- Peterbilt

Double
Take
Y
Darrin Siver
General Manager
ou may be a bit surprised by what you see on the cover of this issue of
First Class Magazine – and for good reason.
Typically, you wouldn’t see an aerodynamic truck in a bulk hauling
application where the benefits of aerodynamic design aren’t fully realized. But
then again, there’s nothing typical about the Model 579, Peterbilt’s latest innovative aerodynamic conventional, nor about the trucking company that uses it.
There are numerous other features and benefits of the Model 579 that
validate the decision of JFW Trucking to invest in the new truck. Visibility and
maneuverability are always important factors at a job site, as are the ride and
in-cab comfort features for the driver. And, even in a high-idle, low-speed application, the aerodynamic design features of the Model 579 in combination with
a PACCAR MX-13 Engine are outperforming JFW’s previous fleet equipment by
10.6 percent in fuel economy.
“What it signaled — to us, our drivers and
our customers — was that we were changing the
culture around here,” says company General
Manager Dave White (page 13). “The Model 579
is the future, and we’re going to embrace it.”
Also in this issue, you can learn more about the performance of Peterbilt’s
newest truck, the Model 567, now in production. Its rugged design sets new
standards for quality, innovation and reliability in the vocational market.
Another bulk hauler, R and J Trucking of Boardman, Ohio, (page 8) has put
Model 567 validation units, paired with the PACCAR MX-13, to the test. The
reviews are positive, especially among drivers. Fuel economy analysis for the
company’s new Peterbilt equipment shows a more than 10 percent improvement over their previous equipment, along with a measurable improvement in
up time.
At Peterbilt, new product launches such as the Models 579 and 567 are the
culmination of unparalleled research, design, engineering, and testing.
And you can be sure it’s twice as satisfying to see our customers reap the
rewards of that level of commitment.
“There’s nothing typical about the
Model 579, Peterbilt’s latest innovative
aerodynamic conventional.”
Editorial director: Derek Smith • Editor: Bill Laste • Art director: Meghan Brondos • Client services manager: Cyndy Moylan • Publisher: Pete Sobic
First Class is published by Northbrook Custom Media, a division of Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, on behalf of Peterbilt Motors Company and its dealers. Editorial office: 21420 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146.
Phone (262) 650-9260. Printed in the U.S., copyright 2013. Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 21420 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146. One-year subscription in the U.S. $12.00; $15.00 in Canada; $25.00 all other countries payable in U.S. funds.
“Agreement Number 1689312”. Change of address or undeliverable copies should be sent to: 1415 Janette Ave., Windsor, Ontario, N8X 1Z1 Canada.
FIRST CLASS l 5
W
ith construction markets on
a comeback course, the production startup and availability of Peterbilt’s new Model 567 is
particularly well timed, according to
Peterbilt Vocational Marketing Manager
Charlie Cook.
“We’re seeing the construction market coming back,” says Cook, citing U.S.
single-family housing starts that trended
higher by 7 percent month-to-month over
the summer. “And we’re seeing some mixer
business we haven’t seen in several years.
“It looks positive,” he adds. “The
growth we see is still regional, but we’re
seeing it in more regions. It’s not just
Texas, for example. We’re seeing growth
on both coasts as well.”
The production startup of Peterbilt’s
all-purpose vocational Model 567 at
6 l FIRST CLASS
Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas, manufacturing
facility coincides with the hopeful construction data, according to Darrin Siver,
Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR
Vice President.
“Customers of the new Model 567
will not only enjoy the benefits of the
latest in state-of-the-art production
technology at our Denton plant, but
the efforts of the finest production team
in the world as well,” says Siver. “We’re
excited to be able to deliver this exciting
new product to dealers and customers
throughout North America.”
The Model 567, which the company
introduced in the spring, is the result of
the most extensive product research and
development in Peterbilt’s legendary lineup of vocational vehicles and sets the
standard for the vocational market.
“The new Model 567 builds upon
Peterbilt’s long history of providing customers with the most durable and reliable trucks that are designed to endure
the harshest of vocational applications,” says Siver. “From the 567’s rugged design and versatile configurations
to its enhanced visibility and new spacious interior, this new model exceeds
the demands of our customers’ unique
vocational operating requirements.”
Cook notes that customers still have
plenty of time to get the Model 567 into
their fleets for the upcoming construction season.
