Business Spotlight: Trafford Truck Equipment

If you haven’t heard of Trafford Truck Equipment yet, you should know that the New Gloucester-based business is quickly developing a loyal and dedicated following for its personalized customer service, quality product lines, exceptional pricing, and meticulous attention to detail.

Rely on Trafford Truck Equipment to customize your truck
for work or play. From Fisher plows and Duramag bodies
and dumps to custom fabrication and everything in
between, you can rely on them to do precision work
every time. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Under new owner Dan Williams, Trafford Truck Equipment at 531 Penney Road in New Gloucester is on a mission to help customers be as profitable as possible while getting their jobs done faster, safer, and more efficiently.

Trafford sells and installs truck equipment such as Duramag Truck Bodies, Magnum Racks, and other custom fabrications. It also sells, installs, and services Fisher plows and sanders, Douglass plows, and a wide range of other truck products.

No matter if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line truck rack or custom welding and fabrication services, Trafford Truck Equipment is committed to providing you with the highest quality truck upfitting around.

In business since 2009, the Trafford Truck Equipment staff has the knowledge, technical expertise, and experience to handle the most challenging of projects. It is a full truck equipment facility, specializing in the installation of all types of truck implements such as snow and ice removal equipment, emergency lighting, van body liftgates, and pickup truck liftgates.

The truck outfitting shop carries an extensive line of quality strobe lighting, and other affordable truck accessories and leveling kits.

“This is the perfect time to upfit your work truck or your daily driver,” Williams said. “We have tons of options and are ready to make your visions a reality. We now stock both Maine-ly Batteries, Inc. and B&W Trailer Hitches.”

Wiliams says that Trafford Truck Equipment is not some hole-in-the-wall type of shop and takes its work and its customers seriously. But because the business is designed to be smaller and has less overhead than larger competitors, that works to the advantage of its customers.

“It certainly allows our pricing to be highly competitive compared to bigger shops,” Williams said. “It also lets us focus more on personalized customer service and providing exceptional value in the products we sell and service.”

Convenience and availability are significant factors when choosing a truck outfitting shop for a project and Trafford Truck Equipment has those areas covered for its customers, Williams said.

“We are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and remain available throughout the winter months,” he said. “Our customers can be assured that we are there to help them every step of the way. And with us doing the installation and the service work, we make sure it’s done right.”

The outstanding service delivered to customers at Trafford Truck Equipment is second to none in the Lakes Region of Maine. They answer the phone promptly, answer all questions courteously and all quotes and estimates for projects are entirely free.

“We take great pride in what we do,” Williams said. “We stand behind our products and services.”

Reviews for Trafford Truck Equipment are nothing short of amazing.

“Highly recommend these guys! Excellent customer service. Got my truck in and out in one day! They stayed a half hour after close to get me out ready for the coming storm. Thank you. You killed it. Very impressed with the quality of work and attention to detail cutting my bumper. Awesome job.” Derek Hodgkin

“When it comes to meticulous workmanship, Trafford is where it’s at. Attention to detail when installing on trucks and equipment is a must, you won’t have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road because someone ran a wire the wrong way. Our company will only have Trafford install anything on our fleet. Top notch service and good people. Customer for life here!” Jake Audet

“You couldn’t find a better company to deal with.” Mike Denny

“Great guys! From helping get you back going in the middle of a snowstorm when you are brokedown, to helping you find just the right truck body that you’re looking for, I have always had an awesome experience!” Mike Killinger

To learn more about products and services offered by Trafford Truck Equipment and how they can help you, call 207-926-4271, send an email to traffordtruckequipment@yahoo.com or find them on Facebook under Trafford Truck Equipment. <

Business spotlight on Aloha Maine Gifts and Gatherings by Michelle Libby

Aloha Maine! is an eclectic shop with a mix of products and services from Hawaii, the Pacific and New England regions, but all centered around the theme of LOVE. Owner Renee Conlogue has dreamt about having a shop for thirty years. Between 1988 and 1998, she lived in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she learned about and fell in love with the people who live there.  The Pacific island lifestyle, especially that of the native Hawaiians is rich in spirituality and a peaceful way of being.  “I want to bring that sense of tropical beauty and spirit of the islands here.” Aloha, means much more than just hello and goodbye.  Aloha is love.  “Alo” means present, front, face and the “ha” in Aloha is the breath of life.  It says, you’re here, present and alive now,” she said.  Living Aloha is a way of treating each other with care, love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread that love to others.  It is sending and receiving positive energy, creating harmony and being kind. 

