Erb wins Volvo Trucks Safety Award; $25K prize to go towards safety programs

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Erb International has won the 2012 Volvo Trucks Safety Award, consisting of a $25,000 prize to be put towards safety-related programs.

Erb was recognized during the American Trucking Associations Management Conference for its record in the high-mileage category of 20 million miles or more.

Munoz Trucking of El Paso, Texas won the award for the less than 20 million mile category.

The award is run by Volvo and sponsored by Michelin.

“Volvo is synonymous with safety. It permeates our company culture,” said Magnus Koeck, Volvo Trucks vice-president, marketing and brand management. “Erb International and Munoz Trucking have clearly demonstrated the importance of safety within their organizations. We’re pleased to acknowledge those commitments and how they translate into safe performance on the road.”

Fleets were ranked by their accident frequency rate using US DoT data and then evaluated on their accident prevention programs.

Erb International, with its 240 trucks, in 2011 recorded an accident frequency rate of just 0.294 while logging more than 27.2 million miles.

The company boasts an employee and driver wellness program, encourages participation in truck driving championships, offers a driver performance incentive program and collects driver performance data for use in developing driver risk assessment reports. They also have a hazard prevention program, present safety-related information in all terminal driver’s rooms and have driver supervisors and trainers available at each terminal, Volvo reported.

“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Volvo Trucks Safety Award,” said Wendell Erb, Erb International president and CEO. “When there is proven technology like Volvo offers that can improve safety for us, we will be right there to add it to the spec of the truck. What we see with Volvo is the safety side of the equipment is definitely an added bonus. Volvo is competitive in everything and at the same time, they are a very safe truck.” 
“I’m just so proud of everyone at Erb International for their achievements,” added Tom Boehler, director of safety and compliance for Erb International. “It’s the employees’ willingness to participate in our programs that makes us a success.

Volvo has produced a video on Erb’s safety program, which can be viewed here.

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Volvo Exec Leaving Truck Division; Company Launching European Truck in September

Ron Huibers, Volvo Trucks’ president of sales and marketing in North America, is leaving the truck-making unit to become president of Volvo Penta Americas, which makes boat engines.

A replacement for Huibers at Volvo Trucks is expected to be named during the fall, a company spokesman said. Huibers became president of sales and marketing on Jan. 1.

Separately, Volvo said it will launch new versions of its Volvo FH and Volvo FH16 heavy-duty trucks in Europe on Sept. 5. The truck will use a new independent front suspension system.

Volvo Trucks spokesman Brandon Borgna said the new suspension system will not be available on trucks sold in North America.

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Volvo I-Shift, Mack mDrive now produced in US

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Volvo Group has brought production of the Volvo I-Shift and Mack mDrive automated manual transmissions to North America.

The organization has spent US$8 million and created 50 new jobs in bringing production of its transmissions to the US, the company announced.

“This is an important addition to our North American production capabilities and highlights I-Shift’s tremendous growth since its introduction more than five years ago to the North American market,” said Ron Huibers, president, Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing. “I-Shift has been a game-changer, providing Volvo customers clear fuel efficiency and productivity improvements. We’re glad to see the industry now adopting this type of technology.”

Also joining the assembly line at Hagerstown is Mack’s mDrive. Mack has been building powertrain components at the plant since 1961.

“Expanding our manufacturing activities in the US is important to Mack,” said Kevin Flaherty, president of Mack Trucks North American sales and marketing, and a vocal proponent of US-based manufacturing. “Bringing mDrive assembly to the Hagerstown facility while also meeting the growing demand we’ve seen since the transmission’s introduction in 2010 exemplifies our commitment to investing in what our customers need.”

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Volvo opens permanent truck display at Greensboro Children's Museum

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Volvo Trucks has partnered with the Greensboro Children’s Museum to open a new permanent exhibit featuring a Volvo VNL 670. The interactive display allows children to get behind the wheel and explore all aspects of the truck and its sleeper cab and is designed to teach the importance of trucks in society, according to Volvo.

