Summit Truck Body recently launched a second production line at its facility in Ridgefield, Washington, significantly expanding capacity for refrigerated van bodies.
The expansion, coming only four months after Summit moved into the new plant, improves workflow efficiency, while freeing up Line 1 for higher dry van production volumes, the company reported. Production Line 2 is dedicated to manufacturing specialized truck bodies, including refrigeration units, curtain sides, flatbeds, and other medium-duty truck products.
“Summit has earned the trust of our customers with a record backlog of orders, and this investment is a direct reflection of our commitment to delivering on that trust,” Summit CEO Ted Croce said in a news release. “Launching production Line 2 isn’t just about increasing capacity—it’s about setting a new standard for efficiency and quality in the industry.”
Though Summit opened Line 2 to address its current backlog, the manufacturer also is scaling operations on the new line to meet growing demand, Summit added.
The expansion aligns with Summit’s broader growth strategy, which is highlighted by the grand opening of a new 74,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Ridgefield in September 2024. The event brought together company leaders, industry partners, and local officials to celebrate the milestone. More than just an increase in size, the building has multiple production lines that were mathematically designed to enhance productivity through flow-based manufacturing.
Proximity to Interstate 5 was critical in the site selection, ensuring ease of transportation access for customers, employees, and suppliers, while serving the Greater Northwest and Northern California regions.
