Roads #3, 2014 by UD Trucks Corporation

Roads The Global UD Trucks Customer Magazine

ISSUE 3 2014

Legendary Test Drive UD retraces an epic journey Extra Mile Challenge A competition YOU will want to be part of! Folk art on wheels Decorated trucks in Pakistan

Dear friends,

ISSUE 3 2014 04

Welcome to this new issue of Roads! UD has had a very eventful end of year, as you will discover in the following pages. Looking towards 2015, we have been carefully preparing a new competition, the “Extra Mile Challenge”, to which you will be invited to participate from next year. This new one-of–a kind competition will test the best of your management, planning and driving skills, in exciting challenges, to identify the most efficient customer team around the world! This year, we also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the legendary 3,000km-test drive our founder Kenzo Adachi undertook around Japan with his first truck to demonstrate the reliability of UD’s first diesel engine, fueling the spirit of constant improvement constituting UD’s DNA. At UD, providing you with the best trucks and the best service is at the heart of every one of us. Recently, the best UD mechanics from our global network took part in the very demanding Gemba Challenge – which is a mechanical skills development competition. We hope you enjoy reading how we pitted them against each other, presenting them with simulations of issues, you the customer, might face on the road.

Theo Wibisono

Business development manager in Indonesia

Australia

Seeding the future Partnering for growth

ESCOT-V gearbox

The best of manual and automatic transmission

Legendary Test Drive

UD retraces an epic journey

Gemba Challenge 2014 Competing to elevate client service

Running the extra mile UD people take up the challenge at the Ageo City Marathon

35 As you already know, this magazine is yours, and our address roadsmagazine@udtrucks.co.jp is open to your suggestions. Send us your questions or ideas for an article.

Pakistan Folk art on wheels Arty truck culture

In this issue, we will introduce you to people who share the same questions and face the same issues as you. In Australia, we meet the manager of a plant nursery who is replacing his fleet of delivery trucks with UD models, seeking to benefit in terms of reliability and running costs. Our trucks may be our working tools, but we are also very attached to them. In Pakistan, the customization of trucks is so ubiquitous it now forms part of the country’s folk art. You will meet the drivers of these colorful trucks and the craftsmen who specialize in making each truck so unique.

You are invited to participate in the

Extra Mile Challenge!

Tradition Just in Time (JIT) How customers become production directors Roads is published by UD Trucks Corporation

Until then please allow me to send you my warm wishes of happiness, success, and prosperity, to you and your loved ones in the coming year!

Yusuke Sakaue President UD Trucks Corporation

www.udtrucks.com Publisher Mansoor Ahmed mansoor.ahmed@volvo.com Produced by

contact@alineaproductions.com Tel: +86 139 111 55 788

E x tra Mil e C hall e n g e

Kick off: UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Text: Makiko Segawa Photos: Nicolas Datiche

couple of hours outside Tokyo, in the city of Mito, ancient capital during the Shogun era, UD Trucks unveiled a new competition. On November 25th, the first ever UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge took place at the Japan Automobile Research Institute Test Center, the country’s largest automotive test course. Based on UD Trucks brand promise ‘Going the Extra Mile’, the Extra Mile Challenge is a full day competition which encourages customer teams to focus on becoming more fuel efficient, with higher uptime and lower operating costs. The underlying aims of the challenge are to promote safer driving by enhancing drivers’ skills and confidence, and to keep a customer’s business moving forward at all times. For this pilot edition, three teams from Australia - comprised of a driver and a

fleet manager - competed in the rain on what felt like the coldest day of the year. Before the actual competition, everyone attended a seminar that included presentations on the UD brand, products and Extra Mile aftermarket support, as well as tips on pre-drive inspection, safety and fuel-efficient driving. Then the

teams took part in the challenge itself, which simulated a real transportation cycle: pre-inspection, maneuvering skills, smooth fuel-efficient driving and cargo pick-up and delivery. All the results were translated into Australian dollars, and the winner was the team with the highest revenue and lowest costs.

