Business of The Month

    As seen in American Waste Digest September 1997

    There are many jobs where safety is hardly an issue. When it comes to waste hauling however, safety precautions are a way of life. Various devices have been developed over the past decade to resolve some of the haulers' concerns and minimize injuries. The design team at NWC Body Works, Inc. (NWC) took safety to heart and made life easier for a lot of hard-working people when they designed the Qwik-Tip for Rear-Loading Garbage Trucks.

    From its inception in 1959, NWC was marked by quick growth. The company, once dedicated solely to truck body work, is now a full-service truck, tractor, and trailer facility. Strengthened by a reputation of across-the-board expertise, NWC has been able to take leaps from a solid foundation. Over the years, expansion into specialty truck body manufacturing, as well as the design of truck equipment for special customer uses, has become part of NWC's strong identity.

    NWC holds various patents on specialized truck equipment and truck body designs. So, when long-time customers had a problem, it was not unusual for them to come to NWC for assistance. A major complaint coming from the haulers was about injuries received while picking up and dumping refuse containers. Drivers were losing fingers, getting other permanent hand damage and complaining of back injuries. The source of the problem was the manual method of connecting the containers with the chains and cables that do the lifting and dumping on the rear-loaders. In response to this problem, NWC determined to design a system that would take the driver out of this dangerous position.

    NWC bought a rear-loading garbage truck, designed a device to automate much of the lifting process, and gave it back to the haulers to test. After considerable route testing of the device, Qwik-Tip was patented and brought to the market. Because of the enormity of the breakthrough, a separate company was established solely to manufacture and sell Qwik-Tip.   

    Qwik-Tip is a modular unit made to fit on any rear-loading refuse collection vehicle with the use of mounting kits which allow for adjustments based on the varying shapes and sizes of different truck makes and models.   The unit can increase the truck's hopper size simply by design, allowing the container to serve as an extension to the hopper.  The net result is faster packaging, and more time, effort and dollars saved.

    The Tip-A-Way cart lifting and dumping unit is an optional attachment used to quickly convert Qwik-Tip for residential or recycle cart pickups. With The use of one switch, this cart-lifting device allows for mixed commercial and residential routes.  Also available is an Upper Hopper Hydraulic Bang Bar which adjusts for various container sizes to keep smaller containers from falling into the hopper.

    Another problem resolved by Qwik-Tip is heavy loads snapping the cables and dropping to the ground.  With the Qwik-Tip, The containers cannot fall out because of the failsafe Trunnion Locking System.  This safety feature allows a container to be lifted only after the torsions are locked in place.  Then, the two large lifting cylinders lift the load.  As a double-safety mechanism, Ripes says, "If it can't lift in completely, it won't lift it at all."  Because if its heavy-duty construction, however, Qwik-Tip can lift 4 to 5 thousand pounds at a time.  

    Customer service, of course must go hand-in hand with a great product in order for any company to be successful.  That's why Qwik-Tip provides and extensive one year warranty and next day delivery on parts.  Ripes says that at Qwik-Tip they know any great product has to work, last, save money and time, as well as operate safely.  In order to assure Qwik-Tip meets the mark, Ripes says that each unit is checked by the Quality Control Department to make sure it is functioning perfectly before leaving the factory.  When principles like this are lived by, high levels of customer satisfaction can be expected. 

    Qwik-Tip is headquartered strategically next to Chicago's O'Hare Field in Elk Grove, Illinois.  Giving life to the company outside of the Midwest however, has a growing dealer network throughout the country.  Dealers are equipped to provide parts installation as well as service.  Sales are increasing every year for Qwik-Tip, enabling even further expansion.  When good intentions are backed by expertise, it is hard not to be successful.  For more information on Qwik-Tip, you can call (847) 640-7387.