“Customers can get Model 567s built
now and bodied up for the spring and
summer, which could get busy,” he says.
“We’re seeing many positive economic
signs for a stronger 2014.”
Above, a Peterbilt Model 567 takes
on a load of sand on the job for A1
Excavating in Bloomer, Wis., recently.
Left, the new gauge panel of the
Model 567 is easy to read and completely visible through the steering
wheel, providing critical and functional
information to the driver.
Many on the road
At the core of the 567 is the durable,
Cook reports that Model 567 valinew aluminum cab that offers long-lasting
dation units have been on the road for
endurance and comes standard to meet
about a year, and reviews from drivers
severe-service requirements.
have been excellent, especially in criteria
Additionally, an outstanding forof particular importance to the vocational
ward lighting system on the Model
market. For example, a new steering gear
567 is a proven design that signifidesign provides improved wheel cut and
cantly enhances down-road visibility.
tire clearance and a 9-foot reduction in
Maximum forward visibility is achieved
curb-to-curb turning radius.
through a panoramic windshield that
“The maneuverability is outstanding,” says Cook. “We’re
also hearing from the field that “Drivers are quite impressed
drivers are quite impressed with with how quiet and comfortable
how quiet and comfortable the
the ride is.”
ride is.
“Any features that reduce
driver fatigue in this market are very
features integrated locaters in the cab
important. Today’s vocational driver is
structure to allow for high-quality and
typically required to have additional skill
time-efficient field repairs.
sets, so recruiting and retaining this valuThe new gauge panel is easy to read,
able asset is more important than ever.
completely visible through the steering
And keeping them in a safe, comfortable
wheel, and provides critical and functionworking environment is a major factor in
al information to the driver. The Model
successfully doing so.”
567 dash brow is sculpted and posi-
tioned for excellent forward visibility. All
controls and switches are placed within
easy reach to minimize driver distraction.
The Model 567 is designed with
the versatility necessary for vocational
trucks, which are often required to perform highly specialized jobs. The 567 is
available in two BBC configurations –
121-inches and 115-inches – in a day cab
or with a selection of detachable sleeper
configurations. Three sleeper sizes – 44,
70 and 80 inches – all provide an inviting
living space.
The 567 is available with the new
PACCAR MX-13 Engine, which features
proven technologies and state-of-the-art
innovations that improve fuel economy.
“We are proud that the Model 567
joins Peterbilt’s vocational product lineup with its long history of quality, innovation and customer satisfaction,” said
Siver. “The inherent design features contribute to a durable and reliable product
backed by the strength of the Peterbilt
dealer network.” FC
FIRST CLASS l 7
AMERICAN BULK COMMODITIES
Maximum
Availability
W
hile spending more than half
a century building a one-dump
operation into a family of wholly
owned subsidiaries that now offers more
than 600 power units to its base of mostly
industrial customers, Ron Carrocce learned
a valuable lesson.
“Equipment availability,” says Carrocce,
who founded R and J Trucking, the
Boardman, Ohio-based bulk materials
hauling firm, in 1960.
8 l FIRST CLASS
Peterbilt debut in American Bulk
Commodities’ fleet improves
uptime, fuel economy
“Our customer base was very demanding. We had just gotten our authority in
the mid 1980s and in order to compete,
survive and grow, we needed available
equipment that could go to work when
the customer needed it.”
The operation that sported some 30-plus
trucks in the mid 1980s “took that equipment-availability philosophy and ran with it,”
says Mark Carrocce, Ron’s son and the company vice-president. The firm acquired John
Brown Trucking of Portersville, Pa., in 1995,
and Southern Haulers, LLC, of Calera, Ala.,
in 1999, along with their equipment fleets
and the continued services of Southern’s Vice
President of Operations George Roberts.
With the companies all under the American
Bulk Commodities umbrella, the operation
soon offered customers the convenience of
11 bulk terminals.
By 2012, a total of nearly 600 company-owned trucks and more than 1,000
trailers, including dumps, rolloffs, pneumatic plastic tankers and municipal solid
waste tipper trailers, usually ensured
equipment availability for the diverse bulk
hauler’s customers.
But for the Carrocces, who had almost
exclusively operated a single brand of truck
throughout their history, the equipment
wasn’t available often enough.
