A.R.E. BlogSpot

How Do I Remove My Tonneau Cover?

2012-01-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

A.R.E.'s Tonneau Cover offerings remain some of the best available on the market today. With three models, the LSII, LSX, and LSX Ultra, we can cater to our customer's needs. They provide a pleasing look since they are painted to match the truck and have the same style lines as the truck's hood. They provide safety, keeping goods locked up and out of sight. They also provide dry transportation.

However, we do know there is that occasion once or twice a year, where you need to take your tonneau cover off the truck to haul a couch, bookcase, or something that will not fit under the cover. While any A.R.E. Dealer would gladly remove and re-install the cover for you, it is sometimes easier to do it at home.

Because of this, we have created a 10 Minute video on how to properly remove and re-install your A.R.E. Tonneau Cover. If the time comes to take off the cover or put it back on, please take a few moments to watch the video and be sure you do it right!

Click this link and it will take you to our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJgzokMfs2c&feature=youtu.be

Ralph Gatti and Aden Miller Receive 2011 LTAA Hall of Fame Award

2011-11-15T09:37:00.005-05:00

The 2011 SEMA Show was a huge success for A.R.E., and one of the more memorable moments of the event was when two longtime A.R.E. leaders were honored at the LTAA (Light Truck Accessory Alliance) Reception. Ralph Gatti and Aden Miller were both presented with the prestigious LTAA Hall of Fame Award. This award was established to recognize quality and service in the light truck accessory community.

A.R.E. was founded in 1969 by friends Sal Gatti (Ralph Gatti’s father) and Jonas Yoder, plus first employee Aden Miller, to manufacture high-quality aluminum frame truck caps that fit the needs of truck owners. As the company grew, Ralph Gatti joined Miller to focus on production, and in 1979 they designed their first joint product, the Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU). A.R.E. continues to produce the DCU, which has become one of the most popular commercial caps on the market today. In 1982, Ralph and Aden introduced the first fiberglass truck cap into A.R.E.’s product line-up.

As instrumental leaders in creating new product components at A.R.E., both have been recognized for their industry-changing product designs. Aden has received the Ron Webster Award for Innovation and Design Excellence and the Chrysler/SEMA Award for Innovation/Engineering Excellence. Ralph’s focus on innovation and his customer-centered approach grew the business from a small regional cap manufacturer to an industry leader.

Aden retired as Vice President of Design and Engineering at A.R.E. in 2006. Ralph currently serves on the board for A.R.E. As positive mentors to friends and industry colleagues, both Miller and Gatti have spent much of their time over the past few years volunteering for natural disaster efforts and leading missions overseas.

“Our company continues to grow and succeed as a leading truck accessories business as a result of the core values that these gentlemen put in place during the first formative years of A.R.E.,” said Terry Seikel, A.R.E. president & CEO. “We are very proud of Aden and Ralph for receiving this award, and for joining our co-founder Sal Gatti in the LTAA Hall of Fame.”

(L to R) Ralph Gatti and Aden Miller, who both received the LTAA Hall of Fame Award at the 2011 SEMA Show, surround A.R.E. co-founder and fellow LTAA Hall of Fame member Sal Gatti.

Meet A.R.E.'s Summer Intern Kristen

2011-07-28T10:51:00.002-04:00

A.R.E. recently hired two summer interns to travel the Midwest to visit A.R.E. Dealers and Truck Dealers. We recently did a quick Q&A with one of the interns, Kristen, to get to know her and to see how things were going.

Q: What College do you attend?
A: Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio

Q: What degree are you pursuing?
A: I started in Early Childhood Education, but am thinking about switching to Business.

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy playing basketball, shopping, spending time with my family, going to the beach, and reading.

Q: Why did you pursure this internship?
A: It sounds like a great opportunity, plus it sounded like fun!

Q: How is it going so far?
A: It is going great so far. It’s been fun to travel and see cities I haven’t before. Working with my best friend definitely makes it fun; there’s never a dull moment. It’s been a great experience thus far. I love working with and meeting new people. We’re having success with promoting A.R.E and the local dealers. Almost all the truck dealers we work with are very willing to take all of our P.O.P items (catalogs, table top tents, static stickers, A.R.E sign) and overall everyone seems very pleased with A.R.E and the local dealers.

Q: What have you learned?
A: I think we’ve both had our eyes opened to many different types of people, especially coming from a small town like Sugarcreek, Ohio. We’ve had mostly pleasant visits with truck dealership but of course we’ve had our fair share of rude people. I’ve learned to be respectful no matter what and to not take things so personal. With all the driving we do I’m sure both of our driving skills have improved. I’ve also learned to not try to outsmart the GPS because it’s usually right and I’m usually wrong!!

Q: Any interesting stories from the road?
A: In Indianapolis something went wrong with our truck but luckily we were at a Chevy dealership where they could fix it. They had to keep the truck overnight and give us a ride back to the hotel. We happened to be in downtown Indy, right across from Circle Center Mall. We went to a movie and shopped the rest of that day, so it worked out just fine. Haha.

Q: Would you do this again?
A: YES!!!

Long Time A.R.E. Employee Fulfills Dream

2011-07-05T11:47:00.002-04:00

Bob Cline’s first day with A.R.E. was March 28, 1994. His first assignment was installing the base trim on caps and covers in Final Assembly on afternoon shift. He spent the next seventeen years working in Final Assembly, Paint, Returns, Purchasing, Mold Design, Production, and Service Parts.

In 2000, he took advantage of the Tuition Reimbursement Program at A.R.E. and went back to school to work toward a business degree. Over time, he began to realize what he really wanted to do was become a fireman. He started asking questions, started volunteering at the local station and quickly realized that he was passionate about this goal. He started firefighter/paramedic schooling in 2003. He was 32 at the time. Bob is 40 now and finally landed his dream job as a fireman.

In a recent company newsletter, Bob said, “There is a lot I will miss, primarily the people; co-workers, dealers, and suppliers. There are many dealers who have been with A.R.E. much longer than I have. I've developed relationships with many of you and will miss working with you. Thank you for your business and the role you've played in making A.R.E. the leading cap and cover manufacturer in North America.”

