March 31, 2026
In Louisville, Kentucky, pride in craft runs deep. From skilled trades to iconic baseball bat manufacturing, doing things the right way still matters here. Mark Wenger carries that same mindset as he redefines what it means to be a one-man operation.
As the owner of Kentucky Blue Blast, a mobile media blasting business, Wenger spends his days restoring surfaces and solving problems for clients across Louisville and beyond. “I had always wanted to own my own business,” says Wenger. “I had already researched this particular business for two years and, after a lot of thought, decided to jump in with both feet....it just made sense and everything kind of fell into place.”
For Wenger, every job depends on one vehicle doing it all. He hauls and unloads thousands of pounds of materials — without the right vehicle, his job would literally be impossible.
Wenger didn’t just need a truck, he needed a vehicle built for the way he works. A mobile operations center capable of hauling 2,000-4,000 pounds of blasting media products and 9,000 pounds of trailer loads was his only option.
“I wear all the hats: I am the owner, operator, clean-up, secretary, billing department and job estimator. I do whatever it takes to get the business and to get it done as efficiently and as fast as possible.”
So it was up to Wenger alone to find the right work vehicle to support his company.
"This truck and the bed suit my needs perfectly and I couldn't imagine finding and dealing with a better company than Knapheide."
- Mark Wenger, Owner of Kentucky Blue Blast
Upgrading to a Gooseneck Flatbed
“I quickly found out my F150 wasn’t going to be enough truck for my business,” Wenger says. “Despite owning a truck for 30 years, I never really needed a ‘work truck’ before this. So, I bought a new 2020 Ford F350 dually diesel with a Knapheide gooseneck flatbed.”
Because of everything he hauls daily, Wenger needed a vehicle that won’t compromise with a custom set of racks. Seeking a versatile, work-ready solution, Wenger clarified “I wanted a gooseneck bed for reasons other than just hauling supplies, I needed the flexibility to change back and forth — one truck, many functions.”
“Knapheide makes an awesome product,” he says. “This truck and the bed suit my needs perfectly and I couldn’t imagine finding and dealing with a better company than Knapheide.”
Customizing the Gooseneck for Mobile Media Blasting
Wenger’s work demands a truck that can handle heavy loads while adapting to changing job requirements, including:
- Forklift-friendly removable racks
- Gooseneck flexibility for multi-function use
- Secure containment for loose media
- Job-specific materials
“I needed a flatbed that could handle that and would also allow me to use my forklift to make loading and unloading these materials much easier. But, I also needed to be able to remove sections of racks to use the forklift to transfer materials” explained Wenger.
Back on the Job with America's Work Truck
For many business owners, building a work truck starts long before the keys are handed over. Typically, a customer works with a commercial truck dealer and a local Knapheide distributor to spec the chassis, body and upfit together. The right weight, body style and accessories are selected upfront to match the demands of the job.
Once the chassis is ordered, it’s delivered to a Knapheide Truck Equipment Center or authorized distributor, where the body is installed and any job-specific customizations — such as racks, lighting, storage systems or power equipment — are integrated before the truck ever reaches the jobsite.
In Wenger’s case, his needs evolved quickly as his business grew.
That’s when KTEC Louisville stepped in. Working closely with Wenger, General Manager Brian Puckett and his team designed and installed a custom rack system that allowed for secure transport of materials while maintaining the flexibility to remove sections for forklift access.
“Now, the rear middle section comes off so I can climb up and down to get supplies for the job,” Wenger offers. “And these new, taller racks make me feel very secure that all my items are tied down tight and won’t fly out of the bed. These racks, to me, are truly invaluable.”
With his whole operation depending on one truck, it can’t limit him. His truck has to carry more and do more — every day. That’s America’s Work Truck. Built to adapt as the job demands.
Wenger expressed gratitude for his first experience with Knapheide and looks forward to adding more gooseneck bodies as his business continues to grow.
INTERESTED IN GOOSENECKS MADE FOR THE WAY YOU WORK? FIND A KNAPHEIDE DISTRIBUTOR NEAR YOU AND START BUILDING YOUR SOLUTION.
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