Upfitting Vehicles Since Before The Model T
Founded in 1899 by Walter A. Messer, the company initially operated as W.A. Messer Company. Walter, hailing from Harvey Station, New Brunswick, Canada, began with a humble one-man blacksmithing and ship-smithing shop on Union Street in Portland, Maine. His craftsmanship extended to manufacturing wagons, wheels, sleighs, and ironwork for ships.
As motor vehicles emerged in the early 1900s, W.A. Messer Co. transitioned to crafting open-sided truck bodies suitable for deliveries, furniture vans, and general van body equipment. During this era, they upfitted trucks even before patents existed for innovations like windshield wipers, automatic transmissions, fifth wheels, traffic cones, and hydraulic brakes.
In the 1940s, Jack Messer joined the family business after serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. The company expanded, incorporating and relocating to a custom-built facility in the Bayside area of Portland. Jack became President in 1957, succeeding his father, John F. Messer.
The 1960s witnessed another move, this time to a five-acre parcel on Westbrook’s Warren Avenue. There, W.A. Messer Co. focused on truck equipment installation and distributorship. They represented nationally manufactured products, including Galion dump bodies and hoists.
Fast forward to 2024, the company celebrates its 125th anniversary. With unwavering commitment to excellence, they proudly unveil their refreshed identity: Messer Truck and Van
From the very beginning in 1899 until today, people recognize Messer for our hard work and the value added to the community it serves.
Messer Truck and Van is currently led by Walter’s great-grandson, Jeffrey Messer. Jeffrey also served as NTEA’s (National Truck Equipment Association) 51st president in 2015.
Our goal is to partner with local industry professionals and businesses to transform their work van fleets or truck equipment into world-class providers. Your professional community will grow and flourish as we partner to find new opportunities.
Since 2003, Jeffrey W. Messer has taken the place of the fourth generation in the family business. Great-grandson of Walter A. Messer, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Ocean Engineering, Jeff served in the U.S. Navy for five years as a Surface Warfare Officer and Nuclear Power Engineer.Jeff believes that as we focus on the customer and how to make their life easier and more efficient, then increased productivity will be the natural by-product.He stays active hiking and camping in the summer, skiing in the winter, and playing ice hockey year-round. He resides in Raymond and Matinicus with his wife, Alissa, and three children.
Tim Cook has been involved in manufacturing, distribution and sales in Maine for over 35 years. He brings a heavy focus on customer relationships and operations management. He is a graduate of Castleton University with degrees in Business Administration, Marketing and Psychology. He maintains an active life outside of work involved in running, coaching lacrosse, working on vintage cars and restoring houses. He and his wife Jeri reside in Poland and are the parents of four children.
Becah joined the Messer team in 2016. She came from the retail industry with a passion for building lasting relationships and an eagerness to learn. Now Becah proudly serves as the Operations Manager working with everyone on the team to create an exceptional customer experience. She enjoys spending her time away from work with her family, writing books and taking care of her chickens. She lives in Gray with her husband and their two children.
Donna has fulfilled many roles during her 25 years at Messer. She is currently the backbone of the Sales Department, ensuring the smooth flow of information between our customers and installation technicians. Outside of work, she enjoys motorcycle riding, camping, boating, and more importantly, playing with her three grandchildren. She lives in the beautiful Lakes Region with her husband.
Davis joined Messer in June of 2020 and currently serves on the sales team. He has 15 years of customer service experience in various industries. In his spare time, he enjoys working with the newest technology and building computers. He is also a home chef and often shares his culinary creations with the team. Davis lives in Lewiston with his two dogs Odin and Pete.
Dana joined Messer Truck in early 2021. He has 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry. He has extensive experience in repairing accident damage and painting. In his free time, he enjoys restoring muscle cars, riding ATVs, and spending time with his wife, three daughters and granddaughters.
Matt joined the Messer team in December of 2023. Previously, he served 20 years in the United States Military before coming on board as the Service Manager. Matt is here to serve Messer’s outstanding customer base. He is very goal oriented and a stickler for project deadlines. Matt lives in Gorham with his four kids and a very loving wife. He loves music and free time with his kids
Scott joined Messer in August of 2024. He has a robust background in sales and logistics across multiple industries and aims to bring a dynamic approach to his role. Having studied Biochemistry at the University of Vermont, he combines his analytical skills with a passion for building customer relationships to deliver exceptional service. In his spare time, Scott enjoys spending time at his camp, fishing, snowmobiling, and playing guitar. He currently lives on Pine Point Beach with his rescue dog, Luna, and is an avid runner, paddle surfer and Harley enthusiast. Scott’s love for animals, the outdoors, and vehicles reflects his energetic and approachable nature, which resonates in his professional interactions as well.
Jen has been with Messer since 2015. She has over 20 years of accounting experience. She loves that every day brings something new to her door. In her free time, Jen stays active outdoors with lots of walking and gardening. She loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren, who all live close by.
Tim joined Messer in 2021 to pioneer our first van-only upfitting facility – Messer Work Van Solutions. Messer of Ohio has since grown to upfit vans and trucks for many national fleets and end users. Tim’s professional journey encompasses the realms of entrepreneurship, business leadership, and military service. With a track record of financial success and a visionary approach to emerging industries, he has made a significant impact in the business world. Tim served in the United States Air Force, where he flew F-16s. Tim’s wife Dana live in central Ohio and have four wonderful children.
Working for the Ohio location, Ed Zell is an Inside Sales Rep with a focus on customer experience. With a diverse background spanning various industries, from Ohio State Trooper to co-founding an electric sign company, Ed brings a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to his role. Ed’s diverse background helps him deliver personalized solutions and exceed customer expectations. His unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction makes him an invaluable asset to our team. In his free time, Ed enjoys exploring the great outdoors, spending time with his family, and giving back to the community through volunteer work.
Ben Muenze is a results-driven professional with a passion for efficiency and excellence. Armed with an associate degree in business from Columbus State Community College, Ben brings a solid foundation in business principles to every endeavor. In 2020, Ben brought his expertise to Messer Work Van Solutions and was soon promoted to Inside Sales because of his dedication and strong customer relationship building. His clear communication and problem-solving ensure that every client receives unparalleled service and support.
“I attribute the company’s longevity to following one simple rule: treat your customers like you want to be treated. Customers are the core of our business and for generations, we’ve realized the importance of these long-term relationships. We are invested in helping their businesses to succeed and grow.”
With seasoned industry veterans adept at crafting trucks tailored to your requirements, our team delivers comprehensive solutions for all your commercial vehicle needs. From interchangeable truck bodies and Fisher plows to van upfits, ladder rack installations, custom van graphics, and fabrication services, we cover every aspect of work vehicle customization in Maine and Ohio.
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