What does Extra Mile mean? “It is our philosophy of constant improvement at UD. It is the extra effort made behind the scenes, resulting in: · better products, with better reliability, better fuel efficiency, better uptime, better environmental protection; · and better service, we make the extra effort to contribute to the success of our customers’ day-today business.”

Back on the roads in Australia, the UD truck drivers taking part in the event move tons of bulk gas, liquid waste tanks, oil, and minerals. They are vital links in Australia’s national power grid today.

Naoaki Yukishita, Senior manager UD Trucks Brand Management

The cautious planner Mark Crammer, Director of Marsue Transport, currently has 19 UD Trucks. He carries a maximum of 200 gas cylinders, such as oxygen and nitrogen, with cylinders weighing as much as 84 kilos each. He transports all kinds of dangerous goods and notes, “It is a very dangerous

job and I am always cautious to have a safe drive – I am proud of my job because it supports the power of my country.” During the competition, he proved to be a excellent strategist; he checked the routes over several kilometers of track to get a clear idea of which areas would consume more fuel.

Josh Sprague of winning father-and-son Team Sprague

The father and son team A father and son team worked so well together that they earned the audience’s applause and respect. Peter Sprague and his youngest son Josh, who run a company called Lee’s Liquid Waste in Australia, participated in the contest. Sprague runs a family business with his wife and three sons. Liquid waste is the main item they transport with UD trucks, at times as much as 42.5 tons on long drives across the country. After more than 10 years working with UD Trucks, Peter admires his decade-long partner, “It

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has never broken down. Not even once! Its durability and reliability far surpasses that of any other truck,” he points out, smiling. Throughout the course of the competition, Peter, the experienced planner, gave his full support to son Josh. The younger of the duo, who started driving at 17, performed outstandingly on all the tests. Even at the parking test – one of the most difficult challenges of the contest – Josh excelled. The drivers had to park their trucks close to a dock without knocking down the safety cones. With the guidance of his father, Josh swiftly parked his 12-meter-long truck perfectly – twice – pulling on the brake a mere 10cm from the loading dock! The audience, stunned by Josh’s speed and accuracy and by the united father-son team, burst into applause. It came as no surprise that Team Sprague ended up winning this first Extra Mile Challenge! Legacy of the challenge All the participants enjoyed the event, and many of them ended the day with a new perspective on their daily operations back home. After the event, Peter Sprague said, “I’ve become more aware of being a professional in terms of the skills required. I’m resolved to be more serious about driver training on my return.” He added that truck drivers in Australia need this sort of competition to increase awareness of their driving environment. “There are various issues related to the safety of truck drivers in Australia. Obviously traffic and also the reckless way certain drivers sneak between the trucks! But our biggest issue is the kangaroo!” explains Peter. In his estimation, an accident with a kangaroo can cost between AUD2,000-3,000 (upwards of USD1,600).

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“The voice of our customers, the voice of the gemba, and the communication with them is crucial – it’s what makes us go the extra mile so they can go the extra mile!” Kenneth Hagas, Vice President UD Trucks Brand Strategy & Implementation

Australia can be a rugged environment in which to drive and this means drivers need extra training and support. One Australian at the competition, Mark Crammer, said that he intends to build on his experience here in Japan when he returns home. “As soon as I get back home, I would like to tap into my network and see if we can’t get a similar regional contest going,” he enthuses, excited by what he has learnt at the competition. There is no doubt that when the competition is held again next year it will be a formidable challenge for UD customers around the world!

Post-event survey among the participants Interactivity Information sharing Timing of the program Fun experience

100% satisfaction UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge will be rolled out to certain markets in 2015, with the finalists competing for the top spot in Japan.

