Handling remote diagnostic service notifications effectively to boost uptime
There’s no doubt that today’s advanced telematics systems are improving vehicle uptime. Along with providing information that helps streamline operations, these solutions are proving to be a critical part of eliminating guesswork about the severity of events requiring service. By notifying drivers and fleet managers instantly, telematics systems indicate fault code severity levels and allow
There’s no place like home: Cab features for long-haul truck drivers
Over the past few years, many trucking companies have announced driver pay increases, improved benefits and other financial incentives to help recruit and retain drivers. “The ROI is typically fairly easy to calculate because carriers know their driver recruiting and replacement costs,” says Lance Platt, chief executive officer of in-cab satellite TV provider EpicVue. “That’s
The Mennel Milling Co. embraces change to serve its operation, customers effectively
To say that The Mennel Milling Co. is dynamic would be an understatement. The Fostoria, Ohio-based private fleet hauls raw materials and over 2,000 bulk and packaged finished products to and from the company’s five mills in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Virginia, which produce more than 200 different types of flour each day. Routes primarily
New capabilities: 2019 Ram chassis cab models offer advanced technology
Set to begin rolling off the Ram Truck Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Mexico during the second quarter of this year, 2019 Ram Chassis Cab models were designed not only to meet fleet needs for durability and efficiency but also to bring advanced technology and enhanced driver comfort to those operations. The 2019 Ram 3500,
NTEA discusses improving work truck efficiency, performance
As part of its ongoing effort to provide fleet executives with valuable resources, NTEA, the association for the work truck industry, regularly releases articles and other technical materials. Recently, an article by George Survant, senior director of fleet relations at the association and a veteran fleet manager himself, provided some very helpful advice on how
What CoVar Transportation focuses on for steady growth and profitable operation
For Dillon Varanay, vice president and co-founder of CoVar Transportation, ongoing success stems from focusing on what you do best and effectively serving customers. “In our case, we have made some decisions that have paid off,” he says. “Now we’re a smaller but more profitable operation because of those choices.” Founded in November of 2014,
How trailer manufacturers are combating corrosion
Among trailer manufacturers, there is an ongoing effort to address costly corrosion and moisture intrusion. At Great Dane, approaches to combat corrosion include replacing corrosive metal with non-corrosive composite materials and applying coating systems on the metal components, according to Chris Lee, vice president of engineering. “Great Dane’s EnduroGuard rear frame uses stainless and galvaneal
Making effective drive tire choices for everything from linehaul to severe service vehicles
“Fleets want the best of both worlds, so the latest features and technologies being designed in new drive tires are providing industry-leading mileage and even wear,” says Sharon Cowart, director of product marketing at Michelin North America Inc. “Construction features such as dual compound treads allow the tire to be built with a top layer
Optimizing trailer utilization: Using telematics to operate assets more efficiently
Motor carriers are facing industry-altering challenges such as driver shortages, which directly reduce available capacity and thereby the ability to meet the demands of fleet customers.
FedEx makes the largest commercial electric vehicle purchase in the U.S., continues the zero-emissions trend
In a groundbreaking decision, FedEx Corp. is expanding its fleet to include 1,000 new electric vehicles. The Chanje V8100 medium-duty electric panel vans will be operated by FedEx Express in commercial and residential pick-up and delivery services in California. FedEx is purchasing 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy and leasing 900 from Ryder System.
How Centurion Auto Logistics uses technology to provide the best possible service
For 45 years, Centurion Auto Logistics and its transportation entity, Centurion Auto Transport, have been focused on providing on-time, damage-free service to customers. Recently, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company took a big forward-looking step to ensure it can continue to meet that goal by investing $6.8 million in its fleet and in management technology. “We added
The expanding availability of electric vehicle technologies is poised to change the makeup of fleets
Driven by sustainability initiatives, fuel prices, environmental regulations and public demand, fleets are exploring, investing in and expanding their use of electric vehicles. What makes those objectives increasingly achievable is the growing number of light- and medium-duty commercial electric vehicle technology choices on the market today. Evolving in tandem with OEM electric vehicle offerings are
