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WWW.MWSMAG.COMDIGITAL EDITIONSEPTEMBER 2021
Lower cost of ownership. Sage uses patented no-pump vacuum technology to pull oil quickly and efficiently from equipment without any moving parts. No pumps with Sage means fewer maintenance problems for a lower cost of ownership.Stay clean all day. Our clean, sealed tanks mean less contaminants are introduced into fresh fluids (and there’s less spillage on the job). Plus, the enclosed, no-pump system protects the operator and the environment, as tanks are not vented to the atmosphere.Change oil faster. An idle piece of equipment is a piece of equipment that’s not making any money. Forget slower pump methods — a Sage system can vacuum fill products at up to 20 gpm and vacuum hot motor oil from equipment at 6 gpm to 8 gpm.to cut down your oil change time and get your equipment back to work. Learn about our full line of mobile lube equipment at sageoilvac.com.IT’S TIME
REDUCE EQUIPMENT THEFTASSET TRACKING SOLUTIONSHEAVY-DUTY SHOWCASE: THE VOLVO VNR ELECTRIC COMPRESSED AIR INDUSTRY SURVEYHOW DO YOU COMPARE TO YOUR PEERSSEEING IS SAFETYLIGHTING SAVES LIVESWWW.MWSMAG.COMSEPTEMBER 2021
CONNECT WITH US on Twitter (@mwsmag), Facebook (www.facebook.com/modernworktruck), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/modern-work-truck-solutions).INDUSTRY NEWS .............................. INDUSTRY INSIGHT ......................... PRODUCT SHOWCASE ....................IN EVERY ISSUESAGE OIL VAC LUBE TRUCKSWith an innovative, pump-free design, Sage Oil Vac lube trucks are designed to dispense and drain fluids using cutting-edge vacuum technology, saving time and money on the jobsite.www.sageoilvac.com INSIDE THIS ISSUESEPTEMBER 2021 VOL-6 NO-938LIGHT-DUTYBRINGING REPAIRS TO YOU FIXMYCAR COMES TO YOUINDUSTRY BENCHMARK SURVEY ... SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS GOING GREEN IN TRUCKING20MEDIUM-DUTYWWW.MWSMAG.COMREDUCE EQUIPMENT THEFTASSET TRACKING SOLUTIONSSEPTEMBER 2021HEAVY-DUTY SHOWCASE: THE VOLVO VNR ELECTRIC COMPRESSED AIR INDUSTRY SURVEYHOW DO YOU COMPARE TO YOUR PEERSSEEING IS SAFETYLIGHTING SAVES LIVESVOLVO VNR ELECTRIC HEAVY-DUTY16SHOWCASECOVER STORIESTECHNOLOGYREDUCE EQUIPMENT THEFT ...........................34Asset tracking solutionsSAFETYSEEING IS SAFETY .........42Lighting saves livesOPERATIONSCOMPRESSED AIR INDUSTRY SURVEY ........26How do you compare to your peers
OPERATIONSINCREASE DRIVER RETENTION WITH NEWER TRUCKS .............22New trucks help fleets lower cost of on-boarding new driversFEATURED PRODUCTCTECH MANUFACTURING ....................................................... 47 Breaking the mold on custom storagewww.mwsmag.com P.O. Box 660197 Birmingham, Alabama 35266DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mwsmag.com JADE BRASHER Editorjade@mwsmag.comRANDY MOON Associate Publisher randym@mwsmag.comVAL CARRIER Media Consultantval@mwsmag.comGARY BARKER Media Consultantgary@mwsmag.comTIM O’HARA Media Consultanttim.ohara@mwsmag.comLISA AVERY Art Director lisa@mwsmag.comSETH SAUNDERS Digital Media SpecialistINGRID BERKY Office ManagerNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the staff of Modern WorkTruck Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to jade@mwsmag.com.SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ALL CHANGES, GO TO MWSMAG.COMCLICK THE "SUBSCRIPTIONS" BUTTON IN THE MAIN MENUCHRIS GARMONCFO DONNA CAMPBELLVP, Editorialwww.highlandspublications.com 312 Lorna Square Birmingham, AL 35216866.251.1777TIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentTONYA BROWNINGVice President47It’s been right at a year and half since COVID-19 metaphorically shook the foundations of our nation. On the business side, COVID-19 affected us each on a different level. Even with stay-at-home orders, companies found ways to handle business. It seemed those in the last-mile delivery business couldn’t find enough hours in the day to fulfill all their orders. Residential construction surged in 2020 (and is still rising), and even the used car industry flourished during the pandemic. According to AllWeekPlumbing.com, even some plumbing services saw an uptick in service due to folks using alternatives to toilet paper during the early months when it was difficult to find. And then, there were some businesses that were forced to shut their doors completely.Where did your business fall on this spectrum? Ahead in the issue, we’ve got two industry surveys covering the effects of COVID-19 and industry outlooks. Hear from those in the industry that use air compressors regularly and how their business has changed within the past year on page 26. On page 48, you’ll read about the industry in terms of truck acquisition, emissions reduction, and lease structures. Read your peers’ responses and let us know via email (jade@mwsmag.com) or Twitter (@mwsmag) if you agree with the majority or if you’re in a different boat altogether. Also in this month’s lineup is a showcase on the Volvo VNR Electric on page 16, as well as three fleet sustainability trends on page 20. We’ve also got a view at asset tracking solutions from Webfleet on page 34 and a look at a new start-up that brings vehicle repairs right to your office on page 38. Enjoy!Jade Brasher EditorEDITOR’S NOTETalk soon! Jade22
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ALL CHANGES, GO TO MWSMAG.COMCLICK THE "SUBSCRIPTIONS" BUTTON IN THE MAIN MENU
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 20218INDUSTRY NEWSSKF VEHICLE AFTERMARKET UNVEILED TMC ANNUAL MEETINGSKF Vehicle Aftermarket optimizes the end-user experience with the debut of its TraX Wheel End Monitor (WEM). The SKF TraX Wheel End Monitor (WEM) is a sensor unit that installs on the wheels of heavy-duty vehicles. The sensors intelligently monitor wheel end vibration and temperature to detect potential issues such as impending bearing failures. Integrated with telematic service providers, drivers learn of needed fleet maintenance via wireless communication. Further, these alerts come in advance of potential wheel end conditions that could compromise performance and safety. In the event that sensors detect problematic conditions, the system typically notifies users thousands of miles before likely service interruption. For more, visit www.vehicleaftermarket.skf.com. STERTIL-KONI REPORTS GROWING USE OF TWIN PISTON JACKING BEAMS ON PLATFORM SKYLIFT TO DELIVER WHEELS-FREE LIFTINGHeavy-duty vehicle lift leader Stertil-Koni reported that vehicle maintenance shops across North America seeking even more lifting power from the Stertil-Koni SKYLIFT—a true vertical-rise platform lift with a capacity up to 156,000 lbs—turn to Jacking Beams for the solution. These air-driven hydraulic accessories for SKYLIFT use twin lifting pistons. They also feature integrated mechanical locks to deliver wheels-free access for tire and brake repairs on virtually any vehicle. Peter Bowers, technical sales support manager at Stertil-Koni, notes that Jacking Beams transport the SKYLIFT into a multi-dimensional lifting system. He notes that operators can operate both Jacking Beam pistons individually. Further, he says this ability is ideal for lifting a single wheel or both wheels in tandem. For more, visit www.stertil-koni.com. ADVANTAGE TRUCK GROUP DONATES Advantage Truck Group employees delivered 150 cases of tuna to six food pantry organizations across its New England dealer network. ATG made donations through Haulin’ 4 Hunger, a program ATG started in Shrewsbury in 2012 to provide fresh meals to those in need during the holiday season and expanded this spring to include donations of non-perishable items to help meet ongoing needs in communities near its dealer locations, including Manchester, Lebanon and Seabrook, New Hampshire; Westminster, Vermont; and Westfield and Raynham, Massachusetts. ATG cofounder and president and CEO Kevin Holmes and co-founder Kevin McDevitt personally delivered 25 cases of tuna fish to the food pantry in Raynham, Massachusetts, the site ATG’s new facility. The