Cul tu ral – Paki s t an

Folk art on wheels Text: Sanam Durrani, Farhan Sheikh, Athar Zaidi Photo: Khalid Malik

Nowhere else in the world will you find UD trucks looking so exceptional! One could even venture to say that nobody loves their trucks more than the Pakistanis. 08

“I

feel a sense of pride when my truck looks beautiful and others appreciate it,” beams driver Aamir Shujahat, sitting inside a brilliantly decorated UD truck. From the truck’s extravagant bumper, trailer headpiece to the interior of the cabin, every inch of it is customized, and mostly by hand. If one had to name a distinguishing form of folk art that best

signifies the life and culture of Pakistan, the first style that comes to mind is Truck Art. Shujahat adds that all these decorations and bells create a distinct sound; music that accompanies his life on the road. It is also the sound that signals his arrival home, one his family listens out for when he’s away on a long road trip.

Cul tu ral – Paki s t an

The body maker In a workshop in Maripur, Karachi, workers are busy showcasing their talents on trucks in the initial stages of development. Haji Asghar Habib, a body maker by profession, is specialized in working with wood and metal. He has been in this field for almost 40 years. He is currently working on a new design which he calls ‘Dera Design’ named after his birthplace. He is happy to note that this particular design is gaining popularity in the market. Each year these gifted workers come up with new and original designs in the hope that they will gain recognition. The bodies are made in different cities across the country. The ready-to-use wooden sheets are made out of spruce – imported from Africa and sometimes Europe – while the metal sheets are domestically made. These two materials are used together to add durability and strength to the trucks. When Asghar finishes the first stage of development, the canvas is ready for the brushstrokes of the painting crew.

Much of the work is done by hand, with a minimum of power tools Body maker Asghar Habib working on his latest project

Driving a UD truck in Pakistan Amir Shujahat, who loves driving his beautifully decorated UD truck on the highways, has been a truck driver for almost ten years. Shujahat says that his favorite truck is a UD. It was also the preferred choice of his father, also a truck driver. “Having tried many trucks, I think UD trucks are the best in the market. They perform efficiently in mountainous areas, where my journeys often take me; the UD moves effortlessly uphill on the steep roads as a result of excellent road grip. The UD also gives great mileage. I am particularly fond of the soft gear shifting and steering, and I find the seat comfortable, which is vital for someone like me who often has to drive eight hours at a stretch!”

Sometimes a particular design will become popular – that is the hope of many of these unsung artists. 10

Artist Ghulam Ali making embellisments by hand

A Pakistani success story: Basheer Shakeel Goods The painters From poetry to folk tales, elements of political and national life, talismans or religious symbols and even proclamations of unrequited love – all these messages are painted on the trucks in a palette of bright and vibrant hues and in a myriad of styles. “Each province has its own unique style of truck painting,” says Khan Mohammad, a truck painter by profession. He grew up watching his father and grandfather performing the same trade and has followed in their footsteps. He has been in the business for almost three decades, and interprets the meaning of some of the artwork. “The paintings and embellishment on a

truck can be used to tell which part of the country it comes from. Most drivers from Peshawar and Balochistan prefer paintings of birds and sceneries. While camel bone work is prevalent in Sindh, fleet owners in Islamabad and Rawalpindi prefer plastic work,” he explains. True craftsmen One such skilled artist is Ghulam Ali, who has been creating vibrant and intricate works of art for the past 20 years. He now runs the workshop where he started as an apprentice. “Even though I had plenty of options to choose from, this is what I loved the most. I enjoy the artistic side of

my work,” Ali says. This is the true work of a craftsman; every stage of the process is done by hand, from the design work, the stencil making to the final application of color. Even the delicate stickers are made by hand. One commission can take from a week or up to 20 days to finish, depending on the design and details. The dedication and passion with which these unsung artists pursue their trade has given the Pakistani trucking industry an unusual position in the country’s culture and traditions.

