NATIONAL PRIVATE TRUCK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

June 1, 2009
NPTC 2009 PLAYS TO RAVE REVIEWS By any measure, the NPTC 2009 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition in Cincinnati was an outstanding success. Meeting in the wake of dismal economic conditions, not to mention the threat of the H1N1 virus, the conference attracted more than 800 attendees. Those in attendance found numerous ways to win. We reached a high-water mark in terms of the quality

NPTC 2009 PLAYS TO RAVE REVIEWS

By any measure, the NPTC 2009 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition in Cincinnati was an outstanding success. Meeting in the wake of dismal economic conditions, not to mention the threat of the H1N1 virus, the conference attracted more than 800 attendees.

Those in attendance found numerous ways to win. We reached a high-water mark in terms of the quality of the educational programming, with 22 individual workshops featuring a distinguished faculty of private fleet experts sharing their insights on how best to meet the growing challenges that included fuel management strategies, driver retention, and equipment maintenance.

Attendees also heard from our keynote speakers — Major General Keith Thurgood, CTP, Dan Baker and Wal-Mart's Chris Sultemeier — who provided informative and inspirational messages with tremendous take-home value.

Attendees also had the opportunity to peruse more than 110 exhibits featuring the latest industry products, services and solutions designed to help private fleet managers in their quest to unlock productivity, improve safety and enhance their value proposition.

Some 28 companies sponsored various activities and materials that were an integral part of the annual conference. Plus, the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry (ACT I) sponsored the annual reception and entertainment, featuring the NashVegas All-Stars, along with food, drinks and plenty of fun. A special ‘thank you' to all of our sponsors!

Make plans to be at NPTC 2010 in Cincinnati next April 18-20, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza and Duke Energy Center.

STUDY RELEASED: BENEFITS OF LARGER TRUCKS

Increases in truck weight and length would have a direct beneficial effect on the challenges facing American businesses, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute that was commissioned by the National Private Truck Council.

Specifically, the study implied significant improvements in fuel availability, cost, congestion, improved distribution efficiency, and driver availability by increasing GVW up to 97,000 lbs. from its current 80,000-lb. maximum while at the same time boosting cubic capacity using LCVs (specifically, two 53-ft. trailers — “turnpike doubles”).

The final report, “Analysis of the Potential Benefits of Larger Trucks for U.S. Businesses Operating Private Fleets,” estimates a reduction in truck loads of 10% if the allowable weight was increased, and 6% if LCVs were permitted. If both strategies were implemented, then the estimated reduction in truck loads from the members surveyed would be 16%.

The anticipated gains from increases in tractor-trailer weight and length would be primarily from the cost of operations and vehicle miles traveled, though some companies will also gain from improved customer service, product mix, and reduced time to market. Go to www.nptc.org for the final report.

NEW PRIVATE FLEET ASSESSMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED

NPTC, Optima Associates Inc., and Schneider National Inc. have launched the Private Fleet Assessment Program, a web-based management resource designed to help private fleets on their journey to world class.

The Private Fleet Assessment Program represents the next generation of the organization's annual benchmarking study, used by a majority of private fleet managers to gauge the cost-effectiveness and overall operational excellence of their fleets. The program evaluates private fleet performance and targets improvement opportunities for private fleets in “Eight Pillars” of scoring: safety and fleet organization, network planning, customer management, fleet management, information management, driver management, continuous improvement and financial management.

Fleets navigating the program visit the Optima web site, enter key operating information, and assess their performance against some 40 qualitative and quantitative attributes. Fleet performance is scored against world-class standards that were derived from hundreds of industry benchmarks and subject matter experts. Not only does the fleet receive a report comparing its performance to world-class standards, but it receives a set of detailed recommendations to help it improve performance.

For more information, please visit the NPTC web site at www.nptc.org.

NPTC RECOGNIZES THE CTP CLASS OF 2009

At the opening session of the NPTC's Annual Conference, 35 CTP candidates walked across the stage for graduation. The Class of 2009 included Fleet Owner-sponsored CTP Top Graduate Awardee Amy Daley, Mobile Product Manager for J.J. Keller and Associates Inc.

