Pratt Industries announced its new Super Lightweight 412 (GSL 412) intermodal chassis on Tuesday. The GSL 412 was introduced in commemoration of Pratt's 50th anniversary.
"The GSL 412 represents Pratt's renewed commitment to our customers and their needs, a core value that extends all the way back to the company's founder 50 years ago," says Joel Schubach, Pratt chief operating officer and one of the company's owners. "The new GSL 412 embodies our customer commitment by addressing their needs to maximize load capacity and reduce fuel consumption — all in a robust and highly functional chassis design that will stand the test of time."
[RELATED: Trailer orders still 'suppressed' by freight limitations]
The GSL 412 is 700 pounds lighter than previous models, Pratt says, weighing 4,550 pounds, which can be further reduced to 4,450 pounds by using super singles instead of standard dual tires.
"End users can feel confident that they are buying the most advanced, lightweight intermodal chassis out there, and that we will continue to support that chassis for another 50 years," says Garrett Musick, chief sales officer for Pratt and another owner of the company. "That's an important point, because we still have some of our original chassis in the field, and recently received a request for replacement parts for one of our 1978 models."
The GSL 412 will allow users to maximize intermodal payload capacity when laden and to save on fuel costs when unloaded, the company says. It's also designed with aluminum landing gear, large-diameter axles, sealed wiring harnesses and LED lighting.
More than 95% of the GSL 412 is made in the U.S., Pratt says. Company owners say they are committed to the reshoring movement in American manufacturing.
"This is a strategic business decision that is focused on enhancing economic stability and growth here at home, and to revive domestic industry as a whole," the owners says. "In its first 50 years, Pratt has seen plenty of economic cycles, but we know keeping things a bit closer to home will improve quality, reduce financial exposure and enhance supply chain resiliency."
Pratt also recently launched an enterprise resource planning system that it says will help the organization to better track trailer orders by customer, type and industry. This system enables Pratt to immediately access customer data and to answer questions quickly and accurately on order lead times and delivery schedules. It also helps the company successfully manage urgent orders that might otherwise negatively impact production burden rates, Pratt says.