Renee rented the space at 51A West Gray Road (Route 202) in Gray, back in July. A soft opening took place on December 31, 2017.  “Of course, I was terrified, but I have had a lot of family support to help this dream become a reality. We were open part-time in the evenings. Now, I’m curious to see what will happen with the tourists coming into town,” she said.   

Renee is originally from South Portland and since returning from Honolulu, she has taught at Bonny Eagle Middle School for the past 20 years. Four or five years ago, she learned to play the ukulele and joined the SLUKES (Sebago Lakes Ukulele Society) that play the first Thursday of every month at Pat’s Pizza and they perform at a variety of functions as well.  This year, they will be performing at the 4th Annual Casco Bay Uke Fest held in Portland this July. 

Aloha Maine also offers ukulele private or small group lessons for beginners. Renee helped Librarian and SLUKE member Darcel Devou at the Gray Public Library with a ukulele donation to start a uke lending program.  She hopes to expand her outreach to homeschoolers.  She wants to be a positive force in this area. “There is no need to have musical ability to play the uke and no need to be able to read music”, she said.  All you need is the desire to learn and some perseverance to practice.  In the fall, she wants to start a group for Hawaiian quilting, and classes for sewing and knitting with wool and fabric from the islands. 

The store is a peaceful, kind and loving gift store and gathering place.  Renee has big plans for social and educational gatherings starting in the fall. For now, she is content to sell items like Kona coffee, “Hawaiian Bath and Body” products, Koa wood jewelry, chocolate macadamia nuts and “Amahi” ukuleles.  She now carries the entire line of “Ka Ora” Bracelets designed by Audrey Lovering from Standish.  Each bracelet is handmade using 100-year-old tools and methods.  Each of her designs are beautiful, inspirational, durable and sentimental like the women who inspired them.  In addition, “Love Rocks Me” cards, notepads, coasters and trivets are the designs of Ellen Thayer in South Portland.  She uses heart rocks shaped by the surf along the coast of Maine to create artwork that she photographs.  

In addition, Aloha Maine! is now an official “Life is Good” retailer.  She carries the newest line of women’s apparel and accessories.  The company spreads good vibes, sharing how optimism can empower us even in the hardest of times.  Ten percent of their net profits go toward helping children in need.  “Everything in the store is meant to inspire ourselves and others,” she said. 

Renee has had a difficult start to the business when recently, her oldest son, Royce, committed suicide while away at college. This devastating blow has made focusing on the shop a necessity to continuing with life for her and her son Reid.  “There are days I feel like curling up on the floor and staying there,” Renee said. “These two communities, Gray and New Gloucester, I just can’t say enough wonderful things about them.” She has received support from all of her friends, Royce’s friends, along with people she has never met. “There’s so much love here.  It is what is holding me up” The senior class of GNG High School is gifting a baby grand piano in Royce’s name to the school.  He was passionate of performing for others no matter the size of the stage.

On June 3^rd, there will be a benefit concert for the Royce Foreman Memorial Scholarship held at Spring Meadows Golf Club .  Mele’uhane, a Hawaiian Father-Sons Trio from Kona, Hawaii will perform.  From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will be a meet and greet with cocktails and appetizers and from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. will be the concert. The cost is $10 at the door.  This year two GNG Seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships in his memory.  In addition, there will be a raffle for an Amahi Koa Ukulele, where the proceeds will be given to a family in Gray whose mom is battling cancer.  She has school-aged children and every amount of help is appreciated.  

For more information about Aloha Maine or the fundraiser, visit them on Facebook, email createalohamaine@gmail.com or call 207-808-9642. The shop is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Friends of recent tragic accident victims raising funds

Friends of Dennis Brackley, New Gloucester and his grandson, 4-year-old Gavin Goad, recent victims to a tragic vehicle accident, are raising funds to help with the family expenses. To donate money toward the Brackley/Goad family funeral and medical bills, please visit the www.gofundme.com website set up in their honor and memory:  https://www.gofundme.com/brackley-family-angels

A www.gofundme.com account has also been set up for Samantha Brink and Adrian King who were in the other vehicle of the fatal car accident. https://www.gofundme.com/38ncfc0