People In The News
Following are personnel changes that recently occurred in the trucking industry:
- Mack Trucks, Inc. announced that Dennis R. Slagle will succeed Paul L. Vickner as president and CEO of the company effective April 1. Vickner, who has served as president and CEO since 2001, will become vice chairman of the Mack board of directors. The company also announced that Matthew Walsh has been named vice president-export for its International Operations business.
- Eric Morris, Grote Industries’ president and chief operating officer, recently celebrated his 30th anniversary with the company.
- Melton Technologies named Ben Keller vice president operations and chief technology officer.
- Former Kinedyne Canada national account manager Robert Spooner was appointed to the new position of national sales manager of Cargo Control Sales.
AxleTech International Awarded New High-Speed Planetary Axle Orders
AxleTech International received an order to supply axles for BAE Systems’ RG33 6×6 Category II all-wheel-drive Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles. The 600-vehicle award for MRAP vehicles, when combined with previous MRAP axle contracts, brings the total value of AxleTech’s MRAP contracts to $70 million, says the company.
This new award from BAE Systems to supply its survivability-enhanced RG33 vehicles will use AxleTech’s upgraded 5000 Series 5G high-speed planetary axles. These axles have been designed and constructed with high impact resistant and energy absorbing materials. The design offers increased payload capacity for heavier, up-armored requirements and is capable of withstanding the high dynamic shock loads of the MRAP combat application, according to the company.
Additionally, AxleTech announced it will begin producing original equipment products for the aftermarket that include axle, driveline, brake and wheel end components. The company says it initially will target heavy truck, bus, coach and specialty vehicle applications.
“This is a logical extension of our success in the off-highway markets given the commonality of our off-highway products with the requirements of the on-highway commercial vehicle market,” said Bill Gryzenia, AxleTech’s vice president – Aftermarket Business Development.
Distributors Complete BorgWarner Training Program
Last October, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems conducted two On-The-Spot (OTS) warranty sessions for its aftermarket distributors. The hands-on sessions were conducted over a two-day period at BorgWarner’s turbo reman facility in Fletcher, N.C., with 29 representatives from more than 20 independent aftermarket distributors completing the course. They join more than 200 individuals who have been certified in OTS warranty resolution during the more than 20 years that BorgWarner has offered the program to its distributors.
The primary focus of the warranty program is to help distributors of BorgWarner products enhance their service offering by allowing them to analyze and process BorgWarner warranty hardware at their places of business. By resolving warranty issues “on-the-spot” BorgWarner distributors can offer their customers a clear idea of service or replacement options, says the company. A geographic list of the company’s service partners can be accessed by visiting the company’s website www.turbodriven.com.
Goodyear Magazine Now Online
“TireLogic,” Goodyear’s trucking industry publication, will be online with what the company says is a “more interactive e-magazine.” Free subscriptions to the digital magazine can be found at http://www.goodyearoffers.com/tirelogic/.
TA and Bridgestone Firestone Sign Exclusive Tire Sales Agreement
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) signed a seven-year agreement with TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) to sell Bridgestone and Firestone brand commercial tires at sites operated by TravelCenters of America and Petro Stopping Centers. This agreement also makes Bridgestone the exclusive commercial tire offered by both TravelCenters of America and Petro:Lube truck maintenance and repair centers.
TA operates and franchises TravelCenters of America and Petro Stopping Centers in 41 states in the U.S. and in Canada. The combined TravelCenters of America and Petro:Lube replacement tire network has more than 230 locations and 950 service bays, employs nearly 2800 technicians and 400 road service vehicles. The TA and Bridgestone Firestone agreement affects company-owned TravelCenters of America Truck Repair Centers and Petro:Lube Shop locations only; however, wide franchise participation for both brands is anticipated, according to the company.
Webb Wheel Receives Federal Trademark Protection
Webb Wheel Products, Inc. has obtained a federal trademark registration for its 2023 trailer hub. This ensures that no other manufacturer, domestic or international, can use a name or brand that is confusingly similar to Webb’s 2023 trailer hub trademark to market and sell products in the U.S.
“In addition to the very important issue of protecting our brand, Webb sees it as our responsibility to protect the end user from inferior wheel-end components that could ultimately increase their cost of ownership and impact vehicle safety,” says Todd Manson, vice president sales and marketing for Webb’s aftermarket business unit. “By registering our part numbers, purchasers of these components can be assured that they actually receive quality products manufactured by Webb.”
The company previously received federal trademark registrations for its brake drum part numbers and will continue to register part numbers that Webb customers have come to recognize as the Webb brand to protect the company’s goodwill. All aftermarket distribution channels will be audited periodically to ensure products bearing the registered Webb part number brands are authentic products.
The company also encourages end users and distributors to check for the cast-in “Webb” name, which should be clearly visible on wheel-end components manufactured and distributed by the company.
