Pilot Travel Centers, with more than 325 owned or licensed retail travel center locations in 40 states, announced plans to carry diesel exhaust fluid “at the pump.” The company’s initial rollout plans call for the fluid to be economically available in bulk at more than 100 Pilot Travel Center locations nationwide beginning in mid-to-late 2009.

Pilot says it decision to offer DEF at the pump will maximize affordability and convenience for truckers and is one of the final infrastructure elements to be put into place for truck fleets and owner-operator customers planning to use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions control technology to meet 2010 emissions standards.

The company says its commitment ensures supplies of the fluid will be conveniently available during normal fuel fillups by truck drivers anywhere in the country, and will help to lead the way for new 2010 SCR-equipped trucks to run at near-zero emission levels. In addition, all Pilot Travel Centers will carry pre-packaged top-off quantities of the fluid for SCR-equipped trucks.

“By working with Detroit Diesel Corporation and Daimler Trucks North America, as well as other OEMs, we’ve begun to learn a lot more about SCR and the infrastructure needed to support this beneficial new technology,” says Mark Hazelwood, executive vice president of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot. “We believe this product will create efficiencies for trucking companies which will, in essence, increase their MPGs and save them money. This product offering also helps Pilot to continue its Pilot ‘green’ initiatives.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., staunch environmental activist and law school professor, challenged members of the trucking industry on Monday, Sept. 29, to make environmental stewardship among their top priorities.

As the keynote speaker in Boston at the 64th annual meeting of NationaLease — a full-service truck leasing organization representing 185 North American member companies — Kennedy spoke of national and global environmental issues, including the need for strengthening the national energy policy.

To an industry whose very lifeblood is fuel, this topic is of crucial importance, said Doug Clark, president and chief executive officer of NationaLease. “As an organization made up of independent truck rental and leasing companies from the United States and Canada, we understand that making every effort to cut back on our energy use is what we must do to stay successful and competitive in the future,” Clark said.

Among the issues addressed during Kennedy’s presentation was the need for the transportation and power industries to transition off of oil and fossil fuels as much as possible. He also discussed steps the next president needs to take to make this a reality.

Kennedy’s reputation as a defender of the environment stems in part from his fight to restore the Hudson River. He is also a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law. A published author, he is a graduate of Harvard University, attended London School of Economics, and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School.

Accuride Corp. announced that John R. Murphy tendered his resignation as president and chief executive officer, and as a director of Accuride. Upon acceptance of Murphy’s resignation, Accuride’s Board of Directors appointed William (Bill) M. Lasky as interim president and chief executive officer.

Lasky has been an independent director of Accuride since October 2007 and will continue to serve as a director during his employment as interim president and chief executive officer.

“Given Bill’s experience from his previous executive assignments at JLG, Dana and Stoneridge, in conjunction with his work as an Accuride board member, we are confident that he will drive initiatives to improve Accuride’s financial performance while maintaining uninterrupted customer service,” said Terrence J. Keating, chairman of the board of Accuride.

Lasky commented, “I appreciate the confidence of the other board members in my abilities. Working with all of Accuride’s employees, I plan to have an immediate impact on the company’s direction, and will work with the board to bring permanent leadership to the company to continue these efforts.”

Today, Accuride also announced a series of strategic restructuring initiatives to reduce expenses, increase competitiveness, strengthen customer relationships and enhance shareholder value.

As a result of the restructuring initiatives, Accuride will eliminate a total of 392 positions, or 11 percent, of its total workforce: 159 salaried positions, or 18 percent of current level and 233 hourly employees, or nine percent of current level.

Accuride confirmed its commitment to the aftermarket today by announcing the creation of a dedicated Aftermarket Division to strengthen its services and offerings to its customer base.

In conjunction with this announcement, Accuride named Tony Pape vice president and general manager of its Aftermarket Division, creating senior executive level focus and accountability for this important market segment. In addition, Phil Stolz was named vice president, Truck OE Sales and Corporate Marketing.

