Featured in Fordpros Issue 72 August 2023
We look for function first and great longevity second," says Cordeiro, "and that includes the service trucks we use as well. We have tried quite a few." Eventually they settled on the Ford F-Series, teamed with Scelzi's premium truck bodies.
When a new customer first sees a member of the C4 landscaping team roll onto their property, there is no mistaking they are dealing with an elite service team. The rugged yet stylish truck body, covered in a jet black, highly reflective paint finish verifies that these are serious professionals. The trucks are a reflection of the company values Cordeiro instills in his team.
"We didn't start with Scelzi truck bodies at first, because we didn't realize there was such a large gap in quality between them and other suppliers," states Cordeiro. "But we saw how much nicer they looked and the design of the hinges and other features, and it was obvious they were built to last a long time. We also love the degree of customization we can do that still retains the premium Scelzi quality. Our 5-year old Scelzi bodies still operate as well as the new ones we got last year, and their customer service has always been top-notch."
Whether on a new installation or repairing a broken water pipe, the work teams at C4 have seen quite a few changes in tools and techniques over the years.
Joe looks back on those changes, his son Jozeph is looking forward, with a degree in ornamental horticulture and a hunger to learn more.
Adds Jozeph, "We are getting ready to order another batch of our business is growing fast, but also because our tasks are made a little bit easier when you have the right equipment. We certainly feel that Scelzi truck bodies are perfect for us now and in the foreseeable future."
This Hot Red Service Body sits on a Ford F-350 chassis cab. It comes with all LED lights, a Scelzi Manual Master Lock System, 6" diamond plate step bumper, a black powder coated ladder rack and more!
This Jet Black Service Body sits on a Chevy 2500 chassis cab. It comes w/ LED lighting, the Scelzi Electronic Master Lock System, a slip in removable vise stand, a 3 piece roller top and more!
This Fire Red Service Body is mounted on a RAM 2500 Chassis Cab. It comes with all LED Lights, the Scelzi Electronic Locking System, a powder coated diamond plate step bumper, open top compartments, and more!
This 24-ft Western Flatbed sits on a Ford F-650 chassis cab. It comes w/ LED Clearance Lights and OEM taillights, a perforated headboard, stainless steel stakes, an underbody toolbox on driver's side and more!
This Scelzi Flatbed sits on a RAM 3500 chassis cab. It comes w/ LED lights, a forklift accessible ladder rack, a wide platform mounted behind a perforated headboard, a reinforced vise platform and more!
This Scelzi Super Structure Body sits on a Chevy 4500 chassis cab. It comes w/ LED lights, Scelzi's manual master lock system, adjustable pole lights, rear barn doors w/ windows, a powder coated ladder rack and more!
This 16ft Black Scelzi Flatbed sits on a Hot Red Ford F-550 chassis cab. It comes with a 3/16" diamond plate floor, all LED lights, a rear storage box with lockable cover, 6 underbody toolboxes and more!
This Jet Black Contractor Flatbed sits on a Chevy 3500 chassis cab. It comes w/ a water cask holder, ratchet straps, aluminum flooring and slats, LED work lights, a forklift accessible ladder rack and more!
This White Flatbed sits on a RAM 5500 chassis cab. It comes with a perforated headboard, rope hooks on each crossmember, stainless steel stakes, hardwood slats, an underbody toolbox and more!
This eye-catching Contractor Body sits on a Ford F-450 chassis cab. It comes with aluminum flooring, stainless steel stakes, 60" underbody tool boxes, 96" open top tool boxes, a forklift accessible Ladder Rack and more!
This Contractor Flatbed sits on a RAM 5500 chassis cab. It comes w/ aluminum flooring, stainless steel stakes, fold down side racks, LED clearance lights, 96" open top tool boxes, 60" underbody tool boxes, and more!
This Cool White Service Body sits on a Chevy 3500 chassis cab. It comes with all LED lights, a water cask holder, Scelzi electronic locking system, a heavy-duty fuel transfer pump and more!
