Five good things happening this week in the trucking industry

This summer, the trucking industry is heating up with new charitable acts and success. Read about each act and achievement in this week’s Five Good Things.

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Wilson works for American Central Transport out of Kansas City, Missouri.

Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for helping accident victim after rollover

The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Mark Wilson from Hernando, Mississippi, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to help a man who crashed on a Missouri highway. Wilson works for American Central Transport out of Kansas City, Missouri.

On May 2, 2024, on I-70 near Marshall, Missouri, Wilson observed a passenger vehicle losing control and leaving the roadway. The vehicle entered a ditch in an empty field and rolled at a high rate of speed.

“It end-over-end crashed,” Wilson said. “I was only 100 feet away from him by the time I parked.”

Wilson brought his truck to a stop on the shoulder of I-70 and went over to the disabled vehicle.

“Fear took over because airbags were covering the window,” Wilson said. “I was afraid if I looked in, I was gonna see something I couldn’t unsee.”

The driver didn’t appear to have any serious injuries but was pinned in the car. Wilson tried to help him get out.

“I pulled him out as far as I could, and I told him, ‘I need you to hug me like I’m your best friend,’” Wilson said.

Once the driver did this, he was able to pull him out of the vehicle. Emergency vehicles arrived soon after, and the driver refused medical treatment. Wilson is glad that he stopped to help.

“How could I just drive away?” he said. “It just seemed like there was no way anybody could have survived that crash.”

This award recognition highlights Fleet Advantage’s contributions to the global supply chain, specifically in transportation and logistics, through its EV Life Cycle Cost Analysis Tool, EVAN.

Fleet Advantage wins Top Supply Chain Projects Award

Fleet Advantage was recently recognized as a winner of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive‘s 2024 Top Supply Chain Projects award. This award recognition highlights Fleet Advantage’s contributions to the global supply chain, specifically in transportation and logistics, through its EV Life Cycle Cost Analysis Tool, EVAN.

Designed to help transportation fleets optimize their TCO and evaluate the efficacy of electric vehicles, EVAN provides insights by comparing diesel and electric Class-8 vehicle costs. The tool incorporates various inputs, such as equipment cost, charging, energy costs, and grants, converting them into a cost-per-mile analysis. This allows fleets to make informed decisions about which type of vehicle is more cost-effective for their operations.

The recognition underscores FA's "commitment to providing innovative solutions that drive sustainability and cost-efficiency in fleet operations,” said John Rickette, CTP, VP of portfolio and manager of the Transaction Management Team at Fleet Advantage. “Our team’s dedication to leveraging advanced analytics and flexible finance options continues to empower our fleet clients to make data-driven decisions that optimize their fleet performance and achieve their ESG goals.”

Two remote schools in the Philippines were gifted school supplies to help make it easier for students to learn.

Chevron donates to Filipino schools

Chevron recently detonated to last mile schools: places so isolated that they can require both boats and treks along rural roads to reach. For the students attending them, getting a quality education can be just as challenging. Living in a remote, unelectrified village in the Philippine province of Bulacan, children at Basyo Elementary School had to rely on moonlight to complete their homework after dark.

That was until Chevron stepped up to help. The company donated supplies, including solar lamps for students without electricity, to two schools in the area. Although it might seem like a small gesture, the gift proved transformational, said the school’s head teacher.

“The solar lights help them study easily at home,” said Airene San Gabriel. “The students can see their books, can write easily and can return to school the following day with a prepared assignment.”

Such efforts support the nation’s Last Mile Schools Program, which aims to bridge learning gaps in students who attend schools in hard-to-reach areas or on isolated islands. In many cases, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened these gaps.

Chevron has been supporting Last Mile Schools since 2022. The company’s efforts include working with and volunteering at local schools.

“The students at these elementary schools have a simple life,” San Gabriel said. “They are living in a community where there is no potable water, no electricity, and no food. So the donations are meaningful to them.”

Peterbilt also recently celebrated the delivery of the 1,000th Model 589 to long-standing and valued customer, Mike Lowrie Trucking, based in Dixon, California.

Peterbilt celebrates Model 589 with over 5,000 orders and 1,000th delivery milestone

Peterbilt is celebrating a milestone for the new Model 589. The company has received over 5,000 orders for the new model. Peterbilt also recently celebrated the delivery of the 1,000th Model 589 to long-standing and valued customer, Mike Lowrie Trucking, based in Dixon, California.

“As the proud recipient of Peterbilt's 1,000th Model 589, I am reminded of the legacy that my family has shared with Peterbilt. From humble beginnings in 1947 with my dad’s first used Peterbilt, to us purchasing our new Peterbilt’s together in 1978, to now operating nearly 250 Peterbilt trucks, they have been more than a truck manufacturer; they've been a partner in our success,” said Mike Lowrie, president of Mike Lowrie Trucking.

Exterior features of the Model 589 include bold 15-inch air cleaners, 7-inch diameter exhaust stacks and exhaust shields, and Peterbilt’s exterior lighting package including LED daytime running lights for a stunning front-end look. Inside, creature comforts such as high-performance automatic climate control, abundant storage space and larger dual cup holders create an inviting driver environment. The Model 589 styling is supported by technologies including an air-assisted hydraulic clutch on manual transmissions, which reduces driver fatigue and maintenance, and the latest collision mitigation and advanced driver technologies for improved safety.

“The Model 589 represents the heritage of the Peterbilt brand and was designed to make a statement with its bold style, superior craftsmanship, and advanced technologies,” said Jake Montero, Peterbilt assistant general manager of sales and marketing. “The successful combination of tradition and innovation has generated tremendous driver acceptance and we’re excited to see 589s on the road and performing well for fleets like Mike Lowrie Trucking.”

A. Duie Pyle honored with Exceptional Performance Award from Uline

A. Duie Pyle recently received the 2023 Exceptional Performance Award from Uline.

Pyle and Uline have been partners for nearly seven years, and this recognition recognizes Pyle’s hard work, leadership, and dedication to providing comprehensive service to Uline and its customers throughout the Northeast.

"Pyle's commitment to on-time, error-free deliveries consistently meets and exceeds customer expectations, upholding Uline's reputation for superior service," said Angelo Ventrone, VP of logistics at Uline. "We appreciate the partnership and dedication to go above and beyond, providing outstanding service and demonstrating a true commitment to supporting Uline and our customers' needs."

As the supply chain progresses and new trends and challenges emerge, it’s more important than ever to foster collaborative relationships with partners to effectively navigate and uphold excellence in service and performance.

"The trucking industry and supply chain are constantly evolving, making it critical that we continue to create tailored and unique solutions to deliver exceptional service to our customers" said John Luciani, COO of LTL solutions at Pyle. "The Pyle team is committed to providing our customers with exemplary service, as we have for the past century, and this recognition from Uline adds further distinction to the company's dedicated efforts.