Stampede Accessories – 22 Years Making Hood Protectors, Fender Flares and More

Time for another Brand Spotlight and today we’re shining it on Stampede!  RealTruck carries Automotive Lights, Bug Shields, Deflectors and Visors, Fender Flares, Mud Flaps and other Truck Bed Accessories.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Deb Holdampf, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Stampede.  I wanted to know how they’ve stood the test of time in such a competitive market.  I also made sure I asked her what secret projects they were working on and what she thought the industry would look like in the future.

How many years has Stampede been operating?

Stampede is an American owned family business that was started in Bloomington Minnesota in 1989 by Loyal and Karen Tullius. Starting out primarily as a private label hood protector manufacturer, Stampede supplied hood protectors to companies such as, LEER Truck, Ziebart International, Penda Corporation and J-Mark Inc. It was during this time the name STAMPEDE was formed and customers began purchasing the STAMPEDE branded hood protectors.

In 1996 Stampede relocated to Camanche, Iowa, after purchasing 70 thousand square foot of manufacturing space on ten acres, and it was this move that gave Stampede the room to increase our product offering to meet customer requests.

What challenges has Stampede faced over its lifetime?

Stampede has experienced many challenges throughout its 22 years in business. Over the first several years we faced as many as 16 direct competitors, all selling smoke hood protectors, today Stampede is one of three plastic manufacturers still producing these types of products. Other challenges were the typical challenges business face, such as price increases on raw materials, freight and finding new sources as we grew into other types of products, mostly operational challenges of a growing business.

In 2008, Stampede, like most businesses, faced their largest business challenge. Every business, in every industry had to change, get creative just to survive these turbulent times. Today, although business has rebounded, we know that there will always be new challenges but are confident we will be ready to respond regardless of that challenge.

Deb Holdampf, VP of Sales and Marketing at Stampede Truck Accessories

What new products or developments does Stampede have coming out in 2011?

Stampede is currently working on a new style of Hood Protector, “HOOD ARMOR”. It is a 3 piece application, available for most late model truck applications in chrome/smoke color, shipping box size will be 36x10x5, eliminating oversize shipping charges. Look for this release late summer 2011.

How has Stampede changed the aftermarket accessory industry?

In 2001, Stampede became product leaders in the automotive aftermarket by introducing new unique products such as our full line of licensed Mossy Oak® and Realtree® Camouflage Accessories, Hood Protectors, Sidewind Deflectors, Taillight Covers, Fender Flares, Bedcaps, and Rocker panels. Rocker Panels have since been replaced with Stampede’s CAMO HIDE Program, partial or full wrap offerings made with 3M Controltac film.

In that same year, Stampede was the first to offer Chrome Plated accessories Hood Protectors, Sidewind Deflectors and we released our Specialty Series Hood Protectors. These specialty Hood Protectors featured the American Flag with and without an Eagle, a Checkered Flag, plus many more designs, all have gained us additional national, as well as global exposure. Interestingly, shipments to Kuwait included many different models of the American Flag style Hood Protectors.

What do you think the future holds for your products?

Stampede has continued to add other products to our product mix, at the request of customers. In 2008-2009 we began offering Fender Flares and Bedcaps in Black ABS.  It has helped round out our product offering as a company. Stampede’s business has increased in all categories of the products we offer and we believe this will stay strong for years to come.

What do you think the aftermarket industry will look like in five years?

The aftermarket is constantly changing and evolving. As manufactures, we must first listen to the needs of our customers, recognize the coming changes, and finally react to the changes, so we can continue to grow with the industry.

The Stampede Camo Bug Shield

What has been your most popular product recently?  Has it change compared to years past?

Stampede has enjoyed 10 years of record growth, so it is difficult to pick our most popular product. Although the Camoflauge and Chrome Truck Accessories were added over 10 years ago, they still remain two of our most popular lines with customers.  Smoke Hood Protectors, Sidewind Deflectors and Black Fender Flares, Bedcaps are all strong, growing lines with our company. We do expect good results with the release of the Hood Armor line of accessories coming late summer 2011.