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202110INDUSTRY NEWSRaynham food pantry relies upon donations from the local community and businesses, making bulk donations especially important. This is the third bulk donation ATG has made this year to the Raynham food pantry. For more, visit www.advantagetruckne.com. REPRESENTATIVE WILD, MACK TRUCKS, AND HEALTH AND CLIMATE ADVOCATES IN CLEAN TRANSPORTATIONRepresentative Susan Wild and Mack Trucks leaders joined advocates calling Congress to invest in clean vehicles, charging infrastructure, and more. The Lehigh Valley Sustainability Network sponsored the event as part of a $10 million grassroots campaign conducted throughout August and September in 12 states to demand ambitious investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and climate solutions organized by the Climate Action Campaign. Speakers thanked Representative Wild (PA-07) for fighting for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, now titled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to include clean vehicle investments as well as the Build Back Better Budget.These investments are needed to cut pollution as well as create jobs, address environmental injustice, and tackle the climate crisis. Further, the transportation sector accounts for almost a third of all US air pollution; it is the single largest source of climate-harming carbon pollution in the nation. Investments in zero-emission, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are essential for reducing Pennsylvania’s air pollution and fighting climate change in the process. Jonathan Miller, Volvo Group North America senior vice president of public affairs, says the Volvo Group is delivering on its commitment toward 100% fossil-free sales by 2040. This is possible through the launch of zero-emission vehicles like the Mack LR Electric refuse truck. For more, visit www.macktrucks.com. PROFILE, MULTIFUNCTION, SURFACE-MOUNT LED TAILLIGHT REPLACES FOUR LAMPS, SETS THE STAGE FOR FUTURE COMBO LAMP OFFERINGOptronics International, a manufacturer of vehicle harnesses, electronic control systems, and LED lighting for the global transportation industry, introduced its new STL02/03 LED taillight. The low-profile, surface-mount lamps function as stop, tail, and turn, as well as rear and side clearance and marker lamps. They also serve as rear and side reflectors and come with a license plate light. Though they fit within the footprint for taillights, their shape and styling makes them as attractive as they are functional. The lamps are also the first in a new series of lamps that
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202112INDUSTRY NEWScombine even more functionalities, including backup lighting. Optronics engineered the STL02/03 LED taillight’s modular design so that it can be configured into novel lighting assemblies that can easily be customized to meet the preferences of OEMs and fleets alike. For more, visit www.optronicsinc.com. IDELIC AND NETRADYNE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE DRIVER SAFETYIdelic, the creator of the Idelic Safety Suite®, a comprehensive driver management platform dedicated to improving fleet safety, announced a strategic partnership with Netradyne, a leader in video telematics and vision technology. Through this partnership, customers using the Idelic Safety Suite alongside Netradyne cameras will be able to upload, manage, and act on their video and telematics data within Safety Suite. Currently, fleets collect data surrounding driver training, telematics, compliance, behavior, and more daily from disparate safety and fleet management technologies. Safety Suite’s solutions, Netradyne’s visibility, and combining their AI technology into fleet performance gives fleets a comprehensive understanding of drivers.Netradyne’s rich video and telematics data combined with Idelic’s predictive analytics can help fleets proactively address driver risk. This functions to both prevent a crash and prove that a fleet did everything to prevent it if one occurs. This partnership will enhance safety for Idelic and Netradyne customers as well as all who drive on roads and highways. For more, visit www.idelic.com and www.netradyne.com. AMPLY POWER INTEGRATES WATTTIME API TO ENABLE ELECTRIC FLEETS TO MINIMIZE AND REPORT TOTAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONSAs pressure mounts for transportation fleets and their organizations to measure, reduce, and report total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, AMPLY Power taps environmental technology nonprofit WattTime to provide its electric vehicle, bus, and truck customers with access to emission reductions data and the ability to automatically charge when GHG emissions from electricity generating plants are low. The integration will: incorporate the decarbonization goals of each individual fleet; manage charging to meet those mandates; and enable fleets to calculate and report their Scope 2, or indirect, GHG inventories. AMPLY will offer it as a standard feature in the OMEGA platform. Additionally, it will be available to all AMPLY customers by the end of Q3 2021. For more, visit www.amplypower.com. POWERFUL AMMUNITION TO PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENTSpray-on Liner1-855-2 BULLET (285538) www.bulletliner.comHigh tensile strength material provides a superior, permanent layer of protectionProtects from impacts and abrasions Won’t ake, bubble or crack, no matter what Trouble and maintenance freeBULLET LINER is a permanent, spray-on polyurea coating system for truck and trailer beds, tool boxes, wheel wells, running boards and other high-contact vehicle and equipment surfaces. Expertly applied by highly trained technicians, Bullet Liner is the toughest protection in the business—oering high caliber protection for the life of your eet vehicles and equipment. PICKUP TRUCKS HEAVY EQUIPMENTTRAILERSSecure your investment. Safeguard your cargo and workers. Protect your image.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202114INDUSTRY INSIGHTAQTODD HOFFMANMWS: WHO IS A.R.E.? HOFFMAN: A.R.E. Accessories is a North American truck cap and accessory company founded in 1969 and based in Ohio. Production began with aluminum and wood truck caps back in those early years, but A.R.E. quickly expanded its product base to include fiberglass, commercial grade truck caps, and options for any requirement or lifestyle. Over the last five decades, A.R.E. has worked hard to become a leader in the truck cap space earning accolades in Consumers Digest, HandyMan Magazine, and others. Other credits include multiple Ron Webster Awards for Engineering as well as Design Excellence Awards from OEMs. A.R.E. Accessories has held the lead spot for truck caps and truck bed accessories for more than 50 years for our commercial and fleet partners across all of North America. Four A.R.E. facilities and an extremely strong and industry-leading parent company, Truck Hero, help to position us for the next 50 years for our work truck partners.MWS: A.R.E. MIGHT BE BEST KNOWN FOR ITS TRUCK CAPS. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS THAT KEEP THEM A POPULAR SELLER?HOFFMAN: With over 700 partners across North America, our customers can have the peace of mind knowing that there is a knowledgeable upfitter nearby, able to hear their concerns and provide valuable feedback in their quest to find the best truck cap. Additionally, our commercial and fleet partners spend a lot of time with these customers in their locations. This helps to offer work truck solutions and truck cap options that tie in well with today’s pickup trucks, the end-users’ needs, and the complexities of today’s work truck operations. A.R.E. offers more features and functions in its truck caps than many other brands. We recognize that our customers work hard for their money and deserve Aesthetic and Functional Solutions from A.R.E. AccessoriesELEVATE THE LOOK AND FUNCTIONALITY OF YOUR FLEET
