NOVI—The past year has transformed the way people get their groceries, and one of the beneficiaries is Utilimaster, a brand of Novi-based The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF).
Company officials say that over the past several months, Shyft has received orders for more than 500 refrigerated and other units from grocery chains around the country.
“Consumers expect reliable, on-time service with their grocery delivery orders,” said Daryl Adams, Shyft Group president and CEO. “Utilimaster understands this need and provides a wide range of vehicles to meet efficient and safe grocery delivery demands. Whether it’s a grocery delivery to your door or a heavy-duty truck from the distribution center to a retail grocer, Utilimaster has the best purpose-built solution on the road, today and tomorrow.”
After thousands of ride-along studies, Utilimaster has analyzed and assessed how to meet the demands of growing industries, such as grocery delivery, engineering and offering specific solutions that match each fleet’s unique needs. Utilimaster offers a wide range of temperature-controlled vehicles, including Multi Temp vehicles which can span GVWR classes and are designed to deliver a variety of foods at their optimum temperature, including fresh, frozen, cold, and ambient temperature goods, within the same vehicle. The Company’s unique ability to sell and service vehicles across the GVWR Class 1-7 spectrum include:
- Velocity: Utilimaster’s latest addition to their delivery line-up now includes the ability to carry fresh and frozen goods. The vehicle is unique in its small format and large cargo capacity, providing the nimbleness, comfort, and fuel efficiency of a cargo van with the accessibility and capacity of a walk-in van
- Walk-in Step-Vans: With a highly adaptable cargo area and multiple side and rear door configurations, it offers maximum versatility and interior design features
- Cargo Van Upfits: Provides customer-specific purpose-built storage configurations for high-frequency, urban, and suburban grocery delivery
In response to the increased demand for home-delivered goods and groceries, Utilimaster will showcase the Velocity F2 at the upcoming Home Delivery World in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from September 1-2. Home Delivery World is the industry-defining event for last mile logistics in the U.S. and abroad.
For more information about The Shyft Group, visit www.TheShyftGroup.com.