Knapheide - We Build The Best

Since its humble beginnings in 1848, The Knapheide Manufacturing Company has continually worked to improve its processes and manufacturing capabilities.  Due to this commitment of continual improvement, Knapheide stands today with the most highly automated and technologically advanced equipment and processes in the industry. Knapheide's Westphalia facility houses the majority of our manufacturing processes.  The Westphalia plant was completed in 1997 and covers a staggering 480,000 square feet.

A recent highlight in the continuing history of The Knapheide Manufacturing Company is the company receiving ISO 9001:2008 certification.  ISO is a quality management system that is recognized globally.  While the core of this certification is focused on product quality, Knapheide took the process a step further and utilized the processes to improve virtually every area of the company from how orders are received and processed to the shipping of the product to the end customer.

People

Our dedicated manufacturing employees are a huge asset to our company, and receive on-going training for continuous improvement.  Knapheide delights in the fact that many of its employees are multi-generational and have a long tenure with the company.   Knapheide’s training program for its welding operations is second to none. Six AWS certified CWI and CWE’s conduct a forty hour program that all welders must complete prior to joining the assembly team.  Of its team of welders, over 100 are AWS certified.

Raw Materials

Over its history, Knapheide has strategically aligned itself with leading raw material suppliers and has developed long term relationships with them that mutually benefit both sides of the partnerships.   As a result of these partnerships, cutting edge supply chain processes have been developed that cuts down lead times, enhances the quality of the products, and helps to control costs.  This enables Knapheide to continue to provide to its customers the highest quality and superior end products available in the industry.  Some of our most common raw materials include:

    A40 Galvanized Automotive Quality Steel
    Hot Rolled Steel
    Cold Rolled Steel
    Tread Plate
    Wood
    Automotive Quality Finishing Products

Fabrication Equipment and Machinery

As Knapheide has evolved over the last 164 years, so has the technology in equipment and machinery.  Knapheide continues to cultivate a long term strategic alignment with The Amada Company to continually update and modernize its fabrication capabilities.  This allows Knapheide to remain the most efficient and technologically advanced company in the industry.  Knapheide utilizes the following machinery and equipment within our manufacturing facilities:

    CNC Shears
    Plasma Cutters
    Laser Cutters
    CNC Turret Punches
    CNC Press Brake
    Roll Formers
    Automated Steel Processing Cells

Assembly Process

After all of the engineering and fabrication of the prime unit parts is complete, the assembly process begins.  Knapheide’s assembly procedures and multiple progressive lines allow them to be very flexible, highly efficient, and produce the highest quality product in the industry.  Knapheide has a large offering of catalog products that is quickly available and meets a large portion of our customers needs. However, while most of the industry shy’s away from custom built products, the Knapheide Company prides itself in its ability to build product that is designed to meet specific customer requirements and needs.  Rather than limit the product available to their customers to standard product, Knapheide’s motto is “Dream it, and we will build it”.  Some of the assembly processes include:

    MIG & Resistance Welding
    Automated Robotic MIG & Resistance Welding
    Flexible Product Assembly Lines & Processes

Finishing

The flagship of our manufacturing process is our automated “K-Coat” finishing system.  K-coat is a highly efficient electro-deposition coating process that is widely used in the automotive industry.  Through this process, Knapheide is proud to offer its customers the highest quality corrosion resistant coating available.

    Automotive Quality E-Coat System
    Automotive Quality Undercoating
    Automotive Quality Finish Paint

For over 166 years, Knapheide has always been a leader through our manufacturing superiority in the industries we serve.  With the ISO 9001:2008 certification, this is a new starting point for us as we meet our customer’s expectations into the 21st century.


Find out more at http://www.knapheide.com/

All-New 2015 GMC Canyon | Innovative Fuel Efficient Technologies

Discover the incredible innovations that went into making the Canyon supremely capable, yet efficient smaller pickup truck and takes professional grade engineering to the next level: http://www.gmc.com/canyon-small-picku...

2015 GMC Canyon SLE 4x4 Crew Cab: The Return of the Compact Truck?

I have to admit, I've been waiting for this one for awhile. In some ways I find it odd that a non-enthusist vehicle could matter so much. The reality is the mid-size truck segment has been left to whither over the last several years. GM's new midsize could just change all that.

