ATLANTA – At Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) 2020, after FlowBelow Aero Inc. announced new CEO Rick Ruebusch, the supplier revealed it has expanded the ways fleets can obtain their tractor-mounted aerodynamic equipment and receive up to 2.23% fuel savings, offering customers new OEM and aftermarket options.
“We want to ensure end-users of our products have many channels available to them to get the parts they need quickly and at a competitive market price.” said Gordon Virginski, vice president of OEM and dealer programs at FlowBelow.
At the OEM level, the Tractor AeroKit, wheel covers and drive wheel fairings are now available as a factory option for Volvo Trucks VNL and VNR models. The system is offered for 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 axle configurations. They can also be spec'd with the Xceed fuel efficiency package. Previously, the fairings and covers were available through the Volvo Direct Shipment Program.
“The aerodynamics of our trucks have a significant impact on fuel efficiency and our customers’ bottom line, which drove us to collaborate with FlowBelow,” said Allison Athey, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America.
FlowBelow and VTNA engineered collaborated on a custom-mounting system for the drive wheel fairings, which will be available in black and white, while the wheel covers will come in black, white or chrome.
“We were able to reduce complexity while maintaining strength and durability,” said Kyle Walker, vice president of engineering at FlowBelow.
FlowBelow made their products available as a factory option for the Freightliner Cascadia in 2016 and for Navistar's International LT and RH Series starting this March.
Aftermarket addition
In the aftermarket, customers will be able to order all FlowBelow products through Alliance Parts product catalog starting in April 2020. The company said this includes “proprietary first-fit drive wheel fairings and wheel covers for Freightliner and Western Star models, as well as all-makes FlowBelow replacement and retrofit parts.”
These parts could arrive to customers as soon as 24 hours.
Alliance Parts customers will be able to order product to be drop-shipped to their locations in as little as 24 hours.
“With the tens of thousands of trucks running these aerodynamic products, adding this offering to our catalog makes good sense,” said Dale Thomas, product manager at Alliance Parts. “We see a growing need to support aerodynamic components in the class 8 truck market, as owners look for ways to improve the performance of their older model vehicles.”
New CEO
With the addition of Ruebusch, founder Josh Butler has shifted to president of the company.
“Rick’s unique mix of experience in finance, sales, marketing and international operations adds great value to FlowBelow and aligns perfectly with our future objectives,” Butler said.
Those objectives include an “aggressive path of expansion through organic growth as well as acquisitions,” according to Flow Below.
Ruebusch has 15 years of experience in the position and also worked for his family’s Toronto-based trucking company.
“I’m excited to join FlowBelow Aero Inc. in this important time of the company’s growth,” Ruebusch said. “FlowBelow has great potential to lead the industry through its reliable and advanced trucking aerodynamic products and I’m eager to move our business forward.”
