The 48-ft. tractor-trailer at the ABS Indiana distribution center—the new “billboard on wheels.”

ABS “billboard on wheels” rolling along

Indiana division’s new 48-ft. tractor-trailer sports eye-catching new signage

There’s no mistaking the new addition to the American Bolt & Screw fleet—because the 48-ft. tractor-trailer boldly proclaims the name of its owner.
   “We’re advertising ABS every time we hit the highway,” Chris Hurley, Indiana division manager, proclaims.

A 7-ft.-high logo

U.S. Sign Crafters in Osceola, Indiana created the trailer signage using 800 square feet of vinyl graphics. The ABS logo was blown up to seven feet, requiring seven different blocks of vinyl. The signage also includes the toll-free phone numbers of the six ABS divisions from coast to coast as well as the ABS website address.
   Hurley says that ABS Indiana has already received more than a dozen phone calls from prospective customers who’ve seen the tractor-trailer and would like more information about fasteners and hardware.
   In addition to the new signage, ABS added a unique safety feature—a rear-view backup camera. The driver can see exactly what’s behind the tractor-trailer by watching a monitor in his cab.

Serving a 200-mile radius

The ABS Indiana distribution center typically makes its own deliveries to manufacturers within a 200-mile radius. The division serves manufacturing customers in primarily seven states: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Long-distance deliveries are made via third-party carriers.
   The ABS Indiana distribution center opened in 1994. The facility added a 40,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in 2000.

Boosting manufacturing efficiency

The new tractor-trailer enables ABS Indiana to serve more manufacturing customers in less time.
   “Now we can throw a whole day’s delivery on a single truck,” Hurley says. The new tractor-trailer can carry loads of up to 40,000 lbs., compared to the 14,000-lb. capacity of a 26-ft. box truck. Hurley says that on its initial runs, the trailer has been filled to about 60% capacity.
   The next time you’re driving the highways in Indiana, don’t be surprised if you encounter the ABS “billboard on wheels.” Because business at ABS is really rolling—around the U.S.—and especially in the Hoosier State.