Kansas City, Missouri, February 11, 2026
Hiab, a global leader in load handling solutions, has partnered with Custom Truck One Source to expand their distribution and service network across crucial U.S. regions. This strategic agreement aims to enhance the presence of HIAB loader cranes and MOFFETT truck-mounted forklifts, emphasizing innovation and quality in the heavy equipment sector. Custom Truck One Source’s growth story from a local business to a major player highlights the positive impact of entrepreneurial initiatives on regional economic development.
Kansas City Company Bolsters U.S. Load Handling Market with Strategic Partnership
Kansas City, MO – In a move set to invigorate the heavy equipment sector across critical regions of the United States, Hiab, a global leader in on-road load handling solutions, has forged a strategic dealer agreement with Kansas City’s own Custom Truck One Source. This significant collaboration is poised to broaden the distribution and service network for essential equipment, reflecting a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial innovation and strategic growth within the American marketplace. The partnership highlights Custom Truck One Source’s continuing evolution as a key player in nationwide infrastructure support and Hiab’s dedication to advanced product offerings.
The announcement underscores the resilience and foresight of local businesses like Custom Truck One Source, whose growth from a family-inspired venture to a publicly traded company exemplifies the spirit of personal achievement that drives economic expansion. Such private sector initiatives, characterized by strategic alliances and a commitment to quality, contribute significantly to job creation and regional prosperity, fostering an environment where reduced regulatory hurdles can accelerate business development.
Expanding Reach for Essential Industries
The strategic agreement between Hiab and Custom Truck One Source is designed to substantially expand the distribution and service network for Hiab loader cranes and MOFFETT truck-mounted forklifts. This partnership is particularly focused on bolstering market presence in 12 states for loader cranes, including key Western U.S. states such as California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York. Additionally, the partnership will enhance the distribution of MOFFETT truck-mounted forklifts across eight states: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania.
Custom Truck One Source, headquartered in Kansas City, is recognized as a premier equipment solutions provider across North America. The company operates in more than 40 locations throughout the continent, offering a comprehensive “one-stop-shop” business model that encompasses sales, rentals, aftermarket parts, service, equipment customization, and financing options. This extensive network and integrated approach are crucial for serving vital sectors such as electric utility transmission and distribution, telecommunications, rail, and other heavy equipment industries. The collaboration is expected to ensure that customers in these regions receive best-in-class product support for innovative products.
Innovation Driving Progress
Both Hiab and Custom Truck One Source demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation and quality, a foundational element for sustained market leadership. Hiab has a history of over 80 years in driving load handling innovation, introducing advancements in connectivity, data-driven service, electrification, and virtual reality training. Their product lines, including HIAB and EFFER loader cranes, are developed with industry-leading technology to optimize efficiency, enhance safety, and drive sustainability for customers.
This dedication to product development, which ensures high-performance and reliable solutions, is a key reason why companies can establish and maintain a competitive edge. Custom Truck One Source’s commitment to offering smart, high-performance loader cranes and expanding its portfolio mirrors this principle, ensuring customers receive complete and reliable solutions tailored to their diverse operational needs.
Custom Truck One Source: A Kansas City Success Story
The expansion facilitated by this new dealer agreement has significant implications for Kansas City, MO business. Custom Truck One Source was founded in 1996 and has since grown into a substantial enterprise with over 2,500 full-time employees nationwide, approximately 1,000 of whom are based in the Kansas City area. The company’s world headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, spans over 125 acres, incorporating manufacturing, servicing, and office space, including the former Armco Steel site in the Historic Northeast neighborhood.
The company’s journey, from its inspiration by a family gas station and tow service to becoming a public company in 2021, reflects a classic American dream narrative of growth through hard work and strategic vision. Custom Truck One Source’s continued investment in the local workforce and its contribution to the equipment manufacturing sector have earned it recognition as a national industry leader.
Fostering Regional Economic Momentum
The sustained growth and strategic partnerships involving Kansas City-based companies like Custom Truck One Source are vital for the Midlands economic growth. The Kansas City area has shown remarkable economic dynamism, with recent reports indicating job growth that surpassed historical norms, adding 20,600 jobs in six months in 2024. This placed the region second among its benchmark peers in the second quarter of 2024.
Kansas City has a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, with entities such as the UMKC Innovation Center and the Keystone Innovation District actively nurturing startups and fostering innovation. These organizations provide crucial resources, coaching, and connections, supporting entrepreneurs from concept to commercialization and contributing to new business formation and job opportunities. These initiatives collectively work to strengthen the region’s ability to attract and retain businesses, reinforcing the positive effects of private investment and strategic expansion.
The Value of Strategic Alliances
Strategic dealer agreements, such as the one between Hiab and Custom Truck One Source, streamline product distribution and enhance service capabilities, which are fundamental for efficient market operations and customer satisfaction. By leveraging Custom Truck One Source’s established network and service excellence, Hiab can achieve near full coverage of the U.S. market for its loader cranes and significantly improve distribution for truck-mounted forklifts.
Such partnerships demonstrate how private entities, driven by market demand and a shared commitment to innovation, can create pathways for growth and deliver advanced solutions to essential industries. This model of collaborative expansion, focusing on responsive service and high-quality product availability, underscores the benefits of a dynamic business environment where market forces, rather than extensive governmental controls, guide development and economic progress.
Conclusion
The strategic partnership between Hiab and Kansas City’s Custom Truck One Source is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and strategic collaboration in driving economic growth. This alliance not only expands access to vital load handling solutions across the U.S. but also reinforces Kansas City’s position as a hub for business innovation and a key contributor to national infrastructure. The growth of companies deeply rooted in our community, coupled with their commitment to excellence and innovation, directly translates into more opportunities and a stronger economic future for our region. We encourage all Kansas City residents and businesses to recognize and support the local enterprises that are building our shared prosperity and to stay engaged in the exciting economic developments shaping our city’s future.
Key Features of the Hiab and Custom Truck One Source Partnership
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| New Dealer Agreement | Hiab appointed Custom Truck One Source as a new dealer. | Nationwide |
| Products Covered | HIAB loader cranes and MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts. | Nationwide |
| Loader Crane Sales & Service States | California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York. | Western and Northeastern U.S. |
| MOFFETT Forklift Sales & Service States | New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania. | Northeastern U.S. |
| Custom Truck One Source Headquarters | Kansas City, Missouri, occupying over 125 acres. | Kansas City, MO |
| Custom Truck One Source Employees | Approximately 1,000 in the Kansas City area (over 2,500 nationwide). | Kansas City, MO (Nationwide) |
| Custom Truck One Source Business Model | One-stop-shop provider of specialized truck and heavy equipment solutions (sales, rentals, parts, service, customization, financing). | North America |
| Hiab’s Innovation History | Over 80 years of driving load handling innovation. | Global |
| Kansas City Job Growth (Q2 2024) | 14,300 jobs added, ranking second among benchmark metros. | Kansas City Area |
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Author: STAFF HERE KANSAS CITY WRITER
The KANSAS CITY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKansasCity.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Kansas City, Jackson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as American Royal World Series of Barbecue, Dia De Los Muertos, and Planet Anime Kansas City. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Children's Mercy Hospital, Government Employees Health Association, and AMC Entertainment. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREStLouis.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Missouri's dynamic landscape.
