Mile Marker 59 – Adam Knight on Diecast Trucks, Collectibles, and Building a Brand in Miniature

We sit down with Adam Knight, vice president of sales and marketing at First Gear Inc., to explore how detailed diecast trucks go from full-size CAD data to collectible models that capture the identity, history, and personality of a brand.

Adam shares how he grew up around the family business, pursued a career in art and animation, then returned to First Gear and gradually took on responsibilities across design, production, sales, licensing, and product development. He also reflects on First Gear’s relationship with Mack Trucks, which stretches back more than 30 years and includes everything from vintage models to replicas of Mack’s newest vehicles.

Adam discusses:

-How First Gear transforms real truck data into scaled models, including design adjustments, 3D printing, metal casting, painting, assembly, and packaging

-Why authenticity matters, from matching fleet specifications and paint schemes to recreating graphics, chrome details, engines, sleepers, and equipment configurations

-How companies use custom diecast models for employee gifts, safety awards, trade shows, product demonstrations, anniversaries, and customer promotions

-What makes a model collectible, including limited production runs, serialized editions, special packaging, certificates, pins, family stories, and hard-to-find private releases

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship, engineering, and storytelling packed into every model, and why these miniature trucks can carry just as much pride and emotion as the real machines they represent.

What’s next?

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