Fleet image is very important at Western Distributing Transportation Corp. “We operate the latest model, company-owned and employee-driven equipment,” says Dino Guadagni, vice president of the Denver, Colo.-based for-hire truckload carrier, which hauls refrigerated freight in the lower 48 states. “Investing in our fleet helps us maintain our appearance and continually improve our efficiency.”
The Western Distributing fleet currently includes 200 International, Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors and 300 Utility trailers with Thermo King refrigeration units. In keeping with the company’s desire to only operate newer vehicles, tractors in the fleet are all less than three years old with less than 500,000 miles on them, and trailers are no more than six years old.
Supplier role
“Our suppliers play a big part in helping us keep our maintenance costs low and the resale value of our equipment high,” Guadagni states. “One of the changes we made a few years ago was to switch from chrome steel wheels to Alcoa Dura-Bright aluminum wheels.”
The latest Alcoa Dura-Bright Wheels on the Western Distributing fleet feature the manufacturer’s XBR technology. The surface treatment is designed to penetrate the aluminum, becoming an integral part of the wheel.
“That means the finish on the wheels won’t chip, crack or peel,” Guadagni says. “It helps boost our image because it remains clear and highly reflective, and it never needs polishing. We just clean the wheels with soap and water, not caustic cleaning products. In the end, these wheels maintain their appearance, lower our maintenance costs and help increase resale value of our equipment.
“The Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels also give us all the advantages of aluminum wheels,” Guadagni adds, “including better heat dissipation for extended brake life and less weight for increased payload and greater fuel efficiency. Especially today, fuel costs are a big concern for us.”
Bottom line
Along with making fuel-saving equipment choices, Western Distributing focuses closely on fuel purchasing practices. “We’re buying about 500,000 gallons per month on the road,” Guadagni says, “so the choices we make can have a very profound effect on our bottom line.”
In use at Western Distributing is T-Check Systems’ T-Card fuel card program for managing purchases, as well as a purchasing program with Simons Petroleum Inc., a national marketer of petroleum products.
“Effective fuel purchasing is about more than pricing,” Guadagni states. “It’s also about designing and utilizing a network that takes everything into consideration. For example, our fuel purchases are now based on looking at all factors to find the lowest cost over a network in different operating areas, and we have the ability to hedge if we choose to, as well.”
Before working with Simons to design a fuel purchasing network for its operation, Guadagni relates, Western Distributing was generally paying the lowest available pump price but was still spending approximately six cents per gallon over the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) average price for on-highway diesel. The higher cost was attributed to an inability to identify all of the components related to the price of fuel, including delivery costs and state fuel taxes, and the absence of an established fueling network.
“After we started using the services of Simons Petroleum,” Guadagni adds, “we immediately dropped our costs eight cents per gallon and have since been able to drop it even more. Our administrative costs are also lower because our drivers are able to use a single established network to purchase fuel.”
Long history
Family owned and operated since 1933, Western Distributing Co. was established after the repeal of Prohibition, when its founder Guido Mapelli picked up beer in a trailer in Golden, Colo., and sold the product on the streets of Denver. The company, which was one of the first Coors distributors, still services the brewer, hauling around 400 loads a month to its distributors around the U.S.
It was 1977 when Western Distributing for-hire trucking operations started in earnest. At that time, President and CEO Vieri Gaines, the grandson of the company’s founder, decided to expand the operation with a fleet of tractors and trailers he could use to control the entire supply chain.
One day, after hauling a load of beans on an outbound truck that was usually empty, Gaines realized that the fleet could be a profit center. From there, he steadily grew the business by hauling meat, produce and other products on outbound runs.
Over the years, the Western Distributing fleet has continued to grow at a rate of about 15% per year, and has expanded into other fields, as well. United States Armored Co. (USAC), a division of Western Distributing, was acquired in 1992. In 1996, the fleet grew by purchasing Frontier Produce and in September 1998 the company expanded again when its construction specialty hauling division was started.
Also part of the operation today are Western Towing & Recovery and Western Auto Transport, a full-service enclosed automobile carrier servicing the Midwest and southwest regions. In addition, there is a brokerage operation and a full-service shop with more than 33 technicians, Guadagni noted. The standalone business handles maintenance and repairs for all of the Western Distributing businesses and works for outside customers, as well.
Investing heavily
Along with investing heavily in its fleet, Guadagni says, taking care of its drivers is key to Western Distributing’s growth and success. “By providing the best equipment in the industry, we can retain and recruit the best drivers,” he states. “Each of our trucks is assigned to a driver, there’s no slip seating, and drivers are even allowed to pick options when we’re ordering new trucks.
“All of this instills pride, performance and professionalism in our drivers and in the service they provide our customers,” Guadagni states. “In turn, our drivers take care of our customers, their loads and the company as if it was their very own.”
Western Distributing Transportation Corp. Tractor Specifications
Models: International, Kenworth, Peterbilt
Engine: Cummins ISX 550
Clutch: Eaton Fuller Solo
Transmission: Eaton Fuller RTLO18918B, 18-speed
Driveshafts: Dana Spicer
Front Axle: Dana Spicer E-1322W
Power Steering: Sheppard M100P
Rear Axle: Dana Spicer DSP41
Wheel Seals: Dana Spicer
Brakes: Bendix
ABS: Bendix 4S/4M, with Automatic Traction Control
Wheels: Alcoa Dura-Bright
Tires: Michelin XDA Energy
5th Wheel: SAF Holland FW35-8002T1L
Air Compressor: Cummins, 18.7 CFM
Air Dryer: Bendix AD-IS, heated
Fan Clutch: Borg Warner
Alternator: Bosch
Fuel Heater: Davco Fuel Pro 382
Mirrors: Moto Mirror, heated
Seats: National
Western Distributing Transportation Corp. Trailer Specifications
Model: Utility 3000R reefer
Refrigeration Unit: Thermo King SB 230
Landing Gear: Binkley
Axles & Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT
Oil Seals: Stemco Guardian HP
Brakes: Bendix Air Disc
ABS: Bendix
Tires: Michelin XT-1
Wheels: Alcoa Dura-Bright
Lighting & Electrical: LED; Grote, Truck-Lite
