Following a decade of consistent growth, Hartford Truck Equipment, located in South Windsor, is making a substantial investment of over $8 million for a major expansion.
The second-generation distributor of truck equipment is constructing a 53,000-square-foot warehouse behind its headquarters at 95 John Fitch Blvd., which will feature approximately 8,000 square feet of office space on the second floor. This initiative comes as the company continues to solidify its status as one of the region’s largest distributors of commercial truck parts and accessories, states Owner and General Manager Blake Brannon.
“We keep growing and expanding,” remarked Brannon. “From less than 5,000 square feet in 1994 to over 17,000 square feet by 2017, we’re feeling cramped once again.”
Founded in 1994 by Blake’s parents, Patrick and Lynn, Hartford Truck Equipment has seen steady growth since Blake and his brother Derek took over the family business about a decade ago. The company offers a comprehensive range of truck equipment and accessories, serving as a final assembly point for various small commercial vehicles.
Brannon highlighted that approximately 65-70% of the company’s business stems from direct collaboration with dealerships that sell completed commercial trucks. These dealerships contract Hartford Truck to enhance their vehicles with client-specific accessories such as truck beds, liftable truck beds, and snow plows.
The company’s growth is attributed in part to its 2019 achievement of becoming the first in Connecticut to join the bailment pools of car manufacturers Ford and Ram Trucks. This distinction allows Hartford Truck to purchase trucks directly from manufacturers and then upfit them for sale to dealerships, vastly expanding their market reach.
Expansion Details
Hartford Truck Equipment acquired nearly 12 acres of land behind its existing headquarters in 2021 for this expansion. After navigating zoning changes, work started on the new warehouse earlier this year. The project is being managed by Bloomfield-based contractor PDS Engineering & Construction, which previously worked on the company’s relocation in 2017. The new facility, primarily for storage, is projected to be completed in December 2023, with ample parking space for 217 trucks.
