User:Benfulton03/sandbox

= Upfitter = An Upfitter (also known as a automobile customization shop or regionally as a customs garage) is an establishment where automobiles are customized by auto mechanics, machinists and technicians.

According to the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), a commercial or work truck upfitter includes: any type of manufacturer or distributor that makes alterations to a complete or an incomplete vehicle sourced from any number of original equipment manufacturers or OEM’s (like Ford, GM, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes Benz,Freightliner, Kenworth, etc.)

The government agency in charge of regulating the vehicle upfit industry is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Since 1967, the NHTSA has set forth minimum safety performance standards as detailed in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations (FMVSS). However, because the industry is made up of smaller, regionally-focused companies, buyers and fleet managers need to be proactive about determining an upfitter’s capabilities and inquire about an upfitter’s NHTSA registration in order to make sound buying decisions that may have cost and safety ramifications for a decade or more. Each work truck originates at the assembly plant of a truck chassis manufacturer. As described on the NTEA website, approximately 16 companies (called original equipment manufacturers or OEMs) produce light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks, truck chassis, or cab-chassis (a cab, frame and drive train) suitable for completion as work-performing vehicles.Typically, commercial trucks are upfitted in a multi-stage process involving three distinct yet interrelated industry segments or categories:

1) Factory Upfitters – With a factory upfit, the truck is modified by the OEM while still at the original plant. Modifications are limited to standard packages designed to suit a wide range of the most common vocational needs. No individualized problem solving or additional modifications are available.

2) Body, Equipment, & Trailer Manufacturer/Upfitters – These generally small-to-medium-size companies produce a multitude of products for work truck and trailer applications.They supply the industry with commercial-use trucks and bus bodies, truck equipment, trailers, equipment, and parts and accessories. Although some manufacturers sell direct to operators, most firms channel their sales through distributor networks.3) Body, Equipment, & Trailer Distributor/Upfitters – Depending on its application, a work truck may need a few basic pieces of equipment or a wide variety of components.It is the distributor’s role to obtain and install the truck and bus bodies, equipment, and accessories supplied by the body and equipment manufacturers onto the chassis,cab-chassis and trucks supplied by the truck manufacturers and integrate all of these components, completing the truck for its specific use. Although termed in the industry “distributorships,” these firms actually operate as final-stage manufacturing facilities, designing and building end-product vehicles for specific applications.

Many distributorships are considered “full-line” shops, while others specialize in completing two or three specific types of work trucks. The vast majority also sell various commercial trailers (supplied by trailer manufacturers). A distributor’s sales are typically made on a local or regional basis, but a few have broad networks that cover nearly the entire continent. OEM Companies like Ford and GM have dedicated upfit websites dedicated to assisting with information transfer to upfitters, they maintain an up-to-date website that includes detailed Body Builder Manuals, Technical Bulletins, and Best Practice Manuals.

SEMA
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is a premiere trade-only event features upfitter venders and hosts buyers. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more. The 2017 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more… SEMA has a floor dedicated to upfitted 4x4s, these trucks and Jeeps are some of the most customized vehicles on the market. The venders use the 4x4's to display the latest in aftermarket accessories installed by upfitters.

NTEA
National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) represents more than 1,950 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces The Work Truck Show® and Green Truck Summit.