This 2-3.5 yard Scelzi Dump Body sits on a Ford F350 chassis cab. It includes a 12.6 ton hoist, 36" passenger underbody toolbox, fold-down sides, Scelzi semi-automatic tarp system and more.
This 3-4 Yard Scelzi Dump Body sits on a Chevy 5500 chassis cab. It includes and 11.2 ton capacity hoist, 48" frame mounted toolbox, fold-down sides, LED lights, a Scelzi semi-automatic tarp and more!
This Jet Black Service Body sits on a RAM 4500 chassis cab. It comes with LED lights, a powder coated diamond plate step bumper, powder coated forklift accessible ladder rack, open top compartment, and more!
This Scelzi Water Truck sits on a Ford F-750 chassis cab. It has a 2000 gal tank system, 750 gpm pump, spring retractable hose reel, LED Lights, adjustable driver and passenger side spray, and a whole lot more!
This Flame Red Scelzi Service Body sits on a Ram 3500 crew cab. It comes with all LED lights, 60" tall compartments, a 24" wide transverse compartment, an 18' rear work deck and more!
This Hot Red Scelzi Contractor Body sits on a Chevy 3500 chassis cab. It comes w/ aluminum flooring, stainless steel stakes w/ aluminum slats, LED clearance lights, a forklift accessible ladder rack and more!
This Black Scelzi Dump sits on a Ford F650 chassis cab. It has a double wall construction, sloped running boards, full LED light kit, a 17.2 ton capacity hoist, custom underbody Scelzi toolboxes, and more!
This Scelzi Western Flat Bed sits on a Chevy 5500 chassis cab. It has aluminum flooring, A.J. Baer Stake pockets, LED Seal Beam clearance lights, 60" underbody toolboxes, a perforated headboard and more!
This Scelzi Western Crane Body sits on a RAM 5500 chassis cab. It has a manual master lock system, LED lit compartments, a 7000 lb capacity crane, 40 CFM Hydraulic Air Compressor, a 29" rear work deck, and much more!
This all black Scelzi Service Body sits on a Ford F-450 chassis cab. It includes LED lights, a polyurea cargo area, a ladder rack with conduit boxes, a powder coated diamond plate step bumper, and more!
This Black 3/4 yd Scelzi Dump Body sits on a Ram 5500 chassis cab. It features fold down sides, a Scelzi underbody hoist, all LED lights, a Scelzi semi-automatic tarp system, two frame mounted toolboxes, and more!
This Black Scelzi Chipper sits on a Chevy 5500 chassis cab. It has an 11.2 ton capacity hoist, rear swing-out doors with latch, an LED light package, epoxy-hardened gray interior, a pruner compartment and more!
This Bright Yellow Scelzi Service Body sits on a Ford F-250 chassis cab. It features all LED lights, a vise stand, water cask holder, yellow forklift accessible ladder rack, polyurea cargo floor and more!
This Scelzi Western Flat Bed Body sits on a Chevy 5500 HD chassis cab. It features removable side racks, hardwood slats, stianless steel stakes, aluminum flooring, underbody tool boxes and more!
This Delmonico Red Pearl Scelzi Service Body sits on a Ram 5500 chassis cab. It features all LED lights, a 1600lb liftgate, a forklift accessible ladder rack, ratchet straps and more!
This Scelzi Combo body sits on a Ford F550 chassis cab. It features a vibrant blue ladder rack, 60" tall compartments with custom perforated bins mounted on top, stainless steel stakes with aluminum slats and more.
This Jet Black Scelzi Super Contractor Body sits on a Chevy 5500 HD chassis cab. It comes with LED clearance lights, aluminum flooring, stainless steel stakes w/ aluminum slats, underbody tool boxes and more.
This Scelzi Service Body sits on a silver RAM 5500 chassis cab. It includes all LED lights, a 3 piece roller top with rear barn doors, a manual master lock system, 60" vertical components, and more.