“The new truck exhibit provides a fun environment for children to learn about the integral role trucks play in sustaining the quality of life in our communities,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing. “Greensboro is home to Volvo Trucks, and we’re proud to have a place where our employees can take their children to learn about the industry we serve.”
The Volvo VNL 670 model, housed in the museum’s transportation area, also provides an active and imaginative setting to learn about Volvo’s focus on safety and environmental care. In addition to showcasing facts on each of those values, the exhibit is designed to teach children how to safely cross the street in front of stopped vehicles and buckle three-point safety belts – a feature Volvo invented in 1959.
“We are thrilled to have a Volvo truck as our newest addition,” said Marian King, CEO of the museum. “Recognized as a leader in transportation technology, Volvo is a great partner with the Children’s Museum as we are a leader in developing creativity, curiosity and learning through play. The bright red truck will inspire and entertain for years to come.”

Greensboro area officials and more than 800 Volvo employees and their families recently attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the permanent exhibit.

Click here to view a brief video about the new Volvo exhibit.

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Volvo launches I-See 'autopilot' fuel-saving technology in Europe

GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Volvo Trucks in Sweden has developed a new I-See feature that uses a truck’s kinetic energy to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 5%.

The system operates like an autopilot, using the transmission’s tilt sensor to determine topography and then uses the truck’s momentum to save fuel. It can: accelerate before an incline begins; avoid changing gears near the brow of a hill; avoid accelerate when approaching a descent; freewheel down downhill portions; brake before a downhill slope ends but release the brakes at the end of the slope to pick up speed ahead of a new ascent.

“If kinetic energy can be exploited to a greater extent, it may help cut fuel consumption. This will benefit both the environment and the industry’s economy, something that is very important today as fuel costs are becoming an increasingly heavy burden on many haulage firms,” relates Anders Eriksson, product developer at Volvo Trucks.

I-See can recall about 4,000 gradients, Volvo says.

“I-See is an autopilot linked to the truck’s cruise control, taking over and handling gear changes, throttle and brakes on gradients, ensuring they all operate in the most fuel-efficient way possible. I-See freewheels as much as possible – so on certain stretches of road no fuel is used at all,” explains Hayder Wokil, product manager at Volvo Trucks.

“In this way fuel consumption can be cut by up to 5%. This figure is based on the results of simulations and tests on public roads. I-See requires use of the cruise control, and we know that on average drivers use cruise control about half the time. For a truck in normal operation, covering 140,000 kilometres a year, the saving will be about 1,000 litres of fuel annually. This makes a big difference to the haulage firm’s profitability.”

The greatest fuel savings, Volvo says, come where there are an abundance of small hills.

“I-See works best in undulating terrain. With moderately long and steep slopes, I-See ensures that you can freewheel for long distances without using the engine,” explains Eriksson. “It is this freewheeling capability that makes the system special. When the truck rolls freely, virtually no fuel is used. But in order to freewheel, a whole lot of data is required.”

He said I-See also saves on brake and tire wear.

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Deutrans Volvo F88

Back in September 2010 I popped off to Hanover for the day to the IAA Show. A good day a out Hanover’s equivalent of the NEC. One of the halls had a load of old classics in, so as you can expect I had a wonder round and came across a Deutrans Volvo F88. I had only ever seen models and photos of a Deutrans truck, so seeing one in the flesh was fairly impressive, with the bright orange paint work. It was only recently that Neil Jarrold from www.euro-wheels said; “I’ve got an original just like that” So here it is;

Not knowing a lot about the company I have just been on the Deutrans Website, which give’s a lot of info and some good photos too. This little statement is from Wikipedia, so is free for you all to find;