We believe that Stampede Products longevity in the market place can be attributed to many factors. Some of these factors include:

• Customer Service is Key. We believe that customer service extends from the office to the manufacturing facility, and customers report back to us that they appreciate the personal touch we add in this area of business.
• Quality Products.  We work very hard to design and sell only the best quality products. Automotive products that are adhered to the outside of the vehicle take tons of abuse from the weather and road conditions. We use only the toughest, UV Stable products available to ensure the products function well as well as look good for years!
• Creative New Products. New product development helps Stampede remain on top in their category.

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We here at RealTruck can’t help but agree!  It’s why we enjoy carrying the Stamped line.  The only thing Deb forgot to mention was the lifetime limited warranty they offer on most of their products.  You can’t beat that.

Vote for Your Favorite Baseball Movie of All Time

You could argue Kevin Costner’s career peaked when he made Field of Dreams.  He certainly didn’t win any awards for Waterworld.  Maybe ‘Best Waste of Money.’  But his role as Ray will forever be remembered because he built it and they came.  I was a kid when I first saw that movie and the raw emotion I felt when the players started walking out of the Iowa corn onto the field is something I’ll never forget.   Baseball is ridiculously nostalgic and there are dozens of movies that have attempted to capture the feeling and the rush of the boys of summer.

Vote for the best baseball movie of all time –

So what do you think of the list?  Am I missing anything?  What are your favorite scenes?

I’ve kind of already let it slip what movie I’ve voted for.  I think it’s because I drive my truck to my kids’ t-ball games with the grill secured in the truck bed with a cargo bar.  We chow down on burgers and dogs after a big win or a big loss.  When they’re that age, they don’t really care either way.  We live in small town America and I think I have get the best of both worlds when I can see my kids play on a dusty lot and then take them to see a major league game once or twice a year.

Keep An Eye On Your Tailgate, People

Read more at DetNews.com

Reports from detnews.com states that there has been an alarming rate of tailgate thefts around the Detroit Metro area.  This seemingly low profile crime has been flying under the radar, due to people not wanting to pay deductibles and higher insurance rates.  With minimal reports, the police are at a standstill in the investigation.  The crimes have no pattern and seem to be random acts of theft.  Authorities say they haven’t caught anyone in the act of the theft and that the crooks are hard to catch.  The thieves come out at night and can have a tailgate off in as little as a couple seconds up to a few minutes.

Tailgates cost on average $1,200 to replace, but some up to $3,600.  People can purchase tailgates online or at shady dealers for as little as a few hundred dollars.  People are literally buying their stolen tailgates back.

Terry Hibdon, the owner of Hibdon Motor Sales in Clinton Township has taken some drastic precautions to ensure he doesn’t become a victim.  He started backing the trucks in his lot up against his building, allowing no room for the thieves.  He has gone so far as taking the tailgates off of some of his trucks.  He say’s “I hate to present the trucks that way, but that’s the way things are.”

Toyota Leads the Pack in Dependability says JD Power

J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study^SM (VDS) was recently released and they have found that things have improved since 2010.  Challenges were found in new technologies, but most reductions in problems occurred in the traditional areas.  The Toyota Tocoma and the Toyota Tundra topped the list when it came to long term dependability.  Toyota impressed JD Power overall and grabbed seven segment awards – “more than any other automaker in 2011.”

The study followed owners of 2008 models for three years.  “Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.”

JD Power has long been regarded as a focal point for the industry when it comes to consumer confidence when reporting industry benchmarks.  The study is used by manufacturers to help shape new vehicle designs.  Those who score high normally see an increase in sales in the years following the studies release.   “It also helps consumers make more-informed choices for both new- and used-vehicle purchases.”

Do you read the JD Power report every year?  Does it affect your decision making when it comes to a new truck purchase?