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 15the best value possible when buying a truck cap—or any of our products. With this in mind, we continue to strive to maintain our commitment to them by providing a truck cap designed for their truck and their application.MWS: WHAT KIND OF FLEET BEST BENEFITS FROM A.R.E. PRODUCTS?HOFFMAN: Any customer with one personal truck or a fleet of work trucks will benefit from A.R.E. products. A.R.E. offers truck caps, tonneau covers, and other accessories like Rival LED lighting options, Ascend roof baskets, and many bed storage and management solutions to fit any desire. We will work with our national fleet and upfitting partners across North America to offer the most complete menu of truck cap and truck bed solutions for your business and fleet. This will be supported by the best dedicated service and follow up. MWS: CAN YOU SHARE WHAT LENGTHS A.R.E. GOES THROUGH TO ENSURE A STYLISH YET PRACTICAL FIT FOR EACH AND EVERY TRUCK?HOFFMAN: A.R.E. has a dedicated engineering facility in Ohio for our designs, whether that is aesthetically-driven or function-driven. Our customers ask, and we respond. Not sure what you need? Visit our website, 4are.com, and you can input your vehicle information and design a cap or cover solution to fit your individual needs. Our parent company, Truck Hero, also has a dedicated engineering team and facility to even further help A.R.E. and all of the Truck Hero brands. Design, function, and quality are at the forefront with A.R.E. and Truck Hero.MWS: WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST FOR A.R.E. CUSTOMERS LOOKING TO TRULY ELEVATE THE LOOK OF THEIR FLEET VEHICLES? HOFFMAN: There are so many solutions and avenues a fleet owner could take with A.R.E. to make your mobile offices stand out among the crowds. Therefore, A.R.E. always suggests that businesses and companies listen closely to their end-users of the pickup truck and how they use the trucks, truck caps, options, and truck bed accessories in the real world. A.R.E.’s sales team will spend time with those end-users as well for you.MWS: DOES A.R.E. OFFER SPECIAL BENEFITS TO FLEETS?HOFFMAN: A.R.E. has a true dedicated national fleet outside sales team and a true dedicated national fleet customer service staff—both dedicated to quick service, accurate service, and relationship-building service to make others’ jobs easier. A tech and warranty support team exists as well to help answer various installation needs, questions, and technical support. We also have design and utility patents on many products that help set our customers apart in a competitive commercial and fleet market. Being the only US-manufactured truck cap company carrying an ISO certification for its formal Quality System helps with the consistency of the services and products.MWS: WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR A.R.E.? HOFFMAN: A.R.E. and Truck Hero continue to understand the importance of our lead position in the commercial, fleet, and work truck worlds. Because of this, investments are happening at A.R.E. and Truck Hero to take us and our products higher and further. Status quo is not an option in today’s world. A.R.E. Accessories knows what “Outfit for Work” and “Outfit for Life” means each day for our customers. Truck Hero understands the importance of being “America’s Best Selling Truck Accessories.”FOR MORE INFORMATION at A.R.E. Find out more, visit www.4are.com.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202116HEAVY-DUTY WORKTRUCK SHOWCASEHEAVY-DUTY WORKTRUCK SHOWCASEThe Volvo VNR ElectricA HEAVY-DUTY INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 17The Volvo VNR ElectricA HEAVY-DUTY INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202118HEAVY-DUTY WORKTRUCK SHOWCASEIn February of 2020, Volvo offered a look at its Class 8 battery-electric VNR at an event at the TEC Equipment dealership in Fontana, California. The event was one of several over 2020 and 2021 to commemorate the new trucks entering the market, with the most recent being an event to recognize the delivery of the first of five Volvo VNR Electric trucks to Manhattan Beer Distributors just last month.Part of the Volvo Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project, Volvo believes the VNR Electric will become the ideal truck for short- and regional-haul applications such as drayage, urban distribution, pickup and delivery, others. And those looking to build a more sustainable fleet will benefit from the truck’s zero emissions.BRASS TACKSIf you’re at all familiar with the Volvo VNR, consider yourself familiar with its all-electric counterpart. The VNR Electric merges the VNR series’ agility, versatility, safety, and visibility with the VNR Electric’s sustainability. The VNR Electric drivetrain is rated at 455 hp with up to 4,051 lb-ft of torque. It also features Volvo’s two-speed I-Shift automated transmission, and it can achieve speeds up to 65 mph on the highway.The Volvo VNR Electric is available in three different configurations: a single-axle straight truck and a 4x2 tractor and a 6x2 tractor—all to suit your business’ needs.But what about its range, you ask? Range anxiety is a big concern among fleet managers when considering an electric fleet. That’s why it’s best to put electric trucks on predictable routes, such as those seen regularly in delivery or short-haul routes. If your business falls under those applications, you’ll be pleased to know that the Volvo VNR Electric has a 150-mile range depending on configuration, has a 264-kWh battery capacity, and can charge up to 80% in just 70 minutes with a 150 kWh charger.A BETTER RIDEVolvo designed the VNR to be comfortable for drivers—all drivers. Its steering wheel features a three-way neck tilt to position the wheel exactly where it’s most comfortable. The steering wheel houses buttons that toggle through operating parameters, trip information, performance data, and more in the 5-inch driver information cluster in the dash. The VNR also features a 7-inch infotainment screen where drivers can access Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, GPS, and connect to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Volvo also designed the VNR to provide better driver visibility. With the VNR Electric, you get all of the above features and then some. The VNR Electric’s powertrain offers less noise and better responsiveness—two characteristics that contribute to less driver fatigue. A quieter truck also allows for overnight work. This means flexible hours and an option to drive during off-peak hours.SAFETY STANDARDSVolvo doused its VNR Electric in safety features, complete with additional protection in the VNR Electric’s battery cage. Included in all VNR Electrics is Volvo Active Driving Assist, a forward collision avoidance technology helping drivers respond and avoid threatening traffic situations. This technology uses cameras and radars to keep the driver alert of traffic changes at all times. Lane Departure Warnings are also included. As for the additional battery protection, Volvo’s VNR Electric battery box features a side impact protection barrier.In addition to safety features integrated into the truck itself, Volvo also offers other safety programs and features. Among them is the Volvo Gold Contract, which Volvo made standard for the launch of the VNR Electric. The contract is designed to help owners easily transition from a diesel fleet to an electric fleet with services such as towing, maintenance, uptime services, and repairs. Volvo’s diagnostic system is also available in the VNR Electric. This system offers connectivity and service experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volvo’s Uptime Center can also monitor your VNR Electric’s battery to forecast battery life and optimize charging procedures and maintenance.GREEN INITIATIVESWithin the year, Volvo has delivered its VNR Electric models to customers from Southern California to New York City. Companies such as Penske, Saia LTL Freight, and Manhattan Beer Distributors already have these trucks in their fleet while others are waiting on their orders to arrive. If you’d like to call yourself part of the sustainable fleet movement, there’s no better time to get the ball rolling.As of March 2021, the Volvo VNR Electric is eligible for dozens of funding and initiative programs in California, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah, and New Hampshire.FOR MORE INFORMATIONFind out more about the Volvo VNR Electric, visit www.volvotrucks.us.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202120OPERATIONSEnvironmental sustainability has transitioned from option to necessity, even in sectors known for heavy carbon emissions. The United States is second to China on the list of countries with the highest carbon dioxide emissions. Uncontrolled carbon dioxide emissions are alarming in the context of worsening floods and heat waves, with scientists predicting that we only have a decade to prevent irreversible damage from climate change. In an unexpected turn of events, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a record 7% decline in global carbon emissions in 2020 according to Stanford. Considering travel bans and national lockdowns, it is not surprising that emissions from the transportation sector accounted for more than 50% of the drop.However, to sustain this trend, key players must make a conscious effort and considerable investments; this includes the transportation industry. Implementing a sustainable strategy in trucking or any other industry requires planning and commitment. Fortunately, trucking is becoming sustainable through advancements in technology, fuel alternatives, and best green practices.TECH ADVANCEMENTSWhile several significant technological innovations have led to more sustainable 3 Trucking Sustainability TrendsGO GREEN WITH TECHNOLOGY, FUEL ALTERNATIVES, AND BEST PRACTICES By Katreena Sarmientomedium-duty feature
