Forging the Future – Live From The Utility Expo – Knapheide on OEM Partnerships, Automation, and Material Innovation with Mandar Dighe
Join host Kurt Moreland , associate publisher with Utility Fleet Professional, for a special “Under the Hood” episode live from the floor of the Utility Expo. Kurt sits down with Mandar Dighe in the company’s outdoor tent to discuss adaptation and growth in a volatile market.
They explore the company’s incredible 177-year history , which started with building wagons for the Oregon Trail, and how that legacy of adaptation informs their current strategy. Mandar explains how the company is positioned against tariffs thanks to its high US content (96-97% in service bodies) and stateside-sourced metal. The discussion also covers their close technical relationships with major truck OEMs , a recent 150,000-square-foot plant expansion designed to reduce lead times , and the “mission specific” advantages of steel versus aluminum truck bodies.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Insulated from Tariffs: The company is well-positioned against tariff situations. Their service bodies are 96-97% US content , and even their metal is sourced stateside , insulating them from some global supply chain volatility.
OEM Collaboration: They maintain strong personal and technical relationships with all major OEMs, including the “Big Three” (GM, Ford, Stellantis) and heavy-duty manufacturers. This data sharing is crucial for ensuring their upfits are safe, compliant, and productive.
Massive Plant Expansion: To address stretched lead times seen since the pandemic, the company completed a 150,000-square-foot expansion. This new space includes state-of-the-art robotics and automation to be ready for the next market boom.
Material Options: The choice between steel and aluminum depends on the customer’s “mission specs”. Aluminum offers light weight and corrosion resistance , while steel is the “workhorse of the industry” that provides great flexibility for customization.
Rust Prevention: The company utilizes a 100% electrostatic deposit coat (E-coat) dip tank to protect its steel bodies. It is one of the largest E-coat tanks in North America.
Strategic Location: Their Quincy, Illinois, headquarters is described as the “middle of everywhere” , providing a central location that is advantageous for servicing customers coast to coast.
#UtilityExpo #UtilityFleet #WorkTrucks #TruckBodies #Upfitting
#MadeInUSA #SupplyChain #Manufacturing #OEM #FleetManagement