Technology Briefs - Feb. 15 - Feb. 22
The Latest Headlines:
- Mack Adding Programs to Train Technicians
- Cummins, Chinese Company Study Joint Venture
- Nextel, Air-Trak Form Mobile Communications Agreement
- TMW Unveils New Dispatch Software
- Paccar Selects Chevron Delo Coolants as Standard Fill
- Cummins, Chinese Company Study Joint Venture
Mack Adding Programs to Train Technicians
Responding to a shortage of technicians in the trucking industry, Mack Trucks Inc. said Tuesday it is launching a new program to help dealers find, train and retain the next generation of skilled technicians.The program’s centerpiece is a new Technician Recruitment Kit, which features materials and advice for convincing young people to consider becoming truck technicians, Mack said in a release.
“We need to make young people understand that with the advent of advanced electronics, computerized diagnostics and other technologies, the nature of the job has changed dramatically,” said Al Hertzog, director of the North American Institute, Mack’s dealer and customer training operation.
Cummins, Chinese Company Study Joint Venture
Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. said Monday it would study forming a joint venture with China’s Shaanxi Automobile Group Company Ltd. to produce the Cummins ISM 11-liter heavy duty engine in Chinese city of Xi'an.Cummins said in a statement this was the final step before the sides sign a joint-venture agreement. It said construction of a plant could begin as soon as the fourth quarter of 2005 and production could start as early as the third quarter of 2006.
Shaanqi Group is the leading producer of heavy-duty trucks in China, Cummins said, and has been buying a small number of imported engines from Cummins for several years. Transport Topics
Nextel, Air-Trak Form Mobile Communications Agreement
Nextel Communications Inc. and Air-Trak Inc. joined to provide a dual-mode tracking and communications service that combining satellite and cellular communications, the two communications firms said in a joint release.The system combines global positioning system tracking and communications, accessible on Nextel phones through the in-vehicle unit or a combination Air-Trak’s SatCom satellite transceiver, the companies said.
A trucker riding cross-country would be assured of continuous communication even in areas where Nextel coverage is unavailable, the two said. Air-Trak said its satellite service provides 100% coverage throughout North American, and Central America and parts of the Carribbean and South America.
“We are looking forward to working with Nextel customers to ensure they can locate and communicate with mobile workers wherever and whenever they need to,” said Greg White, Air-Trak’s chief executive officer. Transport Topics
TMW Unveils New Dispatch Software
TMW Systems Inc. on Feb. 15 unveiled Visual Dispatch Plus for its TMWSuite software package, which it said gives dispatchers access to every driver and load in the network.TMW provides transportation management software to motor carriers.
The company said in a statement Visual Dispatch Plus provides a graphical time and calendar view of work schedules, as well as driver histories and available orders. Transport Topics
Paccar Selects Chevron Delo Coolants as Standard Fill
ChevronTexaco said Wednesday that truck maker Paccar Inc. had awarded Chevron Delo coolant oils and lubricants the factory-fill business for all Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks made in North America.Kenworth and Peterbilt are units of Paccar. Chevron Delo’s multigrade engine oils have been the factory-fill engine oil for Paccar since 1989, Chevron said in a release.
Chevron said its Delo Extended Life Coolant was available at all Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers in North America. Transport Topics
