• How A.R.E. Builds a Truck Cap

    July 14, 2016
    We visited the manufacturing facilities of A.R.E. Accessories, to see just what it takes to build a quality truck cap.

    You've probably seen HVAC or plumbing service vehicles with caps carrying the A.R.E. brand. You might even use A.R.E. truck caps in your fleet. If so, you’re using one of the best brands of truck caps on the market.

    A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Unit on a truck bed. Photo by A.R.E.

    A.R.E. Accessories, a Truck Hero, Inc. company, has been a leading manufacturer of fiberglass truck caps and hard tonneau covers for 46 years. The company has more than 670 employees at its three Ohio manufacturing facilities in the rural Ohio communities of Massillon, Mount Eaton, and Dundee Oh., that are located within 20 minutes of each other. The company is ISO-9001 2008 certified.

    Sal Gatti and Jonas Yoder founded A.R.E.  in the late 1960s. Its first products were wood-framed truck caps for a small niche market. The company name comes from the first initials of Gatti’s three children at the time: Anne Marie, Ralph and Elizabeth.

    The A.R.E. product line eventually moved from wood frames to aluminum-framed caps, and later, fiberglass frames were added.

    A.R.E. recently invited ContractingBusiness.com to come out for a visit, to observe the manufacturing process for its commercial line of truck caps (Deluxe Commercial Units/DCUs) used by various service businesses, which of course includes HVACR and plumbing contractors.

    A.R.E. has built a network of 650 dealers across the United States and Canada, for ordering, purchasing and access to replacement parts.

    Each of A.R.E.'s frames has weather-sealed doors with gas props, heavy-duty hinges, and automotive-style electronically-controlled locks for security. They have a wide selection of access, window, and shelf options to choose from.