FARMINGTON HILLS, MI -- Twenty-two National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) member companies have achieved Member Verification Program (MVP) status for the second quarter of 2006, ending June 30, 2006. Since May 2005 when the Program was initiated, 246 companies have qualified for MVP status. The program recognizes members that have implemented minimum business processes and have taken steps to comply with certain government regulations. "We welcome these members that have demonstrated compliance with key strategic objectives for building better partnerships between distributors and manufacturers, and between suppliers and their customers," said NTEA Executive Director Jim Carney. Applications for verification status are accepted throughout the year. Those qualifying for MVP designation are announced on a quarterly basis. To qualify, NTEA distributor and manufacturer members must meet criteria that are key to providing quality products and vehicles. For example, vehicle upfitters must provide proof that they are attempting to comply with specific regulatory requirements necessary for the manufacture of trucks. They also must demonstrate that they have adequate liability insurance coverage, a quality program and ASE-certified mechanics or certified welders. Body and equipment manufacturers have similar requirements for insurance coverage, quality programs and certified employees. They also must verify that they provide installation instructions for their products and have a warranty policy to address product defects. In total, all verified members must provide proof that they meet four of five criteria. To make the program increasingly more meaningful to the industry, the NTEA has stated it will add new criteria or modify criteria over time. The first modification to the program took effect July 1, 2006, with insurance becoming a requirement for distributors and manufacturers applying to the program. The Newest MVPs are (April 1-June 30, 2006):
Ace Truck Body, Inc. (Grove City, OH)
Auto Safety House (Phoenix, AZ)
Choquettes´ & Son Truck Body & Equipment (Sparks, NV)
FORCE America, Inc. (Burnsville, MN)
General Truck Equipment (Jacksonville, FL)
Golight (Culbertson, NE)
Grote Industries (Madison, IN)
Henderson Truck Equipment (Watertown, NY)
Ingersoll-Rand (Mocksville, NC)
InPower LLC (Galena, OH)
Kansas Truck Equipment Co., Inc. (Wichita, KS)
Maxon Lift Corp. (Santa Fe Springs, CA)
NAMCO Machine & Gear Works. Ltd. (Edmonton, AB)
Petersen Industries, Inc. (Lake Wales, FL)
RO Truck & Equipment (North Las Vegas, NV)
STS Truck Equipment & Trailer Sales (Syracuse, NY)
STS Truck Equipment & Trailer Sales (Buffalo, NY)
STS Truck Equipment & Trailer Sales (Rochester, NY)
STS Truck Equipment & Trailer Sales (Albany, NY)
The Utility Bodywerks (Elkhart, IN)
Timbren Industries, Inc. (Clayton, NY)
Truck Utilities, Inc. (Saint Paul, MN) For a complete listing of MVPs, or to learn more about the program, visit www.ntea.com. Established in 1964, the NTEA is the leading association supporting the $116 billion work truck and trailer industry. The Association represents more than 1,700 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to the Association. The NTEA provides in-depth technical information, education and member programs and services, and produces The Work Truck Show®. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, DC. For more information, call 1-800-441-NTEA (6832) or visit www.ntea.com.
