Metal-Tech 4X4

　TLCA (Toyota Land Cruiser Association) が選んだビジネスメンバーオブ２０１２はオレゴン州に基盤を置くMetal-Tech が選ばれた。メタルテックば主にトヨタトラックの特殊バンパーやスライダー、そしてケージなどを製作している工房である。そしてより良い製品を開発するためにオーナーのMark Hawley氏自らオレンジ色に塗られた80やＦＪクルーザー、最近は４ランナーを駆って積極的に走行会などに参加し続けている。今回その業績が認められた形となったのである。

 

　

nov/dec 2012

 

TLCA Business Member of the Year — Metal-tech 4x4

by Butch Baker

I liked Metal-tech founder Mark Hawley from the moment I met him. Lone Star Land Cruisers had made our first trip to Cruise Moab and as fate would have it, our designated camping spots were right next to W's bunch from Washington. As we were looking over all the wild rigs W had built—some with no shackles, others with air bags and some of the most "out of the box" designs we had ever seen—there was one red FJ40 which was cleaner than the others—and had a unique roll cage. We noticed the bars hugged the contour of the dash and featured some nice grab handles. Little did we know that in a few years, this (soon to become Metal-tech) cage design would be seen at any gathering of Land Cruisers.

 

Mark hung out with us in camp and even went on a few of our "Outlaw" runs throughout that week. Around the campfire, he told us how the design had created lots of interest and he was considering making a few to sell. We also discussed the void in the market for a decent cage kit for FJ40s. It was not long before Metal-tech was born.
Since then, we have kept in touch with Mark and Lone Star Land Cruisers has a great number of rigs sporting his products. Metal-tech has also become one of the biggest supporters of our Roundup event, donating raffle items—and usually the big, late in the program items everyone lusts after. If you own any Roundup t-shirts, they probably have the Metal-tech logo on the sleeve. This is an exclusive deal for these great guys.

Over the years, we have listened to Mark tell stories about his boys and some of the things he does with them. We have even watched them grow up. Mark is always mindful to get three event t-shirts of the appropriate sizes to take home for his sons. I read somewhere that anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Daddy. This fits Mark perfectly.
A few years ago, Mark had made the long trek to our event with his distinctive Toyota orange rig on a trailer. On the return trip, his truck was broken into and around $1,600 in cash was stolen. We got word of this and decided to see what LSLC could do. Before the sun set, we had donations from Land Cruiser people from all over to replace the lost cash—plus some. This in itself is probably the best testament to Mark's character.

 I have bought a lot of Metal-tech products over the years and one thing stands out: they always tweak the product. It seems as if every time I get something in, there are improvements. Whether it is something as simple as making the mounting holes a bit larger or the "MT" in the floor plates, they listen to feedback and implement improvements.

TLCA 会員誌　Toyota trail より

 

 メタルテックで製作される商品は硬派のプロテクターである。

これらの商品がトヨタ４Ｘ４の主にアメリカでの活躍に貢献してきた事は否定出来ない。現場（高い走破性が要求されるオフロードコース）は常に多くの機会に満ちている。机上での考察よりも現場での思考、アイデアの交流、そして完成した商品はやはり現場で試され宣伝される。メタルテックは現場での試行錯誤を進歩の糧としている姿勢が共感を生んだのだと思う。

夢を形に、現場でこそ生まれるメタルテックを応援して行きたい。

 

 

 

ところで、メタルテックのケージを装備したランクル40がボリビアを走る光景を覚えていますか？

BOLIVIA SPECIAL

 

トップギア、ボリビア死の路より、ビデオの一部です。

メタルテックのケージを装着した40は後半に登場します。

 

観てくれ！の雰囲気のプロテクターではなくて、

本物のハードギアを追い求めていると理解している。

 

車は壊れてもメタルテックは壊れないという程に．．．