Everyone at A.R.E. wishes Bob the best of luck. Congratulations on achieving your goal – and for your willingness to risk your well being to protect others!

5 Questions with Kelly Fromm

2011-06-17T11:35:00.001-04:00

We recently interviewed Kelly Fromm, founder of “Dedicated to All Who Served” and builder of the 2010 GMC Sierra “Fallen Warrior” project vehicle. Here are some of the highlights:

1. What is the mission of your organization?

A moving memorial has been created in the form of our “Veteran1” 2010 Camaro, and our “Fallen Warrior” 2010 GMC Sierra. It is our mission to honor those soldiers, give back to their families and create awareness of those who sacrificed themselves to defend our freedom as Americans.

2. Why did you decide to build a project truck?

The truck came about to complement the “Veteran1” Camaro at the various shows/events I attend. I chose to outfit the truck with an A.R.E. CX Series because of their reputation in the industry for quality, along with the fact that they are the only manufacturer to offer a full fiberglass walk in door upgrade. Recently, I decided to convert both from a show truck and show car, to drag racing vehicles.

3. How has the response been on the truck at the various events it has participated in?

I’ll let the awards speak for themselves:

- “BEST IN SHOW” and “FASTEST TRUCK” at Wounded Warrior Fundraiser at Fort Bragg, NC (March 26, 2011)
- "BEST IN CLASS" at the SuperChevy Show at the Palm Beach International Raceway (April 10, 2011).
- “BEST IN CLASS” at the All Star Nationals , Atlanta Dragway (April 16, 2011)

4. How has this truck benefited the Veterans?

At the various events attended, I have raised over 80,000 dollars and counting to support the following charities:

- Active Dogs Academy Service Dog Foundation Inc (Provides service dogs to disabled veterans)
- Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home (St. Augustine, Fl)
- Wounded Warrior Project (Dedicated to honoring and empowering wounded veterans)

5. What are your plans for the truck in the future?

Continue to raise funds for veterans by attending both national and local shows/events, including SEMA 2011. Visit www.dedicatedtoallwhoserved.com for regular updates on the project.

A.R.E.'s Recent Production Shutdown

2011-05-25T10:31:00.003-04:00

Last week, we at A.R.E. were forced to shut down production for several days due to a breakdown of our Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer System (RTO). Within hours of the system shutdown, we had the replacement parts and technicians flown into Ohio to begin repairs. Once the RTO system was back up and running we started production and worked through the weekend to get back up to speed.

Our RTO system (seen below) helps A.R.E. be environmentally friendly. Our production process, which includes fiberglass and paint booths, has the potential to release harmful air emissions. However our RTO system burns these emissions at a 97% rate and gives us the ability to run production 24/7 with no constrictions. A.R.E. was the first truck cap manufacturer to use an emissions cleaning system when we opened our Massillon, Ohio plant in 1995, and we set an EPA benchmark for the fiberglass industry.

We sincerely apologize for any delays or problems our recent shutdown caused, but we continue to stand behind our efforts of being the industry leader in protecting our environment. Now that the system has been repaired, we are taking full advantage of our abilities to run production non-stop and we will be caught up soon.

Thank you for your business and for your patience during this time.

** To see a computer animation of how RTO Systems operate, visit http://youtu.be/fOFGfSWZrLA

An Email That Makes Us Proud

2011-03-15T10:12:00.004-04:00

We at A.R.E. do not claim to make a perfect product. Anyone who buys, sells, or owns a truck cap or cover knows its nearly impossible to have the "perfect product." However, we feel we do a pretty good job. In my role at A.R.E., customers have direct access to me through several different forms of communication. Through these channels I hear complaints about our products and sometimes it can become quite frustrating and easy to forget that overall, we do a good job.

Yesterday we received an email that made us all smile and remember that fact. While it was an unfortunate situation for the customer, A.R.E.'s LSII ended up protecting his truck, and he took the time to contact us to let us know we did a great job for him and it was an email we were proud to receive.

Here is what it had to say:

"Just thought I would let you know that my neighbor's flagpole fell over a day ago and happened to land on my truck. It was quite an impact as my wife heard it while she was in the kitchen, she looked outside and saw the flagpole leaning against my truck. I figured the worst expecting damage and went out to take a look. Luckily the flagpole had fallen on my fiberglass tonneau cover which prevented any other damage to my truck. Amazingly the tonneau cover absorbed the impact without any damage. There is some white paint from the flagpole on the cover and I believe it will buff out when the weather here gets a little warmer. There were no cracks, chips or underside damage to the cover. Thanks for building such a good product. If you would like pictures let me know and I'll send them to you."

We gladly took him up on his offer for pictures and they are below. We hope this customer gets that white paint buffed out, and we really appreciate him taking the time to contact us!

Andy, A.R.E.

Talking to Jeremy

2011-02-22T10:08:00.006-05:00

A couple weeks ago I was working the Eastern Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This is an extremely large show attracting more than 700,000 visitors in the 13 day run. This year A.R.E. displayed 4 different trucks in our booth, with the main attraction being the Under Armour and Wounded Warrior Project project truck. We participated in this project truck with our MX Series cap, and because of this, and the show’s proximity to the truck’s location, we were able to display it at the show.

The Wounded Warrior Project is a foundation, which raises awareness and enlists public aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women. One of the project’s founders, Brace Feldbusch, and his wife Charlene (seen below with A.R.E. Representative Steve Milizia), came through the show and stopped by to speak with us. They got involved with the project when their son, Jeremy, was wounded in Iraq, which led to him losing all eyesight. We stood there speaking with Brace and Charlene, and I mentioned how we were hoping Jeremy was going to be able to make it, because we would have liked to meet him. Mrs. Feldbusch whipped out her phone, dialed a number, handed the phone to me and said “here, talk to Jeremy.”

I spent the next 15 minutes on the phone describing the show, our company, but most importantly, the project truck. Jeremy wanted to know the colors, design, engine, etc, etc about the truck. Once I was done describing it all, he simply said “how much?” Jeremy promised me if he were to get his hands on the truck he would find someone to drive him around all day so they could display the truck. I told him if it was mine to give, consider it done.

