Truck Parts & Service 0319

Phillips, Fras-le, SAF-Holland announce acquisitions; OEMs name top dealers

Short on techs; big on opportunity Trucking has thousands of steady, well-paying technician positions available. So, why can’t the industry find anyone to hire?

MARCH 2019 |

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Keep the warehouse from becoming a where house 24

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Volume 56 | Number 3 | March 2019

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Editorial

2019 Special Report Trucking’s Technician Shortage

Editor: Lucas Deal Equipment Editor: Jason Cannon Online Associate Editor: Bill Grabarek

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Features 16 2019 Special Report - Trucking’s Technician Shortage: The hiring struggle at aftermarket service shops 24 Why warehouse design optimization matters

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Product Categories Editorial | Lucas Deal

The other side of e-commerce

By Lucas Deal, Editor lucasdeal@randallreilly.com

T

hose who made the trip to HDAW 2019 know e-commerce has become the hot topic in the aftermarket. Turns out it’s a pretty hot topic in the fleet community as well.

Last month the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) published the results of a year-long study into e-commerce and how the purchasing method is impacting trucking. We publicized ATRI’s report on our website when it was released, so some of you may have seen it. For those who didn’t, here are some key takeaways from the comprehensive 49-page document.

I’d say the biggest takeaway doubles as the most obvious: e-commerce is exploding across all industries. ATRI’s research indicates e-commerce sales increased by 3,000 percent from 1999 to 2017 and now accounts for 9 percent of total purchases in the United States. Additionally, ATRI says the annual growth of e-commerce has ranged from 13 to 16 percent annually over the last five years. This rate outpaces the 1 to 5 percent annual growth rate for traditional retail sales.

Those numbers are impressive, but I’d say they also aren’t entirely surprising.

We know e-commerce is on the rise. We see it in our businesses and personal lives each day.

Another intriguing fact from ATRI’s research was how much e-commerce is forcing changes to the shipping industry. Class 8 trucks aren’t going away, but the number of long-haul, cross-country

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routes are on a steady decline. Distribution is increasingly becoming an urban and regional game.

As more delivery routes transition to direct-toconsumer shipping, so too will your customers’ demands.

“The growing decentralization needed for e-commerce has created a considerable decrease in the average length-ofhaul,” ATRI wrote in its report. “Longer inter-regional or national hauls are now being replaced by shorter intra-regional and local hauls. These dramatic decreases in trip lengths and odometer readings are being experienced by truckload, LTL and courier services, alike. In fact, the average length-of-haul for dry van truckloads has declined almost continuously since 2000, falling by 296 miles, or 37 percent.”

What does that mean for the aftermarket?

I can think of two major changes for your business. First, a growing van and medium-duty population means an inventory shift, particularly in urban markets. This means not only more

T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

parts for smaller diesel trucks, but also components for gas, hybrid and electric vehicles, as the short-route delivery space continues to establish itself as the proving ground for alternative-powered equipment.

Another key change comes in the form of timeliness and your speed to market. As more delivery routes transition from hub-and-spoke distribution (from one large distribution center to a smaller warehouse or retail facility) to direct-to-consumer shipping, so too will your customers’ demands. Carriers can’t swap out tractors to keep freight moving when that freight is loaded into a straight truck or delivery van. If that unit goes down, everything stops.

Whether you’re selling parts or fixing trucks, your business must be prepared for that.

As ATRI noted in its report, “asset investments have changed to support the new delivery requirements. This is particularly true in the ‘last mile,’ as more motor carriers that traditionally specialize in TL and/or LTL operations are building their last-mile solutions to compete with the parcel carriers that currently dominate these deliveries.”

I don’t think we’re moving toward a reality where everything is sold online — at least, I sure hope we’re not — but this push to e-commerce is far from over. Don’t get caught wondering how it impacts you and fail to acknowledge how it’s changed your customers’ businesses as well.

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Editorial | MacKay & Company

Blockchain: Practical applications in the trucking industry

By Jacob Prinsen MacKay & Company

T

here has been a lot of buzz recently about disruptors to the trucking industry: autonomous and electric vehicles, last-mile delivery and blockchain. Blockchain may not be as glamourous as those other disruptors but it may prove to be more revolutionary to the industry.

Blockchain was originally developed to record financial transactions for cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin. At a high level, blockchain is an immutable distributed ledger. All members of the chain hold an identical copy of the ledger that cannot be altered. As new blocks are added, the members verify the block with complex mathematical algorithms. If it is valid, it is added to the chain and all ledgers are automatically updated.

Although blockchain was developed to maintain financial records, it is not limited to that use. For example, Walmart currently is using blockchain to track who is supplying its leafy greens.

This will prove to be an effective and efficient method to identify the source of bacteria outbreaks and remove them from distribution. FedEx is another example of a company using blockchain; the company has a pilot program to aid its customer service by tracking customer disputes.

Blockchain has the potential to be a game changer in the trucking industry if it can achieve widespread support.

There are many potential applications in the industry. Three promising uses are smart contracts, maintenance logs and shipment monitoring.

Blockchain provides a medium for telematics and technicians to provide their data in a standardized format.

Smart contracts are an area where blockchain can have a huge impact on the industry. Craig Fuller of Blockchain in Trucking Alliance suggests that $140 billion is held up each day because of payment disputes. Blockchain can streamline this by eliminating disputes over invoices. The buyer and seller set the terms of the agreement and, prior to the shipment, the buyer deposits the payment for the service which is held until the terms of the agreement are met.

If the terms are not met, the payment is automatically refunded to the buyer.

Smart contracts would help the industry by making the buying process more efficient and establishing a level of trust among its users because they inherit the secure nature of the

blockchain. Once a contract is set it cannot be altered.

Another use is in tracking maintenance. One of the biggest challenges with vehicle maintenance is preventing downtime. To combat this, fleets are turning to predictive analytics. Blockchain provides a medium for telematics and technicians to provide their data in a standardized format. As a result, fleets will have access to all maintenance and repair data, as well as any fault codes produced by the telematics in one location. This will allow fleets to more easily identify trends and can prove to be invaluable to fleets.

Monitoring shipments of temperature-restrictive products, such as produce and pharmaceuticals, can be improved with blockchain as well. When partnered with the Internet of things (IoT), blockchain can record more insightful data, such as temperature or pH levels. This can be communicated with drivers who can intervene if a temperature or pH level approaches or exceeds a threshold.

This could be a significant breakthrough in reducing spoiled deliveries.

It is clear blockchain has the potential to disrupt trucking. However, it also offers practical business applications and can help processes become more efficient and effective.

Blockchain is coming. Embrace it or be left behind.

Jacob Prinsen joined MacKay & Company in July 2015 and currently serves as the company’s business analyst and programmer, using his background in programming to provide data analysis for client projects and developing models for MacKay’s proprietary products.

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Industry Focus

Dealer News Coffman International has earned an International Truck Presidential Award, which honors the top 7 percent of International Truck dealerships that achieve the highest level of performance in operating and financial standards, market representation and customer satisfaction.

Kenworth Sales Company has broken ground on a 65,000 sq.-ft. location in North Las Vegas, Nev.

Worldwide Kenworth of South Carolina — Charleston has relocated its North Charleston operation to a newly constructed 37,500 sq.-ft. full-service and leasing facility in Summerville, S.C. Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC) has partnered with Ozark Technical Community College to expand the school’s diesel training facility at its Springfield, Mo., campus. The new 12,500 sq.-ft. facility, the MHC Diesel Technician Training Center, is now open for students.

Rush Enterprises has entered into a joint venture with Tallman Group.

Rush Enterprises’ subsidiary and Tallman Group will each own 50 percent of the JV entity, named Rush Truck Centres of Canada Limited, which will operate Tallman Group’s commercial vehicle dealerships in Canada.