The owner of Basheer Shakeel Goods, Haji Khan Baig has been in the industry for 45 years. Noticing his sharp trade sense, it was his uncle who inspired him to start his own transportation business. Years of hard work and dedication have seen Baig’s business expand greatly. His fleet now consists of both rigid and prime movers. Nearly 250 in number, of which 98 trucks are self-owned, while the rest are on a contractual basis. Two thirds of Baig’s fleet are UD Heavy-Duty trucks. “These trucks have a better engine compared to those of other brands in the market, and the fuel consumption is minimal. Low maintenance costs and less downtime is vital when running such a large fleet.” Another factor contributing to his continued loyalty to UD is the resale value of the trucks. “Because the parts are easily available in Pakistan, these heavy vehicles are very popular,” he points out. The first UD truck that Baig bought was in 1990 and he still has a few UD vehicles in his fleet which date back to 1992. His UD trucks are an integral part of his business and the preferred choice of the drivers, who appreciate the comfort and reliability when driving these huge trucks across Pakistan’s rugged roads.

I n te r v iew e x p re s s

Theo Wibisono Business development manager in Indonesia

When did you first join Volvo Indonesia?

In 2012. I started out as UD Product Manager and I’m now in a sales position.

Why did you move to sales?

I moved to sales because, in my future with UD Trucks, I want to focus on the customers. I believe our customers are our main asset. We must listen to the feedback they give us in order to build the trucks they need. So, by moving into sales, I felt I could work in an area about which I feel passionate.

Why trucks?

Since childhood I have wanted to work with trucks. I am fascinated by the never-ending progress of the technology used in the vehicles, and by the complex capabilities of these modern trucks.

Text & Photo: Vanda Kusumaningrum

Age: 35 Nationality: Indonesian Location: Jakarta Work experience: 12 years in the truck industry Education: Mechanical engineering degree Family: Married and a father of two Hobbies: Gym & soccer

What do you think of UD as a brand?

I believe UD has a strong presence in Indonesia. Over the last 30 years it has proven that it understands and can respond to the needs of the Indonesian customers.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like to work out at the gym, and I’m a huge soccer fan. I support Manchester United and my favorite player is Christian Ronaldo!

Who is your role model in life?

My late father is my strongest role model. It was he who inspired me; if I am in this industry, it’s thanks to him. He would take me to see his trucks, and I would sit on his lap and go driving with him. I was fascinated by what the trucks could do, I thought they could perform such unbelievable tasks – it was incredibly exciting for a young boy!

What is your motto in life?

What strategy do you plan to implement for UD Trucks in Indonesia?

“To forge ahead despite the obstacles that come my way” – that is my motto in life. I never give up and this keeps me going. My plan with UD Trucks is to offer our customers tailor-made solutions – that is one way of going the extra mile for them.

Cu s to m e r s to r y - Au s tralia

Seeding the future Text: Mark Irving Photos: Jarrad Seng

Cu s to m e r s to r y - Au s tralia

Perth, the most isolated capital city in the world

1.7

million inhabitants

6,500

sq km

2,014 km

Perth is the capital of Western Australia (WA) WA occupies

vs.

Perth

to the nex t large city

1/3 of the country Los Angeles

3.5 million inhabitants 1,300 sq km

8 hours of sunshine per day all year round Average summer temperatures

30°C 17°C daytime temperature

nighttime temperature

Hot summers, mild winters Warm weather stretches from

Matt James (left), the third generation of Benara Nurseries, is now running the company with his sister and two cousins, here with David Baronet (right), UD Trucks salesman, Truck Centre (WA)

November until April

The evergreen tree in Perth With sandy soils, Perth’s outer suburbs are perfect for horticulture. The city’s climate and sunny, warm weather have nurtured Benara Nurseries for more than half a century. It was the current manager’s green-fingered grandmother, Win James, who founded the

nursery in 1963. For a name, she chose that of the company’s first location at Benara Road. Five decades later, Win – now in her nineties – is retired, having passed the running of the business onto four of her grandchildren. The nursery has outgrown its location twice,

now flourishing on a 100ha plot where it grows the company’s products: native and exotic plants, vegetables and flowers, trees and indoor plants, vegetable seedlings and exotic palms, as well as grasses and ground covers.

