Fontaine dedicates W.Va. center to Hino

Charlotte, N.C.-based Fontaine Modification Co. will open a dedicated modification center in Williamstown, W.Va., to support Novi, Mich.-based Hino Truck’s West Virginia-based truck assembly plant. “Having Fontaine as an extension of our assembly plant in West Virginia affords us the ability to offer many more options seamlessly to our dealers and customers,” stated Bob Petz, vice president, logistics operations for Hino Trucks.

The Williamstown modification center will continue to provide Hino Trucks with all current production options, including extended cab, 338 City Tractor, Dual Steer Sit-down and Dual Steer Right Hand Stand up (pictured above) packages. Additionally, Hino Trucks plans to expand its product offering with the assistance of Fontaine Modification by offering additional paint options, bus chassis, RV chassis and fire rescue chassis packages. “We see this partnership as a strategic approach to bringing the Hino truck to many of our target markets in a fairly quick manner,” noted Glenn Ellis, vice president, marketing and dealer operations for Hino.

The new modification center is located across the street from Hino’s assembly plant, easing integration of modifications into the truck production and delivery process. Fontaine began transitioning all Hino work from its Springfield, Ohio, center to Williamstown in November. “Our new center will be custom-built to meet all of Hino’s modification needs, as well as to provide the exceptionally high level of product quality that Hino customers expect in every truck they buy,” said Mark Hampshire, vice president and general manager for the Western Region of Fontaine Modification.