Blog | BrandFX Body Company - composite service truck bodies, line bodies, truck inserts and toppers

BrandFX Not Just Service Bodies

Did you know that our WorkPod and Topper product lines can offer as much as 50% lifecycle savings over a service van? Just like BrandFX advanced composite truck bodies, our Toppers and WorkPods will outlast 4-5 trucks, lower your acquisition costs and lower your MPG. Composite is the ultimate recycle via remounting. You can reduce your carbon footprint and quickly/easily realize ROI without sacrificing form or function. Go BFX Advanced Composite. Learn More.

: BrandFX WorkPod

: BrandFX FX3D Tonneau Cover

Fiberglass Tough

Great demonstration of the toughness of fiberglass and composite materials as well as the ease of repair. Stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum.

Green Fleet Conference – Panel Discussion

Eric Paul, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BrandFX recently served as a panelist at the 2012 Green Fleet Conference. The panel discussions targeted decreasing emissions (also reducing fuel consumption) via non powerplant solutions. Some strategies discussed included lightweight materials such as BrandFX Advanced Composite Truck Bodies, Design Innovations, Software Technologies and Tires.

From left to right: Lorrie Lisek, Wisconsin Clean Cities – Southeast Area; Jon Coleman, Ford Motor Company; Rick Longobart, City of Santa Ana, CA; Eric Paul, BrandFX Body Company; Chris Ransom, Networkfleet, Inc.; and Van Teeple, Michelin Americas Research Company

Vote America!

As you are all aware, the Federal elections are rapidly approaching. As the owner of BrandFX I have never expressed my political views or tried to affect your vote in any way. I believe in individual rights and encourage all of you to get out and vote. The date is rapidly approaching, so register if you have not, and vote. I believe this is the most important election of our lifetime and I have never been more outraged as I am today at the direction this country has been taken over the past 4 years. The blame does not lie with the current administration alone, it lies with the complete ineptitude of all our elected politicians who have failed to live up to their obligations to the American people and get this country moving again. The deficit, the unemployment rate, the growth of entitlement programs, the foreign policy, the anti-business attitude, and the class warfare, are all unacceptable. We need politicians who will work hard to represent us, not ones who believe their primary job is to get elected and reelected. The campaign never ends. I want and need politicians that will fulfill their promises, accept the responsibility of their position and represent the American people that elected them, fairly, openly and honestly. Political office used be a sacrifice and was sought for honorable reasons not for personal gain. What happened to the honesty, integrity and moral fortitude we used to demand and expect from those holding public office? Where is the sacrifice? Where is the commitment to the job? The benefits and accolades bestowed upon these people are not earned or warranted. They are rewarded for what? A job well done? Clint Eastwood is absolutely right. Fire them!!! This current administration has to go. They have failed us all. Broken promises, complete disregard of our constitutional rights and for that matter total disregard for the constitution itself. I know a lot of you are questioning whether Romney or anyone else can fix what is wrong and I certainly understand that, BUT we have to try. I do not believe this country can survive another 4 years like the last 4 years. Things will not get better they will get worse, a lot worse. So bad that we will not be able to fix it. I moved to the United States from Canada which is beyond doubt a socialist country. I know what socialism does to work ethic and moral fiber. America gave this poor country boy from Canada the opportunity to succeed and build a better life for myself, my family and for the thousands of people that I have had the pleasure of working with. BrandFX employs over 500 people in 5 states and WE BUILT IT. Susie and I invested every dollar we had to get BrandFX up and running. In 10 years we have taken a basic salary ($108,000.00 per year) interest on our invested money, and money to pay taxes on corporate income. The rest of the money has been paid in bonuses for employees or reinvested in the company to build the company. We pay 35 percent federal tax on that income, and we have personally guaranteed over 10 million dollars in loans for the company. We have gladly done this to build BrandFX to what it is today and we fully expect to be rewarded for that down the road. By Obama’s measurements Susie and I are rich and we are bad people. How much money you are worth is not the measurement of a person. What you do with it is. This country was built on individual freedom and individual rights and I encourage you all not to vote those rights away. Susie and I will be casting our votes to fire this administration and we will continue to do our part to create jobs and get this country back on track. Big government will not protect your rights it will erode your individual freedom. Please get out and vote.
Lee Finley