While Jeremy was injured serving our country, his zest for life hadn’t gone anywhere. In fact, his parents visited a taxidermist at the show to pick up the alligator Jeremy shot on a recent hunt. Jeremy may have been injured while defending our rights and freedom, but that is not stopping him from enjoying them just the same as you and me.

To get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, please visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

To see images of the show and the Project Truck, please visit http://www.facebook.com/aretruckcaps#!/album.php?aid=615977&id=138293495012

- Andy, A.R.E.

DIY - Adding a Net to the Inside of Your Cap

2011-01-05T14:09:00.008-05:00

We have heard several questions and requests on the best way to hang a net on the inside roof of your A.R.E. Truck Cap. While there isn't a "one size fits all" solution, here is a general way to do it.

PLEASE NOTE!! This will only work if you have roof racks on your cap.

While it is a pretty simple idea, it is a two man job. You will need someone on the inside holding the black plastic piece (see photo #1) while person 2 loosens a bolt in the tracks on the outside roof. (see photo #2).

Once the bolt is loosened the black piece inside will come off. The loops of your net can go on the bolt, and the black plastic piece can go on top of the loops. Once the bolt is tightened, the net will be secure. Your weight will be somewhat limited, but you will have to do some testing with your net to see exactly what it can hold.

We hope this helps, and feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

Making Green Cool

2010-11-22T15:46:00.002-05:00

A.R.E. has recently gotten involved in a new project headed up by Tom Holm of the EcoTrek Foundation. Ecotrek’s goal as a nonprofit organization is to investigate and offer alternative fuels to the automotive industry.

EcoTrek is producing educational programs that promote renewable fuels and the preservation of endangered ecosystems and world heritage sites, including many in North America. As part of this campaign, EcoTrek has customized an environmental research and recovery vehicle that will be used to help perform field work and educational tours.

EcoTrek’s newest project vehicle (featuring an A.R.E. MX-Series fiberglass truck cap) is the first production vehicle in the world designed to operate on cellulosic ethanol made from “non-food” organic materials, such as corn cobs, urban debris, paper and waste wood chips. It produces 90% fewer harmful emissions than similar vehicles using gasoline for fuel. Cellulosic Ethanol can actually lower the cost of food by making waste crops products an additional revenue sources for American farmers.

EcoTrek is working to feature this vehicle in documentary films, educational exhibits and at events promoting renewable fuels. The truck was well received when it made its debut in A.R.E.’s booth at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Under Armour and Wounded Warriors Project Truck

2010-09-10T09:50:00.000-04:00

We have used many words to describe past Project Vehicles A.R.E. has participated with; cool, fun, exciting. However, for the very first time we used a new word – Honor. Honor is the word we used when Under Armour, the sports apparel company, approached us about participating in a project truck for their partnership with the Wounded Warriors Project.

The Wounded Warriors Project is a non-profit organization with the mission of “protecting the honor and empower wounded warriors.” Founded in 2003 by a group of U.S. Veterans, the goal of the project is to provide support for the severely wounded and help them recover both physically and mentally.

While A.R.E. was excited to be joining a partnership with Under Armour, we felt honored to help an organization that assists our Veterans. A.R.E. employs over 80 U.S. Veterans and as a salute to them and all of our Veterans, we dedicate this truck to you.

Be on the lookout for the Project Truck at many different shows and events!

For more information, including how to donate to their cause, please visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

To shop for special Under Armour gear that benefits the Wounded Warrior Project, please visit http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/wwp-collection.

Truck 'N Trailers USA Goes Solar

2010-08-11T09:02:00.000-04:00

Longtime A.R.E. Dealer, Truck ‘N Trailers USA in Chattanooga, TN, has recently completed a very exciting transformation. They have installed and commissioned a Solar Power Array system to be used at their location. The system spans 8,000 square feet and uses 192 rooftop solar panels, and can produce 33.6 KW per hour.

Truck ‘N Trailers owner Tom Moore is very happy with the recent addition. “Our solar initiative has been a great learning opportunity as we identified ways to be a more efficient and environmentally friendly company,” Moore said. “We look forward to expanding our efforts to increase efficiency and enhance the environmental sustainability of our business.”

Tom said the solar power generation is offsetting 60% of his company’s current power demands and expects to save $12,000 to $14,000 during the first full year of operation.

Check out the image below. It is a computer generated model of the store with the solar panels installed!

On behalf of everyone at A.R.E, we would like to congratulate Tom and his team on the completion of this excellent project!

Hop on the Bus?

2010-07-26T13:32:00.001-04:00

In other regions of the globe, pickup trucks tend to be smaller, although in many cases they are used more ruggedly than they are in the United States and Canada.

Take this picture for instance. I don’t how many people are packed into the back of this truck bed!

And another thing – I’m not sure if the apparatus mounted to the truck bed qualifies as a truck cap or a camper of some kind… but it definitely offers good ventilation!

Taking Handcrafted to Another Level

2010-07-20T11:30:00.001-04:00

While it is true that many hands touch every single A.R.E. Truck Cap that flows down the assembly line, the gentleman that made this truck cap obviously put a lot of love and hard work into his creation!

Many hours went into building this truck cover… but for the proud owner, I’m sure it was worth it!

New Project Truck for A.R.E.?

2010-07-12T11:44:00.000-04:00

A recent Tweet and Facebook post has many A.R.E. Dealers and Employees talking. However, after much research, few answers have been uncovered.

At 2:07 PM on Friday, June 25th, a cryptic Tweet was posted on A.R.E.’s Twitter account saying, “We have secured our best project truck to date. Details to follow, but expect a mid-to-late Fall unveiling. It will be Hall of Fame worthy.” A very similar post was made shortly after on A.R.E.’s Facebook Page.

“At this time I have no comment,” A.R.E.’s Marketing Director Bryan Baker said when asked about the mysterious posts. He continued, “We have secured the truck and are currently in discussions with a partner on the overall theme, but at this time it would not be fair to A.R.E. or any included parties to give any more details.”