TransPower Kenworth — Valdosta has moved its dealership to a new building. The nearly 20,000 sq.-ft., fullservice facility is located on five acres in Valdosta, Ga. DEX Heavy Duty Parts, a Volvo Group subsidiary and supplier of recycled, renovated and surplus medium- and heavy-duty truck parts, is opening a second facility in Oklahoma City.

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Peterbilt has named The Peterbilt Store Dealer of the Year. Dealers awarded for top performance in specific categories include Red Oval Dealer of the Year: Hunter Peterbilt, First Class Service Excellence Dealer of the Year: Valley Peterbilt, Medium Duty Dealer of the Year: Rush Peterbilt Truck Centers, MX Engine Dealer of the Year: The Larson Group Peterbilt, Parts and Service Dealer of the Year: Rush Peterbilt Truck Centers and TRP Dealer of the Year: Peterbilt of Atlanta.

Dealerships receiving Best-in-Class Awards include Allstate Peterbilt Group, Camions Excellence Peterbilt, Dobbs Peterbilt Group, Jackson Group Peterbilt, Peterbilt Manitoba, Peterbilt of Atlanta, Peterbilt Pacific Inc., Rush Peterbilt Truck Centers, Stahl Peterbilt, The Larson Group Peterbilt, The Peterbilt Store and Valley Peterbilt.

Volvo Trucks has awarded General Truck Sales of Muncie, Ind., its 2018 Dealer of the Year for North America.

Volvo Trucks also awarded the 2018 Canada Dealer of the Year to Sheehan’s Truck Center of Burlington, Ontario, and the 2018 Mexico Dealer of the Year to Tractoautobuses Del Norte S.A. de CV of Chihuahua.

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Kriete Truck Center of Milwaukee is Mack Trucks’ 2018 North American Dealer of the Year. Kriete Truck Center finished the year 17 percent above its sales plan and 29 percent above its leasing plan. Mack Trucks also named 2018 winners for its regional sales divisions: Northeast Region: Ballard Truck Center, Worcester, Mass.; Southeast Region: TranSource, Greensboro, N.C.; Central Region: Kriete Truck Center, Milwaukee; Southwest Region: Vanguard Truck Center, Houston; West Region: Vanguard Truck Center, Phoenix; and Canada Region: Mack Ste.-Foy, Quebec City.

Enterprise Truck Rental has opened its eighth location in the Chicagoland area. The new facility is located at 900 Christina Drive in East Dundee, Ill.

Kenworth of South Florida — Riviera Beach has relocated its parts and service dealership to a nearly 16,000 sq.-ft. facility.

Industry Focus

Ryder’s smart warehouse deploys mix of technologies Ryder System announced the successful transformation of Ryder smart warehouses in the Miami, Dallas and Chicago markets. These warehouses deliver advanced automation, flexible and scalable operations, real-time visibility and a customer-centric experience, the company says.

The warehouses bring together technologies and smart capabilities customized to optimize operations. The company adds the smart warehouses feature advanced automation, such as: ■ Robotics: Implementation of robotics at a Ryder-managed warehouse produced a 25 percent increase in productivity and 20 percent operating savings by reducing travel time in the warehouse.

■ Drones: At a Ryder customer warehouse, drones scan pallets and locations in 20 minutes, compared with a manual scan, which took 90 minutes. A cycle count on the entire warehouse took three hours versus two days.

■ Sensors: Identification tools provide real-time asset location and enable performance management. Productivity and cost savings increased more than 25 percent.

■ Wearables: Smart glasses improved efficiency by 33 percent.

Illinois Auto Truck earns patent for self-adjusting clutch Illinois Auto Truck Co. (IATCO) has received a patent for its self-adjusting clutch.

IATCO says the AutoSet Clutch improves on all previously available versions of its heavy-duty clutches. Clutches and the associated parts wear over time. IATCO says the AutoSet Clutch compensates for wear by auto-adjusting to maintain the clutch pedal free play.

The AutoSet Clutch patent also highlights the over adjustment protection feature that connects the clutch cover to the adjusting ring, so should shock to the truck occur, the cams remain in place rather than over or under adjusting, the company says.

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CVSN adds members Wheeler Brothers Inc. and Brake and Clutch Supply Inc. have joined the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN).

Wheeler Bros., a subsidiary of VSE Corporation, is a supply chain management company serving the delivery, waste collection and oil field industries.

“We joined CVSN to get more involved in the heavy-duty aftermarket industry, to utilize the networking opportunities of the group and to have an increased presence in the heavy-duty industry,” says Mark Shaw, vice president of research, Wheeler Bros. The company also has joined the VIPAR Heavy Duty network of distributors as a stockholder.

Brake and Clutch Supply and its Cascade Friction Materials operation, combined, have 31 employees, a 21,000 sq.-ft. warehouse, a machine shop, fabrication shop, bonding shop, clutch shop and tear down areas for brake shoes, clutches and industrial frictions.

President Paul McNeal says CVSN membership will help him keep “up to date on best practices for not only running my company, but also for recruitment.”

SAF-Holland acquires PressureGuard SAF-Holland has acquired a 51 percent stake in the automatic tire pressure management specialist PressureGuard LLC. SAF-Holland says the acquisition strengthens the company’s product portfolio for tire pressure systems in North America and adds a key element in advanced digital SMART products for trailer applications.

A purchase option for the remaining outstanding shares in the company was agreed upon between SAF-Holland and the previous owner, Servitech Industries. SAF-Holland says this option may be exercised at a later date.

PressureGuard’s management team will remain with the company in their current roles to support the company’s ongoing production as well as its integration into the SAFHolland group, the company says.

Dates announced for brake training classes TMD Friction has confirmed 2019 dates for its brake training classes. TMD says the classes are scheduled for April 17, July 17 and Oct. 2, 2019.

The courses are different from brake maintenance trainings that are offered and necessary for maintaining equipment. For more information and to register, please contact John Thompson at john.thompson@tmdfriction.com.

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Industry Focus

Dickinson Fleet Services acquires trailer repair business Dickinson Fleet Services (DFS) has acquired Highway Express Trailer Repair Company.

DFS says the acquisition continues its rapid growth trajectory and further solidifies DFS as the leader in the Chicagoland and broader Illinois markets. Highway Express marks the sixth acquisition in the last 10 months for DFS alongside its majority shareholder, Ridgemont Equity Partners.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand our semi-trailer repair service division.

The addition of Highway Express widens our footprint,” say Ted Coltrain and Mike Dickinson, executive officers, in a joint DFS statement.

Bendix opens engineering center in Mexico Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake recently held a grand opening of its new Technical Center in Monterrey, Mexico.

Located within the Research and Technological Innovation Park (PIIT), the 7,800 sq.-ft. center helps further expand Bendix’s North American presence by driving research and development across the Bendix portfolio of integrated products and solutions, the company says.

The Monterrey-based team — working in tandem with Bendix and Knorr-Bremse engineering colleagues across North America and worldwide — will help advance new and emerging technologies to deliver more value to the company’s global customers and further strengthen its global presence, the company says. The Knorr-Bremse Group is Bendix’s Munich-based parent company.

The projects undertaken at the center will support the entire Bendix product portfolio, the company says.

Meritor expands training course Meritor has expanded its aftermarket product training program for dealers, distributors, fleets and service garages. The company says the training is part of the company’s growing focus on customer experience.

The course expansion includes live instructorled interactive distance training (IDT), 12 new regional training events and options for French and Spanish instruction through its BullPen online training site.

The company says its training portfolio for 2019 includes almost 260 web-based, classroom and onsite programs. IDT seminars focus on a different topic every month, covering important and timely information as well as updates to key systems and components, the company says.

