The Last Word

Aug. 1, 2008
Another hybrid Bulldog Mack Trucks is rolling out a fifth heavy-duty hybrid truck this one a TerraPro Low Entry refuse truck model as part of a long-term contract with the U.S. Air Force. This particular unit will be placed into operation later this year in Macon, GA, said Mack president & CEO Dennis Slagle. Mack's hybrid technology significantly reduces fuel consumption, Slagle noted. Fuel economy

Another hybrid Bulldog

Mack Trucks is rolling out a fifth heavy-duty hybrid truck — this one a TerraPro Low Entry refuse truck model — as part of a long-term contract with the U.S. Air Force. This particular unit will be placed into operation later this year in Macon, GA, said Mack president & CEO Dennis Slagle.

“Mack's hybrid technology significantly reduces fuel consumption,” Slagle noted. “Fuel economy improvements of 30 to 50% are achievable in refuse operations like the one this truck is built to handle. And reduced fuel consumption also directly reduces carbon dioxide emissions.”

Slagle said there are more than 80,000 vehicles in refuse service in the U.S. With each running up to 75,000 miles a year, he observed, a hybrid refuse truck would burn 10,000 gal less of diesel a year.

MaxxForce hits the streets

The very first MaxxForce big bore engine built by Navistar was recently delivered to Cliff Viessman Inc., a tanker fleet founded in 1965 and based in Gary, SD. Operations manager Wayne Viessman received the keys to an '09 International TranStar regional-haul tractor powered by a MaxxForce 13-liter engine.

Viessman said he was “confident” in choosing the MaxxForce 13 to power the TranStar because of the engine's power, reliability and improved fuel economy. “We're very happy with what we've been seeing with results,” he said.

“As gasoline prices average more than $4 a gallon and consumers worry about the weak U.S. economy, we see industry-wide auto sales slowing further and demand for large trucks and SUVs at one of the lowest levels in decades.”
Alan Mulally, president & CEO, Ford Motor Co.

Match play

Transportation giant YRC Worldwide has forged a sponsorship agreement with professional golfer Jim Furyk, winner of the 2003 U.S. Open. Well-known around the links for the past decade, Furyk currently ranks 4th in all-time career earnings and, after 15 events this year, ranks 8th on the World Golf Ranking list and 4th in Ryder Cup points.

“Jim Furyk is a dedicated athlete with solid core values,” said Greg Reid, YRC executive vp & chief marketing officer. “Yet he's also known as an approachable superstar and has business relationships with some of the biggest companies in the world, including American Express, and now YRC.” Given his play in tournaments in Korea, China and Japan, Reid said Furyk's global presence is a logical connection to YRC's growing logistics enterprises in the Far East. “Golf connects people around the world,” Furyk said. “Given their global presence, it's a natural for me to connect with the companies of YRC.”

Ruan spells relief

After Iowa Gov. Chet Culver declared 99 of the state's counties disaster areas due to heavy flooding and tornadoes, Ruan Transport Corp. stepped in to help coordinate relief efforts. In late May, Ruan partnered with the American Legion Riders 663 to coordinate donations for Parkersburg, IA, tornado victims, providing food, clothing and other survival items along with a Ruan driver and tractor-trailer.

In June, when Iowa experienced record flooding, Ruan's Des Moines terminal collected several truckloads of bottled water to send to Cedar Rapids.

Ruan also assisted in Indiana, providing 40,000 lbs. of relief to four counties by filling a 53-ft. trailer. After a June 11 tornado ripped through Manhattan, KS, Ruan arranged relief loads — again donating the services of a truck and driver to provide emergency delivery.

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