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 213 Trucking Sustainability TrendsGO GREEN WITH TECHNOLOGY, FUEL ALTERNATIVES, AND BEST PRACTICES By Katreena Sarmientotrucking, this section will focus on telematics and route optimization. Telematics combines vehicular technologies, telecommunications, computer science, and electrical engineering to gather information about a vehicle or an entire fleet. Specifically, fleets can use telematics to monitor travel speeds and locations. This can help reduce fuel consumption and discourage negative driving habits. For instance, a driver’s records can reflect instances of speeding, harsh braking, sudden acceleration, and idling. Reminders and reinforcements can put errant drivers back on track, ultimately saving fuel and boosting safety. Additionally, optimized route planning also proves useful. Route optimization doesn’t only choose the shortest path. Factors such as weather and traffic must also be considered because they can similarly delay a driver. To be specific, if a driver gets stuck in traffic, they will use more fuel. An abundance of routing technologies are available on the market, and many use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and avoid traffic or bad weather. As a result, truck drivers use less fuel, avoid idling, and cut delivery time. As the pandemic changes shopping trends in favor of online purchases, shorter delivery time becomes increasingly valuable.FUEL ALTERNATIVESIn addition to tapping into useful technologies, companies looking for greener energy sources in trucking consider biodiesel and electric vehicles as top choices. Produced from organic plant and animal materials, biodiesel releases fewer greenhouse gases. Further, it reduces food waste, as restaurant grease is one source of biodiesel. More importantly, biodiesel does not compromise performance in trucks. Diesel engines are ubiquitous in the trucking industry, and biodiesel works perfectly fine with them. Consequently, biodiesel is the number one choice of alternative fuel among fleet owners. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel-cell-electric vehicles (FCEVs) are also two of the most talked about options in alternative fuels. Truck manufacturers develop BEVs and FCEVs with the hope that pressures from society and the government will make these vehicles more attractive to buyers. BEVs feature smaller, lighter batteries that are easier to clean and recharge. However, the challenge lies in battery life. Pilot studies show that BEVs perform best in the short-haul segment. On the other hand, hydrogen powers FCEVs, and they only emit water and hot air. However, FCEVs pose a challenge in terms of hydrogen storage as well as energy efficiency. Storing large amounts of hydrogen in gaseous form requires large-volume gas tanks, and these tanks will leave a significant carbon footprint. Additionally, one cycle of electrical energy production reduces FCEVs’ energy efficiency by 50%. BEST GREEN PRACTICESOutside inventions and energy sources, some green initiatives from the trucking industry are also commendable. Several trucking companies started green initiatives worth emulating including Canada’s United Van Lines. Its initiatives include recycling tires and cartons and using reusable quilted furniture pads and runners. These practices are especially beneficial for trucks used often or for a long time. On top of this, regularly scheduling maintenance and repairs can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by keeping trucks in top shape. Fleets can also use management to set up schedules and reminders for these activities. Another green practice for trucks involved in delivery services is to change the materials used in packing. For example, choosing bubble wrap over polystyrene (Styrofoam) is more eco-friendly because bubble wrap is 75% cheaper. Plus, it’s recyclable and polystyrene is not. The green revolution is the most logical path to take in a world beset with several life-changing challenges. The trucking industry is not a pioneer in this route. But with the latest technologies, better fuel options, and emerging green practices, the industry can continue to help slash carbon Emissions across the globe.ABOUT THE AUTHOR and a life hack specialist. She's biotechnology and molecular biology. To take a break from and sustainability. She strongly believes that kindness makes the world go round. Reach her at katreens.contentstudio@gmail.com.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202122OPERATIONSHeavy-duty fleet organizations continue to face major challenges in the retention and recruitment of drivers at a particularly perilous time, as drivers are needed more than ever to continue transferring the shipment of goods, food, medicine, and vaccines across the country.Recent data from the American Trucking Association (ATA) states that driver turnover for carriers has rapidly increased by double-digit percentages during the third quarter of 2020. This occurred even as the industry began to return from the COVID-19 pandemic. The tight market for drivers has made retention even more important in the current economy. ACT Research recently said its latest For-hire Trucking Index showed a Driver Availability Index that dropped to a new low of 16.7 in March, down from its previous low of 23.6 in February. INFLATED TURNOVER RATESThe recent data showed that the annualized turnover rate at truckload carriers with more than $30 million in annual revenue increased to 92% during the third quarter. For smaller carriers the turnover rate increased to 74%.ATA chief economist, Bob Costello shared his thoughts in a recent statement: “After a calamitous second quarter, trucking—along with the rest of the economy—began recovering in the third quarter, leading to a tightening of the driver market. With a more robust freight market, we saw an increase in carriers seeking drivers, which led to increased turnover. Additionally, the driver pool has decreased this year for a host of reasons, including fewer new drivers coming into the industry as truck driver training schools train less drivers due to social distancing requirements.”Increase Driver Retention with Newer Trucks NEW TRUCKS HELP FLEETS LOWER COST OF ON-BOARDING NEW DRIVERS By Katerina Jones