“We look to Tony and Phil to take a dynamic approach in significantly strengthening our customer relationships by servicing both the aftermarket and OE service in a centralized fashion,” said Rick Schomer, Accuride’s senior vice president, sales and marketing. “To support these initiatives, we will be consolidating our existing warehouses to reduce freight and product handling costs and significantly improve our customer service offering for full mixed product truckloads to our aftermarket customers.”

Lasky concluded, “The depth of initiatives announced today will result in a leaner organization that is better positioned to deliver increased value to our shareholders while improving our competitiveness and customer service. These actions will better position us to be a more agile competitor in the years ahead.”

Clevite

MAHLE Clevite has been involved in the Heavy Duty aftermarket now for over 50 years and offers a wide range of replacement parts for Heavy Duty engines found in Agriculture, Construction, Trucking, Marine and Oil Field operations.

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Genuine BOWER tapered roller bearings

Recognized for their high precision and excellent performance, genuine BOWER bearings are the brand of choice for many professionals in the heavy-duty truck market.

All BOWER tapered roller bearings are made from high-quality carburized steel and have greatly increased durability and extended life span. The bearings are produced in the United States under stringent quality standards and are available in a wide range of sizes for wheel (truck & trailer), transmission, differential and engine applications. In addition, the unmatched local inventory of BOWER bearings allows for prompt, reliable delivery and helps you reduce your freight costs.

For your nearest dealer call 800-323-2358 ext 20813 or visit www.genuineBOWERbearings.com.

Clevite

MAHLE Clevite has been involved in the Heavy Duty aftermarket now for over 50 years and offers a wide range of replacement parts for Heavy Duty engines found in Agriculture, Construction, Trucking, Marine and Oil Field operations.

Click Here for more information about Clevite!

Genuine BOWER tapered roller bearings

Recognized for their high precision and excellent performance, genuine BOWER bearings are the brand of choice for many professionals in the heavy-duty truck market.

All BOWER tapered roller bearings are made from high-quality carburized steel and have greatly increased durability and extended life span. The bearings are produced in the United States under stringent quality standards and are available in a wide range of sizes for wheel (truck & trailer), transmission, differential and engine applications. In addition, the unmatched local inventory of BOWER bearings allows for prompt, reliable delivery and helps you reduce your freight costs.

For your nearest dealer call 800-323-2358 ext 20813 or visit www.genuineBOWERbearings.com.

Navistar Engine Group officially marked the start-up of production of its new “big bore” heavy diesel engines at a plant dedication in Huntsville, Ala.

The event – held on the anniversary of Navistar’s 75th year in the diesel engine business – showcased the company’s new MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 diesels for the North
American Class 8 commercial truck market.

“Since we announced our plans in 2005, these new engines have commanded the attention of the heavy truck industry,” Navistar Engine Group President Jack Allen told a gathering of nearly 600 Navistar customers, global automotive and equipment OEMs, plant employees and press representatives. “Now, these advanced products, the culmination of our 75 years of diesel leadership, will command the respect of heavy truck owners and drivers as they deliver on their promise.”

The MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 engines offer heavy commercial truck buyers a fuel-efficient, powerful, durable and quiet powerplan, according to the company.

Six MaxxForce big bore models offer ratings in the ranges of 330 to 475 horsepower and 1,250 to 1,700 lb.-ft. torque

The 300,000-square-foot Huntsville plant is the newest in Navistar’s roster of first class global diesel engine facilities. Huntsville is also home to an existing Navistar plant, which since 2001 has produced V6 and V8 diesels for consumer pickups and vans, commercial trucks, school buses and recreational vehicles.

“Huntsville was selected to produce these new big bore diesel engines because of the talented and dedicated workforce here and its clear track record of building high-quality engines at a competitive cost,” Allen said.

Champion Laboratories, Inc. has begun offering product ordering, inventory management and tracking services to its customers through a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) platform.

VMI is a streamlined approach to inventory management and order fulfillment that uses increased collaboration between suppliers and their customers to enhance the traditional ordering process. Instead of sending purchase orders, customers electronically send daily sales and demand information that generates replenishment orders for the customer based on the sales and demand activity. This creates a streamlined supply-chain operation for both the supplier and the customer.