This Scelzi Service body sits on an "Antimatter Blue" Ford F550 and features a full array of power accessories including: a Lincoln welder, a VMAC Predatair40 rotary screw air compressor with a 49ft air hose reel, a 10,000lb AutoCrane, and much more.
This Scelzi Service body sits on a "Hot Red" Chevy 5500. It features LED lights, a diamond plate step bumper powder coated in black, a forklift accessible ladder rack, a backup camera and more.
The February SCELZI/RAM Truck Body of the Month. This Scelzi Western Flatbed sits on a black RAM 5500 chassis cab. It features LED clearance lights, a perforated headboard, a super contractor toolbox w/ roller drawers + adjustable shelves and more.
This black, diamondplate Scelzi Flat Bed body sits on a red Ford F-550 chassis cab, and includes safety LED lights, Stainless Steel stakes, a rear window cab guard, and ladder rack conduit boxes. This gorgeous Scelzi body is sure to provide versatility and durability on any worksite.
A white Scelzi Combo Body paired with a RAM 5500 crew cab. Includes LED Lights, stainless steel stakes, aluminum slats, and a forklift accessible ladder rack -- all built to Scelzi's Premium Quality standards!
The January SCELZI/Chevy Truck Body of the Month. This Scelzi Gardener body sits on a Chevy 6500 chassis cab. It features a double acting hoist, LED clearance and tail lights, a polyurea-lined cargo area, retractable truck steps, and rear barn doors. The perfect truck to haul those branches and other tree trimmings away from the worksite!
Scelzi Enterprises was at the World Ag Expo 2023 in Tulare with some guests from Kings Speedway. We were stationed in booth R46. If you missed us we hope to see you next year!
Featured in FordPros Issue 69 February 2023
The flagship event of our industry is coming soon to Indianapolis, and there are bound to be plenty of new products revealed at the Work Truck Show. Some will be old horses dressed up in new clothing, while others will take advantage of cutting edge breakthroughs in EV and internal combustion technologies. Some might even offer unique applications of artificial intelligence to mimic some previously-only-human decision making processes. And there will be an air of optimism for the future throughout the show, based largely on the renewed stream of chassis cabs now being sent to dealers and upfitters from Ford and other truck manufacturers. Predictions about the 2023 economy may be fickle, but the pent up demand for work trucks is a thirst not soon to be quenched.
But one thing that may not be on display with a big banner, or highlighted behind a large touch screen monitor is one of the most important of all: the value of a Quality-driven company culture. A culture that does not waver when supply lines sputter or workforce challenges reach a boiling point. Or when a technology isn't quite ready for prime time. A culture that ensures partners and customers know what they are getting at all times and in all situations. All the technology in the world does not matter if not backed by the character of the person who shakes your hand at the end of the deal, and their company's commitment to the highest quality of products and personal interactions.
Instilling a quality culture is difficult. Maintaining one is even harder. Just ask Mike Scelzi, who has been succeeding at both for nearly 44 years. "You first must commit to it yourself," Scelzi says, "and for me and my brothers this was easy. Our father Monroe drilled into us taht if you are going to spend your life doing something, do it well. We put our names on every truck body that we build, and we take that personally. Each body is a reflection of our brand, but also our personal reputation. But the harder part is convincing your work team that there are some things that can't be compromised, no matter the hurdles. That is not typically a message they get from their previous employers, or from other companies they are considering joining. The goal posts have been moved lower at many organizations in recent years, and traits like honesty appear to be in shorter supply. Honesty is the one raw material we need the most to run our organization, and all the work teams in it."
Work teams that are bound to change over time, as employees look for seemingly greener pastures. And work teams that not only must overcome the temporary challenges of COVID workplace restrictions over the past few years, but also operate during a generational change in attitude about the role of the workplace in general. Employees in their 20s and 30s today have a different view than previous groups. Couple that with the legal environment for companies operating in California, and there are days the Scelzi brothers shake their heads in occasional disbelief.
