Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JUNE 2015 47 INNOVATORS FLEETMASTER EXPRESS Roanoke, Va. with an auxiliary power unit to con- serve fuel and prevent idling. The new clean trucks align with Fleetmaster's longtime participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partner- ship for improving fuel effi ciency, re- ducing greenhouse gases and reducing air pollution from the transportation supply chain industry. "With the proven reliability and fuel economy of the latest engines, we have enjoyed favorable operating results while furnishing a vehicle that delivers superb driver satisfaction," says Carl Bumgarner, president and chief execu- tive offi cer. To improve customer service and enhance its driver satisfaction efforts even further, Fleetmaster also has added 200 new trailers to its current fl eet. The fuel-effi cient trailers are made from lighter-weight materi- als and feature wide-base tires with aluminum wheels. "These lighter-weight trailers will help us service our customers even better by allowing us to haul the maximum weight allowed," says Travis Smith, vice president and chief operating offi cer. "We are excited to be getting these top-of-the-line trailers to work in tandem with the 100 new trucks. We believe investing in these additions is appreciated by both our customer base and our driving force." T here's something to be said about doing the right things for the right people, and Fleetmaster Express appears to be working all angles to take care of both their drivers and their customers by acquiring the latest equipment and technology, and beefi ng up driver pay to help keep its new invest- ments rolling. The growing 28-year-old company operates more than 300 trucks and 1,400 trailers and serves customers from 13 terminals, offering over-the-road, local and dedicated hauling, as well as freight brokerage, warehousing and spotting services. In addition to its base in Roanoke, Va., Fleetmaster also has other Virginia loca- tions in Danville and Williamsburg, as well as terminals in several other states. Delivering satisfaction Nearly two years ago, the company made its initial statement that it was intent on upgrading its fl eet. In the last quarter of 2013, it added 40 new tractors. Last October, Fleetmaster followed up on that previous investment by purchas- ing an additional 60 new trucks. The company says the equipment investments represented a 10 percent increase in growth and would allow it to hire more drivers and haul more weight up to 50,000 pounds. Each truck has modern fuel-effi cient engines with selective catalytic reduction and fuel-effi cient transmissions and rear axles. The trucks also have the latest tech- nologies and real-time connectivity with customer support and come equipped The company buys new equipment and beefs up its pay package to maxi- mize both customer and driver satisfaction. Fleetmaster Express invests in the future BY DEAN SMALLWOOD