SIDNEY — TTPS (Truck & Trailer Parts Solutions) is a new business venture affiliated with Kirk NationaLease to leverage the various marketplace opportunities for upfitting and fabrication within the commercial transportation segment. The company is located in the former Crosby Trucking facility at 3858 W. Michigan Ave.

“Our work began in the summer of 2021 and we were met with all the challenges any new venture faces as we prepared to open our doors May 1, 2022. We worked diligently to align with OEM’s in an effort to retain distributorships for retail sales and installation of their respective products. Ali & Cristina from Creative Marketing Strategies have been instrumental in helping us establish our brand identity, logo, and digital presence,” said Vice President Mitch Rank.

His report continues:

Our portfolio of products is diverse, but inclusive to providing a solution to most individuals or organizations moving freight. Our Merlot Vango Tarping System is designed to transform a flatbed into a covered dry van trailer, but with the benefit of being able to load from the side or from above, which a traditional dry van cannot do as it has a fixed frame/shell. You’ll see these systems in heavy use with companies like steel haulers. Their product requires protection from the outside elements, but they need loading versatility of a flatbed trailer.

Glass hauling is a niche market in our industry, but we feel we have the best system available. Locally, we’ve collaborated with Shaffer Metal Fab and Custom Foam to fabricate our customized systems. Our order with Toyota Logistics has us at full capacity through 2023, but we look forward to marketing our systems to the broader, nationwide glass hauling market in the coming year.

We’ve become a dealer for Dhollandia Liftgates, which is the world’s largest manufacturer in this space. With the most diverse line of lift/ramp products in the world at our disposal, we have a solution for most every application.

Auxillary power is a growing segment in OTR Over-The-Road trucking. Drivers have to rest, and therefore, need climate control and electricity to power various electronics like a refrigerator, microwave, chargers, etc. Traditionally, the semi’s engine has to start up to provide air conditioning or to charge the batteries back up from all the electronic drain. This continuous idling and negative impact to battery health has a detrimental impact to a fleet’s bottom line. We offer solar/battery or small diesel engine powered APU solutions to solve this very problem.

Solar solutions has been our fastest growing segment. As a Merlin Solar distributor, we have leveraged our customer network to introduce the benefits of our proprietary, flexible panels. As an example, we are currently working with Coca-Cola as we pilot our trailer charging solution on their Memphis, Tennessee and Washington D.C. fleet of trailers. Early results from our telematics data tracking have been very positive and well-received from Coca-Cola management.

What’s in store for 2023? While we feel we have a good foundation in place, brand awareness within our target market(s) remains a top priority moving forward. Our continued focus will be on providing the highest level of service to our great customers! We are thankful for the warm reception we’ve received from our Shelby County community! We plan to have our official grand opening in the spring or summer and look forward to introducing the TTPS team and group of products.