There have been many successful A.R.E. Project Trucks including the Tundra Workforce, the Verminators Truck, and the Storm Chasers Truck. Will this new Project Truck be themed around another TV Show? A Commercial Theme? Something new? It is hard to say, because no one is talking!

A.R.E. Employee Serves our Country

2010-06-07T12:46:00.000-04:00

Honor. Prestige. Service. Hero. These are some common words to describe the men and women who enlist to serve our great country. A.R.E. has to look no further than within its own walls to find many examples of these heroes. At last count, there were 83 U.S. Veterans working in the company. One of those Veterans is Kevin McGovern. Kevin is a Materials Handler at A.R.E.’s Mt. Eaton, Ohio plant. He has been with the company and in that position since his hire date, June 21st, 2000. This month Kevin will receive his A.R.E. Service Award for 10 years with the company, but his family might have to accept the honor on his behalf. This is because Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Kevin McGovern has been called to duty.

While his mission will not place him directly in the battle, he has a very important role. Kevin has been named the Transportation Officer for the Air Force’s premier entertaining group The Tops in Blue. Kevin will be traveling with the group helping transport all the gear necessary to put on these shows. However, don’t think he will be doing just the behind the scenes work. Kevin will fill in as necessary as a performer with the group, “I had to sing and dance as part of the audition.”

The Tops in Blue is a highly selective group of active Air Force members who tour the country for 12 months performing at many military bases. Traveling from show to show can be a very difficult process considering the 65,000 pounds of gear that goes along with the crew. That is where Kevin will come in. He will be in charge of making sure all the equipment makes it on one of the two semis or a motor coach after every show.

Kevin has been placed on leave from A.R.E. and will resume his duties as a Materials Handler when he returns from his one-year stint in his new role.

Everyone at A.R.E. wishes Kevin and The Tops in Blue the best of luck with the upcoming tour, and we cannot wait until Kevin returns with pictures and stories of life on the road!

It's Showtime

2010-02-10T13:38:00.000-05:00

Every industry has a time of year that is special to them. For instance the movie industry releases its best for the summer blockbuster, but for the auto industry that time is now.

It’s Showtime. That’s right, it’s that time of year again. What better way to show off your new stuff than at a show? A.R.E. has a booth currently set up at the Eastern Sports, Boat, and Travel show in Harrisburg, Pa., which will be running through February 14th.

A.R.E. is not only strutting our stuff, but Gary Lewis is actually tweeting live from the show, so for anyone who can’t make it to the show can get live update by following his tweets.

A.R.E. will also be setting up at the Cleveland Auto Show, which will be held February 27th through March 7th. Show season is a great time to show off great product and get new ideas, but it’s also a good time for dealers to get in the act as well.

A.R.E. dealers will also be involved in some upcoming shows, which is a great time for them to show off A.R.E. product as well. Some of the upcoming shows include the: Maine Sportsman Show, Iowa State Fair, Greater Minneapolis Auto Show, West New York RV Show, Nashville Boat Show, Indianapolis Sport and Travel Show as well as many others.

It’s Showtime, and what better way to check out our products and new ideas than visiting a show in your area, or if you can’t make the show check out what Gary is saying at www.twitter.com/areaccessories.

Storm Chasers

2009-12-16T14:48:00.001-05:00

I’ve always been intrigued by people who chase storms and tornadoes. I often wonder what it would be like staring at a twister only miles away. I may never know what it is like first hand, but an A.R.E. truck cap has been experiencing it first hand for the last five years!

That’s right; A.R.E. has been spotted chasing storms on The Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers. A.R.E. itself is not chasing storms, but a storm chaser, who recently was featured on the show, is using one of our caps.

Tim Samaras purchased an A.R.E. cap five years ago from Suburban Toppers in Denver, and since has been featured on the show numerous times chasing and tracking storms. Samaras uses the cap to protect his gear from the traitorous storms and torturous weather he encounters.

If you want to check out the show check your local listening, Samaras and our cap is featured on the show quite often. For a quick glimpse into the life of a chaser and their vehicles just click on the link http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/storm-chasers-tims-missouri-twister.html.
Ryan - 12.16.2009

The Hunt of a Lifetime

2009-11-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

There are so many things in life that can make people happy. It can be family, friends, work, sports, food, and I could go on and on. For a recent A.R.E. customer, Ron Murphy, hunting with his dear friend Paul Whitley was one of the things that made him truly happy.

When Paul was diagnosed with cancer in September 2009, he called Ron to see what they could do about setting up a hunt in the near future. Paul had his doubts, but called around and found an outfitter RedBluffRanch.com who was willing to work with Paul and Ron. November 7, 2009 was set as the day they would embark on a trip from Bend, NC to Red Bluff Ranch in Texas.

However, Paul needed a truck cap for his Toyota Tacoma for the trip. He searched for over a month and couldn't find anything until he called A.R.E. Dealer Crossroad Campers in East Bend, NC. Owner Mark Boles told Paul about A.R.E.'s Express Shipment Program and they placed the order.

On the morning of the day to leave Paul went into Crossroad Campers, and not only had the truck cap arrived, Mark had cleaned it and was waiting to get it installed. The cap was on before 12 noon, and Paul was ready to go. A.R.E. decided not to charge for the express shipment and Mark passed along the savings and sent Paul and Ron on their way to Texas for the big hunt!

This just goes to show what people are willing to do to help someone else out. A.R.E. was NOT the reason for this success story, we were just a willing bystander. The good people in this story made it a success, and A.R.E. was glad to be a part of it all.

Now, we at A.R.E. fully expect both Paul AND Ron to be entering our annual Big Buck Contest after their amazing adventure!

Andy - 11.20.2009

The Joy of Fishing

2009-11-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

Wayne Van Burger is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. No one gets into a Hall of Fame without hard work and dedication. Wayne's hard work and dedication transferred from coaching wrestling to film making. This was clearly evident, and when Wayne approached A.R.E. with a partnership idea, we jumped at it.

Not only does Wayne have the desire to achieve, but he has surrounded himself with an outstanding cast who emulates his ideals. The Joy of Fishing will now be featuring an A.R.E. MX Series on the main truck. Not only that, but we got Wayne to do a testimonial piece on his new cap and it came out unbelievable.