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 23While it would be easy to point toward COVID-19 as the culprit, the fact remains that this has been a growing issue for several years now.For the fourth consecutive year, driver shortage remains the trucking industry’s leading concern on the overall list of challenges and concerns, according to the 2020 American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) report, “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry.”Driver shortages are also a major concern specifically for private fleet organizations, even though the numbers are not as dire as for-hire carriers. The latest benchmarking report from the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) in 2020 shows that driver turnover has continued to increase, reaching close to an all-time high of 18.5% in 2020. For comparison purposes, in the previous year private fleets reported turnover of 16.9%, up a point and a half over the previous year’s 15.4% average turnover.Compensation programs are regularly discussed to attract new drivers and retain existing ones. However, fleets are beginning to use other strategies for driver recruitment and retention.ON-BOARDING CAN COSTTypically, the average cost of onboarding a new driver can exceed $10,000 for many companies. Organizations with private fleets and for-hire carriers therefore have a continuous motivation for retaining their existing drivers to avoid paying this hefty on-boarding expense. What they’re now coming to realize is that having drivers operate newer trucks can improve their chances of retention.Newer trucks come with newer technology, advanced safety features, and less maintenance and repair (M&R) problems, which equates to less downtime and breakdowns on the side of the road. This means drivers can more frequently return home to their families at the end of the day and operate trucks on their routes with more confidence they will avoid breakdowns on the side of the road. BENEFITS OF SAFETY FEATURES The advanced safety features found in today’s newer trucks are a significant motivating factor for drivers to remain with a particular fleet. Today’s drivers enjoy comfort and safety items such as the following:• Air ride suspension• Power steering• Automated manual transmission• Engine HP and speed settings• Lane departure• Collision mitigation• Adaptive cruise control• Blind spot monitoring• Roll stabilityFleets themselves realize a greater return on their investment into newer trucks when more of these trucks are placed into service. In fact, the cost for all safety equipment (including collision avoidance, disc brakes, lane change, and electronic stability control) reduces overall collision repairs and yields a return on the original safety technology investment in about 18 months (collision repairs cost avoided). These are substantial savings combined with the cost of on-boarding new drivers.As more fleets and transportation organizations replace aging trucks with newer, safer equipment on the roads, these companies will quickly realize they will keep their drivers and others on the road safer, retain their drivers at a higher rate, and also enjoy substantial savings in reduced accident and litigation costs as well as lower maintenance and repair expenditures.ABOUT THE AUTHORbusiness development at Fleet Advantage. Fleet Advantage
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202126OPERATIONSState of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry2021 SURVEY SAYS…size of eet HOW MANY SERVICE TRUCKS ARE IN YOUR COMPANY'S FLEET? Keeping in line with 2020’s survey results, the vast majority of respondents (75%) are part of small fleets of one to five trucks. The largest group below small fleets were fleets of six to 25 trucks at 9%. Large fleets of 100 vehicles or more made up only 4% of survey respondents compared to last year’s 7%. industries served WHAT INDUSTRY DO YOU SERVE? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. This year’s industry representation looked a bit different. Construction (42%) and agriculture (36%) dominated the industries identified, whereas last year the top industries were construction and heavy equipment. Transportation and “other” took the third place spot at 21% with all other industries following behind.VMAC, manufacturer of vehicle-mounted air compressors, is back with another State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry survey. This year, VMAC surveyed 355 individuals between November 2020 and February 2021. These individuals came from a variety of industries such as construction, municipal, oil and gas, forestry, transportation, utilities infrastructure, mining, and agriculture. Although participants represented various industries and job titles, they each have one thing in common: They use mobile air compressors.The goal of VMAC’s first State of the Industry survey from last year was to allow mobile air compressor users to compare their operations and usage to other businesses also using mobile air compressors. VMAC discovered the results of the 2020 survey were viewed, shared, and downloaded by hundreds of individuals, solidifying a need for this information in the compressed air industry. For the 2021 survey, VMAC added four questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the industry. How does your business relate to the results from this year’s survey?
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 27age of fleet WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF SERVICE VEHICLES IN YOUR FLEET? Newer vehicles weren’t only a popular choice for fleets in 2020, they are also a popular option for fleets this year as well. VMAC’s survey found that 73% of fleets are made up of fleet vehicles that are 0 to 9 years old. However, up two points from 2020, 7% of respondents reported an average age of 20 years for fleet vehicles.vehicle class WHICH CLASSES OF SERVICE TRUCKS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR FLEET? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. Light-duty vehicles remained the top class of trucks, dipping only two percentage points between 2020 (70%) and 2021 (68%). Class 4 and 5 made up the next highest majority with 41% of respondents indicating they own a medium-duty vehicle.fuel type of future vehicles WHAT KIND OF SERVICE VEHICLES ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BUYING? Those with vehicle purchases in their plans were asked to indicate the fuel type of the vehicles they planned to buy. Diesel was the clear choice with 74% selecting the fuel type. Gasoline was second with 36%. According to the data, alternative-fuel vehicles are not a popular choice among these owners and operators.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202128OPERATIONSair compressors in the fleet APPROXIMATELY WHAT PERCENT OF YOUR SERVICE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AIR COMPRESSORS? Just as in 2020, a divide exists between vehicles equipped with air compressors and vehicles that aren’t equipped with air compressors. While 30% of respondents indicated less than 10% of their vehicles are equipped with an air compressor (which is the same amount as 2020), 40% indicated that 100% of their vehicles are equipped with them. This is up from 28% in 2020.cfm/psi requirements WHAT CFM RANGE BEST FITS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SERVICE VEHICLES? Over half of VMAC’s survey respondents require up to 59 CFM on service vehicles (54%). This is consistent with 2020’s results. Those who require 60 to 149 CFM make up 39% of respondents. Only 7% require 150-plus CFM.WHAT PSI RANGE BEST FITS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR SERVICE VEHICLES? Most respondents indicated a need of 100 psi or more (94%). This number is also consistent with last year’s numbers.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202130OPERATIONSwhy rotary screw? WHY DO YOU PREFER ROTARY SCREW AIR COMPRESSORS FOR SERVICE VEHICLES? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.When asked why they prefer a rotary screw air compressor, the majority (75%) noted it was because of their performance, 38% noted quality and reliability, and 37% said size and weight.why reciprocating? WHY DO YOU PREFER RECIPROCATING AIR COMPRESSORS FOR SERVICE VEHICLES? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. Consistent with 2020’s results, when asked why they prefer reciprocating air compressors, almost half of respondents indicated it was because of their ease of repair/service (61%). Another common reason was the price (49%).air compressor systems WHAT TYPE OF AIR COMPRESSOR SYSTEM DO YOU USE ON SERVICE VEHICLES? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. Nearly half of all respondents (47%) use above-deck gas engine drive air compressors. Next up is an UNDERHOOD or vehicle-engine driven air compressor at 22%. Other types of air compressors are used in 16% or fewer of respondents' fleets.investments COMPARED TO 2020, HOW MUCH DO YOU PLAN TO INVEST IN NEW VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT IN 2021? When comparing between 2020 and 2021, respondents were asked to indicate their plans to invest in new vehicles and equipment. The majority (44%) said their plans to invest remain the same for 2021 as they were in 2020, while 38% plan to buy more this year than last.
