What Reading Truck does

Reading Truck (legally "The Reading Truck Group") is a U.S.-based manufacturer and upfitter of vocational work truck bodies, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. The company designs, produces, and distributes a broad portfolio of work truck bodies — including service bodies (Classic II Steel, Classic II Aluminum, SL, RHD), crane bodies (RM series), dump bodies (Marauder, Marauder SL), landscape bodies, platform bodies, enclosed bodies, and aerial bodies — built primarily from A40 galvannealed steel and aluminum. Its manufacturing process combines a full-body e-coat primer with a powder coat finish for corrosion resistance, and the company holds patents on differentiated features including the Dual-Pro Seal System, Latch-Matic remote locking, hidden hinges, and SmartLatch indicator technology. The company operates multiple manufacturing plants (Reading, PA; Claremore, OK; plus former General Truck Body facilities) and 28 nationwide Reading Truck Center locations following its February 2024 acquisition of General Truck Body.

Reading Truck operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of J.B. Poindexter & Co. (JBPCO), a diversified commercial truck body and specialty vehicle conglomerate whose other brands include Morgan Truck Body, Morgan Olson, LEER, and Masterack. Revenue is generated across four streams: truck body and parts/accessories hardware sales, professional upfitting services (including mobile field service), and managed fleet solutions for enterprise accounts. Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure, and the go-to-market is sales-led through owned retail showrooms (SMB and individual buyers), authorized distributors (mid-market), a fleet solutions team (enterprise), and direct website inquiries. Customers span construction, oil & gas, telecom and utilities, municipal and government, home services (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), landscaping, and fleet management companies across the United States.

Name

Reading Truck

Legal name

The Reading Truck Group

Website

https://readingtruck.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Work Truck Bodies

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing (336211), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck Body & Upfitting Manufacturing (Box Bodies/Service Bodies/Cranes/Liftgates) (IMACABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vocational/Work Truck Manufacturing (Dump/Refuse/Mixer/Utility) (IMACABAF), Truck Body & Upfit Manufacturing (Box/Dump/Service/Refuse) (IMACAGAC)

Keywords

• Work truck bodies
• Vocational truck equipment
• Truck upfitting services
• Service bodies manufacturing
• Crane bodies

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Truck Body Sales: Sale of manufactured work truck bodies including service bodies, enclosed bodies, crane bodies, aerial bodies, dump bodies, and hauler/platform bodies. Products are sold directly through their distribution network and retail locations.
2. Truck Upfitting Services: Custom truck and van upfitting including equipment installation, accessory installations, mounting and installation services at their 26+ locations nationwide.
3. Parts & Accessories Sales: Sale of replacement parts, accessories including air compressors, cargo control, lighting, power/electric, safety & security, storage solutions, towing equipment, trailers, and truck caps.
4. Fleet Solutions: Tailor-made solutions for fleet management companies and businesses with multiple work trucks, providing end-to-end partnership for vehicle lifecycle.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Reading Truck manufactures and distributes vocational work truck bodies, including service bodies, enclosed bodies, crane bodies, aerial bodies, dump bodies, and hauler/platform bodies, built with proprietary coating systems and durable materials. The company also offers custom truck and van upfitting, parts and accessories, mobile service and maintenance, and tailored fleet solutions through its nationwide network of 26-28 retail and manufacturing locations.