Watch and enjoy...

Andy - 11-11-09

Holiday Road

2009-11-11T15:09:00.001-05:00

When you think of going on vacation, and have a lot to carry, a many-passenger vehicle with room and comfort for the family, but not this Baja.

When I first saw the Baja I swear I heard Holiday Road playing in the background. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it was the song played in the original Vacation movie starring Chevy Chase. If the car were only green it would nearly be a perfect match, although smaller than the station wagon in the movie.

After seeing the Baja I started thinking how could so much fit in something so small. I mean it literally has everything but the kitchen sink in it. It's truly amazing if you sit and think about how small the Baja is, and yet it has an A.R.E. truck cap, a dual Thule luggage carrier, a bike and a back full of miscellaneous items I can't even begin to describe.

Just thinking about the Baja going down the highways makes me want to laugh. It makes me think of how many kids in the back seat of their family's cars find it amusing and what their parents think. It's definitely something that makes you go hmmmm . . .

Ryan Knight - 9.9.09

Making the Band

2009-11-11T15:08:00.001-05:00

Growing up everyone wanted to be something or someone famous. One of the more famous childhood dreams was to become a rock star, but for most that’s all they really were, dreams.

Through the years the dreams may have changed and the realization of real life have set in for most of these people. Sure you have the thirty-something still trying to rock out with his high school buddies or playing Guitar Hero, but most have accepted life the way it is.

I wrote earlier about the fact that I am always looking at fiberglass caps and tonneau covers in movies to see if they are ours, but was blown away when I saw our product in a rock video. Yep, that’s right, we made the band.

An A.R.E. truck cap was used in Nickleback’s “If Today Was Your Last Day” video, and it looked great. There simply isn’t anything better than seeing our finished product on good-looking vehicles, especially when they are in a rock band’s video shoot.

For anyone interested in seeing the video, or simply checking out A.R.E.’s cap in a rock video, simply click on the link below.
http://www.nickelback.com/index2.html

Ryan Knight – 9.8.09

40th Anniversary

2009-11-11T15:07:00.000-05:00

Forty years does not seem all that long ago, but if you stop and think of everything that has occurred in the past forty years you will realize how far we’ve come and how much we have achieved.

1969 began with the Ohio State Buckeyes defeating the USC Trojans to win the National Championship, and who can forget the infamous guarantee of a Super Bowl victory by Joe Namath? We were still in the midst of the Vietnam War and Cold War with Russia, while Richard Nixon became president. We also made the first successful trip to the moon, while Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.

It brought something else that is very important to me - A.R.E. Now I know what you’re thinking, and yes I am not old enough to remember, but I am thankful for what A.R.E. has provided for me through the years.

For many of us whom have worked at A.R.E. for many years it is like a home, but for some it is simply a new beginning. We can take a look back at the memories and look forward to the many more years of good service and quality we have driven toward in the past 40 years and thrive to continue to improve and prosper for another 40 years.

What do you remember, if possible, about what happened 40-years-ago? What were some special moments in your life? I like thinking back and remembering the many great memories I have had, but it’s looking to the future that strikes my curiosity the most.

Ryan Knight – 8.11.2009

Loyalty / The Good Old Days

2009-11-11T15:06:00.000-05:00

Loyalty is defined as the state or quality of being loyal, or faithfulness to commitments or obligations. Most good people believe they are loyal, or at least they can hold up their end of a commitment, but so do businesses and the people who run them.

Mike Gardner, owner of Hillwood Sales, has been a loyal A.R.E. dealer for nearly 20 years. He recently sent us some pictures (see the one above) of his family’s business from 1970! Mike has been in the business just about his whole life, but says it is his loyalty to not only A.R.E., but to his community as well, which makes the business a success.

Mike says A.R.E.’s commitment to his business has given him the opportunity to explore other markets that have been a success, but the quality of our product brings people to Hillwood because of the loyalty and commitment we have shown to our dealers and customer base.

Mike’s philosophy for success is to never look back, but move forward and remain loyal to those who have helped you get where you are today.

Ryan Knight - 6.2.2009

Take a Look at Me

2009-11-11T15:05:00.002-05:00

Throughout the years I have seen many different A.R.E. caps and lids, and have even seen them used in many different ways as well. I have discussed some of these ways in earlier blog entrees, and then I found this picture of an old A.R.E. K-Series cap on an outside machine of some sort just down the road.

Just when you think you have seen it all you see something like this. Although bizarre, there at least was an attempt at a matching color scheme. Seeing this machine and thinking back to some of my other postings and discussions has made me wonder what else is out there.

I’m taking this time to call out all of our customer base and even those who just want to share in this bizarre niche of accessories and ask for everyone to send us photos of the wackiest A.R.E. product use!

If you want to join in and send photos, just email them to me at rknight @ 4are.com and let’s have a little fun.

Ryan Knight – 5.4.2009

Become an A.R.E. Fan on Facebook!

2009-11-11T15:05:00.001-05:00

A.R.E. has always tried to stay up with the Internet world, especially recently by updating our Web site and entering the YouTube craze.

These are all great ways for our customers to see what’s new and exciting with A.R.E.; however, we have taken it one step further. We are on Facebook now as well.

This will give our customers a new and exciting way to hear about our product from people who have bought and even produced and A.R.E. cap or lid.

It’s always good to hear about products before you make a purchase, and Facebook will open a new avenue for our customer base to share what we are really about.

If you want to take a look (and hopefully become a fan!) just log on to Facebook and look up “A.R.E. Accessories”.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ARE-Accessories/138293495012

Ryan Knight – 4.1.2009

Our WorkForce has Doubled!

2009-11-11T15:04:00.001-05:00

If you remember back, or want to take a few minutes to read one of my earlier entrees, I talked about the WorkForce project truck that we put the together with the help of Toyota and many of our great suppliers.

We took on a new challenge at the request from the Toyota Regional Headquarters in Cincinnati and duplicated the original Toyota Tundra WorkForce. Toyota wants to use the new WorkForce to display at different venues around the country.

