Alkane Truck Co., a South Carolina-based assembler of alternative fuel vehicles, has announced that it will establish more than a dozen assembly facilities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico over the next 36 months.
As reported, Alkane is coordinating with economic development offices across North America to identify potential business partners interested in becoming contract assemblers.
“We will provide training for their employees and deliver all components required to assemble Alkane vehicles for direct shipment to our existing and ever-expanding dealership network,” says Bob Smith, CEO of Alkane. “These business partners will own 100 percent of their associated assembly facility, so profits generated would be entirely their own – and as owners, they’ll also be the recipients of any state and local incentives offered to new business start-ups in their respective regions.”
For an initial licensing fee and a nominal monthly charge, each new owner/operator will be entitled to use the Alkane brand name; Alkane’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board and Department of Transportation certificates; and the company’s supply chain to assemble and deliver its Class 7 and 8 trucks and the humvee-style Dominator. Assembly facilities will be required to pay for and maintain an inventory of parts, while Alkane will provide ongoing support and replacement parts.
Local commerce and economic development officials are also assisting Alkane in the search for select sites in areas safe for employees, equipment and inventory.
“Proximity to shipping ports, transportation hubs and easy highway access would be ideal,” says Smith. “We are looking for a facility of around 20,000 square feet under roof with about 30,000-square-feet outside staging area and at least one truck-level dock for use loading and unloading with a forklift.”
Noting that this is the first time Alkane has offered its streamlined business model to independent entrepreneurs, Smith says this is “not a ‘franchise’ agreement but rather a simple contract,” offering an opportunity for anyone interested in vehicle assembly to get into business with very little risk.
He added, “Bringing an assembly facility into a community can have an incalculable economic impact – improving the quality of life of local residents, flooding cash into struggling existing companies and paving the way for new start-ups in ancillary businesses. These will be high-paying, skilled jobs.”
Alkane vehicles are sold worldwide and are available in gasoline, diesel, propane autogas, compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
