Curtis Cab
Curtis Cab

OEM

Case Studies

Case Study

Reclaiming the Market or How Our Plug-and-Play A/C Cabin Stopped Market Share Erosion for a Major OEM

  • Last Updated: June 2, 2026

Executive Summary

When a leading OEM began losing market share due to the lack of a factory A/C option on its flagship utility platform, they turned to us. Despite significant space and power constraints, we engineered a plug-and-play, direct-drive A/C cabin—restoring competitiveness and delivering a durable, climate-controlled solution for commercial and rental markets.

The Challenge: Market Pressure & Extreme Constraints

As competitors introduced factory climate control, the OEM began losing share on an otherwise strong diesel platform. To compete, they needed an A/C solution—but the platform presented significant technical barriers:

  • Space Constraints: Tightly packaged engine bay with no room for a traditional compressor setup
  • Power Management: Limited engine capacity, where added load risked degrading performance
  • Rental Durability: Traditional belt-driven systems require frequent maintenance—unacceptable for high-use rental fleets

Our Approach: Integrated Engineering & Execution

We partnered as a strategic engineering extension of the OEM, delivering a complete solution from concept through production.

  • Direct-Drive Innovation: Replaced traditional V-belt systems with a maintenance-free, automotive-style direct drive using a serpentine belt and automatic tensioner—eliminating field maintenance and ensuring reliable performance.
  • Optimized Power Management: Engineered the system to integrate seamlessly with the diesel platform, delivering A/C performance without compromising drivetrain efficiency.
  • Precision Packaging: Utilized advanced 3D scanning and CAD to design a solution that fits within the existing engine bay—requiring no structural modifications.
  • Factory-Quality Execution: Delivered a plug-and-play cab system built to automotive-grade standards for durability, performance, and seamless integration.

Results & Impact

  • Market Share Reclaimed: Closed a critical product gap, restoring competitiveness and winning back customers
  • Rental Adoption: Maintenance-free design drove strong uptake across rental fleets, eliminating field-service concerns
  • Operational Simplicity: Plug-and-play integration reduced installation complexity and accelerated deployment through the dealer network

We don’t just solve engineering puzzles; we protect our partners’ bottom lines. By engineering a maintenance-free, automotive-grade drive system where others said it couldn’t fit, we didn’t just give this vehicle air conditioning—we gave the OEM a needed product enhancement.

David Breault, Director, Sales & Marketing

Is Your Product Line Facing a Competitive Threat?

When market shifts demand rapid innovation, you need a partner who can engineer and manufacture around any constraint. Let us help you protect your market share and out-engineer your competition.

Connect with our
Sales Department

Name(Required)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Curtis Industries been in business?2026-04-02T21:07:02+00:00

Curtis Industries has been creating cab enclosures since 1968. Founded by Fred Curtis Sr., Curtis Tractor company primarily provided cabs for small agricultural tractors. Today, Curtis Industries has grown to produce cabs and accessories for a variety of vehicles, industries, and major manufacturers.

What industries does Curtis Cab service?2026-04-02T21:19:06+00:00

Curtis services a multitude of end markets including agricultural, construction, security, landscaping, golfing, and commercial industries. Curtis provides engineered solutions for OEMs and everyday consumers, creating products for tractors, utility vehicles, golf cars, and zero-turn mowers.

What quality standards does Curtis Cab follow?2026-04-02T21:21:19+00:00

Curtis Industries, LLC is ISO 9001:2015 certified by NQA. We emphasize lean manufacturing and team-based problem solving to drive efficiency and innovation. Our process-driven quality management system ensures consistent quality and supports continuous improvement across all products and operations. Curtis Industries, LLC is also accredited by PJLA to perform mechanical testing in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. We conduct all testing with the highest level of quality and integrity, ensuring our processes and procedures meet or exceed industry requirements.

What is Curtis’ production process?2026-04-02T21:28:31+00:00

Clients can count on our expert resources and engineering capabilities to support any stage of new product introduction, from concept to process to production. We satisfy our clients’ goals by delivering comprehensive design solutions. Our design engineers are trained in the latest versions of 3D CAD software, and in most cases, will be able to work in your native file format. The design can also be ROPS, FOPS tested, and certified to several industry standards, including ISO, SAE, and OSHA. To achieve this level of performance, we follow a well-defined NPI process, which involves a company cross-functional team that includes project, design, manufacturing, and quality engineers, conducted in compliance with a quality management system. Learn more about our process.

Which equipment brands does Curtis Cab support?2026-05-30T01:31:52+00:00

Curtis develops cab systems and accessories for a wide range of leading equipment manufacturers across the agriculture, turf care, construction, and utility vehicle industries. Brands supported by Curtis include Kubota, Kawasaki, Bobcat, Polaris, E-Z-GO, Ferris, Club Car, John Deere, Mahindra, and New Holland, among others.

What materials are used to build Curtis Cabs?2026-05-30T01:45:39+00:00

Curtis Cabs are engineered using high-strength materials designed to withstand demanding work environments. Depending on the application, cab systems may incorporate heavy-gauge steel frames, powder-coated steel components, tempered safety glass, polycarbonate or acrylic panels, weather-resistant vinyl materials, and specialized sealing systems for protection from the elements.

Subscribe to our
Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Consent(Required)
curtis industries facility in West Boylston, MA
You were not leaving your cart just like that, right?

Leaving already?

Your cart is ready when you are. Enter your email, and we'll save your cart so you can pick up where you left off.

Click outside to hide the comparison bar
Compare