Warren Lumber , based in Washington, NJ, has been using a proven system to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in its millwork delivery operation. The company is close to completing a total conversion of their box-truck fleet into the demountable body system manufactured by Demountable Concepts.

The dealer has seen significant growth in the past few years, fueled by acquisition as well as a healthy economy. With that growth, however, came increased costs of distribution. Faced with the challenge of managing costs, the company investigated the system that dozens of other pro dealers were using. Warren Lumber scheduled an on-site demonstration of the system where numerous company officials had a chance to ask relevant questions and see the system in operation firsthand.

With the ability to use multiple bodies on the same truck, Warren Lumber saw the opportunity to reduce overtime costs associated with loading late returning trucks. While the trucks are making deliveries, warehouse personnel can load product directly into freestanding bodies. The drivers can make more deliveries per day because there is no wait time when a driver returns to the yard. He simply swaps bodies and is on the road again in less than ten minutes.

Scott Walker, Millwork Manager, began the process of implementing the system on two new trucks. After a few months of operating the system, the company decided that the system was doing all that it claimed it could do. Since the first two demountable trucks were introduced, Warren Lumber has gone on to put the system on six other trucks. It is currently being used in three of its locations and Walker confirms that the company will continue to add the system to any truck that will be used in its millwork operation.

Demountable Concepts works with truck dealers, leasing companies and van body manufacturers to insure easy integration of the system. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the company to schedule on-site demonstrations. Upon implementation of the system, Demountable Concepts will hold a driver training session to make sure all personnel are comfortable with the operation.

While most companies who choose to implement the system do so on new trucks, Demountable Concepts can also convert existing trucks into demountables. Dozens of companies, not in the market for new trucks, have been able to implement the system at a fraction of the cost.

Other lumber dealers who use the demountable truck body system include Builders First Source, Carolina Builders, Cameron Ashley, BMC West, Young Lumber and Nassau-Suffolk Lumber. Most of these dealers report that the system pays for itself in less than two years and is very driver friendly.