East Flatbed Trailers Standard on E.J. Stutzman

 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information Charlie Wells East Manufacturing Corp. 330-­‐325-­‐8245 [email protected] Kate Miller Blue Edge Marketing Ltd. 847-­‐858-­‐6818 [email protected] E.J. Stutzman Success Attributed to Driver Technology and Dependable Equipment Combining reliable equipment with the latest technology to improve productivity and retain customers. RANDOLPH, Ohio – April 1, 2014 – You’ve probably heard it a hundred times, “we’re dedicated to customer service.” But, it’s more than customer service to E.J. Stutzman’s fleet – its one-­‐of-­‐a-­‐kind service that creates customer loyalty. Jeff Stutzman, president and CEO, knows that it takes dedicated drivers equipped with the latest technology and reliable equipment to keep customers coming back. A key part of E.J. Stutzman’s commitment to customer service is its investment in driver technology, represented by its implementation of rapid-­‐response scheduling and time critical representatives. Its dependable yet versatile equipment provides strength and high load ratings, giving Stutzman flexible load options. Driver Technology and Dependable Equipment Attribute to E.J. Stutzman Success Page 2 Designed for varying load operations, like that in truckload and less-­‐than-­‐truckload, Stutzman has 30 units crisscrossing the continental United States and Ontario, Canada at any given time. Often hauling loads up to 50,000 pounds per unit, it inventories mostly 102-­‐inch-­‐wide capacity trailers to accommodate specialty lumber products and green energy products, such as windmill rods, solar panels and plastic piping. The fleet’s current inventory includes 30 Freightliner tractors operating 34 East Manufacturing 48-­‐ft. and 53-­‐ft. flatbed trailers, six of which are Conestoga trailers for finished pieces. Another six drop deck trailers complete the inventory. “We have strong and dependable equipment our customers can count on to successfully ship their cargo,” said Stutzman, who chooses his equipment brands based on long service life. “We purchased our first aluminum trailer in 1986,” said Stutzman. “We are big fans of aluminum.” Durability and versatility may have led Stutzman to combine East spread-­‐axle flatbed and drop deck trailers with the weight advantage of Freightliner tractors. The strength of the trailers is in the dual-­‐T main beam and cross member design which balances load stresses more evenly. The T-­‐shaped extrusions are welded not bolted, minimizing stress. The full-­‐
length continuous welds joining floor planks to the mainframe beams and tubular cross members distribute more stress, providing added strength, reducing ice and snow build up, and providing better wind resistance. So, dependability continues to influence Stutzman’s purchasing and specification decisions today. “They’re just engineered better,” explained Stutzman. “In fact, they’re engineered so well that our oldest East flatbed trailer is still in operation after 20 years, and it’s still going strong.” East’s technology keeps Stutzman’s overhead low just as his investment in driver and dispatch technology makes his business more efficient. By deploying the latest technology to constantly monitor Driver Technology and Dependable Equipment Attribute to E.J. Stutzman Success Page 2 and track shipments, Stutzman has implemented rapid-­‐response scheduling to meet customer needs 24/7. Electronic logs have been integrated into half of the fleet to date, speeding up communication with drivers. Stutzman explains that this is quite a transformation from the early years of the business. The original company, an auto repair and heavy towing service, was established in 1960 as a partnership formed between Eli Stutzman and his son, Jeff Stutzman. Less than 20 years later, the business was incorporated under the name, E.J. Stutzman, operating five trucks primarily used to haul lumber. Then in 2004, E.J. Stutzman filed for its own authority and began operating as a common carrier with ten power units. “We learned how to treat customers from the original business, where timeliness and rapid response was important,” said Stutzman. “So, even though our business has changed since its inception, one thing hasn’t – our dedication to our customers.” Since driver technology and dependable equipment are a key part of the company’s one-­‐of-­‐a-­‐kind service and commitment to creating customer loyalty, E.J. Stutzman continues to spec equipment based on long life and durability.