“We had talked internally about VMI being a value-added process that we should be entering into with our customers,” explained Tom Cantwell, Champion Laboratories’ customer service manager, who oversaw the launch of the VMI program. “We realized that this is something the industry was driving toward. We have a great partnership with Datalliance and the investment in VMI is worthwhile since it benefits the long-lasting relationships we have with our customers.”

Champion Laboratories says it has received very positive feedback from customers currently using the VMI platform. Fewer “stock outs” and more inventory turns are two realized benefits that are achieved through the VMI system, according to the company. This new process also allows Champion Laboratories to make any necessary modifications in its production planning.

After two months in use, Champion Laboratories’ VMI program is “already managing more than one million dollars in yearly sales, with many more customers showing interest,” according to Cantwell.

Volvo Truck plans to award three “Great Minds” scholarships to students whose parents drive Volvo trucks.

College education is a dream for many students and their parents. Volvo Trucks North America will help three students pay for that dream through its “Volvo Trucks Great Minds” scholarships. The one-year scholarships will be awarded to three students whose parent or guardian drives a Volvo truck.

“Every parent knows the future lives through our children, especially in the trucking industry where so many businesses have strong family ties,” said Scott Kress, Volvo senior vice president – sales & marketing. “The current economic situation has many families struggling to find a way to pay college expenses. Our customers help provide Volvo’s future, so we want to help them secure their children’s future through higher education.”

Three Volvo Trucks Great Minds scholarships will be awarded to students who are either already in or will be entering college in fall 2009. One scholarship is for $20,000, the second is for $10,000 and the third is for $5,000. Volvo will submit payments to the scholarship recipients’ universities over a 12-month period, to be applied to tuition and fees set by the institution. Students will receive half of their payment for the 2009 fall semester and the remaining half for the 2010 spring semester.

Eligible students will be evaluated on the basis of their overall academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, and an essay on: “What has trucking meant to my family?” Applications must be submitted by March 27, 2009. Full details and application forms can be found at www.volvotrucksgreatminds.com. Results will be announced at the Great American Trucking Show in August 2009.

Clevite

MAHLE Clevite has been involved in the Heavy Duty aftermarket now for over 50 years and offers a wide range of replacement parts for Heavy Duty engines found in Agriculture, Construction, Trucking, Marine and Oil Field operations.

Click Here for more information about Clevite!

Genuine BOWER tapered roller bearings

Recognized for their high precision and excellent performance, genuine BOWER bearings are the brand of choice for many professionals in the heavy-duty truck market.

All BOWER tapered roller bearings are made from high-quality carburized steel and have greatly increased durability and extended life span. The bearings are produced in the United States under stringent quality standards and are available in a wide range of sizes for wheel (truck & trailer), transmission, differential and engine applications. In addition, the unmatched local inventory of BOWER bearings allows for prompt, reliable delivery and helps you reduce your freight costs.

For your nearest dealer call 800-323-2358 ext 20813 or visit www.genuineBOWERbearings.com.

Market demand for Michelin X One wide single truck tires is prompting unprecedented growth in the service network that offers Michelin products, says the company. The 180 member travel plazas, truck stops and shop facilities affiliated with the Professional Transportation Partners, LLC (PTP) were officially included in Michelin’s “wherever you go” revolution effective Sept. 1, resulting from the signing of a marketing agreement between Michelin and PTP, company officials announced.

“We have been doing great business for years with many individual PTP locations,” said Guy Pekle, vice president of sales, Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “This agreement allows us to translate the success that we have built with individual truck stops to the entire PTP network across the continent. PTP has developed a standard for service to the trucking community that we admire, and we are confident that this joint marketing agreement is going to benefit their member truck stops as well as our joint fleet customers.”

“Michelin is bringing innovative technology to the marketplace in the form of tires that save fuel, save weight, or just plain run longer than any other tires in the marketplace,” said Michael Gay, director of shop programs, PTP. “We’ve received plenty of positive feedback from individual members about doing business with Michelin. We are pleased to expand the business opportunities to all of our members through this agreement.”