“Here’s the way it was last year,” says
Mark, who joined the firm in 1986. “We
had been going through so many engine
issues that we finally decided to go out
there and just see what was the best truck
and engine pairing available.
“We had heard there was new ownership at the local Peterbilt dealership, and
we decided to open the door to them.”
Peterbilt history
The Carrocces were familiar with
Peterbilt equipment. In fact, the John
Brown acquisition left them with a few
inherited Peterbilts, and as they expected, drivers loved the Peterbilt equipment.
Management had reservations, however.
“It wasn’t that we didn’t like the
Peterbilts,” says Gary. “We were transforming these smaller outfits into a large
fleet, and we just viewed Peterbilt as an
owner-operator’s truck, not a fleet truck.
We never thought Peterbilt would be competitive for a fleet like us.”
Company management may not have
seen Peterbilt as a fleet truck, but they
did take notice when some of their fleet
colleagues and competitors started running Peterbilts.
“We started seeing more and more
Peterbilts in fleets,” says Mark. “And we saw
some of those drivers working places for
less money. We could never figure out why.
But we noticed what they were driving and
could see that it made a difference to them.
“And Dennis Coe, our terminal manager in Marietta (Ga.), was really pushing
Peterbilts hard. He knew how the drivers
would respond to them.”
Eventually, the Carrocces took their spec
to the dealership. And when negotiations
From left, Mark Carrocce, vice-president; Gary Carrocce, vice-president operations; Tim
Black, maintenance director; Bob Stabile, operations manager; Ron Carrocce, president; Kevin
Carrocce, dispatcher; Troy Carrocce, operations manager; Rob Reed, vice-president finance.
with the dealership resulted in a competitive package, they soon found themselves
taking delivery of a combination of new
Model 579s for over-the-road operations
and new Model 365s for dump operations.
The company also took delivery of a pair of
validation-unit Model 567s, Peterbilt’s new
vocational truck that recently entered into
full production.
MPG improvement
All of the trucks — almost 150 of them
— would be powered by the PACCAR
MX-13 Engine, a combination that has
provided immediate returns. Happy drivers were among them, but the fuel economy improvement was more of a surprise.
“We had been in the 4.6 to 5.0 mpg
range,” says Mark. “These new trucks,
with the new-generation MX-13 Engines,
are up to 5.5 and 5.6 mpg. And that’s
same trailers, same routes, same everything. We just unplugged the old
tractor and plugged in the Peterbilt, and
got over 10 percent improvement in
fuel economy.”
Mark also reports that the quiet cab
environment and visibility out of the cab,
especially in the new vocational Model
“We just unplugged the
old tractor and plugged
in the Peterbilt and got
over 10 percent improvement in fuel economy.”
567, have been a hit with drivers.
“They can really see out over the hood
with these new trucks,” he says.
Additionally, Gary reports that
Peterbilt’s ever-expanding dealer network
parallels that of R and J’s own growing
terminal network.
“They are where we are,” he says.
“Time will tell if these trucks will be
the answer,” says Gary. “But I’m cautiously optimistic. They’re looking like
they could prove out. And if there have
been issues, the dealership has addressed
them immediately. That’s the key.”
And Ron says customers have noticed
that there’s been a change in R and J’s
equipment.
“We’ve heard some comments,” he
says. “Who wouldn’t be proud to see that
truck come into your yard?” FC
FIRST CLASS l 9
STEPHEN IZZI TRUCKING & RIGGING
P
ride is evident everywhere you look
at Stephen Izzi Trucking & Rigging,
Inc., in Edison, N.J.
It’s particularly evident when you see
the Izzi fleet, a diverse collection of 28 versatile Peterbilts that includes six different
Peterbilt models.
“You know what I’m most proud of?”
asks David Izzi, the second generation of
leadership at the company that his father
founded. “Their ages.”
Indeed, several of the Izzi Peterbilts
date back to the mid 1990s, but you
wouldn’t know it by appearance, even
in comparison to one of the company’s
new Model 388s. It’s a true testament
not only to the durability of Peterbilt
equipment but the care that the company
invests in ensuring that their fleet makes
a statement of quality and performance.
The appearance of the fleet is perhaps even more impressive once you
understand the heavy-haul nature of
the work Izzi performs. Success is rarely
measured in miles as much as tonnage,
and their specialized line of work often
means they’re hauling far more than the
20-some tons of payload that the typical
over-the-highway carrier can move.
