As a result of a partnership with multiple Lehigh Valley organizations, a Titan by Mack now greets visitors to the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks, an arts and cultural center and the former site of Bethlehem Steel.
Mack partnered with ArtsQuest, which manages the Levitt Pavilion, and the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) on the project. The Mack Truck Stop is scheduled to open Friday, June 22. Food for the concession stand will be provided by Mr. Bill's of Allentown, Pa.
A red, white and blue Titan by Mack cab was installed to the side of the concession stand, giving the appearance that the cab is pulling the concession stand as a trailer. The concession window is surrounded by a building wrap that includes four themed panels with photos depicting how Mack has – for more than 100 years – supported our troops, built America, protected the environment and moved America.
Mack Trucks provided the Titan cab to students in LCTI's Diesel/Medium & Heavy Truck, Autobody Collision Repair, Welding and Drafting/CAD technology program. More than 35 students reworked the cab to ready it for its new role at SteelStacks.
"We are proud of our heritage in the Lehigh Valley, and the opportunity to partner with LCTI to give students real-world experience in their chosen career paths," said Kevin Flaherty, president, Mack Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. "Built in the U.S.A. is important to Mack – all of our trucks are built right here in the Lehigh Valley. Now we can also say we have a permanent display featuring one of our models built by students in this region."
Students at LCTI disassembled and rebuilt the truck cab, which included creating schematics for and designing new parts and a number of required modifications.
"The LCTI Diesel Medium Heavy Truck Technician students were able to learn hands on how a truck is built," said Randy Schock, LCTI Diesel Medium Heavy Truck Technology instructor. "As each component was assembled to the chassis the students built the highway's largest truck. The students got real world experience on construction and engineering concerns facing the Diesel industry today. They were able to hold parts that normally do not get serviced or changed. This gave them a deeper appreciation for the construction and engineering that goes into each truck."
"When guests visit the Levitt Pavilion, they'll be greeted not only by the sounds of live music, but also by this unique concession stand and display symbolizing the incredible partnerships that have made the Levitt Pavilion possible," said ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks. "Mack Trucks is a longtime partner that has helped us present a variety of programming for the community over the years, and they've once again stepped up in a big way at the Levitt Pavilion and Mack Truck Stop. The Mack Truck Stop is a great example of their continuing support, as well as a visual reminder of Mack's past and present contributions to the Lehigh Valley, and in fact, the entire nation. We thank them, as well as the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority and the City of Bethlehem, for all of their support of this dynamic community music venue."