As always, this is an independent, script-free review from an amateur car reviewer. I make these videos myself and am in no way affiliated or paid by the manufacturers or dealerships.

I hope this vehicle provides a valuable, real-world review for you.
thanks for stopping by.

Spied: 2016 GMC Canyon Denali

Finding good places to do cold-weather testing this winter is not a problem. Thankfully, our spy shooters have a warm truck to sit inside of while they wait for test vehicles to dart past. A thermos of hot coffee helps, too. Here's what they've sent us recently while on a stakeout outside Detroit.

    We've gotten our first look at a prototype for the GMC Canyon Denali package, which was running on a secluded industrial drive near GM's Milford Proving Grounds.

    The Canyon prototype's camouflaged front end hides a revised all-mesh grille design that is consistent with GMC's other Denali-trimmed models. Although blacked out on this prototype, the grilles will surely be finished in unmistakable brightwork to set it apart from lesser Canyon variants. The Denali's front bumper is also camouflaged, and it appears that it may be more chrome-intensive, with signs of the reflective stuff stretching across the full bumper's width. The interior shows signs of camouflaging, suggesting that some interior upgrades could also be in store.

    There have been some internet rumblings that the Denali might get a unique engine option to give the model more substance, but we have no firm confirmation of the extent of any mechanical upgrades that may distinguish the range-topping Denali from its lower-end Canyon siblings.

It's worth noting that a Denali package will likely be priced above the current top-of-the-line SLT All-Terrain package GMC has now, starting around $38,000 and climbing fast.

Photos by KGP Photography

Source: Pickuptrucks.com

GM Faces: Carolyn Lehmer.

Lehmer's Concord Buick-GMC in California has sold GM vehicles since 1936. This video was done in 2010 and has some great old photos of the dealership. It's been a family affair since they sold their first Oldsmobile and today a third generation looks to a brighter future.

A Drive-By Lesson on What Turns Your Wheels

DETROIT – Vehicles act differently on snow and ice depending on whether they have front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. You may know which drive system your vehicle has, but do you understand how it works?

Here’s a brief spin through the options. Remember, almost every new vehicle includes an electronic traction control system that intervenes automatically to improve performance in slippery conditions.

Front-wheel drive (FWD): Simply put, engine power is channeled to the front wheels to propel the vehicle. Standard on all Buicks, FWD is the most popular and prevalent system in the market because its compact setup enhances fuel efficiency and frees up more room inside the vehicle. Plus, the weight of the powertrain is concentrated over the driving wheels, so it offers good traction when it’s slippery.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD): As the name implies, engine power is sent to the rear wheels to propel the vehicle. In passenger cars, RWD reigned until the advent of FWD in the early 1980s. But RWD can more effectively handle higher engine power and higher vehicle weights, which is why it’s still favored in large trucks, larger performance vehicles, purpose-built race cars and law-enforcement pursuit use. 

All-wheel drive (AWD): Don’t confuse all-wheel drive with four-wheel drive (below). Both engage all four wheels, but they’re designed and operate differently.

Generally, an AWD drivetrain operates as a FWD or RWD system – most are FWD. Buick’s AWD system pre-emptively sends power to front and rear axles on every launch to prevent wheel slip, then backs down if no slip occurs. Power is transferred automatically via a single-speed transfer case. (A transfer case connects to the transmission to split power between the front and rear wheels.) The beauty of AWD is no driver effort is needed to activate the system.

AWD scores high with buyers who want excellent on-road capabilities with the added traction on grass, mud, sand or gravel in light, off-road conditions where a front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicle may get stuck. Buick offers all-wheel drive on the Regal, LaCrosse, Encore and Enclave.

Four-wheel drive (4WD or 4x4): Four-wheel drive typically features a two-speed transfer case with high and low ranges for maximum traction. 4WD vehicles typically operate in RWD until four-wheel traction is required; and while most systems are driver-activated, many offer a setting that automatically engages the high range when it’s slippery. The driver must still engage the low range.

Found in large, rear-wheel-drive trucks and larger SUVs with additional ground clearance compared to passenger cars and crossovers, 4x4 still provides the best traction and capability in off-road conditions.

Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instragram, on Pinterest or atwww.facebook.com/buick

SpitzLift: Who We Are

The SpitzLift is the most payload efficient, material handling equipment available today.