Often your fleet vehicles are the first point of contact your business has with the general public. With that said, when someone sees your fleet vehicles, what do you think they see? Do they see a well-kept, clean vehicle with clear markings and indications of your business? Or do they see a dirty, plain work truck? Further, when your technicians make house calls, do they waste time searching for tools in a poorly organized truck? Thankfully, Todd Hoffman of A.R.E. Accessories shares his insight on how you can elevate the look and functionality of your vehicles.
MWS: WHO IS A.R.E.?
HOFFMAN: A.R.E. Accessories is a North American truck cap and accessory company founded in 1969 and based in Ohio. Production began with aluminum and wood truck caps back in those early years, but A.R.E. quickly expanded its product base to include fiberglass, commercial grade truck caps, and options for any requirement or lifestyle. Over the last five decades, A.R.E. has worked hard to become a leader in the truck cap space earning accolades in Consumers Digest, HandyMan Magazine, and others. Other credits include multiple Ron Webster Awards for Engineering as well as Design Excellence Awards from OEMs. A.R.E. Accessories has held the lead spot for truck caps and truck bed accessories for more than 50 years for our commercial and fleet partners across all of North America. Four A.R.E. facilities and an extremely strong and industry-leading parent company, Truck Hero, help to position us for the next 50 years for our work truck partners.
MWS: A.R.E. MIGHT BE BEST KNOWN FOR ITS TRUCK CAPS. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS THAT KEEP THEM A POPULAR SELLER?
HOFFMAN: With over 700 partners across North America, our customers can have the peace of mind knowing that there is a knowledgeable upfitter nearby, able to hear their concerns and provide valuable feedback in their quest to find the best truck cap. Additionally, our commercial and fleet partners spend a lot of time with these customers in their locations. This helps to offer work truck solutions and truck cap options that tie in well with today’s pickup trucks, the end-users’ needs, and the complexities of today’s work truck operations. A.R.E. offers more features and functions in its truck caps than many other brands. We recognize that our customers work hard for their money and deserve the best value possible when buying a truck cap—or any of our products. With this in mind, we continue to strive to maintain our commitment to them by providing a truck cap designed for their truck and their application.
MWS: WHAT KIND OF FLEET BEST BENEFITS FROM A.R.E. PRODUCTS?
HOFFMAN: Any customer with one personal truck or a fleet of work trucks will benefit from A.R.E. products. A.R.E. offers truck caps, tonneau covers, and other accessories like Rival LED lighting options, Ascend roof baskets, and many bed storage and management solutions to fit any desire. We will work with our national fleet and upfitting partners across North America to offer the most complete menu of truck cap and truck bed solutions for your business and fleet. This will be supported by the best dedicated service and follow up.
MWS: CAN YOU SHARE WHAT LENGTHS A.R.E. GOES THROUGH TO ENSURE A STYLISH YET PRACTICAL FIT FOR EACH AND EVERY TRUCK?
HOFFMAN: A.R.E. has a dedicated engineering facility in Ohio for our designs, whether that is aesthetically-driven or function-driven. Our customers ask, and we respond. Not sure what you need? Visit our website, 4are.com, and you can input your vehicle information and design a cap or cover solution to fit your individual needs. Our parent company, Truck Hero, also has a dedicated engineering team and facility to even further help A.R.E. and all of the Truck Hero brands. Design, function, and quality are at the forefront with A.R.E. and Truck Hero.
MWS: WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST FOR A.R.E. CUSTOMERS LOOKING TO TRULY ELEVATE THE LOOK OF THEIR FLEET VEHICLES?
HOFFMAN: There are so many solutions and avenues a fleet owner could take with A.R.E. to make your mobile offices stand out among the crowds. Therefore, A.R.E. always suggests that businesses and companies listen closely to their end-users of the pickup truck and how they use the trucks, truck caps, options, and truck bed accessories in the real world. A.R.E.’s sales team will spend time with those end-users as well for you.
MWS: DOES A.R.E. OFFER SPECIAL BENEFITS TO FLEETS?
HOFFMAN: A.R.E. has a true dedicated national fleet outside sales team and a true dedicated national fleet customer service staff—both dedicated to quick service, accurate service, and relationship-building service to make others’ jobs easier. A tech and warranty support team exists as well to help answer various installation needs, questions, and technical support. We also have design and utility patents on many products that help set our customers apart in a competitive commercial and fleet market. Being the only US-manufactured truck cap company carrying an ISO certification for its formal Quality System helps with the consistency of the services and products.
MWS: WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR A.R.E.?
HOFFMAN: A.R.E. and Truck Hero continue to understand the importance of our lead position in the commercial, fleet, and work truck worlds. Because of this, investments are happening at A.R.E. and Truck Hero to take us and our products higher and further. Status quo is not an option in today’s world. A.R.E. Accessories knows what “Outfit for Work” and “Outfit for Life” means each day for our customers. Truck Hero understands the importance of being “America’s Best Selling Truck Accessories.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Todd Hoffman is the vice president of business development at A.R.E. Find out more, visit www.4are.com.
