A new event hosted by the
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has brought together leading heavy vehicle OEMs and specialist bodybuilders to strengthen collaboration in one of the UK’s fastest-growing automotive sectors.
Held on Friday 12 September at the SMMT’s central London offices,
Meet The Heavy Bodybuilder facilitated 69 one-to-one meetings between 14 bodybuilders and nine major truck manufacturers, including BYD, DAF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, Electra Commercial Vehicles, Harris Group, MAN, Renault Trucks, Scania, and Volvo Trucks.
With rigid trucks accounting for nearly 60% of new HGV registrations, demand for customised chassis solutions — such as refrigerated bodies, tankers, tippers, and specialist conversions—continues to rise. The UK’s bodybuilder sector now includes over 1,000 businesses, generating £4.5 billion in revenue in 2023 and contributing £1.3 billion in direct value to the economy — a 53.1% increase over the past decade.
Will Reeves, senior section manager at the SMMT, said: “The truck sector’s rapid expansion, not least with new zero emission technologies and new players entering the market, presents huge potential for growth. Bringing together heavy bodybuilders and vehicle manufacturers has offered an unmissable opportunity for businesses to strengthen their competitive edge.”
The event is the latest in the SMMT’s successful “Meet The ...” series, which includes
Meet The Buyer,
Meet The Van Converter, and
Meet The Van Accessories, all designed to foster growth and innovation across the UK automotive supply chain.