Just like a lot of you, I enjoy looking at what's new in work trucks. We walk the aisles at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo scanning ahead to see the next new offering from the vacuum truck builders. We marvel at the fit and finish and careful detailing of the paint and chrome parts. We check out the placement of accessories to see if someone's come up with a new wrinkle in ergonomics. We look for trends in tank size and material.

We do the same with our virtual showroom every month in Pumper, the popular and long-running Classy Truck feature. Trucks from the past year are compiled in the December issue so we can get together and choose the Classy Truck of the Year.

Over the past year, I've probably received more Classy Truck submissions than ever before. If the beautiful trucks that cross my desk are any indication, this industry is doing well in many quarters, despite what some observers say remains a challenging economy. Contractors are busy, and they're putting these new trucks to work and working them hard.

See it for yourself. Turn inside for our Classy Truck roundup feature, where you can look at the trucks published in January through this month. Then follow the directions to the Pumper website where you can vote for your favorite truck of the year.

THESE TRUCKS SHINE

When I look at this year's group of workhorse service vehicles, I come to a few conclusions. The 2012 trucks show a deep dedication to more efficient operation, enhanced customer service and marketing savvy.

An example of greater efficiency is found in John Soucy's May entry, a 2005 Sterling rig which the New Hampshire pumper built out on a dump body for more convenient disposal of car wash pit waste. And then there's Rick Hall's entry this month, tying together a refurbished vintage Kenworth truck with a matching pup trailer to carry more waste between disposal trips.

As for transforming a truck into a sales tool, many of this year's rigs utilize sophisticated graphics and bright colors to attract attention as they drive down the road. Bold, clean graphics really pop when they're applied to a shiny chrome tank, as is the case in Douglas Hurrelbrink's July entry and Buddy Pope's April truck. The right color also can turn a practical tool of the trade into a real head-turner. Take a look at Rene Goulet's metallic green truck in January and the yellow cab with chrome accents in Chad Sims' November entry.

And a "green" theme – not the color, but the clean environment – is used to greater effect in new trucks every year. Check out Herb and Rob Dollar's panoramic woods and mountains graphics that spread across the entire truck in March's entry, or Goulet's rig that brings his company's natural disposal efforts into the truck's graphics. In general, graphics today are more inventive and better executed, as contractors integrate marketing and machine and take advantage of huge advances in vinyl graphics products.

I need to extend thanks to all the pumpers who took time out of their long workdays to take photos and submit entries for the Classy Truck feature. Without each and every one of you, we wouldn't be able to continue this great feature. By sharing the design of their new trucks, they help put the industry's best foot forward. The quality of these trucks and the attention to detail the owners give is inspiring. The appearance of today's trucks is a further reminder that this isn't your father's or grandfather's wastewater industry.

AN INVITE

So where's your new truck? We'd love to see it in Pumper. Send me a description and photos of your new truck and we'll consider it for an upcoming issue. Materials should be sent to editor@pumper.com.