Mack to be featured on Travel Channel series Made in America

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Mack is set to be featured in an episode of Made in America, a TV series on the Travel Channel that highlights iconic products manufactured in the US. Mack builds every truck it sells in North America, and every truck it exports, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.

In the Mack episode, set to air Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Made in America host George Motz gets an up-close look at the truck building process at Mack's Macungie plant. Working side-by-side with production technicians at the Mack Macungie Assembly Operations, Motz tries his hand at a variety of operations, with varying degrees of success, including taking a shot at installing Mack's famous Bulldog hood ornament.

"George actually did quite well," said John Walsh, Mack director of public relations. "But we made sure our folks were close by - nothing left to chance when it comes to delivering a quality product. In the end, everyone had a lot of fun, and we're looking forward to seeing the show next week."

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Michelin North America appoints new president, chairman

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Michelin North America has a new chairman and president in the form of 29-year Michelin veteran Pete Selleck. He succeeds Richard "Dick" Wilkerson, who is retiring to become chairman emeritus.

Selleck assumes responsibility for coordinating all Michelin activities in Canada, Mexico and the US. He returns to Greenville, S.C., from the Michelin Group's global headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, where he has served as president of Michelin's global Truck Tires division since January 2006. In that role, he was responsible for 30% of Michelin's revenues, and established Michelin Durable Technologies to leapfrog truck tire performance by incorporating multiple innovations in each tire across the product line.

"Pete has a keen business insight and a heart for his employees," said managing partner Jean-Dominique Senard. "He is one of the key leaders who sets Michelin apart. He has a passion for innovation and is dedicated to transforming mobility. I am confident that Michelin North America will continue to excel under his leadership."

"I've been proud to have Dick Wilkerson as a colleague and a friend for more than 25 years," said Selleck. "Dick has left an indelible mark - with Michelin performing very effectively in North America even during the worst recession in decades.  My challenge is to take a strong company with exceptional people to the next level - delivering even more for our customers."

In his previous role, 56-year-old Selleck led many major initiatives, including the rollout of X-One tires in North America. Additionally, he implemented modernization efforts at truck tire plants in Europe and North America while launching major capacity expansions in China, India and Brazil.

Earlier in his career at Michelin, Selleck served in various manufacturing positions, including industrial engineer, shop manager, plant production manager and plant manager. He was also vice-president of Michelin Tire Manufacturing in the US and Canada, COO of Michelin Americas Small Tires and COO of the passenger car and light truck tires replacement market business in Europe.

Selleck is a graduate of both the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he studied civil engineering, and Clemson University, where he earned a master's degree in business administration. He began his career as an Army officer in the 4th Infantry Division, where he served as a platoon leader and a company commander.

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Selleck Takes Chairman/President Post at Michelin North America

Pete Selleck has assumed his posts of chairman and president of Michelin North America, succeeding Richard Wilkerson, who is retiring, the tire manufacturer said Monday.

Selleck began working in the new positions Oct. 17, responsible for coordinating all Michelin activities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Michelin said. The company had first announced the changes in June.

Wilkerson becomes Michel’s chairman emeritus. Michelin first announced his retirement and Selleck’s succession in June.

Selleck, a 29-year Michelin employee. is now based at Michelin North America’s headquarters in Greenville, S.C., returning from Michelin Group’s global headquarters in France, where he served as president of Michelin's global Truck Tires division since January 2006.

In his previous role, Selleck’s initiatives included the rollout of X-One tires in North America, implementation of modernization efforts at truck tire plants in Europe and North America, and capacity expansions in China, India and Brazil, Michelin said.

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Mid America Truck Show 2001 (for Lisa Kelly!)

Those of you who follow truckbloguk on twitter you might well have realised that we are now being followed by, Ice Road Trucking royalty, Lisa Kelly. After I tweeted her (ooh-er!) to see if she’d follow the blog, she duly obliged. So as an odd dedication, I thought i’d do an American truck based post and as yet I don’t think I have ever said to much about my Mid America Truck Show Experience.

Back in the year 2001, when I was a mere whipper snapper, I went to my one and ony American truck show to date. The Mid American Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Part of the main reason for going, other than my slight enthusiasm for a truck, I went out to meet with Panelite. Now for those of you who are saying, Whooooooo?? Panelite were the leading US aftermarket light supplier. You know all the extra orange lights US trucks have, most of them were down to Panelite. At the time the company was run by the founder and his wife, but in the last few years, due to family differences the company is no more, very sad. I am told by a very reliable source that the rights to production and all other copyrights have been bought by a Canadian company, so hopefully the products will be back on your American shelves before long. The reason I went was, at the time I had been talking with Panelite about starting a European dealership as this was something they were supposedly keen to do, but due to many reasons, not that i really understood them all, it never happened. Shame. Look how successful Kelsa and Spot-On have become.

Here are a couple of the then, Panelite show trucks.

I did think on the way to the show, how would they light the trucks up to show the lights. At that point i hadn’t seen trucks plugged into the mains before, once again I guess the American started the trend. One of each of the main American truck’s were represented, such as the Kenworth, Freightliner and Peterbilt above, all kitted out with every possible stainless steel accessorie that you can imagine. The rest of the show was just a impressive as the Panelite stand. It was just amazing really, for those of you who just think its another truck show, your wrong. All I can suggest is that at some point you make the effort to get yourself to the US of A for a show and I highly highly reccomend the MATS.
Out side the is the Truck Beauty Contest. This is really the same sort of standard of trucks as you get at the Nordic Trophy. The trucks were just amazing. Everything was polished stainless steel and great paint jobs. The owner drivers must put so much effort in, they deserve a trophy each! This was the first place I saw wooden floors inside truck cabs! This Kenworth was a prime example of the standard.

As over here, an awful lot of owner drivers have their own trailers and these too are treated to the custom treatment. The highlight of these trailer’s, for me, are the quilted effect rear doors, just wicked, although I imagine following along behind them with the Nevada sun shining at its peak, must test the best of sunglasses!!

A chunky spud of a tipper.

Last of all for those of you haven’t been to the States, one of the best things about travelling about the Interstates is seeing thr trucks in their natural environment. In a lot of states cars still have lower speed limits than cars. Most American trucks will purr along at 70 or 80mph. So you can be driving along and all you can see in your rear view mirror rapidly gaining on you are sights like this;

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“One of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America”

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