Truck Parts & Service Calendar Event information can be submitted at: www.truckpartsandservice.com/story-ideas/

March 28-30 April 2-3 April 10-12 April 10-14 April 26-28

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Mid-America Trucking Show, Louisville, Ky. HD Repair Forum, Fort Worth, Texas International Truck Parts Association (ITPA) Spring Meeting, Denver HDA Truck Pride Annual Meeting, Orlando, Fla. CVSN/GenNext Distributor Training Expo, Atlanta

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Industry Focus

Fras-le acquires Fremax brand Fras-le has announced it signed an agreement to acquire Jofund S.A, holder of the Fremax brand, which Fras-le says is recognized as a premier manufacturer of brake discs, drums and wheel hubs for OEM and aftermarket companies.

The acquisition will enable the company to provide an expanded line of rotors in North America, the company says. Early product offerings will include a limited amount of premium rotors for the top-selling commercial brake systems in North America for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

“We’re listening to market demands and taking action to be more than just a brake pad and lining supplier,” says Anderson Pontalti, general manager, Fras-le North America. “We are very excited about this acquisition and the technology that comes with it, allowing us to introduce an expanded product offering to the commercial vehicle market.”

Eaton reaches distribution deal with mobile power hydraulic supplier Eaton’s Vehicle Group Aftermarket Division has reached a distribution agreement with Bezares SA to become the North American master distributor for its mobile power hydraulic portfolio. Eaton says it will leverage its partnership with Bezares to offer comprehensive mobile hydraulic solutions that meet customer needs for power take-offs (PTOs) and other hydraulic products.

Bezares is a global manufacturer of PTOs, hydraulic pumps, fittings, tanks, valves and other mobile power hydraulic components. In addition to distribution services, Eaton also will provide post-sale service and support through its Roadranger field team, the company says.

Phillips Connect Technologies acquires Connected Holdings Phillips Connect Technologies (PCT) has acquired Connected Holdings, an IoT intelligent services provider.

Connected Holdings has been working closely with PCT over the past year developing the TrailerNet family of trailer telematics solutions.

These products leverage the Connected Holdings “Intelligence as a Service” platform to create a cost effective, integrated and proven IoT solution, the companies say.

“The synergies that these businesses create with the acquisition are unlike anything I’ve witnessed in my career,” says Bill Ellis, managing director, PCT. “By integrating the Connected Holdings’ team of industrial IoT engineering experts into our PCT business, the sky is the limit for bringing transformational improvements to transportation.”

People In The News Work Truck Solutions announces Bernie Brenner has joined its board of directors.

BBB Industries announced two executive promotions.

Chris Garner has been Brenner named executive vice president of sales and John Boyer has been named executive vice president of marketing and product management.

Stertil-Koni announces John Sliney has joined the company as assistant Sliney service manager.

CIMC Intermodal Equipment has hired Joe Hite as director, business development-dealers.

Corcentric has named Joseph Sparks and Tanner J. Thorne vice presidents of sales, capital equipment solutions.

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Tenneco has appointed Denise Gray to its board of directors.

Trail King Industries has hired Amber Hiles as marketing coordinator.

Diesel Forward named Houman Kashanipour as its Hiles new president.

Hankook Tire America Corp. has hired Rob Williams as senior director, TBR sales.

The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has promoted Beth Williams Barkovich to executive director, membership development, and Katelyn Litalien to director of marketing and member services. HDMA also hired Erin Spring as manager, marketing communications, and Daniqua Burgin as manager, meetings and member services.

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HDA Truck Pride has promoted Nikki Paschall to director of marketing.

Mack Trucks has appointed Steve Jugovic regional vice president, Canada.

Marx Group has hired Jugovic Caitlin Dempsey as an account executive, expanding its Detroit-based team.

PartsTrader has appointed Mark Lindner chief revenue officer, a new role within the company.

TRC has added Jim Gorski to its sales team. He manages the Southeast region, supporting the Carolinas to Florida.

Walter Surface Technologies has named Jeff Tisdell vice president, U.S. sales.

Rocketail has hired G. Bren Marshell as vice president, sales.

Eaton has appointed Christine Barman chief technology officer for its Industrial Sector.

Industry Focus

VIPAR Heavy Duty introduces business resource center for stockholders VIPAR Heavy Duty has launched its Business Resource Center, an interactive online resource available to stockholder distributors to support growth strategies and long-term planning, the company says.

The Business Resource Center includes business best practices, testimonials and resources to aid in preliminary planning, as well as throughout the complete life-cycle of a distributor’s

business. The platform also will include an In-Network Buyers listing, which the company says will connect stockholder distributors with distributors interested

in potential investment or acquisition.

The Business Resource Center is available exclusively for VIPAR Heavy Duty stockholders.

Triangle Suspension celebrating 100 years Triangle Suspension Systems is celebrating its first 100 years as a supplier to the heavy-duty aftermarket in 2019.

Triangle Spring Company was founded in 1919 in Pittsburgh and relocated to its current location in DuBois, Pa., in 1927. Today, Triangle Suspension Systems services the heavy-duty aftermarket through a customer base of more than 1,400 authorized dealers. Triangle branded products include Triangle leaf springs, Flagg suspension components and Continental/ContiTech air springs for heavy-, medium- and light-duty trucks and trailers.

There are currently more than 6,000 multi-leaf spring and parabolic (taper) spring active SKUs available to the aftermarket. The company says it also offers custom-engineered solutions for unique applications, such as Flagg suspension parts, with over 7,000 part numbers covering the entire suspension undercarriage.

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Tech Updates

SAFETY RECALLS Blue Bird Body Company is recalling certain 2019 Blue Bird All American and Vision school buses.

The parking brake cable may disengage from the foot pedal assembly, possibly allowing the bus to unintentionally move. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 105, “Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems.”

Unintended movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Chrysler is recalling certain 2013-2017 Ram 3500 and 2014-2017 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

Daimler Trucks North America is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner C2 school and transit buses. The roof adhesive that supports the roof header may not have been

The following are safety recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

properly applied. Improperly applied adhesive may affect the roof header joint strength, which, in the event of a rollover crash, can increase the risk of injury.

Daimler Vans USA is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VS30 vehicles. The steering shaft that connects to the steering gear may disconnect without warning. The steering shaft disconnecting from the steering gear can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing risk of a crash.

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 20112013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Micro Bird is recalling certain 2015-2018 Micro Bird CT Series buses, equipped with Freedman

GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923 and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS number 207, “Seating Systems,” and number 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.”

In the event of a crash, if the seat back moves, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Paccar is recalling certain 2018 Kenworth T680 and T880, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 trucks. The seat belt buckle assemblies on these vehicles may have been glued and not sewn during manufacturing, possibly causing the assembly to come apart under load, such as in the event of a crash.

If the seat belt buckle assembly separates, it can prevent the occupant from being properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a crash.

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Cover Story

By Lucas Deal, Editor lucasdeal@randallreilly.com

Short on technicians, big on opportunity 2019 Special Report - Trucking’s technician shortage: Part I 14

T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

Cover Story

Trucking has thousands of steady, well-paying technician positions available. So why can’t the industry find anyone to hire?

J

im Hinton pauses. He has to think.

The Summit Truck Group service trainer has been working so hard for so long to recruit new technicians into his company’s 31-location dealer network that he can’t even remember the last time Summit’s service centers didn’t have a “Help Wanted” sign in their front windows.

He guesses the signs have been posted since 2010.

As for job openings, Hinton says Summit has been aware of a shrinking technician talent pool across the Southeast since at least 2006.

On the other side of the country, Ray Schmidt isn’t as certain on the timeline, but echoes Hinton’s sentiments when he says technician employment has been the top priority for his company’s service department for several years.

“Hiring and recruiting techs is a weekly conversation for us,” says Schmidt, service manager, McCoy Freightliner, a company with 63 technicians across three locations in Portland and Salem, Ore. “None of our shops are operating at full capacity … and finding quality technicians to bring in is getting harder.”

Hinton corroborates Schmidt’s account. He estimates Summit has at least 30 technician openings across its network. It’s a number he hates to think about but he is unfortunately learning to live with it. “I don’t see an end in sight,” he says.

The worst part is he’s right. Trucking’s technician shortage is real, and it’s intensifying.

