Like many wholesale distributors, Universal Supply of Hammonton, NJ has struggled to counter rising costs and inefficiency in their warehouses. Second shifts, increased overtime, and rushed loading have been persistent problems for Universal. In order to alleviate some of these internal constraints, Universal Supply adopted the demountable truck body system offered by Demountable Concepts, Inc.

Located in Glassboro, NJ, Demountable Concepts manufactures the TruckTainer demountable truck body system. This system outfits a standard straight truck chassis with an easy-to-use hydraulic lift system, making it possible to safely detach or “demount” the truck body from the chassis. The bodies, which are interchangeable, are equipped with specially designed retractable legs making them freestanding and self-contained once demounted from the truck. As a result, bodies can be detached at dock level so that they can be loaded while trucks are out making other deliveries.

Prior to using demountables, Universal Supply operated at the mercy of their trucks’ swiftness back to the warehouse. Often times, trucks would return after work hours causing the need to implement a second shift at night to load trucks for the next day’s delivery. As expected, this inefficient system increased costs and headaches. Demountables seemed to be a viable solution to Universal’s growing problems in its warehouses. With a fleet of seven demountable trucks and fourteen bodies, Universal Supply was able to reduce their overall costs, while increasing warehouse efficiency and productivity. John Thomas, Fleet Manager for Universal Supply remarked, “Using demountables not only helped eliminate the second shift and reduce the number of employees, but also made the warehouse a less stressful environment. Loaders don’t have to hurry to load the trucks.” The demountable system is “easy-to-use, trouble-free, and dependable. It’s just a quality product, and the service has been outstanding.”

Universal Supply has witnessed first hand the benefits of the demountable truck body system. Thomas explains, “People who don’t use demountables have a hard time grasping the system’s benefits, but once they have a fleet of them, the benefits become strikingly clear. It’s like having a truck that can do the work of two.” Demountables have resolved Universal’s problems in the warehouse. Not only are costs down and operations smoother, but also overall customer service has improved. Thomas says, ”We now serve our customers better by delivering quicker and on time, and that is what is important.”