Jun 28, 2011 9:51 AM

VT Hackney Inc, a unit of VT Systems Inc, has broken ground for a plant addition at its 27-acre Independence KS manufacturing site. This addition will have a capacity of 70,000 square feet and provide the company with the capability to produce more than 1,500 insulated and refrigerated truck bodies annually.

Construction is anticipated to start immediately, with plans to bring the plant into full production in 2012.

The manufacturing processes at the plant will feature the latest technology including Kidron’s ColdShield. ColdShield is a total temperature management system available exclusively in Kidron’s refrigerated distribution truck bodies and trailers. A critical component of ColdShield is a state-of-the-art foaming system that enables Kidron truck bodies to protect refrigerated products by holding cold temperatures longer.