Nate Eichinger
Vice President
Final Vehicle Solutions Inc.
Stow, Ohio
NTEA member since 2024
Final Vehicle Solutions is the parent organization for Cenweld and Buckeye Body and Equipment, which have been NTEA members since 1971 and 2013, respectively.
A vice president at Final Vehicle Solutions Inc., Nate has worked in the commercial vehicle industry for nearly 14 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana).
Nate has been involved with NTEA since he joined the industry in 2011. After attending The Work Truck Show in 2012, he joined NTEA’s Generation Next. Around 2016, he became a part of the former NTEA Data Committee, and joined the Generation Next Steering Committee in 2022. He said he has enjoyed being a part of Gen Next's initiatives to bring people into the industry and provide resources to help them, their business and the industry as a whole. Being able to learn more about the inner workings of NTEA and seeing what goes into making the various Association events happen has been eye-opening. He added that NTEA is an extremely valuable part of the commercial vehicle industry, and he wants to be a part of seeing it continue to grow, prosper and expand the value to member companies.
Being a part of Gen Next has given him a great appreciation for what goes into developing a plan and leading a cross-company group of people toward a common goal. He believes his insight into the technical, operations and engineering side, as well as perspectives from a younger generation who will be inheriting and leading the work truck industry, will help ensure we’re on the right path for not only a single term, but for many years to come. Although he has focused on technical and operations roles, he has experience in leading people and teams, understanding customer needs, developing and maintaining a budget, and working through differences in opinions to reach a common goal.
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the industry today?
Potential opportunities include:
- Embracing the tidal changes in electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell that have been moving through the industry over the last several years.
- Continuing to find ways to bring in and retain highly skilled employees.
- Understanding the regulatory changes coming down the pipeline with enough time to adapt and react.
- As the industry evolves and new technology is introduced, making sure companies are taking advantage of and embracing the new opportunities.
Potential challenges include:
- Preparing for emissions and regulatory changes that will impact the industry and having the ability to adapt while still maintaining profitability, customer satisfaction and value to customers.
- Overcoming skills gaps – it is still very hard to find and retain good talent at technician, supervisory and management levels.
- Maintaining a key position in understanding and potentially impacting legislation, regulations and requirements.
- Handling fiscal unknowns, such as interest rate fluctuations, lender reactions, etc.
Mike Stuckey
President
Stahl Truck Bodies
Wooster, Ohio
NTEA member company since 1972
Mike is president of Stahl Truck Bodies and has served in the work truck industry for nearly five years. He has a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and operations research from Virginia Tech College of Engineering (Blacksburg, Virginia) and an international MBA from Baldwin Wallace University (Berea, Ohio).
Mike said as a proud member of NTEA for over 50 years, Stahl has reaped the benefits of the Association’s resources, networking opportunities and industry insights. The company’s longstanding relationship with NTEA has played a crucial role in their growth and success, helping them navigate industry challenges and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving market. His motivation to serve on the Board is rooted in the desire to give back to the industry that has been pivotal in shaping their company’s journey. He believes that by contributing his experience and insights, he can help other industry companies achieve similar success. His Board service will allow him to share the knowledge and expertise he’s gained over the years, helping ensure NTEA continues to be a valuable resource for all its members. Ultimately, his goal is to help foster a thriving, innovative and resilient industry that benefits all stakeholders.
With over four years of experience directly within the industry, he has gained an understanding of the key issues, challenges and opportunities that companies face on a daily basis. However, he said what makes him truly unique is the breadth of experience he brings from outside the industry, spanning more than 30 years. This diverse background allows him to approach problems and opportunities from unique perspectives as well as offering fresh innovative solutions.
He believes that his combination of industry-specific knowledge and extensive experience from other sectors equips him to contribute innovative solutions and strategies. While he understands the core issues the industry faces, he also recognizes the value of introducing new ideas and approaches that can drive growth, efficiency and sustainability. His goal is to leverage this unique blend of insights to help NTEA continue to lead the industry forward, addressing both current challenges and future opportunities with creativity and foresight.
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the industry today?
The industry today faces a complex set of challenges that, while daunting, also present significant opportunities for growth and innovation. One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing labor shortage. As the workforce continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract and retain skilled labor. This challenge presents an opportunity to rethink recruitment strategies, invest in workforce development, and explore automation and technology to enhance productivity.
Another critical challenge is the disruption of global supply chains. The past few years have highlighted the vulnerability of supply chains, making it essential to develop more resilient and adaptable logistics strategies. This disruption also provides an opportunity to localize supply chains where possible, diversify suppliers, and invest in more agile and responsive manufacturing processes.
Cybersecurity is another growing concern, with the increasing digitization of the industry making it a target for cyber threats. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is not just a necessity but an opportunity to lead in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies that protect both company and customer data.
Lastly, cost containment remains a significant challenge, particularly in an environment where customers are more cost-conscious than ever. The opportunity here lies in finding innovative ways to deliver exceptional value to customers without compromising on quality. This might involve streamlining operations, leveraging new technologies or exploring new business models that prioritize efficiency and customer satisfaction.
By addressing these challenges head-on, the industry can not only overcome them but also seize the opportunities they present to drive growth, enhance value for customers and secure a sustainable future.
View a complete list of Board members at ntea.com/board.