WorkForce One, similar to Air Force One, has also taken on a new look. We replaced the A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Unit with a new SpaceKap. It was recently on display in A.R.E.’s booth at the NTEA Show in Chicago.

Similar, but different, both vehicles show off many of our best commercial products.

Ryan Knight – 3.10.2009

A Lifelong Dream

2009-11-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had hopes and dreams of doing something, but for whatever reason put them off? Well, this particular couple is out there living their dream!

Pat and Cindy Bonish have finally began their dream of traveling across the country and living life on the road. They’ve named their venture “Every Mile’s a Memory,” which began in January 2007.

The couple has set up a web site to post photos and blogs of their daily travel and adventures. I know what you’re thinking . . .What does this have to do with A.R.E.?

I won’t get into all the details (visit the web site to learn more!) but they were in need of a strong, yet reliable cover for their Ford truck, so they decided to buy an A.R.E. cap from a dealer in Michigan. “It was more than I could ask for,” says Pat.

Today’s society is a fast-paced get-it-done now attitude, but don’t forget to live your dreams, and don’t forget that A.R.E. can help make it possible in many different ways. For those who would like to see the photos and learn more about Pat and Cindy’s adventure simply click on the link http://everymilesamemory.com , and check it out!

Ryan Knight – 2.22.2009

A.R.E.’s DCU Handyman Approved

2009-11-11T15:02:00.002-05:00

In most cases, it is always good to score 100 percent on anything, whether it is a test or some form of competition. Sure there’s the rare case where the lower percentage is better, but is far and few and far between.

A.R.E. recently provided Handy Magazine three of our DCU caps for its product test review. Our DCU (Deluxe Commercial Unit) received an overall 10 out of 10 rating, or 100% approval and was awarded the Handyman Club of America’s Member Tested and Approved Seal of Approval.

Handy magazine will feature the DCU in its April/May 2009 issue, where it can be seen in the Member Tested section. Handy magazine is reaches more than a million homes, and is read by people who are interested in home improvement, remodeling and landscaping.

Because the DCU received a 10 out of 10 overall rating, A.R.E. is now allowed proudly display the Handyman Club Seal of Approval.

If you are interested in reading the article and seeing the results, pick up a copy of the Handy magazine April/May 2009 issue, or look it up online in a few months at http://www.handymanclub.com

Ryan Knight – 1.28.09

Outfit4life Channel

2009-11-11T15:02:00.001-05:00

YouTube is a growing phenomenon for all interests. A.R.E. has recently joined the craze, and has its own YouTube channel.

The channel displays various videos about A.R.E. and our latest products, as well as some blasts from the past.

For a first-hand look, take a few minutes and see for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/user/Outfit4Life.

The newest videos are from the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas!

- Ryan Knight, 12.10.08

Take a Look at this Beast!!

2009-11-11T15:01:00.001-05:00

I’m Baaaaaaaaack!!!!! Sorry it’s been so long, but the stress of a long semester has taken its toll. However, I have made it to the end, and will graduate soon. So much has happened since we’ve last talked, well since I last talked to you that is. We have elected a new president, gas prices have gone back down to normal levels, and the Tampa Bay Rays made the World Series. (Who would have ever imagined?)

Back to business, we have always been involved in some interesting truck promotions, but I must say, the request for a special DCU from Neil Knight (no relation), owner of Cherry Products Body & Paint located in Cornelius, Oregon is something like I’ve never seen before. Mr. Knight approached Truck and S.U.V. Accessories in Cornelius, because he wanted something special for his custom truck. And as you can see, it is truly amazing.

I’ve seen some interesting custom trucks in my time, but none like this. Mr. Knight’s request for a custom cap was due to the inability to find one to fit his 2006 International cab and a Ford F350 Super-Duty bed, and still have the look he wanted for his truck. Mr. Knight uses his truck to pull a 32-foot toy hauler and occasionally for camping while hunting. I bet you never seen someone camped out in something like this before.

With the help of Truck and S.U.V. Accessories and A.R.E., Mr. Knight now has a custom cap for his unique whip. A.R.E. and its design team were able to create this one-of-a-kind work of art. What a Beast!!

Ryan Knight – 11.10.2008

Is that an A.R.E. Cap?

2009-11-11T15:00:00.000-05:00

The Internet is full of interesting material and information. YouTube has become a great way to see wild and crazy things from all different spectrums of the world. This is a big success due to the younger generation, but if you ever get a chance, go on YouTube, and you would be surprised of what you can see.

Once in a while, you will see things that make you laugh or cry, but then there are the times you come across video that you can’t believe with your own eyes.

I came across a video of some men having fun on what appears to be a bass boat at first, but with a closer look, it is a truck cap with a boat engine attached. I must say the video isn’t all that clear, so it’s not for certain it is an A.R.E. cap, but nonetheless the video is hilarious. I just hope we don’t see this one back in the future for leaking windows. Ha, Ha, Ha.

If you have a few extra minutes take a look for yourself, and just click on the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naiPuBY_40I

Ryan Knight – 11.19.2008

Are you Ready for Some Football?

2009-11-11T14:58:00.000-05:00

Football is king in Northeast Ohio (Go Tigers!!!). And if you didn’t know, you better ask somebody. In my world there’s only two seasons, football season and football season.

Sure, there may be an occasional argument over high school, college or pro being better, but everyone knows when it’s football season. Like the Gatorade commercial says, football is football, unless it’s football.

There’s nothing like Friday Night Lights (Go Tigers!!), Saturday afternoon games (Go Bucks!!), and Sunday football all day (Go Browns!!).

And then there’s tailgating. Whether it’s the smell of food in the air, or the sound of a thousand fans hooting and hollering, there’s nothing like tailgating before a game. If you’ve ever tailgated before a game, you know that it brings out the best and worst in some people, but there’s a tailgating crew that has set a new standard on how it should be done.

Galpin Auto Sports built a tailgating truck that’s out of this world. The Galpinized Ford F150 Tailgate Part Truck is truly a football fans fantasy. The truck has an A.R.E LSII that rises (with a TopUp rail system), and features a 37” big screen plasma TV with its own satellite system, a Playstation 2 game system, a Bose surround sound stereo system and a full-size barbeque grill. There are so many features I can’t name them all. Unfortunately, this is truly a custom truck, because A.R.E.’s LSII does not come with the lift-up option that is featured on this ride.