Companies Unify Under Diamond Companies Brand
Diamond Companies, one of the largest single-owned International truck dealer organizations with three International Truck and Engine dealership networks, an IC bus dealership and several IdeaLease sites spanning four states and 17 locations in 13 cities, will operate under one unified name and logo beginning February 1, 2008.
The 12 truck dealerships will now be known as Diamond International. The re-branded dealerships include:
- Mid-America International Trucks in Memphis, Tenn. and West Plains, Mo.
- Diamond International Trucks in Little Rock, Ark., Pine Bluff, Ark., Russellville, Ark., and Lowell, Ark.
- KCR International Trucks in Kansas City, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Joplin, Mo., St. Joseph, Mo., and Topeka, Kan.
Bendix Announces New Brake Training School
Both novice and experienced technicians soon can gain expertise from the new, all-inclusive Brake Training School from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, says the company.
The brake training school – conducted by the veteran, ASE-certified Bendix Service, Warranty and Training (SWAT) team – combines the former Bendix air brake and foundation brake training schools into one course. The course teaches technicians about description, operation and service elements for the total range of components found within dual air brake systems, says the company.
The brake training curriculum includes: Fundamentals of compressed air; tactics for air system failure mode diagnosis and troubleshooting; air brake system and foundation brake components, including air compressors, valves, foundation drum brake and air disc brakes, slack adjusters, brake chambers, shoes and drums.
Additional topics covered include, antilock braking systems and stability technologies. Various class exercises with hands-on activities are provided and participants receive a comprehensive workbook.
This year’s Bendix Brake Training School kicks off on March 11, in Springdale, Ariz. The course will be offered in almost 20 cities across the U.S. A full listing of locations and dates can be found at www.bendix.com.
Transaxle Adds Location
Transaxle LLC acquired Maryland Truck Parts in Easton, Md., its 18th location. Maryland Truck Parts/Transaxle will service and sell new and rebuilt drivetrain products, while Maryland Truck Sales and Salvage, retained by the Hardisty family, will sell used trucks and engines.
ArvinMeritor Develops Improved Customer Service Center
ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket (CVA) business announced the establishment of an improved-service Customer Care Center at its national parts distribution center in Florence, Ky.
The company launched its 5-Star Partner service in January 2007, and the service includes a parts distribution system with high-fill rates and on-time delivery. The Customer Care Center is the latest element in its 5-Star Partner service.
“Based on our years of servicing and listening to our customers, we determined it was time to take our service level up a notch,” said Shelly Beneteau, senior manager of customer service at CVA. “Our goal is to achieve first-call resolution – answering customers’ calls within 20 seconds, and if there’s follow-up or research required, resolution will occur within 24 hours.”
By phoning 888/725-9355, customers can expect to receive a simplified phone menu of three options: One for pricing and availability or to place an order; another to identify a part or to receive technical help; and a third to access the care center for all other inquiries.
All calls will be assigned a case number and followed by team members to closure, identifying areas in need of improvement. Online information and order status will be updated hourly on www.XpresswayPlus.com, a web site created solely for aftermarket customers.
“It’s important that our customers see true value in their supplier-partner,” said Todd Kindem, director of North America sales & marketing at CVA. “We understand our customers need and deserve quick and accurate answers, whether it’s through our Customer Care Center or our district sales managers. This enhancement announced today takes our service level up and enables us to continue to improve our services in the years ahead.”
Wade & Partners to Manage SSA, HDRA
Two industry associations – the Service Specialists Association and the Heavy Duty Representatives Association – have named Wade & Partners its management company. Wade & Partners will assist both groups with activities such as membership management, training development and trade shows.
New Fontaine Parts Connection to Provide Fifth Wheel Parts & Support
Fontaine International-North America has launched a new aftermarket-specific company to provide fleets, truck dealers and distributors with Fontaine parts, fifth-wheel maintenance training, tools and product support. The company, called Fontaine Parts Connection, will be led by president Roger Crawford. Britt Caple was named its director of sales and marketing.
“Forming an entirely new company enables us to focus resources on meeting the needs of our aftermarket customers,” says Crawford. “Fontaine fifth wheels are requested on more new production Class 8 trucks in North America than any other brand, which means that there’s a large aftermarket parts market out there. For quality, reliability and longevity, we recommend installing only Genuine Fontaine Parts when replacing or rebuilding a Fontaine fifth wheel.”
Kenworth to Produce Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicles
Kenworth Truck Company will expand its presence in the growing market for environmentally friendly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles by beginning production of Kenworth T800 LNG trucks at its manufacturing facility in Renton, Wash., in 2009. Under an exclusive agreement with Westport Innovations Inc. in Vancouver, B.C., Kenworth will use Westport’s LNG fuel system technology adapted for the Cummins ISX 15-liter engine.