“After the Second World War, the Soviet military administration in urgent need of a shipping company that took care of reparations and the removal of all foreign trade shipments between the Soviet occupation zone in Germany, later, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Soviet Union safe. Therefore, the “Derutra” on
26 March 1946 in East Berlin re-established. She acted initially as a carrier, ie they vermakelte freight orders to the now established state-owned road transport companies. The vehicles had to be satisfied with what had been left intact the machinery of war or give up what the Soviets from their military stocks were
prepared. By 1950, the VVB (combination of state-owned enterprises) established German shipping. Her were under the VEB (state-owned enterprise) German shipping in the various districts, which in turn has its own fleet. The German shipping was responsible above all, the inter-zone traffic and the handling of shipments into the so-called non-socialist countries. But in all activities, the problem of obtaining suitable truck. The commercial vehicle industry in the GDR was still in its infancy, and until 1952 was the first with the IFA H6 serious truck on the market. But in
1959 the Schwerlastwagenbau in the GDR was completely suspended. So there was only the import, and if possible from the “brother countries”. But besides the Skoda from Czechoslovakia and the rest of the Eastern bloc could offer no useful first
truck.

But first, 1954, the DEUTRANS – International Freight
Forwarding was founded. This acted as a pure forwarder and instructed the
state-owned road transport companies, the German Reichsbahn, but also shipping
with the transport execution. They tried to handle the bulk of the shipments by rail.
In the 1960s, but also had to recognize the GDR leadership, that you do not follow the
international trend to road transport could be closed longer. The procurement of
appropriate vehicles proved to be a serious problem in terms of foreign exchange
for the chronically strapped East Germany. That each invested would pay more
than market value, could anyone seriously imagine that time. First they tried to conduct
business on the basis of compensation. The East German industry would
actively trade relations with Sweden. What could be better than to swap
machines for Swedish Volvo Truck?”

That was all translated from German I think, so apologies for the slightly dodgy grammer! No different to my normal standard!! Hopefully this may spark a few response’s to Deutrans, if you have any thing to add please email me ben@truckblog.co.uk or leave your comments here. Another good photo from Neil Jarrold, head over to www.euro-wheels.com to see many many more!!

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Volvo Expects Reorganization of Truck Business to Boost Margin

Volvo AB said its operating margin should eventually grow by 3% as a result of the reorganization of its truck division, Bloomberg reported.

“I will not give a deadline when we’re done with it, but it will be over time,” CEO Olof Persson said Tuesday, Bloomberg reported.

The previously announced restructuring of the company’s truck division is aimed at simplifying purchases and decreasing internal invoicing, Bloomberg said.

Persson said the changes are “on track” for completion by Jan. 1, Bloomberg reported.

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Volvo Plans Truck Investments in China, India

Volvo AB is planning investments in India and China to bolster its truck business and meet demand from those markets, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing a company executive.

The truck unit’s China investments will include opening research and development centers and expanding distribution and retail, Volvo Group Senior Vice President Par Ostberg said in an interview in Singapore.

In India, Volvo plans to build plants such as one for medium-duty engines, Bloomberg reported.

Volvo is only seeing a “very small impact” on Chinese demand from rising interest rates, said Ostberg, who joined the Volvo in 1990.

Volvo AB, the parent company of Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks, is scheduled to release its third-quarter earnings this week.

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Volvo, Mack to Continue Sponsorship of ATA Safety Campaigns

Michael G. Malloy/TT

Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks will continue sponsoring key American Trucking Associations safety outreach programs for the trucking industry in 2012.

The two made the announcements at ATA’s annual Management Conference & Exhibition, being held this week in Grapevine, Texas. Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are units of Volvo AB.

VTNA will continue sponsoring America’s Road Team, under which professional drivers with outstanding driving records deliver messages about highway safety and the importance of trucking.

Volvo is “very proud to be part of the ATA’s America’s Road Team program,” said Ron Huibers, VTNA’s senior vice president, sales and marketing. “As one of the most important and effective highway safety efforts out there, the program fits perfectly with Volvo’s core value of safety.”

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SCOOP!! New Shape Volvo Spotted in Oz

Andy Wilson (of HC Wilson family fame), spotted this new Volvo FH16 700 in Wulkaraka, Queensland, Australia. Still with a little bit of covering up on the cab. To me it firmly look like a Volvo, it cant possibly be any thing else, the disguise just isn’t upto scratch!! Good Spot Andy.

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