However, the truck has won numerous awards and is showcased by USC Trojan fans. Google Galpin Auto Sports and take a look for yourself.

Ryan Knight – 8.21.2008

Deerassic Classic

2009-11-11T14:57:00.001-05:00

If you like camouflage, gambling, and/or country music, you would have loved this year’s Deerassic Classic.

R&S Truck Caps represented A.R.E. in full force earlier this month at the 6th Annual Deerassic Classic in Cambridge, Ohio. The annual event has the latest displays for trucks, outdoor gear and ATV’s.

R&S displayed many of its store’s hottest items, while showing off the A.R.E. WorkForce project vehicle, and other great looking trucks with A.R.E. products on them.

The event had plenty of prizes and entertainment. Tracy Lawrence, Ruff Creek and Cowboy Crush performed live on stage and Nashville’s Irlene Mandrell was the official spokesperson. The weekend kicked-off with a huge Texas Hold’Em tournament, and was capped off with a firework show.

To learn more, log on to http://www.deerassic.com .

Ryan Knight - 8.10.2008

A Week at the Races

2009-11-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

For those of you who love racing, you’re going to enjoy this. A.R.E. with the help of DuPont sponsored two cars during Ohio Speed Week. The event consisted of one race a night for the entire week.

The two cars sponsored by A.R.E. were the #27 car driven by Cody Jacobs, and the #55 car driven by his father Dean.

The last race of the week, and the biggest race of the event was held at a track owned by Tony Stewart. In the final race the #55 car (Dean) finished in 4th place out of more than forty drivers.

The #27 car will continue to be sponsored by A.R.E. with the help of DuPont for the remainder of the racing season.

Ryan Knight – 7.22.08

New Logos

2009-11-11T14:55:00.002-05:00

I was driving down the road the other day and spotted a new A.R.E. truck cap. What’s interesting is I knew it was new because it had our new logos on it.

I’ve always looked for our logo when I see a truck with a cap or lid just to see if it’s ours. The amazing thing is the new logo makes such a difference that it wasn’t hard to spot. What really looked nice was the new corporate logo that is on all the new rear doors. It really set it off.

I never thought something so simple could make such a difference. So, when you’re driving down the road and see a truck with an A.R.E. cap or lid; look to see if it has the new logos. I’m sure you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

Ryan Knight – 7.20.08

Innovative Contraptions

2009-11-11T14:55:00.001-05:00

I remember when I was young; my dad had an A.R.E. aluminum cap that was made in Mt. Eaton, because it was long before the Massillon plant had opened.

The aluminum caps were so light, even at a young age I could have probably taken it off my dad's truck with out his help.

What's funny is when I fast-forward through the years and remember the first time I had to hand load a big fiberglass cap (T-Wedge) on the Fernley shuttle. Man, let me tell you what a difference that is.

I often wonder how some people take their caps on and off their trucks, and even why people take their caps off. Well, recently someone showed me an interesting innovation they came across while reading someone else's blog. Go figure, I'm writing about a blog on our blog. Sweet!!

However, this man who does all this traveling has an A.R.E. cap on his truck. What's interesting is his friend came up with an innovative way (built a contraption) to get his cap off his truck.

I've seen some interesting things in my life, but this is something new to me. It made me think if it was worth the time put into it considering it would only have taken him and his friend a few minutes to lift it off. If you want to check out the contraption, I mean innovative lift… Check out the blog at http://tinyurl.com/5mwfwx , it's at the very bottom of the first page.

Ryan Knight - 7.17.08

Beef Jerky and A.R.E.

2009-11-11T14:54:00.001-05:00

I know you have all seen the wild beef jerky commercials by Jacks Link’s Beef Jerky, you know the ones with Sasquach, or have eaten a pack or two here and there.

I recently came across their website and found that their promotional truck has and A.R.E. LSII lid on it.

If you get a chance you have to visit the site http://www.jacklinks.com/ , trust me it will be worth your while.

You can watch all the commercials shown on television in their entirety, plus it has some pretty cool games you can play…. Not that I have time to sit around and play them.

It’s pretty cool seeing our product on someone’s vehicle, especially when it’s on a company or individuals truck that we don’t get to see in everyday life.

Ryan Knight – 7.12.08

The Workforce Goes to Texas

2009-11-11T14:53:00.001-05:00

We’ve partnered with Toyota to create The Tundra Workforce. If you haven’t seen it, the truck is a workingman’s dream, and also includes sponsored products from other vendors. The detail and accessories are out of this world, and it simply looks great.

Recently The WorkForce took a road trip to the new Toyota facility in San Antonio, Texas. The truck fit in perfectly, because you know they like everything big in Texas!

The truck was on display for members of the Toyota group and some of our own A.R.E. dealers to admire (A.R.E. Dealers were in San Antonio for our National Dealer Meeting). While there, everyone was able to take a tour of the new state-of-the-art Toyota plant.

If you haven’t seen the truck, you need to link over to http://www.4are.com/product/twf/ and check it out.

Ryan Knight – 7.8.2008

The World By Road

2009-11-11T14:52:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wanted to travel around the world? Most of the time I think about embarking on such an adventure it would be by plain or train.

There is a group of people making a trip around the world as we speak, but they are not doing it by plain or train, but rather by truck.

The traveling group has been on the road for the past since 2006 with a goal to promote awareness and diversity around the globe.

Have you ever heard someone say, “You don’t see people like that any more?” Well I hear it all the time, especially from older generations, but it would be hard not to say it about this crew.

A.R.E. became involved with adventure last year when we donated a DCU cap for the Toyota Tundra in the two-vehicle fleet. There are many other sponsors who have provided these men with the tools to travel and educate to people around the world.

If you are interested in reading about the adventure and following them as they cross the globe, visit http://www.theworldbyroad.com , and check out this unique event.