Bali Island

he sun rising over the foothills marks the start of another busy day at Australia’s largest wholesale nursery. At 6am, an 18-truck fleet pulls out of Benara Nurseries to deliver its cargo of plants, seedlings and saplings across Perth and beyond. There is a lot of driving ahead. Besides being the capital of the State of Western Australia (WA), Perth is one of the world’s most isolated cities — isolated even in its own country. In fact, it is closer to Bali (Indonesia) than it is to Sydney. It’s also one of the most scattered cities. Perth has 1.7 million residents and they enjoy lots of room to spread out because the city covers almost 6,500 sq km of land. By comparison, Los Angeles has 3.5 million inhabitants and only 1,300 sq km. All this means a big area to service for Benara Nurseries. The company is based in a northern suburb of Perth, almost 50km from the city center. As to statewide deliveries, its trucks travel down the south coast and up to the northeastern cities, and everywhere in between. Benara Nurseries’ customers in Australia

are retail nurseries that sell to the public, landscape gardeners who “green” new housing estates, and hardware stores. One customer is Bunnings, Australia’s biggest chain of household hardware stores with a network of 280 stores in Australia and New Zealand. Such business is much prized because of the size of the orders; but it also demands suppliers maintain razor-sharp prices - they must take every effort to keep their costs to a minimum to make the contracts profitable.

A promising partnership

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth Sydney

The trucks are loaded in the afternoon so they’re ready to roll at 6am when the drivers arrive for work. If a truck doesn’t start, they would have to unload plants that would otherwise wilt in the stifling heat. Aware of the importance of timely deliveries in the successful development of the nursery, Matt James, Benara director, has been looking at constituting a stronger and more reliable fleet of trucks. Matt came to David Baronet, UD Trucks salesman at Truck Centre (WA), one of Western Australia’s biggest truck dealerships. David is well aware that what benefits customers’ business

Cu s to m e r s to r y - Au s tralia

With the new UD Trucks proving to be reliable, economical and appreciated by drivers, the partnership between UD Trucks and Benara Nurseries is set to grow. extends far wider than purely price. Such features as truck uptime, fuel economy, driver comfort, whole-of-life costs, after-sales service are all taken into consideration. Added to Matt’s growing interest in UD was his dissatisfaction with the reliability of the other trucks in his fleet. “I already knew the UD name because I had friends who had UD trucks, and they said they were great. I spent a bit of time with David and went to a few UD functions,” recounts Matt.

Over the past 18 months, Benara Nurseries has added two UD trucks to its fleet. Matt opted for the PK17280 model, fitted with curtain side bodies designed to maximum length, ideal for hauling the nursery’s horticultural products.Have the trucks lived up to their promise? “They have been fantastic,” says Matt, pleased with his purchasing decision. “They’re economical to run, I’ve had no dramas with them and they’re comfortable – the drivers like them. We’ve only got two at the moment; but we’re going to be buying more, mainly because the UDs are

reliable trucks,” he explains, adding that he’s eventually looking to replace twelve of his eighteen vehicles with UD trucks. Benara Nurseries now employs three hundred people, with a second nursery in southeast Perth and an outlet in Karawang, Indonesia, opened in 1995, which services both the Indonesian and export markets. What started as a one-woman business has blossomed into the biggest wholesale nursery in Australia, possibly the southern hemisphere, under the clement skies of Australia’s most isolated city.

Te c h n olo g y

ESCOT-V: the best of both worlds Text: Jonathan Koch

Combining ride comfort and excellent fuel economy, the Easy & Safety COntrolled Transmission (ESCOT) is a manual gearbox with an automatic gear changing system. It’s nothing less than a revolution in the trucking industry.

Compact conception The transmission is a compact, lightweight unit. It is divided into a base unit and a range-change unit. The base unit, range section and clutch housing are made of aluminum, which contributes to the low weight.

ESCOT-V saves

you fuel

First of all, the internal energy losses are low – actually lower than on manual gearboxes. However it’s the electronics that really make the difference. When driving in Economy mode, every gear change is timed precisely, to let the engine work at its most efficient rpm range.

