Trucking Industry News

ETHRIDGE, Tenn. – Sharp Transport implemented a new business strategy in 2007. To combat rising fuel costs, management focused on ways to achieve better fuel economy in the future. Recognizing that its 140-truck fleet consisted mostly of big hoods, the company rewrote its purchasing specs in favor of aerodynamic, fuel-efficient trucks.
 
After comparing all options to find the best aero trucks on the market, in December 2007 the company purchased 40 new Kenworth T2000s. Spec'd with 475 hp engines and 75-inch Aerodyne(R) sleepers with Diamond interiors, the company followed EPA SmartWay(SM) spec’ing guidelines to assure optimum fuel efficiency.
 
“Some of our T2000s are getting better than 7 miles per gallon,” said Allie Sharp-Schwalb, president and CEO of Sharp Transport. “As the trucks get broken in, the mileage actually increases.”
 
Sharp's new T2000s average 2,500 miles weekly serving 48 states along eight dedicated corridors. As part of the company’s overall fuel-economy strategy, drivers are encouraged to keep the speedometer at 65 mph and minimize idle time. “Rising fuel prices put a severe crunch on our cash flow,” said Sharp-Schwalb. “Having a fuel efficient fleet really helps.”
 
Asked how her drivers like the T2000s, Sharp-Schwalb said, “They really like the quiet comfort, smooth ride and extra roominess inside the cabs.”
 
While the decision to convert from big hoods to Kenworth T2000s ultimately pleased Sharp's drivers, Sharp-Schwalb said the move to aerodynamic efficiency will help the company survive and thrive in the current economic shakeout.  “The carriers that can ride out this economy will be the winners,” she said. “We decided on the Kenworth T2000 because we wanted better fuel economy and after-the-sale service. The T2000s are great, we got a good rate using PACCAR Financial, and the service we get is excellent.
 
“MHC Kenworth–Nashville handles most of our local maintenance and I’m just blown away at how customer-oriented they are,” she said. “More importantly, we rely on the nationwide Kenworth dealer network, especially when traveling in other states. Our success depends on uptime and on-time deliveries.”
 
With a long list of Blue Chip clients that includes Bridgestone, Carrier Corp. and Newell Rubbermaid, to name just a few, Sharp-Schwalb intends to succeed during these trying times the old-fashioned way — with excellent customer service and quality equipment. “Our T2000s are making the difference.”
 
This kind of customer satisfaction, combined with Kenworth's quality over the road products, contributed to Kenworth's reception of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Over The Road Segment Class 8 Trucks.”*
 
Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World's Best(R) heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’' dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, medium duty diesel-electric hybrids, liquefied natural gas trucks, and the Kenworth Clean Power(R) no-idle system. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Over the Road and Vocational Segment Class 8 trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.