Utility Truck Equipment

About Utility Truck Equipment, Inc.

Utility Truck Equipment, Inc. was built to keep trucks working. That’s been the mission since day one—and it still drives every decision we make.

Founded in 1986, UTE supports utility, telecom, municipal, and contractor fleets with new and used trucks, rentals, parts, and full-service repair. We specialize in aerial devices, digger derricks, and the hydraulic systems that keep them productive in the field. When a truck is down, work stops. We exist to prevent that.

A Company Built on the Jobsite, Not the Boardroom

Utility Truck Equipment was founded in 1986 by Ray Bricker and Tom Yost—two industry veterans who understood utility equipment from the inside out. They saw what fleet operators were missing: dependable support after the sale.

“They started UTE in ’86 after being in the industry a long time,” says Rod Hill, President of Utility Truck Equipment. “It’s always been about aerial equipment. That’s what we know.”

UTE operated out of Columbus, Ohio in the early years. In 2000, Ray Bricker bought out Tom Yost, and the company relocated to Circleville—where it remains today.

UTE became a Versalift dealer in the late 1990s and has remained one ever since, serving customers across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Today, UTE delivers dozens of aerial units each year, with builds tailored to fleet needs.

What Hasn’t Changed—and What Has

The equipment has changed. The expectations haven’t.

“Trucks are a lot more complex now,” Hill explains. “You used to be able to build a truck in 100 hours. Now it can take three to four hundred hours because of customization.”

Fleet managers still need uptime, clear answers, and fast support when hydraulic equipment fails in the field.

“It’s taking care of them after the sale,” Hill says. “This is hydraulic equipment—it’s going to break down. Downtime is the biggest thing for anybody. We focus on taking care of it.”

Service Is Not a Department. It’s the Point.

UTE isn’t structured like a typical dealership. Sales, service, parts, and hydraulics work together because that’s how real work gets done.

When a truck is delivered, UTE doesn’t just drop it and leave. Every delivery includes an in-service walkthrough—covering operation, safety systems, and emergency procedures.

“Our sales guys deliver the truck and do the in-service themselves,” Hill says. “They show operators how to run it, the safety features, and how to get someone out of the bucket if something goes wrong.”

• In-house hydraulic cylinder repair and machining
• Mobile service trucks covering Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky
• Full ANSI and DOT inspections—no shortcuts
• Parts support for Versalift, Altec, Terex, and more

“If you want a $200 inspection, we’re not the guys,” Hill says. “We don’t cut corners.”

UTE built its hydraulic repair capability to cut lead times and keep trucks in service. Many cylinder repairs can be turned the same day.

The People Are the Difference

UTE’s longevity is built on people who stay. That continuity matters when customers call with real problems and tight timelines.

“We’ve had managers here 20, 25, almost 30 years,” Hill says. “That matters in this business.”

Growing Beyond the Midwest—Without Losing the Plot

UTE is rooted in Ohio, but our reach has expanded beyond the Midwest. In recent years, we’ve taken deliberate steps to support customers across all of North America.

This expansion isn’t about volume. It’s about serving utilities and contractors facing the same pressures: aging fleets, limited local support, and zero tolerance for downtime.

• Equipment configured for real working conditions
• Clear communication
• Long-term service support, not one-time transactions

National customers don’t need promises. They need dependable equipment and a partner who understands hydraulic systems, lead times, and field realities.

As Hill puts it, “This business has always been steady because it’s about doing the work and taking care of people.”

Built to Keep Your Fleet Working

Today, Utility Truck Equipment supports fleets across the United States. We sell, rent, repair, inspect, and support the trucks that keep power on, networks connected, and crews safe.

We’re here to answer the phone, fix the problem, and get your truck back to work. That’s been true since 1986. And it’s not changing.