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Though Hinton pegs 2006 as the year Summit first identified the shortage, the trucking industry’s path to today’s unfortunate position is the result of a number of independently occurring factors.

Navistar’s John Pfennig Jr., director of training delivery and recruitment, says one contributing aspect of today’s shortage is rooted in the past. The trucking industry has been led by one generation for decades and that generation is aging out of the workforce.

There aren’t enough working Baby Boomers to cover trucking’s job openings anymore.

“I think for a long time no one ever measured the generational population of the technicians in our industry,” says Pfennig. “I don’t think we ever realized how many of our technicians were Baby Boomers until they started retiring. That kind of caught us off guard.”

TA/Petro Director of Technical Service Homer Hogg subscribes to this theory.

Hogg entered the trucking industry as a service technician in the early 1980s when tech jobs, and applicants, were plentiful.

He says many of his first colleagues were close to him in age and, as he advanced up the corporate ladder, he watched as his contemporaries stepped into his previous positions or rose with him.

Hogg says today’s shop floor population is much different. Boomer-aged veteran

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techs hold most management roles but the workforces they lead are increasingly Generation X and Millennials. And, unlike Hogg’s generation, which gravitated toward technical careers as a path toward a stable career, Hogg says new entrants to the workforce appear to view that career choice with ambivalence, at best. The fathers who powered trucking’s service channel for decades are retiring and their sons are uninterested in following in

their footsteps.

“I think it is very clear that the generations we see coming into the business today are different from those of us who have been doing this for a while,” says Hogg.

Trucking also has become a victim of its own success. Freight activity and tonnage have grown progressively since the Great Recession. Medium- and heavyduty truck populations are on the rise.

Fleets and their customers are relying on trucks to move more goods than at any point in North American history.

But with that customer reliance also has come elevated customer expectations and a surge in consumer technology.

Today’s economy is built on same-day, two-day and overnight shipping. Downtime has shifted from an unfortunate but accepted reality in trucking to becoming a legitimate dirty word.

Aftermarket feeling the effects of the tech shortage

By Bill Grabarek, Online Associate Editor billgrabarek@randallreilly.com

M

any independent aftermarket service providers have been in a constant battle to recruit and retain technicians. And those service providers who have fully staffed shops now know they will be facing this issue in the near future as employees get older and prospective technicians become

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even more sought after.

“It’s definitely a pretty big issue. We have a hard time finding new people,” says Jordan Schroeder, president, Truck Equipment Inc. (TEI), which employs more than 25 technicians. Schroeder says one of the causes for the technician shortage is an aging staff and a lack of

T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

people pursuing a career as a technician.

“We’ll be seeing a lot of the guys who have been doing this for a long time getting out of the business. There also seems to be a shift where people are wanting to get out of the shop and do something else,” he says, adding that an aging staff hasn’t been an issue at TEI, but the

Cover Story

Trucking is outgrowing its service channel.

“The economy is very good right now and I think that puts a lot of pressure on us as service providers,” says Charlie Nichols, general manager, TAG Truck Center — Calvert City, Ky. “We recognize that technicians are critical. Without them, the whole infrastructure of our economy kind of collapses.”

Service businesses throughout the

We recognize that technicians are critical.

Without them, the whole infrastructure of our economy kind of collapses.

— Charlie Nichols, general manager, TAG Truck Center — Calvert City, Ky.

industry have responded appropriately to this business growth, raising technician wages and investing in technology and training to improve technician productivity.

Yet even with these investments,

trucking’s technician shortage has swelled.

A December 2018 report by the TechForce Foundation states the heavy-duty diesel service business is expected to require more than 4,300 new technician

I’ve had guys come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I’m getting headhunters calling me.’

Donald Jones, industry liaison, Service Specialists Association (SSA), a trade association serving independent specialists — Jordan Schroeder, president, Truck Equipment Inc. in the heavy-duty truck repair industry. company knows its time is coming. cleanliness, heating system and insulaIn addition to Jones’ work with SSA, With technicians in such great tion in the building. We also put a TV he is a former co-owner of Indianapolisdemand, poaching becomes another with access to Netflix in the break area, based Truck Service Inc., and currently problem for service shops trying to hang anything to make them more comfortserves as a consultant for the company, onto the technicians they have. able seems to help.” so he has had his “I’ve had guys come up to me and Robertson says finger on the pulse say, ‘Hey, I’m getting headhunters calling a reason for losing of the industry for me,’” says Schroeder. “The last few years technicians is they many years, and the we’ve gotten more aggressive with our don’t see much technician conversapay increases. We’re staying competitive of a future with a tion involves “how and we’ve definitely seen upward pressmaller company to find them, how to sure because if somebody has experience, like Texas Trucks get them to come to the competition is willing to pay for it.

Direct. Technicians work every day and “Pay is only one factor. We work hard see the business as how to keep the ones to make sure TEI is a great place to work it is today, with no you want to keep,” and a place where people see and feel chance of moving he says. that they are a part of something,” he up or laterally.

Jones says the adds.

“We’ve been shortage has greatly Texas Trucks Direct is another working on our impacted the wage company struggling to attract and keep image to show our technicians are — Donald Jones, industry liaison, technicians. The company currently has employees we are commanding. “Wage Service Specialists Association six technicians — it recently had lost growing,” Robertson has changed plenty three technicians in one week. says. “I think that’s in the last 10 years.

“We have been undergoing improveprobably helped keep some of the better What was once the wage for an employee ments to our shop environment to make people here … and will help with retenwith five to seven years of experience it more attractive to the younger generation from a long-term perspective.” has become the starting pay for a person tion,” says Guy Robertson, vice president The service technician dilemma is a with no experience, but may have potenof service. “We’ve improved our lighting, hot topic throughout the country, says tial,” he says.

What was once the wage for an employee with five to seven years of experience has become the starting pay for a person with no experience but may have potential.

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positions this year. Coupled with a replacement demand projection of more than 25,000 positions (caused by retirements, employment changes, etc.), the TechForce Foundation says the trucking industry needs to hire nearly 30,000 heavy-duty truck techs in 2019.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ numbers aren’t any better. The agency estimated earlier this decade there will be a 9.2 percent increase in the need for heavy-duty service technicians and an 8.6 percent increase in the need for truck and bus technicians and diesel engine specialists in 2022 from 2012 levels.

What was once a nuisance has become a four-alarm catastrophe.

How will the trucking industry solve this growing conundrum? OEMs, dealers and independent service providers actively hiring and recruiting technicians in the market say the shortage has become too big to ignore. But while those same professionals also believe no simple solution exists to swiftly solve the service

TAG Truck Center has built a technical training center at its Memphis, Tenn., location to help onboard new technicians for its entire dealer group.

channel’s biggest problem, they say the industry isn’t without options.

By better understanding how a career as a heavy-duty diesel truck technician is perceived within the trucking industry and by the general population, trucking’s service channel must identify recruitment and retention initiatives that will

What is your annual pay, before taxes, including overtime, bonuses and incentives?

Less than $20,000 . . . . . . 1% $20,000 to $29,999 . . . 2% $30,000 to $39,999. . . .12% $40,000 to $49,999 . . 26% $50,000 to $59,999 . . .21% $60,000 to $69,999 . . 20% $70,000 to $79,999 . . . . 6% $80,000 to $89,999 . . . 5% $90,000 to $99,999 . . . 2% $100,000 or more. . . . . . 5%

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Source: 2018 Randall-Reilly survey of heavy-duty truck technicians

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appeal to the demographic groups most likely to apply, accept and enjoy a career working as a technician.

“It’s time to understand the challenges facing [our] organizations and look into what is driving those challenges,” says Hogg. “Our labor pool is shrinking. We have to start looking beyond our normal hunting ground.”

If there’s one consensus within trucking regarding technicians, it’s that the profession is poorly perceived by those outside the industry. The degrading “grease monkey” stigma that plagues the automotive service channel is doubly damaging in trucking, where the equipment is larger, heavier and often dirtier.

