Expansion plans: Pickups, vans ready for construction applications

According to survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America, 80 percent of over 900 construction firms from 48 states and the District of Columbia plan to expand their payrolls in 2015; only 7 percent expect to reduce headcounts. While contractors have to cope with challenges including worker shortages and regulatory burdens, the survey indicates that most contractors are optimistic about the year ahead and are ready to expand, notes Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. If the predictions in the AGC survey prove true, not only will construction industry employment expand this year by the largest margin in the past decade. It will also mean that construction firms will be in the market for new vehicles designed to meet demanding needs. Standing by ready to supply them with a range of trucks, chassis and vans are the industry’s manufacturers.

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Distinct advantages: Cabovers address unique pick-up and delivery challenges

Pickup-and-delivery companies often have two challenges that fleets in other vocations don’t share to the same degree. First, delivery locations often involve congested, urban routes. Secondly, businesses that use trucks for P&D operations don’t always employ dedicated drivers. “These businesses tend to have multi-purpose operators, so it’s important that their trucks are easy to operate and are designed for maximum comfort and productivity,” says Wesley Slavin, Peterbilt marketing manager of Medium Duty Products. “Add to that routes that usually require travel through cities and other high-traffic areas and the vehicle also has to be easy to operate and have exceptional maneuverability and visibility.” Cabover trucks have natural advantages in P&D applications.

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Choosing alternatives: New truck models, technology in utility fleets

At of the 2014 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC), Werner Schweiger, president, Electric Distribution at Northeast Utilities said that while the utility industry is addressing how efficiently it manages its energy portfolio, sustainability is a fleet issue as well. “Along with fostering a culture of more responsible operational practices,” Schweiger stated, “we also need to adopt technological solutions that promote environmental responsibility. As a result, increasingly in use in the Northeast Utilities fleet of more than 5,000 assets are alternatives to gas and diesel vehicles and equipment.” “While natural gas is a viable option to diesel, we expect the market to be relatively flat this year,” says Robert Carrick, sales manager – Natural Gas at Freightliner Trucks.”

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Greener and leaner: Choosing the right refrigerated bodies, units

The need for refrigerated light- and medium-duty truck varies greatly, depending on geographic location and its impact on temperature, humidity and precipitation patterns, as well as the product being carried, notes Mayo Rude, VP of sales and marketing at Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies (JRTB). “Applications can include frozen products and those requiring tight temperature tolerances,” he says. “What we’re seeing is a significant uptick in the use of vehicle-powered systems,” says Thermo King’s Distribution Portfolio Leader Laurent Debias. “While there are some limitations on capacity with these systems, they are popular because of their lighter weight and reduced complexity, and because they are fuel neutral and can be used on gasoline, diesel, and natural gas powered trucks. All Thermo King truck refrigeration units can also be equipped with the SmartPower electric standby option that allows operation on electric power.

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Last Exit

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