Save fuel with Soft Cruise control Engage the Economy ED mode when driving the ESCOT-V in auto cruise and you can enjoy both enhanced driver comfort and improved fuel-efficiency. Shift timing and acceleration in hill climbing are optimized for economy driving.

Save more with Acceleration Limiter

No more depressing

The ESCOT-V is optimized to combine easy driving with superior fuel economy. The new Acceleration Limiter in the Economy ED mode is a perfect example of how it’s achieved. It automatically softens acceleration to a certain level to improve fuel efficiency.

clutch

Save fuel down hill and while coasting (ESCOT Roll)

Driving ESCOT-V is a real pleasure. Without the clutch pedal, you can safely sit back and concentrate on the other two. ESCOT-V uses its builtin intelligence to quickly and automatically choose the right gear at all times. And the software provides shifting skills that are impossible for even the best of drivers to match. Still, if you want to get more involved, you can take control and shift gear manually.

The ESCOT-V is equipped with the ESCOT Roll fuel-saving feature. When driving downhill and coasting in auto cruise/Economy ED mode, ESCOT Roll automatically disengages the engine to make use of the truck’s momentum instead of burning fuel.

ESCOT-V is a fast-responding gearchanging system with minimum interruption in torque delivery during changes and a wide ratio span, a combination that offers impressive resources for high average speeds.

Optimum gear – every time

Starting ratio is selected automatically in response to road gradient and gross vehicle weight. ESCOT-V is available with a choice of program packages and various functions. Among them is a facility for choosing between fully automatic gear changes and manual selection, and a performance mode with a kick down function that utilizes the engine’s capacity to the maximum.

How does it work? Built for

high mileage All the shafts, bearings and gears are sturdily dimensioned for high operating reliability and long service life. All the gears are made of special steel that has been casehardened to provide considerable strength. The gears in the base unit are helical; so more teeth are in mesh with each other at any one time. This results in quiet operation and high operating reliability.

The system consists of a non-synchromesh manual gearbox with an electronically regulated pneumatic gear changing system and an automatic clutch. The secret of the seamless gear changes lies in the intelligent electronic control unit, in charge of controlling the pneumatic system that handles the clutch and shifts. By constantly receiving information about vehicle speed, acceleration, weight, road grade, torque demand and more, it can carry out every shift with extreme precision. It also communicates closely with the engine, which in turn adjusts revs and engine brake effect for fast and comfortable shifting.

L e g e n d ar y Te s t D ri ve

1939 2014

Legendary Test Drive Text: Makiko Segawa Photos: Nicolas Datiche

The year 2014 celebrates the 75th anniversary of the epic 1939 drive made by Kenzo Adachi. The 3,000km loop tested not only his first truck, but his first diesel engine. The new Quon and a venerable 6TW retraced the same legendary drive. 24

L e g e n d ar y Te s t D ri ve

t was a grueling journey 75 years ago; the roads of Japan were mostly rural then. Long before the echoes of the naysayers had faded, Kenzo Adachi had completed his epic loop. What he wanted to produce was “a truck that could handle any road, no questions asked”. It was a triumph and this determination in the pursuit of reliability and durability became enshrined in the company’s philosophy. The LD1* embodied the vision of Kenzo Adachi: to make “the truck the world needs today”, a durable and reliable truck with superior efficiency and productivity.

For the 2014 anniversary drive, held from November 8 th to 20 th – the exact same dates as in 1939 – UD Trucks chose two models to celebrate this epic test: one a nod to the past and the other a salute to the future.

The venerable 6TW – part of Japan’s history As the beige 10.5-ton 6TW truck – all 6 meters long and 3 meters high – drove along the legendary test route, it revived the memories of a generation of Japanese who witnessed it rebuild the country. The 6TW was developed in the 60s, building on the ultimate dependability mantra. These were the post-war Miracle Growth years, when Japan entered a period of modernization and preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This pioneering heavy-duty truck plied the roads and highways of Japan, carrying materials for the country’s modernization and infrastructure projects, such as the giant Kurobe dam, in a fast and reliable manner. It was the 6TW that transported the locomotives and wagons of the Shinkansen bullet

*LD1: The first truck of Kenzo Adachi, powered by ND1, his first engine – two-cycle, two-cylinder opposed-piston diesel engine.

