SpaceKap previously announced the upcoming launch of its U.S. division, SpaceKap USA, with its factory located in Plattsburgh. That expansion marked a significant milestone in the company’s history, reinforcing its leadership position and bringing it closer to customers in the U.S. market.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Reilly joined as Director of Market Strategy and Fleet Sales, after 6 years at Stellantis and a long earlier career at Enterprise.
- Richard Smith joined as Director of Sales and Operations, after 12 years with trade show specialist World of Concrete.
- Both trained at SpaceKap’s head office and met designer Paul Deutschman, known for the Sledgehammer Corvette and work with Porsche.
Who are SpaceKap’s two new U.S. executives?
To support this growth, SpaceKap introduced two seasoned executives with deep expertise in the U.S. market: Matt Reilly, appointed Director of Market Strategy and Fleet Sales, and Richard Smith, who joined as Director of Sales and Operations. Richard would go on to guide the two sales reps hired a few months later as the U.S. launch took off.
Richard Smith, Director of Sales and Operations
Why did these two executives choose to join SpaceKap?
These two hires let SpaceKap USA establish itself in a large market where competition is relatively absent. “The market needs to be developed, and it’s a wonderful challenge I couldn’t say no to,” says Richard Smith, who has decades of sales experience, including the last 12 years with trade show specialist World of Concrete.
For Matt Reilly, it’s a return to an old love. Long employed by Enterprise, he spent his last 6 years in a senior position at Stellantis. “This was an opportunity for me to get back into the fleet business, with a different product. SpaceKap units are unique because they can be transferred from one truck to another, which is a big advantage. It’s a challenge I’m very excited about, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
The two newcomers trained at the head office for a few days, an experience that gave them a firsthand look at how fiberglass truck boxes are made. “I was very impressed by the factory. It’s very functional, well-structured, and the employees are passionate about what they do. It’s a big family,” adds Matt Reilly.
Richard Smith shares that impression. “I’ve seen employees with 30 or 40 years’ seniority. You rarely see that kind of loyalty. It says a lot about the company’s culture. They’re loyal and proud of the product.”
What was it like meeting the designer behind SpaceKap’s original units?
Smith and Reilly also had the chance to meet one of North America’s most famous automotive designers, Paul Deutschman, who led design work on projects including Porsche, Corvette, and T-Rex vehicles, and who designed SpaceKap’s original units. “It was impressive. I worked for Stellantis and lived in Detroit, so I knew his reputation in the automotive world. He designed the Sledgehammer Corvette in the ’80s. I didn’t know he designed SpaceKap units,” says Matt Reilly.
The SpaceKap family extends an official welcome to Matt Reilly and Richard Smith. Learn more about the U.S. division they joined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads SpaceKap USA’s sales and market strategy?
Matt Reilly serves as Director of Market Strategy and Fleet Sales, and Richard Smith serves as Director of Sales and Operations, both joining in early 2025.
What experience did SpaceKap’s new executives bring with them?
Matt Reilly spent 6 years at Stellantis and years earlier at Enterprise in fleet business roles; Richard Smith spent 12 years with trade show specialist World of Concrete.
Who designed SpaceKap’s original units?
Paul Deutschman, a designer known for work on Porsche, Corvette, and T-Rex vehicles including the Sledgehammer Corvette, designed SpaceKap’s original units.