Perhaps it’s fitting then, that the Izzi
story starts with what the founder calls
“bull work.”
Niche expertise
Stephen Izzi got his start in the rigging business when, as a young mechanic,
he observed the rigging operations of his
employer and went to work on his own.
The various machines he rigged onto camelback trailers were usually loaded with the
help of a few hickory boards and a working
knowledge of the principles of leverage,
rather than with the aid of a forklift.
“We had that culture
within, to do what’s
right, without any short
cuts. Our Peterbilt fleet
is part of that.”
The elder Izzi began earning a reputation for his niche expertise and when local
manufacturers had a unique, sophisticated and valuable piece of machinery that
needed to be loaded safely and moved
without damage, they knew Izzi could
deliver. Whether manufacturers were
coming into or leaving northern New
Jersey, Izzi began getting the call to load
their machines. All was going well, with
one exception.
“I used to hire the transportation out
back then,” Stephen says. “The problem
was the reliability factor. I’d load the
truck, then fly to the destination, where
I would typically unload it and help set
it up again. But I’d get there and get a
call from my truck: ‘We’re going to be a
couple days late.’
“I knew I needed trucks of my own.”
Izzi’s first truck was a Peterbilt cabover
of about 1980 vintage, and once in
control of his own transportation with
a reliable truck, business opportunities
multiplied. The highly demanding pharmaceutical industry saw Izzi as a turnkey
provider of a service that few had the
know-how and service record to provide.
“That industry consolidated, expanded, contracted, reinvented itself — we
rode the wave with every move they made,
and we really started reaching out more,
to places like Texas, Canada and New
Mexico,” says Stephen.
With the growing reach came a growing
demand for more trucks, and Izzi maintained
a partnership with Peterbilt, a brand with
which he found plenty of common ground
with his own company and customers.
“The industry was establishing a lot of
good manufacturing practices,” Stephen
says. “They were making many safety
advances and other innovations and we felt
we had to present ourselves in a manner
that was consistent with their standards.
Continued on page 12
FIRST CLASS l 11
Continued from page 11
“We had that culture within, to do what’s
right, without any short cuts. And our Peterbilt
equipment was certainly an important part
of that. It says something about our performance, and it became a branding thing.”
“People know us by the appearance of
our Peterbilt trucks,” adds David. “And that
has led to other opportunities for us as well.”
Those opportunities include servicing
a variety of industries with specialized payloads such as oversized generator enclosures and pump houses used in the energy
industry. The permitting required to legally
perform such moves in the New York City
area is itself a daunting task, but the company has mastered that craft as well.
At the root of it all is a truck that can be
relied on to perform. The fleet includes five
Peterbilt medium-duty Models 330 and 337
and a variety of Class 8 trucks speced for
heavy haul. Most of them have premium 63or 70-inch sleepers with premium interiors.
12 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
“It’s an owner-operator’s spec,” says
Stephen. “It’s the type of equipment our
drivers deserve.”
Even though the manufacturing outsourcing trend has provided the company with some work, Stephen looks
forward to the days when trends favor
the overall return of manufacturing to
American soil.
“That will be the key to the American
economy, when manufacturing comes
back,” he says. “Without it, it’s all kind of
a shell game. But we’ll take a great deal of
pride in, instead of being the grim reaper
and moving their equipment out, being
in the position to come in there with our
American-made Peterbilts and re-supply
American companies with machinery.” FC
“We saw an opportunity
to say to our customers
and the community that
we were stepping into
the future.”
Continued from page 13
“Suddenly the world had changed.”
Nearly a quarter century later, the world
has suddenly changed again at JFW Trucking.
This time, the world-changer is
Peterbilt’s new Model 579 equipped with
the PACCAR MX-13 Engine. JFW Trucking
recently added 10 of the innovative aerodynamic conventionals to its fleet of 30
trucks that work the area around the firm’s
Commerce City, Colo., headquarters.
And for those surprised to see an
aerodynamic conventional in a bulkhaul and end-dump application, trust
that you’re not alone. Even the Whites
had some reservations about running a
Model 579 in their application — until
they saw it perform.