“Trust, efficiency and reliability are the strongest motors in all our trucks, no matter the model or era. This has remained unchanged throughout UD’s history. If Adachi-san could see his vision still alive 75 years later, I think he’d be very happy!”

“When I was a college student, UD two stroke engine was a hot topic. It had the reputation of being extraordinarily strong. Its power by far surpassed the other brands!”

“When I was a kid in Yokohama, I saw all kinds of vehicles in town. Many imported goods were carried on those trucks!” Masayoshi Tamaru (left) Retired transportation company manager Yokohama

Ichiro Kageyama Professor College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University

“UD trucks always reawaken sweet memories for me. When I was a child, I remember this truck carrying Taiwanese bananas - a luxury in those days. The truck would be loaded with so many bananas that we’d race to collect any that fell off!” Kenzo Adachi drove a staggering 3,000 km along some of Japan’s toughest roads, putting his first truck and diesel engine to the ultimate test of that era. Truck and engine completed the journey without a single breakdown.

Yoshio Maeda (right) Director of Suzue Transportation Ltd., running a fleet of 15 UD trucks

6TW played a major role in Japanese development in the 60s. Here transporting a locomotive of the famous Japanese bullet train, the Shinkansen.

Kenneth Hagas, Vice President UD Trucks Brand Strategy & Implementation

L e g e n d ar y Te s t D ri ve train, which opened just days before the Tokyo Olympics. The new Quon – heralding the future of Japan The newest Quon, delivered to customers in July of this year, with a raft of design and environmental updates, has been welcomed by drivers and fleet managers alike.

1939 2014

Designed to allow even more payload, this evolved Quon is more fuel efficient, has built-in active safety features and a cutting-edge telematics system which enhances both drivers’ and owners’ working relations with the vehicle. The Quon remains a favorite in Japanese truck fleets, not least due to the ESCOT V, widely recognized as the best automated manual transmission in the market today. As the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that Japan will “promote the next generation of environmentally friendly vehicles in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games”, so the new Quon will take over the role of its respected senior, the 6TW, which supported the first Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. As a UD truck once again plays an active role in the Olympic preparations, it confirms its position as the heir in a long lineage of UD trucks, deservedly earning its reputation for dependability and efficiency, and once again fulfilling the vision of the founder to produce the truck the world needs today.

“It never breaks. This 50-year-old truck is still running! I feel awe and respect for the determination of our Japanese seniors who mastered Japan’s monozukuri spirit.*” *Japan-made manufacturing spirit

Shigeo Takayama 6TW driver on the anniversary drive

U D co m p e ti tio n

Photos: Nicolas Datiche

global contest among UD Trucks’ aftermarket service, Gemba Challenge is a unique competition. UD Trucks’ technicians from around the world competed to measure their ability to continuously pursue excellence in servicing customers every day. Technicians from five countries entered the challenge this year, competing in a series of demanding tasks, challenging not only each individual’s skills but also their ability to work efficiently as a team. The top team from each country secured a place in the final round, held at the UD Trucks Kawaguchi training center in Japan, where they took part in the final stage of the industry’s most challenging competition. Meant to encourage best practices and to reward outstanding, rapid, problemsolving skills by having teams confront every kind of customer situation, the Gemba Challenge has brought out the best in aftermarket teams, supporting UD’s motto – Servicing customers to the best of our abilities is an everyday competition!

st And the winners are…

South Africa

Finals

Team BB Trucks & Tractor Polokwane

Kawaguchi training center November 18th, 2014

Gemba is a Japanese word which means “being on the scene”. Gemba supports people’s actions on site - whether the factory floor, at dealerships or customer sites – encouraging them to remain grounded, identify the key issues, and drive the solution toward better efficiency at all times. Gemba is the backbone of UD Trucks’ philosophy, underpinning a most efficient and timely service to our customers.