Schmidt says all too often when attending educational career fairs at high schools and technical schools as part of his recruiting responsibilities he will interact with a student or parent who never considered a tech job because “they think it’s dirty, low-pay work.

“It’s not like that at all,” he says. “If you’re working on a truck sometimes you can get dirty, sure, but it’s not like that all the time.”

“Being a diesel technician is not a

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Cover Story

sexy job. I get that. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good job,” says John Devany, general manager, Betts Truck Parts & Service. “The perception that what we do is big and scary is wrong.”

Devany says the reality is quite the opposite. Betts Truck Parts & Service makes significant investments each year in diagnostic equipment and computer-based service tools to be able to maintain heavy vehicles that become more technologically advanced with each passing year.

“A lot of kids today are growing up on tablets and computers and that’s our future,” says Devany. “What used to be about tribal knowledge is now becoming more of a white-glove environment.”

“People fixate on ‘techs get dirty’ and they do, but the job is so much more than that,” says Ian Johnston, vice president, operations and marketing, Harman Heavy Vehicle Specialists. “There is a ton of problem solving and critical thinking as well; it is becoming a far more techoriented job than it used to be.”

“We stopped saying mechanic for a reason,” adds Hinton.

The contemporary high school experience isn’t doing vocational careers any favors either, says Nichols. TAG Truck

People fixate on ‘techs get dirty’ and they do, but the job is so much more than that … it is becoming a far more tech-oriented job than it used to be.

— Ian Johnston, vice president, operations and marketing, Harman Heavy Vehicle Specialists

Center has a partnership with a local community college in which high school graduates can enroll in the school’s heavy truck program, receive financial support and real-world experience with TAG while in school and then have a job waiting for them when they complete the program in two years.

Nichols says the success rate of hiring students who enter the program is great.

The challenge is getting them to sign up in the first place. He says too often his pitch for the program is met with apprehension from high school administrators, counselors and parents.

“There is a very big misconception in our country that every kid needs to go to a four-year college,” he says. “I don’t believe that’s the case. A four-year school is not the holy grail for everybody.”

Russ Dunnington knows this all too well. As diesel instructor and department chair at Portland Community College

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Navistar have partnered to offer a 14-week training program to UTI graduates who are interested in a career with the OEM’s dealer channel.

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(PCC), Dunnington says he visits high schools to recruit potential students to his program multiple times per month.

Dunnington’s program, which has partnerships with McCoy Freightliner, Daimler Trucks North America and other area service shops, has an incredible graduation and placement rate for its students.

But PCC’s success doesn’t always translate to its audience. Dunnington says each school visit yields one new PCC applicant, on average, and his program remains frustratingly under capacity.

“I get emails and calls from [service providers] every day begging me for students [to hire],” he says. “I only have so many.”

Those in the service channel add the parental dream to send one’s child to college is admirable, but college is more than private institutions and land grant universities. Vocational programs like the one at PCC offer students a path to an associate degree and more relevant professional experience and earning potential than many bachelor’s degrees.

That latter point is another one the trucking industry needs to better publicize, says Nichols. The heavy-duty diesel technician space is well-funded. Good techs stand to earn a good living.

According to a 2018 survey of technicians in four industries (heavy truck, agriculture, construction and automotive) by Randall-Reilly, publisher of Truck Parts & Service, nearly 40 percent of heavy-duty truck technicians reported earning at least $60,000 per year. Nearly half of those same responders indicated

Cover Story

earning more than $70,000 annually.

Additionally, during a speech at the 2019 American Truck Dealers (ATD) Show, ATD Chairwoman Jodie Teuton, vice president, Kenworth of Louisiana, noted the average truck technician salary at a dealership in 2018 was $61,000.

Says Nichols, “There are so many kids today who graduate from college and can’t get a job. You see them working in retail for not much money at all. They Meritor has created a technical training team to traverse North America and educate could be working for us making $50,000 technicians and parts professionals on its components and maintenance requirements. to $70,000 a year plus benefits but they have no idea we pay like that.”

Randall-Reilly’s survey supported “Maybe I need to be a technician advancement potential. Conversely, 24 Nichols’ claim, as an overwhelming again,” he jokes. percent of truck techs said a career path number of truck technician responders That’s another part of the issue, says exists but has not been established by stated they receive health insurance (92 Hinton. The trucking industry is filled their current employer and another 20 percent), paid holiday leave (83 percent) with white-collar professionals who percent answered that “someone would and 401K and/or IRA opportunities (83 started their careers in a service bay. The need to leave or retire for me to advance.” percent) through their employers. lure of new opportunities and leadership Those already fighting the technician That earning and roles moved them up shortage say these misconceptions are benefits potential is the corporate ladder, just another hurdle the industry needs something Meribut the roles and to clear. A national movement supported tor tries to bring salaries they exited by trade organizations and/or the OEM to the forefront still remain. In time community seems the most likely effort when interacting so too will their curto drive real change, but at this time no with young people rent roles. Trucking’s program exists. As such, those in the serthrough its partemployment shortvice channel say they will continue doing nership with Skills age is not limited what they can individually to create USA, says Peter solely to service bays. awareness and promote the career opAdair, technical Unfortunately, portunities found in their marketplace. training manager. those career ad“We do a good job when we’re preThe commercial vancement opporsenting our case to high school students vehicle supplier has tunities are another and their parents. I think those conversasupported Skills source of employtions can still be sort of eye opening to USA’s heavy truck er-to-employee them,” Schmidt says. “But the big picture — Ray Schmidt, service manager, technician educadisconnect. is we don’t do that as well as an industry.”

McCoy Freightliner tion program for Only 29 perJohnston agrees. “At the grassroots years through volunteer assistance and cent of heavy truck technicians (and and local levels, we still have that ability financial support.

28 percent of all technicians) answered to develop relationships with students Adair says students he works with are they have a “clear career path at my and vocational schools to begin to eager to learn about Meritor’s online cur- current employer,” according to Randallchange the perception of these careers,” riculum and virtual educational library Reilly’s survey question regarding career he says. but adds when the topic of compensaFor more information regarding Randall-Reilly’s technician survey, and to download a tion comes up is when heads really start copy, please go to https://www.truckpartsandservice.com/techsurvey to turn.

We do a good job when we’re presenting our case to high school students and their parents. I think those conversations can still be sort of eye opening to them.

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T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

The Power10

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Call us at 1.800.225.1845

or visit us at

www.theuniversalgroup.com

By Bill Grabarek, Online Associate Editor billgrabarek@randallreilly.com

Operations

Don’t let the

warehouse become a

where house

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T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

Operations

Optimizing warehouse design helps to ensure your business operates like a well-oiled machine.

T

hough the parts counter and outside sales representatives are the face of the aftermarket parts distributor, meeting with customers in person or answering their calls, the warehouse is the foundation of the business. Thus, optimal warehouse design is crucial for efficient and safe operations.

“We are always striving to improve our warehouse and logistic operations. Warehouse optimization creates efficiency. The quicker, more accurate and less onerous the process, the greater the customer satisfaction and bottom-line improvement,” says Andy Robblee, president, Six Robblees’.

Warehouse optimization entails maximizing all facets of the operation, such as inventory flow, product accuracy and availability; asset and cube utilization, which is total space used; team member safety; and productivity, says Reggie Jacobs, vice president, distribution and logistics, TruckPro. “These are the components of the operation that enable us to deliver

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the quality that is expected by our customers. Without a properly optimized facility we would not be able to deliver quality results, while being good stewards of the capital that has been invested in the operations,” says Jacobs.

Some parts providers have trained their warehouse employees to treat inventory as they would money.

“I keep my money organized and accounted for; our inventory needs to be treated the same way because that’s what it is,” says Adam Diecks, branch manager — Neville Island, Pa., Point Spring & Driveshaft.