Product overview

Reading Truck is a truck body manufacturer and upfitter offering a comprehensive portfolio of work truck bodies and related services. The core product line includes multiple service body models (Classic II Steel, Classic II Aluminum, SL, RHD), crane bodies (RM series, HD series), dump bodies (Marauder, Marauder SL, Landscaper SL), enclosed bodies, aerial bodies, hauler/platform bodies (Redi-Dek, Platform), and the Combo Body which combines service and platform functionality. These truck bodies are manufactured in the USA with advanced coatings (e-coat primer, powder coat) and premium materials (galvannealed steel, aluminum). The company complements its body products with a full line of parts and accessories (air compressors, cargo control, lighting, towing, trailers, storage solutions), comprehensive upfitting services (installation, customization, certifications), mobile field service, and fleet solutions. Reading Truck operates 26+ locations nationwide and serves industries including construction, utilities, telecommunications, oil & gas, landscaping, and municipal/government sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SL Service Body A rugged service body built with sliding tops, Spacemaker lids, stainless steel T-handle locks, and Latch-Matic remote locking system. Available in steel and aluminum with 98, 108, and 132 body lengths for trade and service professionals.
• Classic II Steel Service Body Premium steel service body built from A40 galvannealed steel with Dual-Pro seal system, hidden hinges, innovative locking, and abundant storage. Available in standard and low profile versions for single and dual wheel chassis for service technicians and contractors.
• Classic II Aluminum Service Body Lightweight aluminum service body offering improved fuel economy, increased payload, and corrosion resistance with triple-protection finish and powder coat coating. Available in standard and low profile versions for field service professionals.
• RHD Service Body Heavy-duty service body designed for Class 4-7 chassis with reinforced torsion box construction, 3-point locking, LED rear lighting, integrated tie-downs, and heavy towing capability up to 30,000 lb structural rating for demanding vocational applications.
• Combo Body Versatile truck body combining the secure storage of a service body with the open utility of a platform body, featuring a rear platform for workspace and hauling, secure compartments, swing-out rear rails, spray-lined pooched bumper, and galvanized shelving.
• RM Crane Body Series Complete line of crane bodies including RM-25, RM-35, RM-45, and RM-78 models with lift moment ratings from 11,500 to 78,000 foot-pounds, available in electric and hydraulic configurations for material handling and field service applications.
• Marauder Dump Body Standard-duty dump body offering 3-5 yard capacity in 9 or 11 foot lengths, with electric hydraulic scissor hoist, Class C and D rated hoists lifting up to 12 tons, undercoated steel structures, and full-width rear apron with recessed LED lights.
• Marauder SL Dump Body Fuel-efficient dump body with 3-4 yard capacities and a double-acting hydraulic scissor hoist rated 8-13 tons, available in 9 and 11 foot lengths for hauling applications.
• Landscaper SL Landscape truck body available in 9, 10, or 12 foot lengths featuring higher side walls for hauling mulch or debris, with approximately 2,280-2,525 lbs capacity and tarp tie-down cleats for cargo protection.
• Redi-Dek Hauler Body Compact platform body designed to replace typical pickup beds for hauling light machinery and equipment to job sites securely for contractors and service providers.
• Aerial Body Work truck body built for reach, reliability, and strength to help workers perform tasks at height safely and efficiently with enhanced safety features for utility and field service operators.
• Enclosed Bodies Enclosed truck bodies providing protected storage and mobile workshop functionality, with weather-proof door seals, available in aluminum and steel options, for cargo security and on-site workspace needs.
• Platform Bodies Large platform truck bodies ranging from 9 to 24 feet in length designed for hauling multiple pieces of equipment safely for general contracting, landscaping, and commercial industries.
• Parts & Accessories Comprehensive line of truck equipment and accessories including air compressors, cargo control, lighting, power/electric systems, replacement parts, safety & security equipment, storage solutions, towing equipment, trailers and trailer parts, and truck caps.
• Truck Upfitting Services Custom truck upfitting services including equipment installation, accessory mounting, annual certifications, equipment inspections, emergency repairs, and mobile field service serving as an end-to-end partner for truck customization.
• Fleet Solutions Tailor-made fleet solutions addressing unique business needs, providing fleet management support, volume pricing, and coordinated service across multiple locations nationwide for businesses operating multiple work trucks.
• Mobile Service & Maintenance Expert installation, parts, equipment, and services including routine maintenance, unplanned repairs, annual certifications, and field emergency services through mobile service technicians at retail locations nationwide.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• General Truck BodycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired General Truck Body in February 2024, a manufacturer and upfitter of work truck bodies with locations in Texas and Kentucky. This acquisition increased Reading Truck's number of facilities to 28 nationwide and enhanced capacity in the commercial truck and van market for major OEMs.
• Demers Braun Crestline MedixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company J.B. Poindexter & Co. acquired Demers Braun Crestline Medix in June 2025, expanding ambulance portfolio to include four brands with combined 165 years of experience. Part of JBPCO's strategy of disciplined investment in commercial truck bodies, accessories, and specialty vehicles.
• J.B. Poindexter & Co.coreOthersReading Truck is a subsidiary of J.B. Poindexter & Co. (JBPCO), a parent company that acquires and manages multiple truck equipment and specialty vehicle manufacturing companies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Auto Truck Group: Auto Truck Group specializes in commercial upfitting of vans and pickups with fleet-focused service and installation centers across multiple states. While lighter on heavy-duty service bodies than Reading, its multi-location fleet upfit model and end-market overlap make it a meaningful direct peer.
• Knapheide: Knapheide is the largest direct competitor to Reading Truck, manufacturing a comparable portfolio of service bodies, utility bodies, platform bodies, and truck equipment with a similarly broad North American distribution footprint. Both serve overlapping verticals (construction, utilities, telecom, municipal) with quote-based dealer and direct sales motions.
• Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment: Dejana designs, manufactures, and upfits service bodies, utility bodies, and van interiors, and operates a multi-location commercial upfitting network in the Northeast and Midwest. Comparable scale, product range, and end markets make it a direct peer to Reading Truck.
• Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI): TBEI manufactures a range of work truck bodies and equipment including service bodies, dump bodies, and platform bodies sold through regional distributors and direct fleet channels. Comparable product mix and overlapping construction/utilities/fleet customer base position it as a direct peer.
• Wilcox Bodies: Wilcox manufactures custom and standard service bodies, contractor bodies, and specialty truck equipment sold through regional dealer networks to construction, utility, and municipal fleets. Comparable product mix and end markets make it a direct peer, though at smaller scale than Reading.
• Royal Truck Body: Royal Truck Body manufactures service bodies, contractor bodies, dump bodies, and van upfits sold through a dealer network to fleet and municipal buyers. It directly overlaps Reading Truck's product breadth and customer segments in vocational work truck upfitting.
• Monroe Truck Equipment: Monroe Truck Equipment manufactures and upfits service bodies, snow and ice control equipment, dump bodies, and hoists, with multiple Midwestern manufacturing and service locations. Comparable product portfolio, dealer model, and focus on vocational fleets make it a direct peer.
• Stahl Truck Bodies: Stahl manufactures service bodies, utility bodies, and custom fabrications distributed through a dealer network and directly to municipal and commercial fleets. Comparable product range and customer base place it as a direct peer in the vocational work truck body market.

Broad incumbents

• Morgan Truck Body: Morgan Truck Body is a sibling JBPCO business unit manufacturing dry freight and refrigerated van bodies, truck bodies, and trailers with nationwide production. While focused on larger van and trailer bodies than Reading's service bodies, it shares parent ownership and overlapping fleet customers, creating both partnership and potential cannibalization dynamics.

Emerging players

• BrandFX: BrandFX manufactures composite (fiberglass) service bodies, utility bodies, and toppers as a lighter, corrosion-resistant alternative to steel and aluminum. It competes with Reading's aluminum service bodies on payload and corrosion-resistance value propositions for fleet buyers.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ReadingTruck
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVsbDD6T4YRSB9pmdJG2VbQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReadingTruck1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/readingtruck
• Instagraminstagram.com/readingtruck

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reading Truck