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February 16, 2026

How Messer Truck and Van and Fisher Plows Keep Maine Moving

A row of pickup trucks equipped with yellow snow plows drives down a road at dusk, passing a roadside sign and utility poles, with trees and power lines in the background.

In the heart of Maine, where the winters are as legendary as the work ethic, two industry icons have forged a partnership spanning over 30 years. Messer Truck and Van, a family business with roots dating back to a 1899 blacksmith shop on the Portland waterfront, has become the ultimate destination for those who rely on their equipment to survive the season. By pairing their century-long expertise in truck upfitting with the “made-in-Maine” power of Fisher Plows, they’ve created a bond that isn’t just about business—it’s about a shared commitment to quality that runs four generations deep.

The ultimate display of this community connection is the legendary Messer Plow Clinic. Every year, as the first flakes of snow loom on the horizon, a remarkable scene unfolds in Westbrook: pickup trucks with the iconic Fisher ink splat line up down the street. Some dedicated operators even show up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning just to be first in line. It’s a high-stakes tradition where the Messer team inspects over 200 trucks in a single day, ensuring every Fisher plow is ready to go when that snow flies.

For Jeff Messer and his team, opening the shop doors to that line of trucks is like “breaking a bottle of champagne on a ship”—it marks the official start of the season. This isn’t just a service appointment; it’s a gathering of a community that prides itself on using products built right in their backyard. From the historical stories of the Messer family to the sheer scale of the annual clinic, this is a story of Maine heritage you don’t want to miss.

Watch the full video below to see the incredible line of trucks and hear the stories behind this 126-year-old Maine institution!

A person wearing a light blue shirt and beige pants walks in front of a building with two green garage doors labeled 1 and 2 and a yellow MESSER TRU sign above.
Two people are working on a large yellow snowplow inside a spacious, industrial workshop filled with tools and equipment. The snowplow is parked facing the camera.
A man sits on a wooden box in a warehouse, facing two people filming him with cameras and audio equipment. Bright lights illuminate the scene, and a red vehicle is visible in the background.
Two pickup trucks with yellow snowplows drive down a road, passing a sign with a snowplow icon. Power lines and trees line the roadside, and more vehicles follow behind.
A German Shepherd dog sits in the back seat of a silver car with the window down, while a man in a red jacket and black cap pets its cheek. The dog looks content and is sticking its tongue out slightly.
A group of about 30 people, mostly adults, pose for a group photo in a workshop or garage, many wearing matching jackets and hats with logos. Industrial equipment and tools are visible in the background.
A row of pickup trucks is parked along the side of a road on a sunny day, with trees showing autumn foliage in the background.
A roadside sign for Messer Truck and Van advertises an annual plow clinic on October 18, urging customers to get ahead of winter. The sky is partly cloudy, and vehicles are visible in the background.
Stacks of pallets covered with white plastic wraps displaying the yellow Fisher logo inside a black paint splatter graphic. The pallets are arranged in an industrial setting.
A person wearing a dark baseball cap with the words FACTORY TRAINED embroidered on the back stands indoors, seen from behind, with blurred people and lights in the background.