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 31style preference WHAT STYLE OF AIR COMPRESSOR DO YOU PREFER ON SERVICE VEHICLES? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. Respondents were asked which style of air compressor they currently use and which they prefer, checking all that apply. More than one-third of VMAC’s survey respondents indicated a preference of UNDERHOOD or vehicle-engine driven air compressors. Next in line were above-deck gas driven air compressors (30%).specific impacts BUSINESS? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY. When asked which areas of business have seen the most impact of the pandemic, respondents noted an increase in employee absences (41%) with canceled service contracts following directly behind (40%). Respondents also noted other areas of business with COVID-19 impacts including equipment and truck purchase delays, layoffs, and canceled purchases.covid's impact VMAC added COVID-19-related questions to the 2021 survey. According to respondents, 45% have experienced a negative impact from the pandemic. However, 13% say they have seen a positive impact, and 42% have seen no impact at all.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202132OPERATIONS12-month outlook WHAT DO YOU THINK BUSINESS CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS? Will business improve over the course of the next 12 months? Will the pandemic continue to wreak havoc? Many respondents of VMAC’s survey feel conditions will be better (49%), while others feel it will remain the same (34%). Unfortunately, 17% of respondents believe business conditions will worsen within the next 12 months.FOR MORE INFORMATION The data from this piece was provided by VMAC. Download the complete survey, visit www.vmacair.com/survey.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202134TECHNOLOGYWebfleet Solutions, a global telematics solution provider, helps fleets reduce the risk of equipment theft and improper usage with a new capability for asset tracking within WEBFLEET. Webfleet recently released the solution to United States fleet customers and business owners. WEBFLEET Asset Tracking gives companies a new ability to visualize the position and usage of their powered assets, such as trailers, generators, and other equipment from a single interface with the position of vehicles and assets displayed on a clear map view. Companies can reduce loss and theft by keeping their high-value assets visible with accurate GPS positioning, usage, reporting, and more. Managing assets and vehicles on one platform can be simple and cost-effective.According to recent data compiled by the TT Club, the United States has the second highest cargo theft rate in North America, and annual estimates of the cost of equipment theft vary from about $300 million to $1 billion, with most estimates in the range of $400 million.With WEBFLEET Asset Tracking, fleet operators can choose to be alerted when an asset is in use, when Reduce the Risk of Equipment TheftWEBFLEET SOLUTIONS CAN HELP WITH NEW ASSET TRACKING CAPABILITIES
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 35it leaves a designated area, or when any motion is detected. This helps reduce both the risk of theft and the likelihood of improper usage. Notifications can also be setup to alert the user when maintenance is required, which helps to preserve the value of the asset. Further, fleets of all sizes and all industries can use WEBFLEET Asset Tracking—beyond vehicles. Transport, construction, and agriculture companies can check the status of trailers, machinery, plant equipment, and more alongside their vehicles.“Our focus is always on providing insight and making the working process simpler, safer, and more efficient,” says Matt Gunzenhauser, director of sales of USA and Canada of Webfleet Solutions. “And that’s precisely what Asset Tracking does.”24/7 VISIBILITY The user can find out the location of each asset in seconds, whether it’s on-site or off. Asset Tracking provides access to a detailed map, which provides visibility of where their assets have been with position updates every five minutes on the map. If they want more detail, they can get instant reports 24/7, listing current position, trip, maintenance, input, and all the other details regarding how the asset is used. Customers can set up a maintenance notification based on the odometer, engine hours, or time since the last maintenance—whatever is most suitable for judging that an asset needs to be serviced. Trailers equipped with a LINK 340 device—a ruggedized tracker that is dust, shock, and waterproof—also provide coupled asset information displayed automatically on the map for both truck and trailer. Users can easily identify which of their assets is connected to which vehicle or which truck is transporting which machine. This advanced new feature provides better control of the total transportation value chain for enhanced business efficiency while increasing the accountability of drivers. TRACKING BENEFITSUsing WEBFLEET Asset Tracking allows users to: • Accurately locate assets by viewing the current positions of assets, ensuring they're on-site or can be located quickly when needed.• Understand asset’s general usage for project handling using asset reports that provide an overview of asset usage, including
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202136TECHNOLOGYtotal trip and engine hour information for increased efficiency of rental billing, regular book-keeping, and maintenance management. • Detect theft in time to take effective action (a costly and common concern for businesses) with geofencing or motion activation, which provides instant alerts if an asset is moved without permission. • Monitor entire business from one interface by tracking trailers and powered assets from one interface alongside a fleet of vehicles, e.g. fleet managers can monitor their trailer as well as see which truck driver is handling it based on the coupling information. • Track trailers that are not in use with active, minimum traceability that reports the location, one position per day, of disconnected trailers. “Webfleet Solutions’ Asset Tracking is designed to provide a host of functionalities that enable fleet managers and business owners to get the most value and productivity out of each of their assets. This can make a tangible impact in the reduction of unnecessary costs and optimize processes for better business results,” Gunzenhaeuser concludes. ONE-STOP SOLUTIONFinally, users also have the option of adding WEBFLEET Video to their tracking solution. WEBFLEET Video is a fully integrated video telematics solution. It combines dashcam footage with driving data to give companies full context of road incidents in real time to increase road safety and overall fleet efficiency. AI technology automatically identifies risky driving behavior and notifies the driver, helping them avoid dangerous situations. With footage from the road, your drivers get clear examples showing how they can drive safer and evidence to protect them against fraudulent claims.In summary, telematics data helps customers to make better business decisions based on data insights—which can increase fleet efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Adding Asset Tracking helps reduce the risk of theft and improper usage on powered assets and rental equipment. And reducing risk in the fleet industry is something we can all agree is a great thing.FOR MORE INFORMATION Get instant notifications of asset use and change of location.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202138MAINTENANCEWe’ve all been there. On a busy morning with several stops on the day’s schedule, you go to crank your truck and immediately realize something is wrong. Whether the fix is as simple as a jumpstart or something more complicated, every minute away from the job costs you—not only in downtime, but in the cost of the repair. A Harris Poll found that the average person spends around $397 per year on vehicle repairs and maintenance.For a large fleet with several vehicles and mechanics on-site, technicians or drivers can be back on the road in no time. But for smaller fleets with fewer vehicles and no on-site mechanic, the uncertainty that surrounds vehicle maintenance can become a major stressor—especially when considering the inconvenience of having a vehicle worked on, wasting time at a repair shop, coordinating rides or rentals, and missing work due to scheduling repairs. One company, FixMyCar, is out to change all of that by revolutionizing the auto repair industry with mobile mechanics coming to the customer’s lot or office.FIXMYCAR FOR FLEETSFixMyCar is the easiest way to get your car fixed. Simply visit www.fixmycar.io and request a service. Its network of mechanics can come to your business with all the tools and parts needed to perform car maintenance and repair. FixMyCar performs almost 80% of all car repairs in your driveway or lot. FixMyCar is the future of auto repair and maintenance, bringing certified mechanics to your vehicle at your office. Currently, FixMyCar makes car repair more convenient and affordable in Detroit, Dallas, Houston, and soon Austin and other major metropolitans. By 2023, the company aims to be nationwide. FixMyCar is quickly ramping up a division specifically for fleets. Fleets can lower their downtime by getting car maintenance and light fixes FixMyCar Brings Auto Repair to Your DoorDISRUPTING THE AUTO REPAIR SPACE light-duty feature