How Does Your New Truck’s Efficiency Stack Up Against the Competition

Read the efficiency report at PickupTrucks.com

Last week PickupTrucks.com released a tantalizing chart outlining the pros and cons of 2011 truck models, their engines and (wait for it) their miles per gallon!  Al Gore just grew an additional three feet of beard after reading these results.  As it turns out Ford manages to top the list with their a small truck and totally fail as well dredge the bottom of the list with a gas guzzling full sizer that only gets 12 mph.

As pickup truck enthusiasts should we expect more?  Should the market be pushing to make the changes happen sooner?

Update 1: 2011 Most and Least Efficient Pickup Trucks

Who Needs A V8 Anyway

We found a report last week from CTV News stating that Ford is pulling their V8 engines out of half their F150 trucks and replacing it with a V6.  This change comes about because Ford believes the extreme gas prices you see now are only going to get worse.  There is also a government fuel economy standard coming in 2015.  This new V6 engine consists of 2 water cooled turbochargers, high pressured gas injections and variable valve timing.  With these changes you are presented with more horsepower and torque as well as better fuel economy than the main stream V8 engines.  Can you say WOW?  And it makes me wonder what took so long?!

But there is a down side to all this hype.  V8 engines have gone hand in hand with pickup trucks for many years now and it may be a hard sell for Ford.  Pickup people love the thought of having all of that power at their disposal.  You are talking about dedicated Americans who love their V8 trucks like they love greasy burgers or a Ball Park hot dog on game day.  When these trucks hit main stream America, it may take a little doing to catch on, but I feel eventually Americans will be sold on the idea.  Who doesn’t want more for less?  We would like to know what you think about this change.

Read the whole story at CTS News and remember you can get all of your Ford Pickup truck accessories at RealTruck.com.

Tire Fire Friday – The DeLorean Monster Truck

DeLorean Monster Truck at BuzzFeed.com

Came across this little gem today while surfing the world wide web.  We here at RealTruck love ingenuity.  We also love the movie Back to the Future. This year celebrates the 25th Anniversary of it’s theater release.  To commemorate the occasion, here’s a DeLorean Monster truck.

We know nothing of its origins other than the site we found it on.  We’re uncertain if it can reach 88 mph.  We’re pretty sure it has a flux capacitor.

That Shiny New BMW Truck… is a Joke!

BMW Truck Photo from the extremely sad folks at Autoblog.com

Last week, Autoblog.com reported that BMW was sporting around a shiny white new pickup truck on the test track at Nurburgring.  You read that correctly,  they were test driving a BMW truck.  If there wasn’t outright shock and awe, there was definite buzz, hushed voices and quiet cheering for those who wholeheartedly support the idea of a mutant birth of such magnitude.

Alas… Autoblog has since learned the horrific truth.  With great tearfulness (although they would never admit to crying) they report, “In a chat with BMW’s Munich head of product communications, Dirk Arnold, he offered up this quote: “Ah, yes, everyone’s been talking about that pickup. But, no, this is… how you call it, an April Fool’s Joke” [in German "Aprilscherz" - ed.].”

Our only comment on the whole matter is this… It’s not even APRIL YET!

We call shenanigans!  Consequently, this is a perfectly acceptable March term.

A First Look at the New Chevy Colorado Show Truck

The 2011 Next Generation Chevy Colorado (Image at PickupTrucks.com)

The Bangkok International Auto Show was ground zero for the unveiling of the Next-Generation Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck.  The midsized pickup truck is a body-on-frame, extended cab that goes on sale in Thailand later this year.

“Although this is a show vehicle, the basic proportions and form convey the vision for the next-generation Colorado that we will bring to market,” Brad Merkel, GM’s global vehicle line executive, said in a statement. “It reflects a stylized version of the new truck, one that takes into account rugged dependable truck capabilities for commercial use as well as sophisticated refinement for personal-use needs.”

For the full story, read First Look: Next-Generation Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck at PickupTrucks.com.

Happy St Patty’s Day

Here @ RealTruck.com we don’t let an opportunity to dress up pass us by!

Happy St. Patty’s Day

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