Work Truck Week 2024 Breaks Attendance Record in Indy

Thu March 21, 2024 - National Edition #7
CEG

CEG photo

This truck was tasked with helping to welcome attendees to Work Truck Week 2024.

Amanda Slingsby of Tiger Tough of Mankato, Minn., introduces Ironweave construction equipment seat protectors at the Work Truck Show. “These seat covers offer heavy duty, waterproof protection for all your construction equipment investments,” said Slingsby. (CEG photo)

Bob Hosler (L), service director of Company Wrench, and Kirk Ohlenhopp, regional sales manager of Stellar Industries, were on hand during Work Truck Week. “Stellar is leading the industry with cutting edge products,” said Hosler. (CEG photo)

(L-R): Jason Whiteleather, Devin Minear, Tyler Jones, Brad Wolfe and Daniel Asplund display the HillTip IceStriker salt spreader. (CEG photo)

(L-R): Harley Wilson, Jason Aldinger and Jason Cornell of J & J Truck Bodies brought their dump bodies and equipment. (CEG photo)

Brian Heffron (L) and Clint Weckwerth show off the new PAL Pro 58 mechanics truck and PSC 8600 TEC service crane. (CEG photo)

The Shyft Group’s John Dunn (L), president and CEO, and Matt Duffy, national director of sales, exhibit the Magnum toolbox and rail kit. “We pride ourselves on quality products made in the USA,” said Duffy. (CEG photo)

Legend Fleet Solutions’ Brendan Church (L), chief marketing officer, and Mark Whitland display the new UpStep’s unique mechanical design. (CEG photo)

Ken Kayser (L), vice president of commercial vehicle operations, North America of Stellantis, and Jeff Kommor, senior vice president of commercial sales, North America, of Stellantis with the RAM ProMaster EV. Ram announced the new “Ram Professional” commercial vehicle division with full-service customer mobility and value solutions, showcased at the 2024 National Truck and Equipment (NTEA) Work Truck Week show in Indianapolis. (CEG photo)

Aebi Schmidt had a massive booth at the NTEA Work Truck Show with its Towmaster and Meyer Plow divisions displayed. Kristen Zody, regional sales manager of Aebi Schmidt, Monroe, Wis., with Meyer’s most popular Pro Mount plow attachment system. (CEG photo)

Gene Stork (L), owner, and Jeen Stork of Stork’s Plows Leesport, Pa., are a proud dealer of Fisher Plows, manufacturer of this popular Fisher STORM BOXX System, with TRACE edge technology. The new pusher plows move massive amounts of snow — scraping down to the pavement — to reduce the amount of salt needed. Available in 8-ft., 10-ft. and 12-ft. widths, these pushers blaze new trails. (CEG photo)

(L-R): Western Plows of Milwaukee, Wis., had its sales team featuring Ray Nunez, Kevin Dyer and Dave Forsmark show attendees the extensive Western snow and ice product lines. (CEG photo)

From Hiniker Plows of Mankato, Minn., long-time sales manager Mark Miller shows off the new company look for 2024, (CEG photo)

Iowa Mold and Tooling (IMT) of Garner, Iowa, had a big product debut with its newest fully electric service body truck system. Jeff Nelson, national accounts manager, explains the newest features of additional lighting, no hydraulics in crane system and many other features new to the industry. (CEG photo)

Kevin LaBrecque, director of marketing, Adrian Steel, with the Extendobed sliding platforms. “The new era of truck solutions is here. Built for professionals, fully integrated, designed for hark work and manufactured in five days,” he said. (CEG photo)

Neil Roberts (L) outside sales support, and Chris Wilkins, director of sales support and training, with Boss Industries’ engineered air systems at the Boss exhibit at the NTEA Work Truck Week show. (CEG photo)

Work Truck Week continues to grow. A verified 15,790 industry professionals from 29 countries and all 50 U.S. states gathered March 5 to 8 at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis for Work Truck Week 2024, breaking last year's attendance record of 14,885. Work Truck Show exhibit space was sold out, with 536 companies filling the exhibit hall and New Exhibitor Pavilion with the latest commercial vehicles, equipment and technology.

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Work Truck Week is more than a trade show. Produced annually by NTEA the Work Truck Association, it encompasses the Work Truck Show, Green Truck Summit, NTEA Annual Meeting, Work Truck Week Ride and Drive, educational sessions and more. North America's largest work truck event was held virtually in 2021 and has been growing steadily since returning to Indianapolis in 2022.

"Work Truck Week 2024 was more than a trade show — it was a complete commercial vehicle experience," said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. "You could feel the energy throughout the exhibit hall, educational sessions, Ride and Drive and even just walking from place to place. The commercial vehicle industry has taken ownership of the week and has made it the epicenter for showing off the best the industry has to offer every year. The dedication and passion of our exhibitors and attendees has driven the continued expansion of Work Truck Week."

Work Truck Week 2024 kicked off with Green Truck Summit, NTEA's full-day advanced vehicle and fuel technology conference on March 5. A verified 883 participants attended sessions focused on the commercial vehicle industry's drive toward greater sustainability, productivity and efficiency. Also starting on March 5, the Work Truck Week 2024 educational program included a range of sessions focused on ideas and strategies to help improve efficiency, implement best practices and enhance operational growth.

Dozens of companies launched new products, partnerships and business units at Work Truck Week 2024. Ram announced the new Ram Professional commercial vehicle division. Ford Pro celebrated the 10th anniversary of Ford Transit and shared new extended range capability for E-Transit. Mack Trucks provided updates on production of the Mack MD Electric battery-electric truck. GreenPower Motor Company Inc. launched GP Truck Body to offer a complete line of truck bodies. J.B. Poindexter & Co. sister companies Morgan Olson and EAVX introduced a new Proxima step van riding on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) chassis. REE Automotive Ltd. and Knapheide debuted an electric vehicle built on the REE P7-C chassis cab and upfit with a Knapheide KUV body.

Equipment and technology debuts included:

APSCO LLC dump truck display and control system to prevent common driver mistakes.
DEL Hydraulics Inc. DEL Interlock System to prevent unintentional use of a truck's PTO system while driving.
Shyft Group Utilimaster rapid driver cooling system to improve driver comfort, safety and productivity.
Ranger Design prototype pick-up truck utility system featuring a cap fully integrated with a heavy-duty utility rack.
Adrian Steel modular truck cap for improved flexibility and customization, plus the Extendobed EBL 1272 cargo slide that accommodates unevenly distributed weight.
Palfinger PAL Pro 58 mechanics truck and PSC 8600 TEC service crane.
Vanair PTO shaft-driven underdeck all-in-one power system.
Lincoln Electric Ranger Air 260MPX multifunction engine drive.
Ketchel Axle Systems eRhino electrified axle system for class 3 to 8 vehicles.

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Work Truck Week attendees had plenty of opportunities to get hands-on with many of the new vehicles and equipment. Legend launched a retracting sidestep to enhance mobility and accessibility, but the company also highlighted its tough van interiors by encouraging attendees to throw axes at one. Other exhibitors invited attendees to smash sample panels with sledgehammers. In a more traditional approach, Work Truck Week Ride and Drive let participants drive, ride in and explore 19 vehicles, including all-electric vans, trucks and chassis, as well as internal combustion vehicles featuring advanced technology.

If networking was the goal, Work Truck Week offered plenty of opportunities to score, from listening to retired NFL running backs at NTEA annual meeting to playing amateur quarterback on the Lucas Oil Stadium field during the opening reception.

Work Truck Week returns to Indiana Convention Center March 4–7, 2025.

For information, visit worktruckweek.com/coverage.

This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.