Reflections on Upfitting Trends in the Era of Supply Chain Challenges

Like thousands of other manufacturers nationwide, we’ve had to develop creative solutions for the ongoing supply chain, product shortage, or labor shortage challenges we’ve all faced over the last few years.

And the challenges vary — sometimes only one small part is in high demand and hard to procure, while in other circumstances we’re seeing new trends evolve as a reaction to industry-wide challenges.

Here are a few of the trends (and solutions) we’ve seen with upfitting trucks.

Usurping The Supply Chain With Upfitting Trucks

The chassis supply chain has been incredibly interrupted, and manufacturers are still working through long order backlogs. Customers have had difficulty investing in new work vehicles while facing uncertain completion times.

In support of our customer’s needs, we’ve created a solution that allows our customers to continue to advance their businesses, expand their service offerings, and grow their teams, all while offering the right trucks and equipment to ensure long term success through our Upfitting Program.

This program uses the chassis our customers already own; we then upfit it in order to build a fully realized work truck. This allows our customers to upgrade the investments they have already made instead of purchasing a new chassis and going through the traditional upfitting process while addressing the scheduling and budgetary challenges we’ve seen in the past few years.

Going Light to Decrease Investment

Contractors, fleet managers, and business owners are trending toward investing in light and medium-duty trucks in applicable situations and industries. Light and medium-duty trucks offer decreased prices in initial investment and truck maintenance over the years.

Additionally, the lighter weight improves fuel economy, saving money at the pump for years. The lightweight increases your carry capacity for those who haul a lot of equipment or material.

Every pound eliminated from the build can be utilized by your equipment while staying safe and within regulation. Another benefit of light or medium-duty trucks is more flexibility in the workforce. Without a CDL requirement, there’s a bigger labor pool to choose from. Overall the benefits are undeniable, and light and medium-duty trucks are worth exploring when applicable.

Continued Labor Struggles (And Solutions!)

As mentioned above, labor challenges are affecting just about every industry right now, and are especially troublesome in construction, the trades, agriculture, manufacturing, and other roles that citizens worldwide rely on every day.

As upfitters, we can’t create a larger workforce, but we can create solutions that allow your existing team to work more strategically and efficiently. Our dump, service, platform, and tow bodies can be personalized with upfitting options that help your team increase effectiveness and ease.

Versatility and safety options can be built into your truck through customizable side, liftgate, storage, and underbody options. When fitted with one of our top-performing BOSS plows or spreaders, your team can work year-round, taking on more business without a bigger workload.

Focus on Safety and Wellbeing

When your work is demanding, and your movement is repetitious, you can end up with strains, discomfort, and even long-term injuries.

Protecting your wellbeing is just as important as protecting your truck and equipment. One of the best long-term investments a contractor can make for themselves is upfitting their work truck with ergonomic upfits that reduce strain, difficult movements or extended stress. 

Ergonomic upfits can protect your long-term safety and comfort by alleviating issues like lower back pain and stiff neck and shoulders and pain from repetitive movement.

Monroe Truck Equipment’s line of “mTEC” products includes our StepMate and SmoothRide, two of our innovations that we created based on the safety needs of our customers.

The StepMate features a step-height pooched bumper that helps eliminate slippage and aids in getting you in and out of service trucks without risk. It’s a three-point contact system with grab handles to increase ease.

Our SmoothRide produces a 50% reduction in max G-Force impact by decreasing shock impact to drivers and passengers for safe and comfortable transport in their medium-duty trucks.

Lean On The Experts When Truck Upfitting

At Monroe Truck Equipment, we believe in developing true and trusted partnerships with our customers.

We serve commercial dealerships and contractor end-users in communities nationwide and work to find solutions for their most pressing needs.

While priorities may shift over time, a reliable manufacturer and upfitting partner will always be valuable when you’re working toward your long-term goals.

About the Author: Jim Smith is the director of sales in the Commercial Division at Monroe Truck Equipment. Monroe Truck Equipment. Monroe Truck Equipment is a truck equipment manufacturer, upfitter, and distributor with over 60 years of work truck expertise. This article was authored and edited according to WT editorial standards and style. Opinions expressed may not reflect that of WT.