Also receiving their CTP designation were: Ricky Abell, MedTrans LLC; Mariko Adams, Frito-Lay Inc.; Chuck Amen, Hillyard Inc.; Chris Berrett, BCT Inc.; Raymond Byrd, The Pepsi Bottling Group; Thomas M. Christian, Jr., ThyssenKrupp Safway Inc. James Coffren, PeopleNet; Kimberlyn Cook, Smart & Final; Brian Corcoran, Idealease of North America; Kevin Coyne, Toys ‘R' Us; Nick Goodell, ThoughtDrivers LLC; Douglas Gosnell, Idealease of North Americ; Darren Gregory, United Rentals Inc.; Keith Hazelwood, Batesville Logistics Inc.; Joseph L. Knoll, Air Liquide Industrial US L.P.; Charles R. Kooken, Jr., PHH Arval; Scott Lewis, Marathon Petroleum Company LLC; Jon Massey, Independent Stave Co., Inc; Scott Moorman, CPC Logistics Inc.; Andy Newkirk, Kellogg Company; John Plunkett, PHH Arval; David Pyan, Benjamin Moore & Co.; Scott Roberts, Cory Home Delivery Service; Lance Robison, Marathon Petroleum Co. LLC; Douglas Sanford, Britt Hunt Company LLC; Anthony Saponaro, Oldcastle Architectural, Inc.; Edward Schultes, Walgreen Oshkosh, Inc.; Robert L. Shipp, Automotive Resources Internationall.; Jeff Simon, Optima Associates Inc.; Eugene Tierney, Kraft Foods Inc.; Steven G. Vlahos, Transportation Logistics Co.; Bryn D. Wells, Cemex Inc.; Robert Wernke, Batesville Logistics Inc.; and Brian Wieland, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated.

The CTP Class of 2010 is now forming. Contact Kristen Feeney at [email protected] or call 703-838-8841 for more information.

NATIONAL DRIVER ALL-STARS DEADLINE JUNE 17, 2009

Applications for NPTC's National Driver All-Stars program are currently being accepted. This unique new program is designed to recognize private fleet drivers for meeting high performance standards in the fields of customer service, safety and compliance. Each NPTC fleet member company is eligible to nominate one driver per year. Visit NPTC's web site at www.nptc.org for more eligibility and application information.

NPTC RECOGNIZES PRIVATE FLEET PROFESSIONALS

The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) presented its Professional Leadership Awards at the NPTC 2009 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition held in Nashville. Since 1990, these awards have been given annually to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the National Private Truck Council, their profession, and the private trucking community. The 2009 award winners are: Private Fleet Executive of the Year, NPTC's highest individual award, went to Harry J. Haney, III, of Kraft Inc.; Private Fleet Safety Professional of the Year Award went to Randy Perry, CDS, Frito Lay Inc.; Private Fleet Member of the Year Award went to George Carpenter, CTP, of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service; Allied Member of the Year Award went to C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., Membership Development Award went to Schneider National Inc.

In addition, Haig Dikijian of Verizon Logistics, received the Daniel P. Smith Life Achievement Award, given to an individual who has made significant leadership contributions to the NPTC in helping advance the goals and objectives of the Council and whose personal traits of honor, integrity, tenacity, and devotion to duty in making these contributions serve as an exemplary model.

DRIVER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES/DODI REAGAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Four truck drivers who have logged more than a combined 17 million miles of safe driving were honored by the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) and inducted into the NPTC/Bridgestone Firestone Driver Hall of Fame on May 4, 2009, in Nashville. The drivers are from NPTC member companies and have met the minimum qualifications of 20 years, 2 million miles or 50,000 hours of driving without a preventable accident. This year's Hall of Fame inductees are: Jose Amor of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service; Melvin F. Hobden of Lance Inc.; Oscar Hymons, Jr. of Gwaltney Transportation division of Smithfield Transportation; and Mark R. Kaiser of Batesville Casket Co..

In addition, the Dodi Reagan Humanitarian Award went to Mervin Elam, a 28-year veteran driver with Batesville Casket Co. who has raised more than $100,000 to help provide resources for learning disabled students and underprivileged children and their families.

By Gary Petty, President and CEO of the National Private Truck Council. His column appears monthly in Fleet Owner. The council's website is www.nptc.org.

COMING EVENTS

Mark your calendars now and reserve your space at the following upcoming events:

NATIONAL SAFETY CONFERENCE

September 10-11, 2009, Herndon, VA

2010 CTP® ELIGIBILITY APPLICATIONS DUE

October 1, 2009

2010 CTP® EXAM APPLICATIONS DUE

November 15, 2009

CTP EXAM PREP WORKSHOP

January 15, 2010, Jacksonville, FL

PRIVATE FLEET MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

January 16-20, 2010, Jacksonville, FL

NPTC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2010

April 18-20, 2010, Cincinnati, OH

About the Author

Gary Petty

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