“What it signaled — to us, our
drivers and our customers — was that
we were changing the culture around
here,” says Dave White. “We’d always
been known for our performance and
reliability. But it’s a changing world
and business climate and this said to
everyone that we weren’t dinosaurs.
The Model 579 is the future, and we’re
going to embrace it.”
14 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
Storied past
The future for JFW Trucking will be
built on a storied past that places the
company among the Denver area’s longest
in continual operation. The White brothers’ grandfather, Sam Schlegel, started the
firm as a residential coal hauler in 1935.
Jim White Sr. married Sam’s daughter
Evelyn in 1959, resulting in a partnership
between Schlegel and a small company
Jim Sr. ran. They formally merged in 1978
and with Evelyn in charge of the new firm,
named it JFW Corporation. Sons Dave
and Jim Jr. came to work in the family
business in the 1980s.
Despite steady management over the
years, the company has experienced some
changes. The economic slowdown a few
years ago pushed them into diversification with a flatbed division to complement what they call their “meat and potatoes” core in materials hauling. They’ve
also developed a high-profile division in
servicing various sports niches, such as
materials delivery to golf courses and the
venues that host the Denver Broncos and
Colorado Rockies.
But among the most noteworthy
changes are the two that most affected
the fleet. The first was the initial decision
to put Peterbilts in the fleet in 1989,
a conversion that continued over the
course of the next decade.
“We had reliability problems with
our equipment before that, and that
went away with Peterbilt,” says Dave.
“But the other thing that really opened
our eyes was that we were really able to
shed a lot of weight. We were able to
downsize the engine, get a lighter transmission and rear end, and spec aluminum hubs and crossmembers.
“With our previous equipment, the
only option you had was the rear-end
ratio, if that. Peterbilt practically gave us
anything we wanted, and we wanted to
lighten up the truck. We were really able
to get our tare weights down and get legal
payloads up to 27 tons.”
New trucks needed
The second noteworthy change
occurred late in 2012. The company had
just picked up a contract that would
necessitate the purchase of 10 trucks, a
huge investment for a company that had
never run more than about 30 of them.
“We were scared to death to buy that
many new trucks,” says Jim Jr. “But we
heard that this would be Peterbilt’s new
flagship model, so we decided to give it a
closer look.”
The White brothers knew an aerodynamic tractor would be a rare sight at the
concrete plant or any of the other stops
they regularly make. But they were also
aware of the statement that a Model 579
would make.
“What we saw was an opportunity
to say to our customers and the community that we were stepping into the
future,” says Jim Jr. “We could demonstrate that we cared about fuel economy
and safety, that we were committed
to helping curb air pollution and that
we were committed to achieving EPA
SmartWay certification.”
Driver appeal
The White brothers knew they’d have to
use a different appeal to their drivers, who
had long been accustomed to traditional
styling and plenty of chrome. It turned out
they didn’t have to do much selling at all.
“They were immediately amazed at the
ride, the comfort, the maneuverability,”
says Jim Jr. “The maneuverability is a huge
plus, especially at the concrete plants.”
“And the visibility out of the cab is incredible,” adds Dave. “That’s a major safety
factor. They’re not leaning out over the hood
anymore, bouncing around the cab for a
better view. Now it’s not a matter of just
hoping they clear a post — they
can see it right in
front of them.”
Additionally, the
Model 579s paired
with MX Engines have
posted a 10.6 percent increase in
fuel economy over
the fleet average.
The new Model
579s each have about
50,000 miles on them,
according to the White
brothers. While they have
years of operation ahead
of them before they reach
the record of some of the company’s first
Peterbilts, which are still on the job and
about to turn 2 million miles, the Model
579s and the company that built them have
made a lasting impression on the people at
JFW Trucking.
“The sky’s the limit for us, especially
with Peterbilt as our partner,” says Jim
Sr., who still plays an
active role in company operations. “It’s a
good marriage. They’re
always changing and
being innovative, and
so are we.” FC
Up in a
Down
Market
Peterbilt Model 337 fleet and a custom spec gets 10+mpg for glass business
I
n the midst of the recent economic
downturn, business was booming
at RF Supply Inc. of Bradenton, Fla.
Starting in 2008, sales volume
nearly doubled annually for the fabricator and distributor of glass closet doors,
mirrors, slider doors and similar products. Competitors folded. And when
they did, RF Supply successfully pursued
new business opportunities with a vigor,
and often acquired the tools and assets
of their former competitors.
