In The News

Bentz Transport Products Closes Its Doors

August 17, 2009 - FORT WAYNE, Ind. — People viewing the show trucks featuring Bentz sleepers at the July, 2009, Expedite Expo did not know it at the time, but they were looking at some of the last Bentz sleepers ever built. In a telephone interview today, Bentz Transport Products, Inc. president Keith Bentz told ExpeditersOnline that the company is officially closing its doors tomorrow.

Bentz said, "The root cause is a collapse in sales across all of our product lines. With no recovery in sight, there is no way to continue on."
 
This ends the Indiana-based company's 16 year history of serving expediters and other truck markets. According to the company web site, the company was founded by Richard Bentz and began operations in January, 1993, manufacturing aftermarket sleeper cabs and stainless accessories for medium and heavy-duty trucks. In March, 2001, Richard's son Keith purchased the company. He and his wife Charla thereafter ran the company, distinguishing themselves in the industry and presenting themselves to customers as an "owner-operator team."
 
Bentz agreed to a subsequent interview with ExpeditersOnline which will take place next week. An in-depth story will follow.