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS performed—even outside of business hours and on the weekends when most shops are closed. By having technicians perform maintenance and repairs on-site for fleet customers along with a 24,000-mile/24-month service warranty, fleet customers can save time by getting repairs completed sooner than scheduling and performing repairs at a shop. Not only does this mobile mechanic service make it easier to get repairs and maintenance work done, it’s also more affordable than going to a dealership or a repair shop. Because the mobile service model has little overhead, FixMyCar is able to offer services for 20 to 30% lower than dealerships and repair shops while still providing mechanics with significantly higher salaries. Some services offered include: • Diagnostics• Battery and starter replacement• Brake and light engine repairs• Routine maintenance (such as oil changes)• Car inspections when buying a used carBRINGING IT TO MARKETFixMyCar was founded by Prashant Salla in Detroit, Michigan, when he was helping a mechanic find leads on Craigslist in 2018. Seeing how much of an impact it made to the mechanic by providing a consistent supply of customers, he decided to build a platform mechanics can rely on to get customers. With FixMyCar, mechanics can do what they do best—perform repairs—and FixMyCar takes care of customer acquisition, pricing, scheduling, payments, and customer service along with setting up an infrastructure for parts. Seeing how customers value the convenience of having someone come to them led Salla to pursue this venture. But Salla knew that to create a profitable business, FixMyCar’s mechanics had to be knowledgeable and reliable. That’s why FixMyCar performs background checks and vets its mechanics for their certification. It also performs a technical capabilities test via phone interview followed by an internal test. Newer mechanics also are guided by senior mechanics on the platform when they start out. “FixMyCar is a managed tech marketplace that aims to bring complete transparency and convenience to car repair by sending a certified mechanic to the car owner’s doorsteps,” Salla says. “We do background checks, certification verifications, soft skills screening, and ensure cultural fit when we hire mechanics. It’s a unique experience
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202140MAINTENANCEwhen you can talk to the mechanic outside your house (or office), ask questions about your car, and get maintenance or driving tips. This changes the way people think about car repair and empowers them to take control of their vehicle’s health. The auto repair space is ripe for disruption.”MAINTENANCE & SUPPORTAs previously mentioned, FixMyCar offers routine maintenance without the need to ever drive your car into a shop or duck under the hood yourself. For oil changes specifically, FixMyCar started an oil change membership program to keep your oil changed on schedule. This program takes all the time-consuming oil change appointments out of your hands and allows you to focus on your business.FixMyCar’s oil change membership program delivers oil changes to members’ doorstep for $16 per month. Depending on how frequently your fleet vehicles receive an oil change and the kind of oil it receives, the program could pay for itself within two oil changes. Not only will FixMyCar members enjoy the benefit of scheduled oil changes in their driveway but they’ll also get discounts on other repairs along with free vehicle health inspections and on-demand technician phone support. DOWN THE PIPELINEAlthough FixMyCar is already up and running in several metro areas across the nation, the company isn’t done innovating. FixMyCar's long-term vision is to build a MyCar marketplace where consumers can download an app and get car services delivered to their doorstep. This includes car maintenance and repair, washing, and towing. Fleet customers will also be able to use this service with a fleet-specific login and functionalities catered to fleets’ needs. In addition to the oil change program, FixMyCar will also launch an annual membership program designed to save customers more money and give them peace of mind when it comes to car repair and maintenance. Additional services in the pipeline are towing, washing, buying, selling, and renting cars from your lot or driveway, which will all be handled through the company’s MyCar Marketplace. With the MyCar Marketplace, customers will be able to get any service in their driveway or at their office just by pressing a few buttons on their phone.FOR MORE INFORMATIONFixMyCar is available in Detroit, by 2023. Find out more, visit
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202142SAFETYAccording to the federal government, motor vehicle crashes claimed nearly 37,000 lives in 2018. Crashes are also responsible for millions of injuries and impose a comprehensive cost to society of $836 billion in property loss, medical and emergency bills, productivity loss, lost quality of life, and other related costs. In 2019, the motor vehicle death toll was similar, and there were nearly 7 million police-reported crashes that injured more than 2.7 million people. This paints a bleak picture of highway safety, but does not even include new data surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects.“In 2020, emptier roads turned into racetracks, impaired and distracted driving was reported as more widespread, protections like seat belt use appear to have dipped, and the traffic fatality rate spiked,” informs Catherine Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.So the question for fleet managers is, “How do I keep my teams and equipment safe amidst the increasingly hostile backdrop of speeding cars and unpredictable driving habits?” The answer to that question is nuanced and varied across a variety of safety initiatives, including personnel training, equipment improvement, and working with lawmakers for continued vigilance in creating and enforcing highway safety laws regarding work truck safety.However complex the issue of fleet safety can be, one of the most critical and economical “first-step” ways to improve safety is through better LED vehicle lighting options and installations. Learning from one of the most widely-known fleet vehicles, the school bus, it’s apparent that increasing visibility through lighting is central to safety.HIGH VISIBILITYWhy are school buses the “gold standard” in safe vehicles? While it’s true that school buses actually meet 42 federal motor vehicle safety standards (more than any other vehicle on the road), a simple axiom of vehicle safety that school buses follow is high visibility.School buses are designed so that they’re highly visible, with safety features such as flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, and stop-sign arms. They also include protective seating, high crush standards, and rollover protection features—but the key school bus safety feature is arguably the degree to which they are visible to other drivers for the purpose of preventing an accident in the first place. This high visibility is achieved by intentionally interrupting distracted drivers with features that provide visible contrasts to the surrounding Seeing is SafetyIN A WORLD OF INCREASING ROADWAY THREATS, HIGH VISIBILITY THROUGH BETTER LIGHTING SAVES LIVES
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 43roadscape. Even if the red lights of a school bus are not flashing, they remain highly visible, combining with other LEDs and commanding the focus and attention of drivers and thereby increasing safety.“This high degree of visibility for buses can be carried directly over as the first step in making sure the work zone is safe and secure for work vehicles,” says Mike Bell, business development manager for amber products at Opti-Luxx. “It’s not as simple as tossing a beacon anywhere onto a commercial vehicle and calling it good. Considerations like usability, environment, durability, brightness, proper locationing, and flash pattern options all contribute to improved visibility and should be planned strategically.”SAFETY FOR FLEETSFleet managers have more LED lighting options than ever today, with suppliers like Opti-Luxx innovating lighting solutions that are bright, durable, simple to install, and ready for anything. Additionally, many lights are available in magnetic as well as permanent mounts, making lighting safety achievable for any vehicle type. The lesson we can learn from the safety record of school buses seems to be that our kids certainly deserve the safest vehicles on the roads today. We can and should have that same mindset for the parents of those kids—the working adults—who are on the roads as well.Bell continues, “We like to talk about an ecosystem of light for drivers, giving them the ability to command attention adaptively depending on their theaters of operation in a variety of traffic and weather conditions—much like a school bus driver operating the command center of lighting and alert features at their disposal.”EVOLUTION OF VISIBILITYTypifying the opposite of increasing attention ... imagine for a moment a fleet of work vehicles without lights. None—just modestly painted trucks without lightbars, beacons, or signals. They arrive at the worksite, move into position alongside traffic, and completely blend in with the surroundings. No visual interruption to the speeding traffic that rockets by only inches away. Workers exit vehicles and take on their tasks, all the while only hoping drivers will see them and make appropriate adjustments to speed and flow. It’s doubtful you’d have anyone line up for that assignment.While this scenario is obviously absurd, it illustrates how the opposite of “blending in with terrible lighting” is “standing out with better lighting.” We can also realize that moving away from the absurd “invisible” work vehicle example happens on a continuum, with evolving steps based on how our roadway environments change. Safe enough will never be safe enough. New speeds, new vehicles, more lighting types on the roadways, more driver distractions—all require new advances in lighting technology to stay visible and safe. What might suffice for lighting safety to command attention one year might be completely inadequate the next and so on. In the not-too-distant past, an incandescent amber beacon was a sufficient way to alert drivers and improve safety. Today, every construction barrel has an illuminated amber light, and the overall “lighting clutter” on roadways means improved Harnessing the safety, performance, and reliability of its school bus LED products, Opti-Luxx will launch a bold new suite of work truck LED lighting this year.