Business was great and spirits were
high. But among those assets they
acquired was a piecemeal fleet of medium-duty trucking equipment, some of
it more than a decade old. While the
10 trucks of various makes had served
their immediate purpose, by 2011 company management decided the fleet
had become a liability. Downtime was
a recurring problem. The cost of repairs
grew, as did the lost business due to
16 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
delivery equipment being in the shop
instead of the road.
And perhaps no greater drain on
the company’s margins occurred than
that experienced in fuel efficiency. One
of the Class 7 trucks delivered a paltry
4.2 mpg. None of the fleet did better
than 6 mpg.
Convinced they needed a total fleet
upgrade, RF Supply invited local dealers
and OEMs to make their pitch. One stood
out from the start.
“Peterbilt listened to us,” says RF Supply
Vice President Mike Hoelle. “You could tell
that they were going to be different.”
Custom product
Hoelle has some knowledge of differentiating from the competition. Focusing on
product quality and high-level customer service, RF Supply’s success was due to its ability to adapt to a changing market, he says.
“We diversified. And we didn’t overextend ourselves. We made our processes
better and our product better.”
But what wasn’t better was the fleet.
Besides the financial bleeding caused by
mechanical failures, the equipment simply wasn’t representative of the suddenly
upgraded RF Supply company brand and
image, and Hoelle knew it.
So when he and fleet manager
Daniel Williams began sitting down
with manufacturers, they had a long
wish list that started with getting better
fuel economy.
“When it came to fuel economy,
I had an idea, in terms of rpm and
engine size, where we needed to be,” says
Williams, who has a background in truck
specification from a previous job managing truck rental equipment. “Most of
the companies listened to me and said,
‘Well, here’s our standard flavor. What
you see is what you’re going to get.’
“But that wasn’t the right spec for us. Only
Peterbilt seemed to hear what I was saying.”
Williams told his Peterbilt dealer
representatives that he wanted to run
his trucks at 1600 rpm instead of 2300
rpm. And that even though the PACCAR
PX-6 was standard for typical medium-duty delivery operation, a PACCAR
PX-8, rated to 270 hp, would be better
able to deliver the high torque — 800 ft./
lbs. — he needed to run highway speeds
efficiently. Additionally, an Allison automatic transmission would take individual driver shifting pattern variables out of
the fuel efficiency equation.
The dealer reps took that spec to
Peterbilt engineering, confirmed that
it was viable, and began delivering the
first of eight new Model 337s before the
end of 2012.
To Hoelle’s surprise, the first feedback regarding the new equipment wasn’t
found in fuel economy.
“You talk about a morale builder,”
Hoelle says. “Our drivers were saying,
‘Thanks for the Cadillac.’ And we had
customers calling us saying, ‘Those are
beautiful trucks!’ And they’re peppy.
They do what they’re supposed to do.
“Now you see those beautiful Peterbilt
lines and curves. It just screams class.
There was suddenly just a perception out
there that matched the way we want our
products to be perceived.”
Drivers come back
That morale boost spread to former
drivers as well. Since the fleet change,
three drivers who had left for other jobs
have since returned.
“They said, ‘I heard you got new trucks.’
I’m not sure that’s the only reason they
came back, but it sure makes a difference.”
Additionally, Peterbilt’s air-ride suspension has minimized product damage
“You talk about a morale
builder. Our drivers were
saying, ‘Thanks for the
Cadillac.’” — RF Supply
Vice President Mike Hoelle
Continued on page 18
FIRST CLASS l 17
Continued from page 17
and saved about $15,000 over the costs
they figure they’d have accrued with the
previous fleet.
“Obviously, glass doesn’t like to be
bounced around too much, and there are
unique liability concerns in our business as
well,” says Williams. “Shattered glass can
just pepper a car’s paint job behind you. And
there’s always people out there looking for a
claim, trying to take advantage of a situation.
But we’ve broken zero glass due to the ride
since we’ve started running these trucks.”
Downtime is no longer an issue with
the Peterbilt equipment. And fuel economy? 10.2 is the fleet average, more than
twice what they were getting on some of
their previous equipment.
“Peterbilt helped us solve our problem,” says Williams. FC
18 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
Peterbilt Model 337s powered by PACCAR PX-8 Engines have achieved
an average of 10.2 miles per gallon in their duties for RF Supply Inc.
