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Former Truckman Executives Return To Witness Expansion and Innovation
Truckman, a leading manufacturer of pick-up truck hard tops and accessories, welcomed back several distinguished former executives for a trip down memory lane to see how the business has continued to evolve since their departure.
The visit was led by Richard Langman, the current Managing Director and Mike Wheeler - the previous CEO, who sold the business to Australian 4x4 accessory company ARB in 2021.
The pair, who worked closely together for many years welcomed Chris Walker Praat, Managing Director of B Walker Group, who devised the Truckman brand; Tony Van Tulleken, Design Consultant of Series 1; Nick Woodman, Designer of Series 2; and Alistair Robertson, GRP Technical Advisor up until 2008. From there Brett Hall (Operations Manager), with the assistance of Alastair Simpson (Chief Technician) designed and further enhanced the range of Truckman hardtops and helped achieve OEM approval status.
Truckman, now solely owned by ARB, has a rich history of providing bespoke solutions for individual vehicles. The company's journey began with a focus on high-quality pick-up hardtops and has since evolved into a comprehensive provider of automotive accessories. ARB's acquisition of Truckman further strengthened its position in the market, enabling greater investment in research and development.
The industry veterans were given a comprehensive tour of Truckman's expanded premises, which now offers more than 20,000 products, with the expanded range including brands such as Old Man Emu, BedRug, DECKED, Thule, and Mountain Top.
During the tour, Langman and Wheeler highlighted the significant advancements in Truckman's product range, manufacturing processes, and workforce. The visitors saw the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing and development facilities, demonstrating the company's continued commitment to quality and innovation.
Richard Langman, Managing Director of Truckman, said: "It's an honour to catch up with the people who built the foundations on which we’ve built a successful business, employing more than 50 people and carrying out 100’s of fittings of our hardtops every month.
“Truckman has made tremendous strides in recent years, with our acquisition by ARB we are offering a wider range of products and benefiting from being part of a hugely respected global business.
“Our dedication to innovation and quality has driven us to expand our product range and enhance our manufacturing capabilities. We are proud to continue building on their legacy."
Chris Walker Praat expressed his admiration for the company's growth, stating, "Seeing the evolution of Truckman firsthand is truly impressive and most gratifying personally, as lead of the original creative team. Witnessing the Truckman brand and products continued dominance of the pick-up accessory scene, as it has since its launch in 1982, with the Cortina based Ford P100 Truckman top. I am proud to see that the commitment to excellence and the innovative spirit that we aimed to instil in everyone within the business remain evident in every aspect of the operation. It's a testament to the hard work and vision of everyone involved."