"Our people don't engrave their names on our truck bodies, but we do our best to make them feel like they do", adds Gary Scelzi. "I have been known to get angry when a member of our team does not share the Scelzi passion for truck body perfection that I do, but I know there is a limit to what we can reasonably expect. We have done pretty well keeping a backbone of long-term employees in place in key areas. They preach the value of Quality and doing it right the first time, so Mike and I don't need to beat that drum as often ourselves. It starts with finding those key people whose personal drive for quality and integrity matches our own - and then taking care of them."
At Scelzi Enterprises, the recipe for success has remained the same, but some of the required ingredients are getting harder to find. "In one way," adds Mike Scelzi, "things are easier now, because really great people stand out apart from the crowd - but like eagles, they don't often flock together, you need to find them one person at a time."
Featured in FordPros Issue 68 December 2022
Aside from the housing bubble bust in 2009, Scelzi Enterprises has somehow managed to avoid the heavy damage done by major ups and downs of business cycles. That was the only year in the 43-year history of the company that truck body sales did not increase from year to year. That trend continued this past year as the company closed its fiscal year in September, registering another record sales total. This does not mean the company has not been forced to scramble at times or get extremely creative while adjusting to changes in truck body demand, scarcity of key raw materials and common accessories, like cranes and hoists and hitches. Or juggle production lines when workforce shortages required a change. To some degree, it has been a 43-year juggling act for Scelzi - as it is with all successful enterprises - but the number of production variables has certainly increased dramatically in the past few years.
Current trends indicate the juggling will continue into 2023. Supply line shortages continue to slow production and extend lead times for some items to be the longest in recent memory. For example, lead times for truck body cranes from major providers is currently running up to 9 months for many models. In some cases there are substitutions that can be offered to the customer, but that often involves risk in using a less-preferred supplier or brand. "I've never seen anything like this before," states owner Mike Scelzi.
The increased supply chain issues are becoming so entrenched that both Microsoft and Amazon have recently launched new software services to deal with the problem. Amazon's AWS Supply Chain and Microsoft's Supply Chain Platform were both released in November, and time will tell how much they deliver on their promise to not only help businesses deal with actual shortages, but also aid them in predicting future shortages and strategically lean on new supplier or methods of procurement.
One weapon to fight these heightened supply chain battles that may be overlooked by some is the value of a well-trained, well-informed sales team. When sales are rolling in and supply chains are filled to the brim, a sales team can be strained just to keep up with their quotes. This includes both the dealership sales team and manufacturing sales representives. But when even the standard cookie cutter orders are a challenge to fill, due to shortages and inexplicable delays, the true value of a sales professional is revealed.
"We look for people with truck experience, for sure," says Mike Scelzi, "but that part can be taught. Finding good listeners and creative problem solvers requires a bit more patience. And those are the salespeople who can offer the customer options that others would not even think about."
And it is not just the sales team, but key sales support personnel as well. "We don't want people who can only do things the way they have always been done," adds Scelzi VP of Sales John Vernon. "Because right now we are dealing with a whole new set of challenges, and that is likely going to require a new set of answers. We always listen to the customer, for how they are going to use their truck and what options they will need. But with the delays in getting so many things right now, we also need to be able to offer more creative designs or alternate choices that would normally not enter into the conversation. We are living in a 'new normal' time right now, and we all better adapt quickly."
For Scelzi Enterprises, that willingness and speed to adapt to difficult challenges has been part of the company's DNA since its inception, and one that continues to serve them well as 2023 approaches.
Scelzi Enterprises has acquired PMI Truck Bodies of Tacoma, WA. This is the latest in a series of expansion moves for SE, following the opening of a new facility in Shafter, CA in the Fall of 2021. Read the Press Release.
Since we began building truck bodies in 1979, Scelzi Enterprises has focused on unique styling, American ingenuity and craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to Quality. We use the best materials, best equipment, and a great team of truck building professionals to make products that are as durable and tough as they are attractive. Compare our products side by side with any other truck body and you will see the Scelzi difference.