Leading fifth wheel manufacturer Fontaine International-North America has launched a new company dedicated to the aftermarket. Fontaine Parts Connection now will provide fleets, truck dealers and independent distributors with Genuine Fontaine Parts, fifth-wheel maintenance training, tools and support for the full Fontaine International product line.
The new company is led by Roger Crawford as president of Fontaine Parts Connection. Britt Caple has been named director of sales and marketing.
“Forming an entirely new company enables us to focus resources on meeting the needs of our aftermarket customers,” Crawford explains. “Fontaine fifth wheels are requested on more new production Class 8 trucks in North America than any other brand, which means that there’s a large aftermarket parts market out there. For quality, reliability and longevity, we recommend installing only Genuine Fontaine Parts when replacing or rebuilding a Fontaine fifth wheel.”
Although the company is new, the team behind Fontaine Parts Connection offers extensive fifth-wheel experience.
Crawford has been with Fontaine International’s parent company, the Marmon Group, since 1985. He has held a number of sales and management positions, including general manager of the Birmingham, Ala., Fontaine Truck Equipment Company operation from 1989-2000; president of First Source Services, a warehousing division of Fontaine that also handled Fontaine International’s fifth wheel aftermarket sales; and director of special projects for Fontaine International. Most recently, he served as vice president of international sourcing for Marmon Highway Technologies. Crawford earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Montevallo in Alabama.
Caple joined Fontaine International in 1989 as customer service coordinator. Over the course of many promotions, he has held the positions of customer service manager, sales coordinator, corporate marketing manager, and national accounts manager. Immediately prior to making the move to Fontaine Parts Connection, Caple was a regional sales manager. He was named Fontaine International’s Salesman of the Year four times. As director of sales and marketing for Fontaine Parts Connection, Caple is responsible for negotiating pricing and programs with all aftermarket customers, as well as developing and implementing new aftermarket literature and promotions.
For more information about Fontaine Parts Connection and its full line of Genuine Fontaine Parts for Fontaine fifth wheels, visit www.fifthwheel.com or call (800) 874-9780.