“Treat it like money and get everyone on that same kind of mindset because you can lose everything if you lose inventory,” Diecks says. “If a customer calls and you say you have [the part] but then you can’t find it, you lose the sale. We’re a warehouse distribution company and an organized and efficient warehouse is key to everything we do.”

John Bzeta, president, Fleet Brake Parts & Service, says his company treats inventory similarly.

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Operations

At TruckPro, warehouse optimization entails maximizing all facets of the operation, such as inventory flow, product accuracy and availability, cube utilization, employee safety and productivity.

“We consider our warehouses vaults.

Every item in our locations is cash and we need to manage them accordingly,” Bzeta says. “When managing this ‘cash’ we try and imagine we are like a Best Buy store handling televisions, iPads and computers. Our teams then understand how important our shipments and inventory are.”

easy to reach and kept closer to receiving and shipping locations to cut down on travel time, whether it is by forklift or hand, he says.

“Weight plays into it as well. It is far safer to put heavy items lower to the ground. Is the product in a nice small box or a cubed pallet or does it exceed the height, length or width of standard bins?

Outsized items typically Optimization find themselves stored requires planning in remote areas, which Designing a warehouse is great for less frequent that optimizes efficienpicks, but not so great cy involves seemingly for popular items,” Robcountless factors that blee adds.

— Andy Robblee, president, Six Robblees’ need to be addressed, Jacobs stresses the such as frequency of importance of data to picks, weight, part size and proximity, analyze and determine product placesays Robblee. ment in the warehouse, such as most For example, commonly sold items commonly purchased items and picking should be placed in locations that are strategy for each product.

We are always striving to improve our warehouse and logistic operations.

Warehouse optimization creates efficiency.

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“At the same time you must understand the systems you are using to deliver the necessary results. Your ability to leverage the systems’ capabilities enable you to design a process that supports the inventory flow and accuracy. You want to limit the amount of time and effort associated with each transaction,” he says.

Shrinkage, another factor in running a warehouse, can be minimized by implementing strong receiving procedures, says Bzeta. However, he adds human error is far more common than theft regarding missing inventory.

“Vendors are not as efficient or advanced as retail suppliers, so reconciliation of errors need to be managed carefully and quickly to ensure correct stock counts,” he adds.

Putting design into action In 2016, Diecks was tasked with managing Point Spring & Driveshaft’s largest warehouse. One of the first projects he tackled was organizing the facility. A change he made early in that process was

Operations

simple, comparatively, but has made a huge difference, he says.

“We spent a ton of time labeling the shelves,” Diecks says, admitting it was one of the areas the company was weak.

“We had situations where parts were moved and a new label was stuck over an old label or a label was never changed.”

Diecks says he and some employees worked many late nights in the warehouse scraping off old, hand-written stickers from shelves and replaced them with printed magnetic labels.

“I want everything typed so it is easy to read. 5s, 3s and Bs can get confusing when looking at them from a distance.

With magnetic labels, when you move the part, you can move the label,” he says.

Diecks says Point Spring & Driveshaft also reorganized bins product line by product line, corrected instances where parts had been improperly stocked and numbered the aisles in the warehouse.

From there, the company updated its computer system to account for the

While highly functional design and effective operational strategy are critical to optimizing the warehouse, employee safety is, or should be, paramount to everything else.

“Safety is important and we took it into account while doing the reorganization,” says Adam Diecks, branch manager — Neville Island, Pa., Point Spring & Driveshaft Co., who was assigned to managing and reorganizing the company’s largest warehouse.

“We want to watch heavy lifting. We try to palletize anything that’s over a certain weight. We have some mezzanine areas in our warehouse and we try to save those areas for the lighter parts that are not going to injure anyone stocking or pulling them,” he says.

Like all distributors, much of what Point Spring & Driveshaft offers is heavy, such as truck springs and drums, and the company is careful how it palletizes that portion of the inventory.

“I don’t like to stack drums on top of each

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Six Robblees’ is shrinking aisleway gaps to fit more racking in its warehouse — a move made possible by improved technology that has reduced the footprint and turning radius of aerial lifts.

location of every part in its inventory so when an order is printed out, it includes the aisle number and bin location.

“I was trying to remove the attitude

other. We put a system in place where if there’s going to be a second layer of drums on a pallet, there has to be a sheet of plywood in between the two [because] I want them to be stable,” Diecks says. “Same thing with truck springs. There are rules in place now for a total number that’s allowed on a pallet, and how they’re stacked on pallets so they aren’t wobbling while they’re up in the air.”

John Bzeta, president, Fleet Brake Parts & Service, also says safety is top priority.

“There are many factors to consider when organizing your inventory and workflow. We want to ensure our employees are not lifting heavy items in awkward locations. Your entire thought process for warehouse design should be based on this,” he says. “[Warehouse] areas with heavy, high-pick items should be clear for handling and easily accessible. This will reduce injury and promote quicker service,” Bzeta adds.

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of ‘I’ve been here 20 years; I know where everything is.’ I want the new guy that starts tomorrow to be able to look on a printout and be able to find the part,” Diecks says. “From an organizational standpoint, being able to quickly and easily know where the parts are saves you time — and time is money, always. That was a big project that has paid off.”

Warehouse design, including the showroom, can be improved with visual indicators, says Bzeta. Clearly marked shelves, along with images for certain parts, can lessen the chances of employees or customers picking an incorrect part.

“Larger retailers, like Home Depot, know how to set up inventory. There will be an image of the part on the shelf or the pallet rack so you know exactly what you are getting,” Bzeta says. “I rarely see this commitment to organization in our industry.”

Technology plays a big role in optimizing the warehouse. Barcoding, RFID, lifting equipment and robotics all

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Operations

Fleet Brake Parts & Service incorporates visual indicators in the warehouse and showroom. Clearly marked shelves, along with images for certain parts, can lessen the chances of employees or customers picking an incorrect part.

can enhance a good warehouse layout, Robblee says. “We are in the process of shrinking aisleway gaps to fit more racking in our warehouse due to smaller footprint and turning radius of aerial lifts made possible by fantastic technology upgrades,” he says.

Robblee adds hiring quality warehouse personnel can enhance warehouse productivity. “Contrary to the popular belief that any warm body will do, a good warehouse employee knows how to stock shelves correctly, pick inventory quickly and accurately, discover and correct mistakes and avoid injury,” he says.

TruckPro has implemented workload

planning tools, production standards and a production system. Each are tied to time and attendance systems that track productivity and the utilization of the staff in each area of the operation.

In addition, the company has introduced employee performance incentives focused around the quality of work employees do. Recognition for the programs are tracked and reported daily and incentives are awarded quarterly, Jacobs says.

Additional measures TruckPro has implemented include changing the way the company manages the inventory cycle process. “Not all inventory is moving at the same rate and we do not count

From an organizational standpoint, being able to quickly and easily know where the parts are saves you time — and time is money, always.

— Adam Diecks, branch manager — Neville Island, Pa., Point Spring & Driveshaft

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it all on the same frequency. The results of our cycle process have had a huge impact on our ability to deliver very high fill rates out of the distribution center,” he says.

And, though the company has standard operating procedures, Jacobs says TruckPro relies more heavily on work instructions. “These documents allow us to execute our training programs more consistently. They are very specific to the work flows and we are able to adjust them as the business evolves,” he says.

“Optimizing a facility requires that you consider many factors. All of the processes we create in a facility are designed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction and to be easily repeatable,” Jacobs says. “Designing a facility and the processes that support your customers are key to any successful operation. As such, we are very focused on the end-to-end processes of the operation.”

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Marketplace

The Buzz The five hottest products as determined by readers of truckpartsandservice.com

Aftermarket products and systems debuted WABCO Holdings has introduced retrofit kits for its collision avoidance products and a new remanufactured trailer product line.

The company says WABCO OnSide and OnGuardACTIVE retrofit kits enable fleets to add the latest, market-proven collision mitigation/avoidance technologies to existing vehicles.

