UCBC reorganization refocuses competencies

April 1, 2005
Union City Body Co, a Union City IN-based supplier of walk-in truck bodies, has completed a company restructuring designed to refocus on core competencies

Union City Body Co, a Union City IN-based supplier of walk-in truck bodies, has completed a company restructuring designed to “refocus on core competencies and provide an unprecedented customer experience, from sales to after-sales service,” said its new president, Erick van der Merwe.

In business since 1898, UCBC serves vocations such as parcel delivery, baking and snack foods, laundry/linens, vending, utilities, and contractors, including such major fleets as UPS, FedEx, Frito Lay, and ARAMARK.

UCBC sold its manufacturing operation to Productive Concepts Inc, another Union City-based company, in autumn 2004. PCI now provides contract manufacturing services to UCBC, which continues to design, engineer, sell, and service walk-in truck bodies.

Previously, van der Merwe served as vice-president of finance for GVW Holdings and as chief financial officer for Workhorse Custom Chassis. He has also worked for Mercedes Benz of South Africa. He also serves as general manager of GVW Services, which provides information technology services and develops e-commerce opportunities.