This article was published in the March 2024 edition of NTEA News.
Formed in 1992, Van Body Manufacturers Division (VBMD) represents companies that manufacture commercial van bodies. It was created to promote and serve common interests of van body manufacturers in the development and sale of safe, efficient and useful vehicles. Its mission is to provide a neutral forum that fosters open communication among active members, suppliers and chassis OEMs on design and manufacturing matters relating to the work truck industry. The group typically meets annually in conjunction with Work Truck Week.
VBMD’s main focus is keeping up-to-date with chassis and regulatory changes to help forecast effects on future vehicle products. The group regularly involves chassis OEM liaison personnel in its meetings. Areas of interest include electric chassis adaptation and opportunities to commonize chassis electrical connections. VBMD recently combined their expertise to contribute a section to the OEM Chassis Considerations Guide, providing industry insight to chassis OEMs relative to the array of van body applications. The guide is available to members through ntea.com/chassisguide.
Officers are Chair Tony Lista, Unicell Body Company; Vice Chair Nick Pfeifer, Mickey Truck Bodies Inc.; and Treasurer Zac Largent, Wabash.
How to join
Membership is open to NTEA member companies in good standing engaged in the manufacture of van bodies. Learn more at ntea.com/vbmd. To join, contact Steve Spata, NTEA senior technical assistance director, at steves@ntea.com.
VBMD members
- AM Haire Mfg. & Service Corp. (Thomasville, North Carolina)
- Hackney & Kidron (Washington, North Carolina)
- Hercules Manufacturing Co. (Henderson, Kentucky)
- The Knapheide Manufacturing Company (Quincy, Illinois)
- Marathon Industries Inc. (Santa Clarita, California)
- Mickey Truck Bodies Inc. (High Point, North Carolina)
- Morgan Corporation (Morgantown, Pennsylvania)
- Rockport Commercial Vehicles — Division of Forest River Inc. (Elkhart, Indiana)
- Unicell Body Co. (Buffalo, New York)
- Wabash (Goshen, Indiana)