calendar January 22-25, 2024 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2024, Grapevine, TX www.hdaw.org

February 21-22, 2024 Market Vitals: ACT’s 70th Outlook Seminar, The Commons, Columbus, IN www.actresearch.net

March 5-8, 2024 Work Truck Week, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN www.worktruckweek.com

February 12-15, 2024 NATM Convention & Trade Show, South Point Hotel, Las Vegas, NV www.natm.com

March 4-7, 2024 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA www.tmcannual.trucking.org

March 21-23, 2024 Mid-America Trucking Show, Kentucky Expo Center, Louisville, KY www.truckingshow.com

ADVERTISER Index Advertiser

Page

Online

Ancra Cargo

28

ancracargo.com

AXN Heavy Duty

33

axnheavyduty.com

Buyers Products Co

2-3

buyersproducts.com

Curtainsider

40

curtainsider.com

EMCO Industries

13

emcoind.com

Globetech Mfg

22-23

gtmanufacturing.com

Hendrickson

7

composilite-ex.com

Kinedyne

14

kinedyne.com

MAC Trailer Enterprises

25

mactrailer.com

Maxon Lift Corp

11

maxonlift.com

National Truck Equipment Association

29

ntea.com

North American Bancard

41

nynab.com

OHC

9

ohc.net

Optronics

35

optronicsinc.com

Peterson Mfg Co

27

pmlights.com

Pressure Systems International

15

psitireinflation.com

Ridewell Suspensions

44

ridewellcorp.com

Trail King Industries

43

trailking.com

Waytek Inc

39

waytekwire.com

Online Parts Store www.curtainsider.com

Complete Curtainsider® trailer & body packages, replacement curtains, & parts for all curtainsided trailers & bodies.

April 24, 2024 TTMA 82nd Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX www.trucktrailer.org May 5-7, 2024 NTTC Annual Conference Fontainebleau Las Vegas, NV www.tanktruck.org May 6-9, 2024 Waste Expo Las Vegas, (NV) Convention Center www.wasteexpo.com May 20-23, 2024 ACT Expo Las Vegas, (NV) Convention Center www.actexpo.com June 2-5, 2024 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, Williamsburg, VA www.eufmc.com 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 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

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2312TB

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PEOPLE & Positions

Truck, trailer, and body OEMs Rachel Giese accepted a promotion to inventory and assembly manager for Polar King International. In her new role, Giese will oversee inventory levels, optimize assembly processes, and supervise team members to streamline operations.

She has served in several departments for the company, including service, purchasing, and inventory.

Polar King International also hired Julie Heacock as the company’s newest parts coordinator. Heacock will serve the operations team handling various tasks, including managing and flipping warranty orders and offering internal and customer support for the company’s electric ground-resting outdoor walk-in freezer and refrigerator units.

Rachel Giese

Fleet brands J.J. Keller & Associates appointed James J. Keller as the chairman of the company’s board of directors, succeeding his brother Robert L. Keller. James Keller first began working for the company at age 11, and after earning a degree from Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin, he led the company’s initial printing and distribution operations. He went on to serve as president in 2006, and president and CEO from 2012-2013, as well as holding vice chair and treasurer positions for the board.

Manufacturing

Julie Heacock

Suppliers and distributors Western Global promoted Dean Nasato, Jeremy Shepherd, and Josh Pogozelski to head-of-sales positions.

Nasato will lead sales activities in Canada, Shepherd in the western Dean Nasato Josh Pogozelski U.S., and Pogozelski in the eastern U.S. Nasato first joined Western Global in 2019 as a regional sales manager of the rental and equipment division in Canada. Shepherd was previously a U.S. fuel distribution regional sales manager for the company. Pogozelski joined Western Global team in 2021 as the Jeremy Shepherd eastern U.S. fuel distribution regional sales manager, bringing with him 10 years of sales experience.

Collins Parker accepted a promotion to vice president of sales at Hutchens Industries. Parker’s new responsibilities will include spearheading the company’s sales strategies and metrics to drive growth and expansion, a role to which he’s suited after 23 years of experience with the company. Prior to serving with Collins Parker Hutchens, Parker worked as an auto mechanic in the army, then joined the company as a draftsman and eventually rising to engineering project manager.

Grote Industries promoted Juan Ramon Garcia to director of operations at the company’s Monterrey, Mexico manufacturing facility, while Jeff Howes joined the Juan Ramon Garcia Jeff Howes Grote Electronics manufacturing facility as director of operations. Garcia brings over 28 years of experience in operations to his new role, 14 of which were involved in lean transformations. Howes has held various leadership roles in process engineering, product development, manufacturing engineering, tool room, continuous improvement, quality, and operations.

Ibro Muharemovic has accepted the role of head of autonomous mobility in North America for Continental. He will lead the company’s technological development in the assisted and autonomous driving market, including guiding research and development, supplier solutions, and advancing strategic partnerships.

Ibro Muharemovic

Dealers Polar Leasing Company hired Aimee Prosser as a new client service coordinator. In her role, Prosser will serve on the operations team, ensuring ease of orders and assisting with future growth and success for the company. Prior to joining Polar Leasing, Prosser worked at Buck Global for seven years, most Aimee Prosser recently as a distribution associate.

Before that, she worked as a customer service and sales associate at Frontier Communications.

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TKSSD DESIGNED TO PERFORM ENGINEERED TO LAST. The two-piece rolled design of the tub delivers a fast, stable unloading process ensuring materials are dumped further away and eliminating carry back. There is no limit to what this Steel Side Dump Trailer can haul.

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The Engineered Suspension Company

Delivering a Smooth, Seamless Ride We’ve got you covered — smooth suspensions, fast lead times, and exceptional customer service. Spec Ridewell.

THE RAR-266

TRAILER AIR SUSPENSION A fully integrated large diameter axle suspension system with the optimum balance of weight and performance makes the RAR-266 the better choice for a large range of applications.

Give us a call today at 800-641-4122 www.ridewellcorp.com © Copyright Ridewell Corporation. All rights reserved.

Ridewell Suspensions is a registered trademark of Ridewell Corporation.

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