Many industry conferences and equipment exhibitions have come and gone over the last 50 years, but the Electrical Utility Fleet Manager’s Conference (EUFMC) has remained. The EUFMC is an annual meeting of fleet manager from investorowned utilities companies as well as utility manufacturers and suppliers held each June in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Terex Telelect, a division of Terex Utilities and industry leading manufacturer of Telelect digger derricks and Hi-Ranger aerial devices for the utility industry offers a unique look at the history of Williamsburg from the perspective as one of the original manufacturing participants.

Gary McAlexander, past EUFMC guest speaker and industry veteran, interestingly noted the first show was not actually held at Williamsburg, but at the Tides Inn not far away. It was attended not only by the electric utilities, but a notable telephone company and a couple of significant contractors. It was moved to the Williamsburg Lodge the following year because the resort did not appreciate the trucks the group brought to look and talk about. Telelect’s Ray Kennedy was at the first meeting with his old over A-frame derrick mounted on a Dodge Power Wagon.

One reason the show has continued and been successful in the past is bringing together decision makers from both sides of the partnership – the end-user and the manufacturer.

EUFMC lists the objective of the conference as “the dissemination of information pertaining to the procurement, application, operation and maintenance of equipment used by electric utilities”. EUFMC stimulates this process by providing a forum for utility fleet managers to exchange information and discuss mutual issues. The conference promotes close cooperation between manufacturers, suppliers and fleet managers engaged in the development and design of vehicles and equipment associated with the electric utility industry.



Traditionally Williamsburg has been known as the time and place to introduce and showcase new products and services to the electrical utility industry. A portion of the show is dedicated to a drive-through where manufacturers have the opportunity to highlight new products. Past EUFMC president and board member, Carl Paugh, captured the importance of exposure to new products by saying he often walked away from the drive-thru with 3-5 key things to follow-up on to help solve his problems as a fleet manager.

Terex Telelect and Hi-Ranger have enjoyed memorable moments introducing new products. Over the years significant innovations were introduced ranging from a patented digger derrick PG (pole grabbing) winch and an internally stored fiberglass boom extension in the 1960’s to the Hi-Ranger aerial device introduction of hydraulic double cylinder boom compensation in the 1990’s and most recently, FleetEdge fleet management services.

Today the economy as well as industry mergers and acquisitions challenge the electrical utility industry and the future of conferences such as Williamsburg. It has become more and more difficult to get all the necessary people around the table to discuss industry issues. Fleet managers are dealing with a wider range of issues with fewer and fewer personnel. The role of equipment manufacturers and suppliers have changed from consulting on products and applications, to providing expertise for other requirements such as fleet management and life cycle cost analysis. Additional services are needed from the supplier base in the areas of fleet management as well as finance, leasing, asset recovery, and training. The role of Williamsburg is to address these issues while growing the base of attending fleet managers.

The cost is high for manufacturers and suppliers to attend and participate equipment shows, exhibitions, and conferences. The competitive world in which we all live forces us to evaluate expenses and treat worthwhile ones as an investment. The forum Williamsburg presents, if properly attended by the fleet managers and coordinated with manufacturers will definitely provide a reason to attend. The conference needs balance to blend programs of sufficient value for fleet management attendees while providing manufacturers sufficient time to expose their products and services. There must be sufficient interplay between both groups to encourage the future health and growth of the conference. Perhaps the solution means getting back to basics, in a changing and difficult time, focusing on critical industry issues and ensuring the right people are around the table.

Manufacturers and suppliers need to be versatile to adapt to meet the new needs. Terex Telelect continues to manufacture industry leading products as part of Terex Utilities, and when it comes to Williamsburg Terex Utilities will be focusing and discussing the full range of issues, not just products; to continue providing the solutions that are needed today.