Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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Chicago-based Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete has replaced 13 mixer trucks working from its Chinatown plant near downtown with Ken- worth's compressed natural gas- powered W900S mixers. Lucky 13 Ozinga Ready Mix gets critical power, responsive shifting from Cummins-Westport NG-powered Kenworths 13 mixer trucks working from its Chinatown plant near downtown with Kenworth's compressed natural gas- powered W900S mixers. "Since city officials are trying to reduce emissions from trucks that operate in downtown Chicago, we thought placing all of our new CNG trucks in operation there would have the greatest impact," says Tim Ozinga, company spokesman. The company's CNG-powered mix- C ers were delivered late last year, spec'd with 8.9-liter 320-hp Cummins West- port ISL G engines, six-speed Allison 4500RDS automatic transmissions and 72 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JUNE 2012 hicago-based Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete has replaced McNeilus Bridgemaster mixer bodies. The company plans to install a time- fi ll fueling station at the Chinatown plant as it replaces more of its diesel- powered mixers with new CNG-pow- ered units. "Drivers have told us that they're responsive, shift fast and provide good power, " says Pete Huisenga, Ozinga fl eet manager. "They also tell us the en- gines are remarkably quiet and that the truck interiors are very comfortable." The price premium for CNG truck technology, Ozinga estimates, will be returned in 2.5 years, given that natural gas prices consistently have been about $1.50 less than the diesel gallon equivalent. For a company that relies on residential rehab and construction projects for 50 percent of its business, that might seem a risky investment, but Ozinga is positioning itself for the future. "More and more homeowners and small businesses are looking to source their concrete from companies that can demonstrate a commitment to a greener operation," says Ozinga. "Con- tractors also are looking for suppliers who can help them with improving their chances for meeting certifi cation requirements for the Leadership in En- ergy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System." ➧