Fleet managers will have an ideal opportunity to learn about new trucks, truck accessories, products, and innovations at The Work Truck Show, March 7–9, at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome in downtown Indianapolis. The 43rd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention and educational conference begins March 6.
More than 7000 people are expected to visit 450 suppliers. These exhibitors will be targeting fleet managers, as NTEA estimates 90% of the show's attendees have final purchasing authority.
According to research by Hanley Wood LLC, publisher of THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, 97% of concrete producers own or lease a pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, delivery/panel van, or minivan. This same research shows that only 16% of producers buy or lease used trucks or vans, so producers are very interested in the newest models and accessories that are available. This all indicates that the upcoming Work Truck Show is the ideal venue for fleet managers or anyone else with an interest in these vehicles.
The educational conference includes 40 training sessions covering fleet management, business management, distributor-specific issues, and technical topics, as well as techniques for increasing productivity, efficiency, and profitability. A daylong Fleet Management Symposium focusing on financial and operational practices to reduce costs and increase shop labor productivity takes place Tuesday, March 6.
With greater attention of fuel prices and vehicle gas mileage, attendees may want to attend the Hybrid Truck and Alternative Fuels Summit, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Experts will give updates on this important technology. A one-hour reception for its attendees will be held at the summit's conclusion.
In addition to a vast array of new products, seven chassis manufactures—Dodge, Ford Commercial Truck, GM Fleet & Commercial, International Truck and Engine, Isuzu Commercial Truck, Kenworth, and Sterling—will unveil new vocational trucks.
On the following pages of this edition of our special TruckWorks supplement, we share some of the product categories from the Work Truck Show: dump bodies, service bodies, and a wide array of tools and accessories. For a list of exhibitors, educational events, and registration, visit www.ntea.com.
DUMP BODIES
Trends: Dump-body users are looking to get more out of their products—above all else, more years of service. Durability is the name of the game, with vehicle owners especially looking to stretch the usable life of their equipment, through durability-enhancing features such as stainless steel construction, and after-market accessories such as liners.
“Dump bedliners have been growing in popularity over the last 20 years,” according to Caroline LaRocco, chief operating officer of Leetsdale, Pa.-based American Made Liner Systems. “Besides protecting the dump bodies and eliminating the need for reflooring, liners allow for ease of unloading with reduced sticking and freezing, less chance of rollovers, and the safety feature of drivers not having to strain their backs digging out stuck loads.”
Large-capacity dump body
The S25F dump body offers a capacity of up to 20 cubic yards. It features 10-gauge steel construction throughout for durability, a six-panel tailgate, and boxed vertical side braces. In addition, it includes 1-inch, heavy-duty, flame-cut hardware. Many body options are available, including stainless steel construction, different body gauges, longer body lengths, and perimeter heated floor. Truck Engineering Ltd. LLC. 260-478-1544. www.truck-engineering.com. NTEA booth 2241