PETERBILT NEWS
Peterbilt Showcases SuperTruck at Energy Summit
Peterbilt unveiled its new SuperTruck, a concept vehicle that
embodies several innovative new and experimental fuel economy
features, at the recent Energy Summit & Fair held on the campus
of the University of North Texas (UNT), home of the PACCAR
Technology Institute.
“The Energy Summit & Fair is a great opportunity for us
to help educate the public about the numerous and significant improvements in commercial vehicle fuel efficiency,” says
Landon Sproull, Peterbilt’s Chief Engineer. “It highlights the
advanced, environmentally responsible systems and technologies
that are engineered into today’s medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
“It also provided the opportunity to showcase our
SuperTruck, an advanced concept vehicle we are developing in
conjunction with Cummins Inc. through a U.S. Department of
Energy program.”
The SuperTruck features cutting-edge technologies integrated
throughout the tractor and trailer that have helped contribute to
fuel efficiency measuring more than 10 miles per gallon during
real-condition testing. Average, industry-wide fuel economy for
an on-highway tractor-trailer is approximately six miles per gallon.
Peterbilt’s Don Vollmar, Director of Product Planning, was a
featured speaker at the event and discussed initiatives in which
Peterbilt and the industry are engaged to optimize commercial
vehicle fuel efficiency and overall environmental stewardship.
“The SuperTruck features technologies
that have contributed to fuel efficiency
measuring more than 10 mpg.”
“Promoting environmental responsibility and reducing
dependence on foreign energy sources are top national concerns,” says Vollmar.
The event was hosted by U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D.,
who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“We’re pleased Peterbilt could join our Energy Summit & Fair
to show how commercial vehicle manufacturers are doing their
part,” says Burgess. “It’s exciting to see technologies in development that will take truck fuel efficiency to unprecedented levels.”
Peterbilt Teams with
Tech School for Training
Peterbilt Motors Company has teamed with Universal Technical
Institute (UTI) to create the Peterbilt Technician Institute program,
an exclusive curriculum focused on comprehensive service technician training.
The inaugural 12-week program – which began Nov. 11 –
will provide students with classroom and hands-on instruction
of total vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and repairs, as well as
essential education in customer service, dealership shop operations and laws and regulations.
“We’re helping address the industry-wide shortage of qualified,
certified service technicians,” says Darrin Siver, Peterbilt General
Manager and PACCAR Vice President. “Our new partnership with
UTI will help attract the next generation of technicians who are
equipped to exceed expectations through exceptional service of
both customers and vehicles. They will have bumper-to-bumper
knowledge of commercial vehicles, including a focus on the complete lineup of Peterbilt trucks and PACCAR Engines.”
The program is among the most comprehensive of its kind
and will help ensure students graduate with working knowledge
of the latest tools, technologies and diagnostic programs.
FIRST CLASS l 19
PETERBILT NEWS
Peterbilt Named Clean Air Champion
P
eterbilt
Motors
Company
received the highest honor
at the ninth annual Working
for Clean Air Awards from the North
Texas Commission.
Peterbilt was revealed as the top
award winner — the North Texas Clean
Air Champion — during the awards ceremony in November.
“We’re extremely pleased to be recognized by the North Texas Commission for
our commitment to continuously improve
Peterbilt’s environmental stewardship
throughout all of our operations at all of
our locations,” says Darrin Siver, Peterbilt
General Manager and PACCAR Vice
President. “This includes developing and
producing new technologies and prod-
ucts that help our customers optimize
fuel efficiency and operate alternative fuel
vehicles, such as natural gas trucks and
tractors. We look forward to continuing this mission through our numerous
employee-led clean air initiatives and environmental management systems.”
Prior to the awards ceremony, attendees were able to view several clean air
vehicles. Peterbilt displayed a natural gas
powered vehicle for attendees to learn
about this technology and its environmental benefits.
“Peterbilt showed its
environmental leadership
through numerous initiatives that have resulted
in significant air quality
improvement.”
Peterbilt commands approximately
40 percent of all Class 6-8 natural gas
truck sales and has been manufacturing
these types of vehicles for nearly 20 years.
