MP sees Truckman is motoring post lockdown
Dudley South MP Mike Wood has visited automotive accessories manufacturer Truckman to see how the business has positively progressed in the wake of the easing lockdown restrictions.
Truckman, the manufacturer and supplier of 4x4 accessories, resumed production of its commercial hardtops range at the start of May with its sales activity starting to bounce back following the reopening of car dealerships at the start of June.
During that month, the company saw a substantial rise in business with an increase in sales of 110 per cent and its order book growing by 178 per cent in June compared to May serving pent-up demand from its customer base, which includes car manufacturers, dealership networks, fleet operators, SMEs and private vehicle owners. In the months following the company has maintained a growth trajectory and has a strong pipeline of orders.
Mr Wood was given a tour of Truckman’s 120,000 sq ft premises in Narrowboat Way, Dudley, which include a research and development department, training zone, warehousing, accessory fitting bays and the sales and marketing offices, where its customer service and quality team is based.
He also visited Truckman’s adjacent manufacturing facility where the company produces part of its extensive range of hardtops for pick-up trucks made by skilled craftsmen and using the latest production technologies.
Truckman is dedicated to investing in its future workforce and Mr Wood met the company’s current and former apprentices who are gaining a range of skills to support their career development and help the business’ continued growth.
Mr Wood said: “The automotive sector is at the heart of the West Midlands economy and companies, such as Truckman, have a vital part to play in reinvigorating not only the region’s, but the country’s, economic wellbeing as business restarts in the wake of COVID-19.
“While there will be challenges ahead for the manufacturing sector and industry in general, Truckman sends out a positive message that companies, which are agile, adaptable and planned ahead, can bounce back post-Covid.
“I was very impressed by the scale and efficiency of the company’s business, and how it has performed since production restarted in May. Truckman’s strong sales figures and healthy order book provide optimism for the future.”
Mike Wheeler, executive chairman of Truckman, said: “Mr Wood was very positive about the measures we put in place to navigate through the lockdown and ensure that our business was in a position to push on when the automotive industry, and in particular motor dealerships, returned to work at the start of the summer.
“Our workforce has been exceptional since we resumed business and helped ensure we maintain the level of service and product delivery that we have always been renowned for despite having to manage new ways of working to ensure that our business remains Covid-safe.”
