Thunderstruck Truck Accessories:
Where Steel and Quality Collide

The collision of metal and quality means more to ThunderStruck than their motto. As a start-up manufacturing business, they specialize in fabricating metal accessories for pickup and full-size domestic trucks. ThunderStruck, Inc., located in Salina, Kansas, is a recent recipient of StartUp Kansas assistance.

 

Co-owners Casen and Virginia Brown and Jeff and Tandi Turner have decades of combined experience working with all aspects of metal fabrication. When they saw the chance to purchase ThunderStruck, they purchased all the manufacturing equipment and the company's existing website and dealer network to ensure they had the necessary support.

 

The owners have a methodical program outlined to turn ThunderStruck into a profitable business. Although operating a business is always a serious, time-consuming task, the owners do not plan to draw a salary until they begin turning a profit. They have already announced the launch of several new products.

 

ThunderStruck's benefits to the community are multiple. Their business plans involve the creation of 9 full-time jobs that will benefit the city of Salina. Sales tax revenues will also benefit both the local community and the state, especially since more than half of ThunderStruck's sales originate beyond Kansas state lines.

 

Various NetWork Kansas resource partners have provided assistance to ThunderStruck. The City of Salina, Salina Chamber of Commerce, Four Rivers Development, Inc. (FORDI), the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Cloud County Community College, and the Kansas Department of Commerce - Business Development Division have all played a role during the planning process. In particular, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce has expressed strong support for Thunderstruck, Inc. due to the additional jobs for skilled machinists and welders that the business will generate. The Chamber of Commerce has also expressed excitement for the unique niche that ThunderStruck products will fill in the aftermarket truck components industry.

 

The combination of unique and creative products, dedicated owners who are putting everything into making their business a success, and the active support of the community make ThunderStruck a business that NetWork Kansas is proud to support. According to the company website, ThunderStruck uses "equipment, knowledge, and creative spirit to bring a line of products our customers are proud to have on their trucks."

 

ThunderStruck recently announced two new products: the 2009 Ford Light Duty F-150 Grill Guard; and the 2003-Current Chevy Express Van Front-End Replacement, both of which have already generated a lot of interest. They plan many more product launch announcements as the business continues to grow.  You can learn more about their full product line on their website at www.thunderstruckinc.com.