Additionally, Peterbilt offers aerodynamically designed vehicles that optimize
fuel economy and installs proprietary
PACCAR Engines that feature leading
levels of fuel efficiency.
But it wasn’t just the company’s
products that led to the award.
“Peterbilt showed its environmental
leadership through numerous initiatives that
have resulted in significant air quality and
waste reduction improvements,” said Robert
Kent, Director of Environmental Programs
with the North Texas Commission. “We
were impressed with the company’s Six
Sigma approach to minimizing pollutants, the environmentally friendly product
designs and that more than one-quarter of
its employees used an alternative form of
transportation for their commute.” FC
20 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
PETERBILT NEWS
Peterbilt’s Roomiest Sleeper Ready
For Order On Model 579
T
he largest sleeper in Peterbilt’s
history — an 80-inch detachable
sleeper with numerous operator
amenities — is now in production and
available for order with the company’s
groundbreaking Model 579.
“Our 80-inch sleeper takes operator
comfort, convenience and productivity
to unprecedented levels,” says Darrin
Siver, Peterbilt General Manager and
PACCAR Vice President. “Whether resting or completing paperwork or other
non-driving duties, operators will enjoy
the roominess, ample lighting and many
integrated storage areas. Paired with
the Model 579 — already a favorite
among drivers and fleet owners for its
fuel efficiency, styling and quality – this
cab-sleeper combo will bring customers
higher levels of productivity, efficiency
and bottom-line savings.
“The Model 579 equipped with the
80-inch sleeper will help fleets recruit
and retain the best available drivers,”
Siver adds. “It’s also available in a double-bunk configuration making it an ideal
solution for team driver operations, providing the off-duty operator a comfortable, spacious place to relax and rest for
their next shift.”
While making history as the company’s largest ever sleeper, this new offering
follows in the company’s 74-year tradition
of manufacturing products of the highest
quality, innovation and craftsmanship.
Peterbilt’s largest sleeper comes standard with the company’s largest mattress
that is 42-inches deep. In a double-bunk
configuration, the sleeper features a
31-inch deep split-fold upper bunk that
includes grab handles and step reinforcements for safer and easier access.
Among the 80-inch sleeper features are:
• LED lighting for long bulb life and
reduced eye fatigue
• Convenient upper side and back wall
cabinets
• Liftable bunk for additional storage
and service access to HVAC and audio
components
• Optimally placed HVAC vents
• Optional mid-height refrigerator
• Floor-level rollout storage / pantry drawer
• TV package, including brackets, power
outlets and shelving to accommodate
up to a 22-inch flat panel TV and a
DVD player or video game console
• Optional windshield and sleeper curtains
FC
FIRST CLASS l 21
PETERBILT NEWS
New Applications
for Peterbilt
NG Vehicles
Advancing its position as a global
technology leader, Peterbilt continues to
offer a wide range of Natural Gas Vehicles
in both CNG and LNG configurations.
The lineup includes the spark-ignition Cummins ISL-G rated at
320hp/1,000 lb.ft.torque; the spark-ignition Cummins ISX12 G with a maximum 400 hp/1,450 lb.ft.torque; and
the 15-liter Westport GX engine offering
475hp/1,750 lb.ft.torque.
Peterbilt recently announced that
the ISX12 G is now in full production for
the Models 384, 365 and 320.
22 l FIRST CLASSCLASS
“A growing number of our customers — in a growing number of applications — are enjoying the economic
benefits of fueling their operations with
natural gas, not the least of which is the
fact that natural gas is sourced almost
entirely from North America,” says Robert
Woodall, Peterbilt Director of Sales &
Marketing. “The pairing of the dedicated
natural gas engine with Peterbilt provides
customers exceptional fuel economy with
an environment-friendly fuel that helps
lower operating costs.”
Peterbilt has been manufacturing
trucks featuring liquefied natural gas
(LNG) and compressed natural gas
(CNG) fuel systems since 1996. Peterbilt
leads the industry with approximately 40
percent market share of Class 6-8 natural
gas vehicle sales. FC
%%
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PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY
DENTON, TX
(940) 591-4000
HORSHAM, PA
(215) 773-2990
NASHVILLE, TN
(615) 208-1800
SAN RAMON, CA
(925) 830-4900
SCHAUMBURG, IL
(847) 310-9939
MISSISSAUGA, ON
(905) 858-7090
))))