Pressure Systems International, the manufacturer of the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI has reported record sales through the third quarter of 2010. MTIS with ThermALERT, the patented wheel end heat sensing warning device available only with MTIS now accounts for 41 percent of PSI’s production.
Overall 2010 sales for the company have increased 198 percent over 2009 with domestic sales to trailer manufacturers continuing to increase. A significant portion of PSI’s sales in 2010 are for existing trailer retrofits as explained by Debra Moore, Regional Sales Manager for PSI “The more trailers outfitted with MTIS, the more savings a fleet can realize through better fuel economy and improved tire wear. Retrofitting MTIS to existing trailers is very simple and an economical way to realize those savings. PSI sales through September do not include an order for 10,000 retrofit kits received from a major fleet late in the third quarter.”
The ThermALERT technology is becoming very popular with safety-conscious fleets that use automatic tire inflation systems. James Burg Trucking is one example. Burg is very pro-active in adding safety technology to his trucks especially if it can also save him money. In 2008 Burg added the ThermALERT option to its PSI system already adopted by the fleet. “If a truck loses a wheel on the road (because of a failed wheel bearing) the results can be catastrophic. We’ve saved money adopting MTIS and wide-base tires so we used some of that savings to invest in ThermALERT technology that cuts that large potential risk,” Burg says.
While many companies were cutting back manufacturing capacity in light of the poor industry forecasts for 2010, PSI maintained its ability to fill orders quickly, including increasing inventory levels. Mike McIver, vice president of production states, “Our sales team told us last December to be ready for an increase in sales. Through our lean manufacturing practices and the added inventory, we have been able to keep up with the volumes and have not made a late shipment to date.”
