LINE-X of Central Missouri
Owners: Chris and John Korschgen and Jeff and Andy Jira LINE-X Owners
Address: 1800 Burlington St. Columbia, MO 65202-1975 Map | Directions
Telephone: 814-5463 or (866) 34-LINEX
E-mail: info@linemybed.com
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday 8 am.- noon.
Opened: May 1, 2004

Nature of service offered: LINE-X is a permanent, two-part epoxy spray-on bed liner for trucks. The substance is sprayed hot under high pressure and dries in three to five seconds. Korschgen said LINE-X "provides a good-looking, rustproof, durable finish which prevents objects from sliding around in a truck bed and prevents rust." It can also be used on trailers, RV's and motor homes. Korschgen said the material can also be used to coat dumpsters to prevent rusting. Korschgen says the material is "as safe as rubber or plastic" and comes in black and other colors. The color can be matched to the truck’s paint.

Costs: Mini Truck beds are $425. Six-foot beds cost $450, and full-size beds or 8-foot beds are $475.

Reason for location: "It’s basically a warehouse," Korschgen said. "It has enough indoor working space, and it is somewhat visible to Vandiver. It’s also convenient to car dealerships."

Clientele: Mostly truck owners. LINE-X is contacting auto dealerships across Mid-Missouri. Korschgen said some have expressed interest in spraying on LINE-X before selling some trucks and offering it afterward. "We’re offering a free bed liner to dealerships if they’ll put it on the retail floor," he said.

Customer appeal: "We think our chemical product is superior," Korschgen said. "I think we are the only company that offers a nationwide warranty on the product." There are more than 400 dealers nationwide that belong to the chain, which is headquartered in Oklahoma City. Korschgen said other similar products take 24 hours to 28 days to dry, but the heat and $15,000 high-pressure machine he uses make the product look better, he said. Others have a "cottage cheese" look to them, he said.

Why take the plunge now: "I saw some of the competitive products advertised on TV and thought there was a void for that sort of a product we could fill," Korschgen said.

Future plans: "Locally, we hope to grow, grow, grow," Korschgen said. "Maybe we’ll open a Jefferson City shop, but right now we’d just like to focus locally." Korschgen plans to talk to recycling companies about the liner’s application in dumpsters.

Article and Photograph courtesy of Columbia Daily Tribune.