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202144SAFETYlighting innovations are in constant and critical demand to achieve high visibility.BETTER LIGHTINGIt can feel like a daunting task to plan commercial lighting options to achieve the goal of high visibility. A few simple observations about what makes better lighting contribute to high visibility can help: 1. Better lighting means reliable lighting. A failed light doesn’t improve safety at all. 2. Better lighting means flash pattern options, giving drivers the ability to make scenario- based determinations to provide the safest, most effective lighting. 3. Better lighting means achieving high visibility in a multitude of roadway scenarios.BEST LIGHTING PLANBell sums up the challenge of supplying better lights this way, “Better lighting ultimately means choosing the best lighting supplier to make sure your fleet is not only staying visible today, but is also ready to adapt and change as future roadways bring new visibility challenges.” Turning to a supplier who has led the way in LED school bus lighting for nearly 20 years makes perfect sense when looking to make fleets more visible and therefore safer.Bell adds, “When school districts choose a lighting supplier like Opti-Luxx to make their fleets command attention and keep kids safe, commercial fleet managers can be confident they’re giving their drivers the best LED lights available to stay visible and safe. We take that same bussing industry core belief that ‘Seeing is Safety’—and carry it forward to improve safety through better lighting for snowplows, utility vehicles, delivery fleets, agricultural equipment, and all work truck applications.”So much great information, so readily available.READ ON...www.mwsmag.comHot new products, reviews of trade shows and new releases, arcles from the top brands and the leaders of work truck innovaon are present in every arcle and every issue of Modern Worktruck Soluons magazine. Access your copy on every digital plaorm.Visit www.mwsmag.com and click on the digital edion tab to access the enre MWS digital library—or subscribe for free.FOR MORE INFORMATIONof LED commercial vehicle engineering, program management, launch support for new and 616.379.4142.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202146WORK TRUCK PRODUCTSOPTI-LUXXDAYTONA LIGHT BARThe Daytona Class 1 LED Light Bar from Opti-Luxx produces a powerful amber warning signal. Measuring just 10-inches wide, this versatile light bar packs a punch despite its small footprint. The Daytona light bar is built tough with rugged polycarbonate construction and UV inhibitors and reliably provides 360-degree illumination for outstanding visibility. Multiple mounting options are available, including a magnetic mount with a cigarette lighter adapter that allows an easy toggle through all 20 flash patterns, providing great flexibility on the job. The Daytona light bar is a perfect solution for multiple applications across construction, municipal, service vehicles, and work trucks.www.opti-luxx.com FONTAINE HEAVY-HAULXCALIBURFontaine Heavy-Haul’s 53-ft Xcalibur extendable trailers are 53-ft in the closed position and 90-ft fully opened. When the trailers are closed and the sliding axles are in their most forward position, the distance between the kingpin and the rear axle center is less than 40 ft. A cable management system helps protect telescoping air and electrical lines from damage. Sliding axles are attached to the trailer in a “Slider Box” so they move together as a unit. Steel I-Beam cross members are welded on 12-inch centers. Steel reinforced main beams, structural steel side rails, and steel front and rear skirts complete the heavy-duty design.www.fontaineheavyhaul.com CURRY SUPPLYOriginally making its mark with the on-road water truck, Curry Supply Company recognized a need within the industry and expanded its capabilities to create the off-road product line, which features off-road articulated and rigid framed water trucks. Off-road articulated water trucks can typically range in size from 2,500 US gallons to 10,000-plus US gallons. As for rigid frame water trucks, the standard body size ranges from 8,000 US gallons to 20,000-plus US gallons. Ship out tank kits are available in a variety of sizes for those looking to replace their current off-road tank.www.currysupply.comFRANTZ FILTERSDIESEL BYPASS OIL FILTER KITSFrantz Filters now offers an expanded line of Duramax, Cummins, and Powerstroke Bypass Oil Filter Kits. The new kit applications include the Ford Powerstroke 6.7-L, 7.3-L and dual model kit for the 6.7-L, 7.3-L Powerstroke, and three separate 6.6-L Duramax/GMC kits for years 2001–2016, 2017–2019, and the current 2020–2021. Frantz also introduced a kit for the 5.9-L and 6.7-L Cummins that can be configured based on model year. Parts can be ordered for many other makes and models by working with a Frantz Filters specialist.www.frantzfilters.com SEE ADPG 8
SEPTEMBER 2021 WWW.MWSMAG.COM MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS 47featured productWhen it comes to custom storage, nobody does it like CTech. Established in the mid-'90s to develop a better trailer cabinet solution, the Wisconsin-based company brings innovative products and services to market. Best known for introducing MotionLatch® tool drawers, CTech carts and cabinets are also in a class of their own. Now, customers can build custom cabinets entirely online thanks to a new tool on CTech's website.ALWAYS BUILT-TO-ORDERIn an increasingly off-the-shelf economy, industry leaders like CTech continue to double-down on the notion that consumers deserve a more personalized product. For example, CTech’s entire catalog of aluminum storage products are designed and built from scratch to suit customer needs.Continuous reinvestment in automation and engineering has allowed CTech to make the most of this business model. The result: better storage solutions that can be customized in size, color, options, and much more.THE MOTIONLATCH EFFECTAlthough CTech started in the motorsport industry, its patented MotionLatch® drawer function gained massive popularity in the work truck industry. The full-length latching drawer handle design has proven to be highly effective in demanding mobile environments. Not to mention, its lightweight aluminum construction helps boost overall vehicle efficiency and payload.Soon after its introduction, MotionLatch® Tool Drawer units started making their way into nearly every major service body compartment on the market. This was only possible because each drawer stack could be quickly configured, manufactured, and shipped to dealers or OEMs around the country. As a result, MotionLatch® drawers are now the most sought-after drawer brand on the market.CUSTOM FOR EVERYONEThe word “custom” is often associated with many negative connotations: expensive, slow, and complicated. Although custom results are usually spectacular, the resources required to get that end result can be significant. However, CTech's business was built from the ground up (like its products) to support this approach.The folks at CTech believe that the best storage solution is just that—a solution. One that's been tailored to fit your exact space and needs. It would seem impossible to provide custom solutions without the custom price or timeline. Still, CTech goes beyond that to make the buying process even more accessible.PUTTING THE CUSTOMER IN CONTROLCTech has a long track record of providing high-performance cabinet solutions for trailers, workshops, and garages. Its new online cabinet builder represents a brand new way to shop for custom cabinets. With nothing but an internet connection, customers can now go online and build their own custom cabinets from scratch. Cabinet size, color, opening contents, and other options can be freely modified. Customers may also view a 3D model of their custom creation before ordering. With trillions of possible cabinet configurations, there's a good chance that your next cabinet solution exists on CTech's website. All you need is a bit of inspiration and a computer or tablet to get started. Find out more, visit www.ctechmanufacturing.com. BREAKING THE MOLD ON CUSTOM STORAGE
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS WWW.MWSMAG.COM SEPTEMBER 202148Industry Benchmark Survey TRUCK ACQUISITION, EMISSIONS REDUCTION, AND LEASE STRUCTURES The last year and a half has been odd for many of us. Business has soared for some yet stopped for others. And adding inventory and supply challenges to the trucking make it any easier. Fleet Advantage conducted a survey on the outlooks of fleet owners and executives, comparing their responses from 2020 to this year. Take a look at infographic to learn more and to compare your own responses with those of your peers.Find out more about the survey, visit www.fleetadvantage.com.Talk soon! JadeInfographic courtesy of Fleet Advantage