Fleet operators get a ‘lift’ from Mickey

USPS body features a Waltco gate installed by Mickey?s Center in Freehold, NJ. Heartland Coke trailer with a Maxon liftgate installed by Mickey?s Fleet Services Center in Bloomington, IL..

As fleet operators across all industries continue to wrestle with tighter delivery spaces and a shortage of CDL drivers, many are turning to liftgates and non-CDL van bodies, or straight trucks, to offset both issues. For example, soft drink kingpins Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) are converting portions of their fleets to these types of units to improve delivery efficiency to retailers like convenience stores and urban-based ?mom-and-pops.?

?We are continually working with Heartland Coca-Cola out of St. Charles, MO on upgrading their fleet with liftgate replacements throughout Central Illinois,? says Mike Parker, GM for Mickey?s Midwest Fleet Services Center in Bloomington, IL. The liftgate installation business is also brisk at Mickey?s three other regional centers in Thomasville, NC; Ocala, FL; and Freehold, NJ.

Even the United States Postal Service (USPS) is hopping on the liftgate bandwagon. Mickey? Northeast Fleet Services Center in New Jersey is installing new Waltco medium duty MDL-12 liftgates on several mail trucks, doing its part to help every vote get counted in the November 2020 general election.

At the company?s headquarters manufacturing complex in High Point, NC, ?Liftgates are one of the most popular accessories on our new bodies and trailers,? says Mickey President Tom Arland. Mickey is an authorized dealer and installer for all major liftgate brands, including Anthony, Maxon, Waltco and Thieman.

Mickey freestanding 20,000-sq-ft liftgate installation facility in High Point, NC houses 15 bays and handles over 15,000 units a year. ?It?s the most automated manufacturing plant of its type in the country,? says Tom. ?The equipment, fixtures and process set new standards for safety, quality and efficiency.?

The liftgate installation plant was featured in the April 2019 issue of Trailer/Body Builders Magazine. Click HERE to view the entire story.

Mickey Regional Fleet Services Centers:
Thomasville, NC: Kyle McLaughlin
Ocala, FL: Robert Badely
Freehold, NJ: Rob Piotrowski
Bloomington, IL: Mike Parker