OnSide Blind Spot Detection supports drivers in passing and lane-change maneuvers. OnGuardACTIVE offers collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.

WABCO remanufactured Enhanced Easy-Stop Trailer ABS systems are available in one- and two-modulator configurations to meet the requirements of virtually any trailer application. These systems ensure proper braking force is delivered for trailer stability and control, the company says.

Distributor adds HD aftermarket products Dorman HD Solutions has added new components to its heavy-duty product offering.

New products include multiple air tank cables, more than five auto and manual transmission shift cables, several harmonic balancers, over five fog light assemblies and an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor for International MaxxForce DT and DT 466 engines. Dorman says the EGT sensor is an OEFix product.

Additional new SKUs include oil pans for Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, hood latch assemblies for Freightliner trucks, headlight filler panels for International and IC vehicles, LED roof marker lights for Kenworth T680 trucks and multi-purpose sensors for multiple vehicle models.

Dorman says the air tank and transmission shift cables, fog light assemblies, headlight panels, roof marker lights and multipurpose sensors are HD Exclusive parts.

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Floor mat product line expands Minimizer has released new custom molded floor mats that fit Volvo’s updated line of trucks.

Minimizer says its new floor mats for Volvo VNL, VNR, VNX and VHD all utilize a tray system so the cab floor is protected by the mat’s raised edge. Whatever falls on the mat, such as dirt from a driver’s boots or coffee from a driver’s cup, stays on the mat. Each floor mat is covered by Minimizer’s lifetime warranty, the company says.

Expanded brake pad offerings Fras-le North America has added durbloc to its hydraulic brake pad lineup. durbloc is a direct response to the market’s demand for a high-quality, value-cost option from Fras-le, the company says.

Fras-le also introduced GRN Tech to its air disc brake pad program. The material is made from a highly-durable formulation providing increased brake power as well as rotor and pad durability, the company says, adding that this product is unique in that it will provide OEMs with copper-free solutions that will exceed performance expectations.

Jump starter designed for HD trucks LithiumHub.com has introduced the 12-volt Jumpbooster JP30, a jump starter battery designed specifically for heavy-duty diesel trucks.

Weighing 11 lb., LithiumHub says the JP30 produces 3,000 peak cranking amps, more than enough to start diesel truck engines up to 16 liters in displacement. It also can start a heavy-duty diesel truck with no lead acid batteries connected.

The JP30 has a seven-year lifespan, provides instantaneous power and can provide up to 5,000 starts.

Safety features include reverse polarity, low-voltage protection, short circuit overheat protection and overdischarge protection, the company says.

Marketplace

Value fan clutch line introduced Horton has expanded its product reach in the aftermarket with Klondike by Horton.

Klondike is a new value brand of aftermarket fan clutches, remans, repair kits and accessories. Horton says the line was developed to give second and third vehicle owners operating older tractors a higherquality, dependable fan clutch option at a competitive price.

Designed, built and tested to meet OEM specifications, Klondike’s product line uses a modular design approach that will reduce the number of parts numbers distributors will need to carry to service aftermarket customers, the company says.

New fragrances for hand cleaner Permatex has expanded its Fast Orange Hand Cleaner line with the addition of new Fresh Scent and Cherry fragrances. The new versions offer the same cleaning power and skin care protection as the original Xtreme Orange scent, the company says.

Permatex Fast Orange Xtreme Orange scent is available in a 15-oz. rocker cap bottle and a one-gallon pump. Fast Orange Xtreme Fresh Scent and Cherry are offered in a low-profile, one-gallon pump.

Gallery cooled piston kit for Cummins engines AFA has announced the availability of a new gallery cooled piston kit for the Cummins K19, K38, K50, KTA19, KTA38, QSK19, QSK38 and QSK50 Series engines. This gallery cooled piston design lowers the piston bowl temperature for more power, torque and fuel economy, the company says.

The piston kit contains piston body, piston pin and piston pin retainers. Piston rings must be ordered separately as there are different ring sets depending on specific application. It is used in industrial, marine and power generation applications.

The company says the piston is made from AFA’s proprietary formula of aluminum and other alloys for high strength and durability under extreme operating conditions. The NI top ring land insert is made of the highest quality nickel alloys, is resistant to corrosion and has ductile capabilities, AFA adds.

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Supplier introduces aftermarket branded products Denso Products and Services Americas (DPAM), an affiliate of Denso Corporation, has introduced its new PowerEdge brand of starters, alternators, diesel particulate filters (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) units for heavy-duty trucks.

The products pair Denso’s engineering, design and standards with its supply chain partnerships to meet the industry’s growing demand for premium parts at competitive prices, Denso says.

DPAM says PowerEdge starters feature 12 part numbers with 31,000 applications that cover more than 90 percent of all Class 8 trucks. Units are new and come with a one-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

Also available are four 12-volt, 170-amp PowerEdge alternators in pad mount and J180 mount types covering nearly all Class 8 trucks in operation. Each unit is built with segment conductor technology to provide a lightweight and efficient alternator with better conductivity, higher amps and improved air flow. All units are new and come with a one-year/unlimited mileage warranty, the company says.

The PowerEdge aftertreatment line includes 53 DPFs with 335 applications and 23 DOCs with 92 applications covering 93 percent of the heavy-duty market for 2007 or newer Class 8 trucks. PowerEdge also offers 17 DPFs and DOCs covering diesel applications in the light- and medium-duty markets. DPAM says DPFs and DOCs meet or exceed OE quality.

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Marketplace

Spring pins added to heavy-duty line World American has added replacement spring pins to its heavy-duty product line.

The 20 spring pins now available fit Ford, Peterbilt and Freightliner tractors as well as Hendrickson, Euclid and Dayton Parts. Diameter widths are 1.12 to 1.5 in., the company says. World American says all pins are in stock and available to ship.

Off The Line

Drive position retread for severe applications

Spotlighting a new OEM innovation

Bridgestone Americas has announced an addition to its Bandag retread portfolio. The Bandag BLSS retread is designed for fleets that travel in on- and off-road environments.

Engineered for the drive position with a specialized tread compound to resist cutting and chipping, the Bandag BLSS retread helps make mobility more efficient by delivering a long tread life, stone rejection technology and powerful grip in severe service applications, the company says.

New drivelines, U-joints available Western Star 4700 enhancements benefit driver experience, safety Western Star has updated its most popular truck model with several enhancements that make it lighter, safer, more productive and faster to upfit, the company says.

Western Star 4700 trucks and tractors can now be spec’d with the new Cummins X12 engine. Weighing 2,050 lb.

— which is up to 600 lb. lighter than other medium-bore engines in the 10- to 13-liter category — the Cummins X12 contributes to enhanced productivity without compromising the power required for tough vocational jobs, the company says.

Another new option is the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, which can now be spec’d for Detroitpowered 4700s. With features such as creep mode, hill start aid and a precise pneumatic shift and clutch control, the DT12 gives a smoother ride and reduces driver fatigue, the company says.

The truck’s multi-function steering wheel offers the driver easy-to-reach access to cruise control, radio functions, phone controls and dash display menus.

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Dana Incorporated has added the SPL 250 Lite driveshaft to its genuine Spicer line-up and expanded the Spicer Select portfolio to cover the Meritor Permalube RPL Series.

Dana says the new SPL 250 Lite aftermarket replacement offering simplifies installation with a press-in midship assembly and includes the complete driveshaft, coupling shaft and service components. Dana says the SPL 250 Lite driveshaft is up to 25 lb. lighter than competitive products. It shares service components with the SPL 350 and SPL 250 driveshafts.

Dana has expanded the Spicer Select product range with the addition of two new replacement U-joints covering Meritor Permalube RPL Series drivelines. Dana says the Spicer Select U-joints are permanently lubricated and sealed, providing reduced operating and maintenance costs.

