- Businesses involved in bodywork manufacturing deliver 53.1% increase in UK economic contribution, with more than 1,000 companies now competing in vibrant market.
- HGV registration data reveals rigids are Britain’s most popular new truck type – presenting ample opportunity for growth in heavy bodybuilder sector.
- New SMMT Meet The Heavy Bodybuilder event brings together nine leading OEMs and 14 bodybuilders to help drive business in crucial market.
Leading heavy vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have met with more than a dozen businesses specialising in the customisation of Britain’s most popular truck type at Meet The Heavy Bodybuilder, a new event hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With most HGV manufacturers operating bodybuilder partner or recognition schemes, the event on Friday 12 September brought together 14 bodybuilders and nine major heavy vehicle manufacturers for more than 50 meetings – providing key opportunities to forge new relationships and deliver business growth in a rapidly expanding and competitive sector.
Rigid trucks account for almost six in 10 new HGV registrations.1 As a result, demand for businesses that can customise vehicle chassis to suit specific operator needs – by installing elements such as box bodies, liquid or gas tankers, refrigeration units or tipper bodies – has never been higher, or more competitive.
The latest government data reveals that the bodybuilder sector generated around £4.5 billion in revenue in 2023, directly adding value of almost £1.3 billion to the UK economy – an increase of 53.1% over the past decade.2
That expansion has been fuelled by a proliferation of businesses involved in building vehicle bodywork, up 34.4% in the past decade – with more than 1,000 companies now operating in the UK. These businesses are essential to the economy, ensuring a wide range of sectors have access to heavy vehicles that meet their specific needs, from construction and agriculture to recycling, retail, medical and public services, and more.
The new event, held at SMMT’s central London offices, facilitated a total of 69 different one-to-one meetings with bodybuilders and the technical and commercial representatives of vehicle manufacturers, including BYD, DAF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, Electra Commercial Vehicles, Harris Group, MAN, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo Trucks.
Will Reeves, Senior Section Manager, SMMT, said, “The truck sector’s rapid expansion, not least with new zero emission technologies and new players entering the market, presents huge potential for growth. Bringing together heavy bodybuilders and vehicle manufacturers has offered an unmissable opportunity for businesses to strengthen their competitive edge.”
Meet The Heavy Bodybuilder is the latest addition to SMMT’s series of Meet The… events, including Meet The Buyer for suppliers and vehicle manufacturers, Meet The Van Converter, and Meet The Van Accessories.