2nd

3rd

Japan

Team Chitose

Team Poso Yokohama

5 regions, 16 countries, 186 teams, and 750 participants entered the challenge INDONESIA

JAPAN

MALAYSIA

SOUTH ASIA

PAKISTAN

SOUTH AFRICA

SRI LANKA

U D co m p e ti tio n Team structure The finals - 7 stations to conquer

2+1+1+1: 2 mechanics + 1 parts adviser + 1 front staff + 1 team leader

Diagnostic system Engine

Brake

Power transmission

“We are excited to show the world what we are good at.” - Donny Sayogi Sandhi, Indonesia

“We are very excited to be amongst the cream of the crop and to represent South Africa. We are giving a 110% and are going the extra mile.”

Electrical component

Information system

Vehicle failure diagnosis

Servicing clients to the best of our ability is an every day competition - Gemba Challenge 2014

- Kyle Buys, South Africa

“We have waited for a long time for such a competition.” - Yong Yoon Peng, Malaysia

“We work well as a team, trained hard as a team. We are great communicators and that is why we are here today.” Kyle Buys

Tra di tio n

Just in time

Text: David Hughes Illustration: Lingxi

Focused on providing ‘the right material, at the right time, at the right place, and in the exact amount’, the Just-in-time (JIT) philosophy has revolutionized the whole production organization, from supplies to sales. Necessitating quick, flexible and reliable transportation, JIT has considerably contributed to the rapid increase of truck deliveries over the past 30 years.

Running the extra mile Ageo City Marathon - November 16th, 2014 Every UD truck is built to go the extra mile. This time, it was the UD staff – 78 in total – who took to the roads with this promise, participating in the 27th annual marathon, which gathered 8,000 competitors in Ageo City, home to UD Trucks. For some it was their first ever marathon, for others it was their first time at the halfmarathon distance; for everyone it was a chance to run further like the UD trucks they serve.

Said to have started because Japanese street shops were extremely small and could not hold much inventory. As merchandise needed to be delivered several times a day or every time a large item was sold, what was originally just an inventory management solution was extended to a much larger concept and was rapidly adopted by mass production systems, which needed to build complex objects to order. Before JIT, for example, car manufacturers were building cars based on sales projections, and delivering them to dealer networks responsible for sales. However, this system came with multiple inconveniences: erroneous projections, storage and inventory costs, and ultimately, limited choices for customers. First developed and implemented in Japan, thanks to the implementation of the Total Quality Management philosophy*, JIT necessitates a profound redefinition of production planning and supply chain management. When perfectly mastered, it allows customers to pull the production system as production is launched after the customer’s order is received. Above all, JIT allows customers to order the exact product they want, and to receive it within a short space of time. * Roads #2/2014

“I’ve been participating in the Ageo City Marathon since I was in the 5th grade. This is the 25th time for me. My goal is to, someday, run 21k within 1h30.” Masahiro Takahashi, GTO

“I challenged myself and went beyond my expectations. My target was to run 5km in 40 minutes, I am happy to say I did it in 35 minutes!” Ana Bittar, UD Global Brand

“I often run, but it is usually between 5 and 10k, this was my first 21k. When I reached the finishing line, I understood the meaning of Going the Extra Mile. I wanted to prove to myself and my children that nothing is impossible as long as you put in some extra efforts.” “When running, you need to keep going and use as little energy as possible and those are the similarities with truck driving.”

Carine Truche, GTO

Noriko Haruta, Corporate Financial Reporting APAC

A Service network to keep your wheels turning

With our service network, you are never far away from UD Trucks expertise. Wherever you are, skilled UD Trucks service technicians are ready to help you, ensuring that you get the support you need to keep your truck and business up and running. Quester. Made to go the extra mile.

Quester, sold in selected markets.