TTC has been supplying the commercial vehicle parts market for nearly 45 years and has built strong relationships with a number of OE and proprietary brand supplier partners. Here, the company explains the benefits of one partnership in particular.
When the company entered the body panels market nearly 10 years ago, there was only one company that could meet the same quality and support that TTC required. Covind has specialised in the design, manufacture and distribution of replacement body panels and components for the last 35 years, covering both the truck and van market.
One of the first things that impressed TTC was the high level of quality, as well as all the necessary safety characteristics to adhere to the stringent and tough driving environments of today. Covind employs advanced production processes which enable an alternative offering when damaged panels need replacing, ensuring the truck remains in top condition and in near original condition. Within the process, there are a variety of key checks in place to ensure the panel meets the necessary requirements; these include:
- Dimensions and Size
- Weight
- Material type
- Appearance and Colour
As Covind works in compliance with EU Regulation NEW B.E.R. No. 461/2010 (formerly BER No. 1400/2002), and by using Imron FleetLine by Dupont and Lesonal, the final results of paint tests on the Covind body panels show:
- Good adhesion of the paint system to the substrate
- Good stone impact resistance
- Good mechanical resistance
- Good heat resistance
- Good stream resistance
All of the above is claimed to contribute to a fast and easy-to-paint process, enhanced productivity and a reduction in time for the CV body workshops in completing the job, ensuring the truck is back on the road in a timely manner for the fleet.
What are the alternatives?
The punishment a truck takes during its life on the roads will soon show up any weaknesses. A thin, poor quality body panel will vibrate and flex to such a degree that the mounting points will fracture. Thanks to over 35 years of experience being supported by highly qualified technicians, Covind has an internal know-how and a wealth of knowledge, derived from experience and ‘on field’ testing. We all understand how costly vehicle down time can be. TTC firmly believes that demand for a premium quality body panel will continue to grow as demand for a quality fit part continues to be more important than just the cheapest price. The relationship built up between TTC and Covind is testimony to the ethos of both companies and today, the TTC Body Panels programme provides customers with a range covering over 1,500 references across DAF, IVECO, MAN, Mercedes, Renault, Scania and Volvo truck variants.
TTC’s New Edition 20 Catalogue was launched earlier this year and includes many new features, with a number of new sections, including – for the first time – a dedicated Truck Body Panels section spanning over 60 pages. This was in response to the growing demand for a simple way to identify the correct panel for a vehicle.
