Robert Pfeffer, owner of Indiana-based PACE Airfreight Inc, has lived the American Dream.
He began his career as an owner-operator in 1976 and founded PACE Airfreight in 1980. Through the years, Pfeffer has grown the business and established a solid reputation. Success depends on quality equipment and technology that ensures load security and offers both PACE Airfreight and its customers peace of mind. Thermo King’s TracKing asset tracking and management system is an instrumental piece of the puzzle.
“My wife Nancy and I started the business out of our home, eventually moving to our main facility in Plainfield IN in 1983. We have continually expanded and added facilities in various strategic locations that would enable us to service our customers. Hard work, discipline, and great partnerships with key vendors such as Thermo King have done so much for us. Essentially, we’ve been able to move out of the cave—in terms of business process, offerings and technology—and into a high-rise apartment.”
Specializing in sensitive, pharmaceutical, and international air cargo and working directly with airlines and forwarders to create a cold chain validation system, PACE prides itself in providing top-notch service. Reefer trailers with roller-floors, as well as climate control GPS tracking and temperature validation, are keys.
“We currently run 10 Thermo King TracKing systems; six are the original satellite versions and four are the new cellular systems,” said Pfeffer. “We’ve been piloting TracKing cellular since November 2008, and I simply will not operate without it now. It’s user-friendly, and I can download data quickly. I can send the information to a customer as a trailer is pulling into their facility—it’s that fast. The system verifies load parameters and can provide complete trip data in minutes.”
TracKing allows for monitoring through a secure website where all data is available, eliminating the need for costly software. Remote diagnostics on demand are provided along with multiple reports to improve efficiency.
Mapping of vehicle location is available with both the cellular and satellite versions, and geo-fencing within the maps is provided on the cellular system, along with the ability to monitor route history within a fleet at predetermined intervals or on demand.
“The geo-fencing feature allows customers to set a physical parameter around a trailer,” said Mike Frewer, Thermo King of Indiana. “It can be set so that when the vehicle leaves an area, the customer will automatically get a ‘ping.’ From a delivery standpoint, it can prove arrival time. The telematics technology provides so much in terms of asset monitoring and management. It also confirms process controls, protecting both our customers and their customer. It’s also a great way to educate customers on reducing risks. Simply put, the TracKing system validates best practices.”
Another service enhancement PACE Airfreight provides includes roller-floor refrigerated trailers. The floor allows cargo loading and unloading without anyone having to actually touch it.
With terminals and warehouse services in Cincinnati OH, Indianapolis IN, Elk Grove Village IL, and Louisville KY, PACE Airfreight keeps its fleet of 105 Great Dane and Utility trailers—27 with Thermo King refrigeration units (six of which have roller beds), 60 tractors, and three straight trucks (a mix of Peterbilts, Internationals, and Volvos)—busy handling loads of high-value freight.