Marketplace

New spiral king pins Dayton Parts has introduced its new Truefit Express spiral king pins. Designed for extended life, the Truefit Express king pin features spiral grooves to facilitate grease delivery to high-wear areas.

For simplified maintenance, Dayton Parts says the kits include no-ream bushings and a simple-to-use T-handle tool for quick, consistent installation.

Dayton Parts says the king pins and bushings are made of durable alloy steel that meets or exceeds OEM standards.

The kits are available for a variety of vehicles and fit multiple axle applications. The initial offering consists of 21 king pin sets that will cover approximately 90 percent of the market. Additionally, the new king pin offering is covered by Dayton Parts’ standard one-year aftermarket warranty, the company says.

More than 25 light-duty turbo SKUs added to aftermarket

Next-generation trailer wing Rocketail has launched its Rocketail Wing, a rear drag reduction product for trailers.

The Rocketail system is a verified EPA SmartWay trailer rear fairing technology for heavy-duty truck trailers that has exhibited fuel efficiency improvement of more than 3.58 gallons per 1,000 miles, the company says.

Constructed of lightweight, high-impact, gas-infused polymers, the wing-shaped airfoil has a compact footprint. It extends only 14 in. from the rear of the trailer. Additionally, the Rocketail Wing is deployed using swing-hinges that lock the wings in their maximum aerodynamic open position when the doors are closed.

The company says the system shifts the wings flush with the sides of the trailer when the doors are opened.

Installation requires only drill bits and tightening tools and takes two people about one hour. Each wing weighs less than 25 lb., the company says.

W W W . T R U C K PA R T S A N D S E R V I C E . C O M

PurePower Technologies (PPT) has announced it is adding 26 turbo SKUs for the aftermarket.

Launching in March 2019, these new offerings greatly expand the company’s turbo platform across new high-volume makes and models delivering power, reliability and efficiency for a multitude of light-duty diesel engines and are verified to meet OE specifications, PPT says.

PPT recently launched its expanded turbo product line, along with its newest 6.7L Ford and 6.6L GM “LML” reman diesel fuel injector offerings.

Offering full assembly and remanufacturing in the company’s IATF 16949- and ISO 14001-certified manufacturing operation, all PPT turbos are end-of-line tested as a full assembly, ensuring performance and high-efficiency output, the company says.

Gate actuators for CAT turbochargers Turbo Solutions offers a full line of new waste gate actuators for CAT turbocharger applications.

Turbo Solutions says these pneumatic actuators are available as actuator only or actuator kits, which include clevis, heat shield and bracket. Applications include CAT C7, C10, C12, C13/15 ACERT and 3406.

The company says the actuators and actuator kits are available from its shipping locations in New Jersey and Colorado and its network of authorized distributors.

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Marketplace

Disc brake kit, reman calipers added to aftermarket portfolio Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake (BSFB) has added the new Bendix BA235 air disc brake pad kit to its aftermarket portfolio. For truck/tractor and trailer ADB applications, BSFB says the BA235 pad provides a lower-cost option for pad replacement while retaining performance, warranty and post-sales support.

Bendix also offers the BX276 genuine OEM replacement pad. The long-life BX276 pad is suitable for all applications and provides more wearable volume and an improved wear rate, the company says. For severe-duty brake applications such as refuse and school bus, Bendix offers the BX283 pad.

All of these Bendix ADB pads meet FMVSS-121 requirements and the current EPA Copper-Free Brake Initiative requirements, the company says.

BSFB also launched brake calipers that are produced using the same processes and standards as OEM components. Bendix says used caliper cores are separated, blasted, cleaned and an e-coat is applied. Key components are replaced with new OEM versions.

Cabinets offer security, flexibility, visibility Crescent JOBOX, a hand tool brand of Apex Tool Group, has introduced mesh cabinets available in three sizes and emphasize security, versatility, visibility and portability, the company says.

Built with 13-gauge steel mesh, the Crescent JOBOX cabinets feature white sliding shelves, making them visible and accessible. The 65-in. (No. 400990) and 49-in. (No. 401990) models feature eight shelf channels and the 33-in. model (No. 402990) features four, designed for customizable shelf placement for storage up to 200 lb. each, the company says.

Built-in storage bins on each door provide access to smaller items. On the outside, a shelf works with the push handle to create a space for step ladders and other longer items.

The locking system secures the top, bottom and middle of the doors. The 33 in. wide cabinets roll through standard industrial doorways on heavy-duty 6-in. lockable casters — two fixed and two swivel, the company says.

New grease, pintle hook offered SAF-Holland has introduced Holland True Lube grease and the PH-405 pintle hook.

The new grease is optimized for performance from -40°F to 150°F and provides smooth operation, corrosion and oxidation protection, oil bleed control and saltwater resistance, among other benefits, the company says. It is available in 5-gal pails, 14-oz. tubes and 120-lb. drums.

The new PH-405 pintle hook is manufactured with austenitic manganese steel for enhanced wear and is designed to work harden at contact surfaces with the drawbar.

SAF-Holland says it is used with 23/8-in. drawbars on heavy-duty ‘A’ train (converter dolly) double and triple applications for bulk liquids, dry bulk, aggregates and quarry materials. The long life, rigid-mount design with an eight-bolt mounting pattern is compatible with the company’s PH-400 model and the Premier 2400, 100-4 and 470 models.

Backed by a two-year warranty, the PH-405 pintle hook can be used with or without an air chamber, the company says.

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Marketplace

New severe-duty wheel seals RevHD has produced a line of severeduty wheel seals that are manufactured to take on the rigors of off-road applications.

RevHD says the seals offer a feature called the Flex Design, which allows the seal to flex both during installation and when traveling off-road. In

addition, the top plate of the RevHD seal is designed to handle the impact of just about anything — even a hammer. This thick top plate acts as a solid barrier, the company says, shielding the seal against the elements and heat coming off the brakes.

There also is a free tube of seal bond included in every box.

Liftgate electrical assembly with dual pole plug connection Phillips Industries introduces the Weather-Tite M2 liftgate electrical assembly. Phillips says the new assembly features the only dual pole plug connection on the market that offers superior corrosion protection and is interchangeable with any standard J3082 liftgate socket.

Phillips designed the Weather-Tite M2 for dual pole applications to eliminate corrosion buildup that can occur at the coupled lift-gate connection. With its unbreakable, non-corrosive plug housing molded to the electrical cable, Phillips says it is a durable solution that is impervious to water and contaminants at the back of the plug.

Assemblies are available with heavyduty jacketing in straight and coiled versions and come in varying lengths with a choice of two- or four-gauge fine stranded copper wiring, the company says.

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Classified Ads

WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?

CREATOR OF PORTABLE ACCESS SOLUTIONS ©2019 Meritor, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Ad Index Company

Contact Info

Autel

autel.com

Automann

automann.com

Caterpillar

cat.com/remanoffer

Great American Trucking Show

Page

Company

Contact Info

5

RigDig

rigdigbi.com

31

BC

RigDig

rigdigbi.com

40

sandstruck.com

IBC

3

S&S Truck Parts

truckshow.com/register

29

hunter.com

11

The Universal Group

lkqheavytruck.com

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VP Racing Fuels

meritorpartsxpress.com

IFC

Mid-America Trucking Show

truckingshow.com

36

Midwest Truck & Auto Parts

worldamerican.com

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Direct Equipment Supply

Minimizer

minimizer.om

27

Innovative Access Solutions

Noregon

noregon.com

9

ProMiles

promiles.com

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Hunter Engineering Company LKQ Heavy Truck Meritor

Randall-Reilly Technicians

Page

randallreilly.com/tech-solutions 21

Shell

shell.us/services

19

theuniversalgroup.com

23

vpracingfuels.com

FC

directequipmentsupply.com

39

Classifieds iascustom.com

39

meritorpartsxpress.com

39

NMF

gonmf.com

39

RigDig

rigdigbi.com

39

Meritor

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T R U C K PA R T S & S E R V I C E | M a r c h 2 0 1 9

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