Ryan Knight – 7.4.08

Meeting Ryan

2009-11-11T14:51:00.002-05:00

While at Infineon Raceway (A.R.E. is an Infineon Raceway Sponsor) for the Nascar Race a few weeks ago, we had the honor and privilege of meeting young Ryan Szypura and his family.

Ryan has had the misfortune of being born with all kinds of very serious medical conditions, including Anaphylaxis (deathly allergic) to most food, Anaphylaxis to medicine, antibiotics, bees, Severe Asthma, Eosiniphilic Esophagitis (Rare but serious GI disease), and Burkitts Lymphoma.

Through the help of a family friend, Mite Mitera, and the track manager, Michael D'Addario, 9 year-old Ryan was able to experience his wish to attend a Nascar Race, and meet "his" driver - Ryan Newman.

Luckily for us, Ryan Szupura and his family had a campsite across from ours, so we had the chance to watch the race, play wiffle ball, and hang out with this exceptional young man and his family, including his younger brother Jake.

Sponsoring the track and watching the race were great, but meeting Ryan was definitely a highlight of the weekend events.

7.2.2008

Ideas

2009-11-11T14:51:00.001-05:00

A.R.E. is now offering a new all-black unpainted palm handle on all LSII units. A.R.E.’s Dealer Advisory Panel suggested the idea to the marketing and sales department as a more durable alternative for customers who use their cover for work, and now it is going to be a reality.

Teamwork does not always have to come within ones department or office; it can be formed nation wide with good ideas and the right determination.

So, the next time you have an idea and you think it may not be worth your while to tell someone about it…don’t forget that every idea counts.

- Ryan Knight 6.18.08

LiftedF150Girl

2009-11-11T14:50:00.001-05:00

A.R.E.’s website allows people to showcase his or her truck in the Testimonial section of the site. This is not only a great way for our customers to show off their truck, but for us to see how our product looks on them as well.

One particular picture stands out. I don’t know if it’s the purple ghost flames, powerful looking truck, or the poppy fields, but it sure is an attention getter.

One great thing about writing these entries is the opportunity to meet and talk to many different and interesting people.

The story behind the vehicle is much more powerful than the picture… It turns out the vehicle was built by a woman who goes by the name “liftedf150girl”. She is 100% disabled from a neuro-muscular illness and nerve damage on her spinal cord that affects her arms, yet she was still able to build this truck, even the mechanical work!

If you are interested in learning more about the vehicle and its owner feel free to email rknight@4are.com.

- Ryan Knight 6.13.08

A.R.E. Goes Hollywood

2009-11-11T14:49:00.000-05:00

Every time I watch a television show or movie and see a truck with a cap or cover on it I pause or rewind it to see if it was one of ours.

My wife thinks that I’m a freak, but it has become something that I look for all the time now and I just can’t help myself.

The good news in now I can actually watch a program and know one of our units will be on the show. A.R.E.’s Deluxe Commercial Unit is being used on The Discovery Channel’s show Verminators.

The show is about a pest control company (ISOTECH), and its determination and hard work in what I would call a dirty, nasty job, but hey someone has to do it right.

I always thought it would be sweet to watch a movie and see people standing behind a truck with an A.R.E. cap on it, and then hear “Bill is that your new truck cover?” and of course the answer would be, “Yes, it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought.”

Verminators airs at 10 p.m. on Monday nights, so when you’re sitting at home with nothing to do, turn to the Discovery Channel and check it out.

Ryan Knight – 6.10.08

Infineon Raceway

2009-11-11T14:48:00.002-05:00

A.R.E. has teamed up with Toyota to outfit 9 Tundras for Infineon Raceway. Infineon Raceway is located in Sonoma Valley, Ca. and hosts such events as NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA races.

A.R.E. products, and the A.R.E. logo is proudly displayed on nine Infineon Raceway personnel, fire and maintenance vehicles. A plan is in the works for two more units for use on the pace trucks.

A special marketing and promotional event at the IndyCar race in June of this year will have our product and name seen by more than 200,000 race fans. A.R.E. will have a booth at Infineon’s Nascar and NHRA races this year.

Be sure and stop by and say “Hey” if your attending the June 22 Nascar Race or the August 3 NHRA Race!

- Ryan Knight, 6.06.2008

Reno 911

2009-11-11T14:48:00.001-05:00

In the truck cap business it is always good to see your product on the road, but it is even more special when it is on the vehicles of those who serve and protect.

When you see a uniformed officer you think of someone who is dedicated to serving society with needs, and when you see our product we hope you think the same about us.

The A.R.E. name can be seen on 48 lids and 2 caps on the GMC Crew Cab Nevada State Highway Patrol vehicle fleet.

We are serving the Nevada State Highway Patrol, but our service of providing quality caps and lids won’t stop there.

- Ryan Knight, 6.05.2008

One Size Fits All?

2009-11-11T14:47:00.001-05:00

Whether you have been with a company for a long period of time or just joined the team, you should take pride in the product you are involved with.

Typically, when I see a cap or cover on a truck driving down the road, it looks pretty sharp. But every once in a while, I’ll see one and think, “What is that?” You’ve seen them. You know a short bed truck with and 8-foot cap, or an 8-foot bed with a 4-foot Sport Trac.

The good thing is no matter if it’s our product or a competitor’s, a cap that doesn’t fit will always be a funny site.

My only experience with a situation like this was on a visit to our plant in Fernley, Nevada, and I must say my only reaction was a burst of laughter.

- Ryan Knight, 6.04.2008

The Name Game

2009-11-11T14:43:00.000-05:00

Like every business, we want to show up high on the rankings on Google and all the other search engines – for all the right keywords that fit the bill. But…that’s easier said than done in the world of truck caps and covers.

Fiberglass Truck Caps (as they are called in the Northeast) are also referred to as “shells” or “camper shells” in the Southwest, but in the Northwest they are called “canopies”. In the South they are called “tops” or “toppers”. For those of us who have been around for a while, some people used to call them “Dog Houses”.

Fiberglass Tonneau Covers have various names as well, including “Lids”, “Covers”, and “Trunks”!

Try explaining all this to the Super Computer that powers Google once!!!

– Ryan Knight, 6.02.2008