AMERICA’S HERO’S

Every American soldier killed in war, is a fallen hero, and deserves both the nation’s thanks and a ‘Hero’s Welcome’, that’s according to Larry Echhardt, also known as “the Flagman”. And we agree. This story was shared with us by a friend, it first aired on CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks back and demonstrates the profound gratitude and love America has for our fallen soldiers – amazing what the Can Do attitude of Mr. Echhardt has accomplished to honor the soldiers and their families. There’s even a BrandFX truck body participating if you watch closely.

EUFMC Parade

Thanks to all who helped us become a part of the 2012 EUFMC Parade of Trucks!

Terry Powell, Presenting a 56LS/Canopy Truck at the EUFMC Parade of Trucks

BrandFX Composite – Economy & Ecology

BrandFX composite service bodies have larger dimensions, providing as much as 5% more storage capacity and offer tremendous weight reductions.

We often quote body weights published by the leading steel body manufacturer which most closely match our build, and fit the same chassis. For example, our standard 56LS service body measures: 42” pack height, 15” pack depth, and 82.75” overall width. This BrandFX body weighs 698 lbs, and is not our lightest configuration for this body, with an aluminum understructure the weight is 578 lbs.

The nearest equivalent steel body offered by the leading steel body manufacturer that fits the same chassis measures: 41.25” pack height, 14.5” pack depth and 78” overall width. This steel body is 1248 lbs., which is 550 pounds heavier than our composite 56LS with steel understructure, or 670 pounds heavier than our composite 56LS with aluminum understructure.

The weight savings of switching to a BrandFX Composite 56″ cab to axle service body from a 56″ cab to axle steel service body according to the Department of Energy’s calculations would save on average 5% – 8% in fuel consumption. Add to this reductions in cost via chassis downsizing, maintenance, down time, remounting over 4-5 trucks and fleets realize dramatic reductions in acquisition and operational costs – while also reducing emissions into the environment.

That’s why BrandFX Composite should be step 1 in developing a truly sustainable green fleet.

The Big $4.00

I read in the May issue of FleetOwner magazine increasing fuel prices have not created increased sales in alternative propulsion purchases. Sean Kilcarr, Senior Editor say’s the eREV hybrid manufactured by Via Motor’s for the GMC Savana cargo van will cost $79,000 vs. the same gasoline only van at $25,900.

Let’s put that into perspective. A regular gasoline van going 100K miles, getting 12 MPG, will cost $59,233 (acquisition + fuel). A hybrid van going 100K miles, getting 100 MPG, will cost $83,000 (acquisition + fuel). Making the gasoline van more efficient by $23,767 before you even calculate the real MPG of a hybrid when taking into account the limited 40 mile battery range – not to mention added operations costs.

We’ve all seen these losing ROI scenarios, when will hybrid and alternative fuel technology reach a price point that makes good business sense? Technology that provides cost prohibitive solutions aren’t sustainable.

What is sustainable? BrandFX lightweight composite bodies offer fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, reduced acquisition costs – TODAY – with incredible ROI over decades of use. And someday, as the price point of alternative propulsion systems decreases, the ultimate solution will include both, alternative propulsion and lightweight material technology. Someday.

Lightweighting Saves Fuel

It’s a good time to lightweight your fleet.

Composite: Lighter and Strong

Composites and other lightweight materials are the way of the future. This is evidenced by the transition to lighter weight technologies in just about all things that go. But losing weight isn’t the only factor, these lighter weight materials must also be strong. According to BMW, “CFRP is at least as strong as steel but 50 percent lighter.” Read More.