International Truck and Engine Named Supplier of the Year by SYSCO Corporation

March 2, 2007
International Truck and Engine Corporation, a Navistar company, was recently named Transportation-Capital Equipment Supplier of the Year by SYSCO Corporation

International Truck and Engine Corporation, a Navistar company, was recently named Transportation-Capital Equipment Supplier of the Year by SYSCO Corporation, North America’s largest foodservice marketer and distributor. SYSCO’s operations personnel selected International based on several criteria, such as providing quality products and services, satisfying the company’s requirements in a cost effective and efficient manner and being “easy to do business with.” The local truck dealership, International Trucks of Houston, was also a large factor in winning the award.

International Trucks of Houston provides trucks and trucking-related service to SYSCO headquarters in Houston and played a significant role in building the strong relationship with SYSCO. One of the keys to success was determining SYSCO’s transportation needs within the company’s network beyond the Houston area. Two years ago, sales representative Rick Klepetko from International Trucks of Houston and technical service manager Mark Green from International Truck and Engine Corporation began visiting SYSCO’s locations around the U.S. to meet with their fleet managers. By discussing the transportation requirements with SYSCO’s personnel, the dealership was able to better understand the challenges their fleet managers face nationwide.

“By getting out to the SYSCO sites and making a connection with their fleet managers, our Houston dealer demonstrated the care and commitment that is often overlooked in the truck purchasing process,” said Terry Minor, International’s Vice President of Sales for the Southwest region.

With service to more than 400,000 customers nationwide, including restaurants, hospitals, schools and hotels, SYSCO’s reliance on quality trucks and dependable service is essential. Determined to convince SYSCO of International’s product and service superiority, International Trucks of Houston provided 12 International® Series 8600 tractors with Cummins ISM engines to SYSCO for testing and evaluation. In all 12 cases, the performance of the trucks met or exceeded the fleet managers and drivers’ expectations in comfort, ride, maneuverability and overall value.

SYSCO now has more than 786 International® Series 8600 tractors running in their fleet nationwide and they have a large number of Series 9000 trucks as well. For their lighter applications, SYSCO uses International® Series 4300 and Series 4000 medium duty trucks.

International has the largest dealer network in North America, with nearly 900 locations, to service SYSCO’s trucks in any area of the country. “Outstanding dealer service is a top priority for our entire dealer network,” said John Whitnell, Vice-President, Dealer Operations at International. “We’re proud that a highly regarded company like SYSCO has recognized International Truck and Engine and our dealer International Trucks of Houston as shining examples of how customer service should be in the trucking industry.”

About SYSCO
SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. For the calendar year 2006, the company generated $33.9 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit www.Sysco.com.

About International Truck and Engine
An affiliate of Navistar International Corporation, International Truck and Engine is a leading producer of medium trucks and heavy trucks for various markets including over-the-road, pickup and delivery, construction, utility and governments. Based in Warrenville, Il., International Truck and Engine offers its products, parts and services through a network of nearly 900 dealer outlets North America and from more than 60 dealers in 90 countries throughout the world. Additional information is available at www.InternationalTrucks.com

NOTE: This content is supplied by manufacturers, associations, and others in the trucking industry. It is neither written nor edited by FleetOwner

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